Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of books on the subject has been increasing exponentially. This introductory list, which will be updated regularly, is meant to help collection development librarians get started on determining which books work best for their collections. However, this list is not meant to be comprehensive. Most of these titles, especially ones published in early 2020, are already outdated. At the time of this writing, none of the titles reflect the cases of COVID-19 in and around the White House. In addition, librarians should be sure to check for bias and inaccurate science when selecting books relating to COVID-19. Titles that downplay or dispute the virus, along with those that contain anti-Chinese sentiment, are ones that librarians should be cautious of, and are not included here.

SCIENCE & MEDICINE

Christakis, Nicholas A. Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live. Little, Brown Spark. ISBN 9780316628211. $29.
Christakis focuses on the biology of the COVID-19 pandemic and our sociological responses to it, especially as this is the first pandemic in which social media has been a factor in spreading misinformation and distrust of science.

Giordano, Paolo. How Contagion Works. Bloomsbury. Apr. 2020. ebk ISBN 9781635576856. $4.99.
Giordano expands beyond COVID-19 to discuss other global catastrophes and how individuals and communities can learn to recognize early warnings and ultimately adapt and change.

MacKenzie, Debora. Covid-19: The Pandemic That Never Should Have Happened and How to Stop the Next One. Hachette. Jul. 2020. ISBN 9780306924248. $27.
MacKenzie delves into the history of COVID-19, along with earlier outbreaks, in order to explain the unlearned lessons that contributed to the pandemic, and includes advice for the future.

Senthilingam, Meera. Outbreaks and Epidemics: Battling Infection from Measles to Coronavirus. Icon. Apr. 2020. ISBN 9781785785634. pap. $15.95.
Senthilingam writes a fascinating history of how infectious diseases are recognized, how they spread, and how mitigation efforts are developed and executed across the world.

SELF-HELP

Kelly, Brendan. Coping with Coronavirus: How to Stay Calm and Protect Your Mental Health. Melville House. Apr. 2020. ebk. ISBN 9781612198842. $1.99.
A short, accessible read for those interested in mindfulness and self-help, but also for those who identify as spending too much time catching up on COVID-19 news via social media.

ESSAYS

Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19. Central Ave. ed. by Jennifer Haupt. Sept. 2020. ISBN 9781771682282. pap. $16.99.
Among the first anthologies of its kind, this thoughtful and engaging compilation is recommended for readers seeking understanding and connection and a more empathetic and less materialistic post–­COVID-19 world.