Of all the novels I have read over the course of Europe’s numerous lockdowns, these books in particular gripped me the most, some even lingering in my memory more than a year later. Whether they left me sobbing or laughing, whether they were frustrating or heart-wrenching, each of these novels taught me something. Is that, after all, not exactly what books are for?

Read on to discover the 10 novels that saved my lockdown.

For those interested in the great outdoors, breathtaking adventures, and thoughts about our planet and its conservation; this list includes classics as well as more recent books.