Badass Books to Read During Social Distancing

Editor: Anita Newkirk Hackney

Covid-19 is 2020’s shit-show. So, why not read some badass books to escape this world of division and social distancing and rekindle the spark of imagination? Books are an escape that can make a person take a leap of faith into the lofty realms of fiction and folklore and free themselves from the stressful shackles of reality. 

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE—GEORGE R.R. MARTIN

Game of Thrones premiered in 2011, and the final season aired last year; but it does not mean the GOT merchandise has ended. In fact, there is more merch coming.  According to George R.R. Martin, there might also be a spin-off series in the GOT universe in the near future. 

The book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, or Game of Thrones, is about the royal families in Westeros and the conflicts between them. In the first book, King Robert Baratheon wants his son, Joffrey to wed Sansa, Eddard Stark’s daughter, in order to further their alliance. During King Robert’s stay, chaos brews in Winterfell and affects the choices of the main characters in the book series. This story is not just about the sexual innuendos; it is about division, leadership, honor, love, betrayal, loyalty, knowledge, and power. 

Conservative thinkers are not keen on reading this book due to the sexual flings that occur in the storyline. Once a person overlooks the sexual realism of George R.R. Martin’s book series, they will see a strong storyline with a list of badass women in a time where women have no power. 

Here is a list of badass women from the Game of Thrones book series:

Arya Stark

Arya Stark is a fighter who participates in sword dancing lessons from Syrio Forel before the death of King Robert Baratheon. As Eddard Stark is beheaded in front of the people of King’s Landing, she goes into hiding disguised as an orphan boy. In the last book of the series, Arya Stark becomes a skillful student who has been tutored under two masters of their craft – Syrio Forel and the Faceless Men. 

Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister is a cunning woman. She conspires with her cousin, Lancel to kill her husband, King Robert Baratheon in the first book of Game of Thrones when he is gored by a wild boar while hunting. Cersei indirectly poisons her husband’s wine, but it is to her advantage as she is made the queen regent of King’s Landing. This ultimately made her son, Joffrey Baratheon king over Westeros. All the while in Essos, a usurped princess arose from the ashes with three dragons by her side. 

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen is a strong-willed leader with a kind heart. In the beginning of the book and TV series, the audience watches as she metamorphosizes from a victim of abuse and sexual assault into a strong-willed leader with multiple titles, which depict her prowess and power. Daenerys Targaryen is a character foil of Cersei Lannister. She cares about the well-being of the people of Mereen, while Cersei only cares about herself and the power she is receiving as the queen regent of King’s Landing. 

Sansa Stark

At the start of the series, Sansa Stark is like most girls in junior high. She is boy-crazy for Joffrey Baratheon; however, once Joffrey has Eddard Stark beheaded, she sees what Arya tried to tell her before their father’s untimely demise. When Arya escapes King’s Landing, Sansa becomes a prisoner-of-war for Cersei and Joffrey to torment. Although she is a POW, Sansa outsmarts her captors by having them believe she is still in love with Joffrey. She may not have Arya’s fighting skills, but she outsmarts some of the wisest members of King’s Landing like Cersei and Tyrion Lannister, Varys and Petyr Baelish. 

Due to the coronavirus and the chaotic malcontent plaguing the nation, books are an escape people need in these trying times. Books are an escape from reality. They make people take a leap of faith into the lofty realms of fiction and folklore, free from the chaotic monotony of reality.