8 Self-isolation Books That Experts Mercedes Schlapp and Bolu Babalola Trust

Discover expert-recommended Self-isolation Books from Mercedes Schlapp, senior Trump Pence advisor, and Bolu Babalola, pop culture scholar, for insightful solitude guidance.

Mercedes Schlapp
Bolu Babalola
Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if isolation could be more than just a challenge? In a world where solitude often feels like a burden, the right guidance can turn self-isolation into a powerful opportunity for growth and clarity. Self-isolation books have become essential companions, helping you navigate the emotional and psychological landscape of being alone.

Experts like Mercedes Schlapp, a senior advisor during the Trump Pence campaign, and Bolu Babalola, a pop culture scholar and bestselling storyteller, have shared their insights on books that reshape how solitude is understood. For instance, Schlapp highlights The Weaponization of Loneliness for its sharp analysis of social isolation in political contexts, while Babalola points to 100 Days of Solitude for its raw, reflective storytelling.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific circumstances, such as emotional challenges, pet companionship, or creative solitude, might consider creating a personalized Self-isolation book that builds on these insights and fits your unique journey.

Best for understanding social isolation politics
Mercedes Schlapp, senior advisor during the Trump Pence campaign with deep roots in faith, family, and freedom advocacy, highlights this book's importance in understanding loneliness as a political weapon. She emphasizes its value with her endorsement: "A must read: Stella Morabito's new book Weaponization of Loneliness." Schlapp’s perspective underscores how the book helped her grasp the ways tyrants exploit social fears, encouraging you to rethink the impact of isolation on political and social life.
MS

Recommended by Mercedes Schlapp

Senior Advisor for Trump Pence campaign

A must read: Stella Morabito's new book Weaponization of Loneliness. (from X)

2022·304 pages·Self-isolation, Social Psychology, Political Strategy, Media Influence, Conformity

Drawing from her experience as an intelligence analyst and a deep engagement with propaganda's social effects, Stella Morabito investigates how fear of loneliness becomes a tool for control. You’ll gain insight into the mechanisms tyrants use—from historical revolutions to modern media monopolies—to isolate individuals and enforce conformity through psychological pressure. The book dives into tactics like mob agitation, cancel culture, and identity politics to show how these forces fracture communities and erode private life. If you want to understand the intersection of social isolation and political manipulation, this book offers a critical perspective, though it may be less suited for those seeking purely personal self-isolation strategies.

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Best for reflective solitude seekers
Bolu Babalola, a pop culture scholar and bestselling storyteller, found herself drawn to "100 Days of Solitude" during moments of reflection on personal freedom and self-expression. She shares a candid reaction: "Me reading 100 Days of Solitude (I love the book sm but!!! So much incest 😭)", highlighting the book’s unexpected and raw narratives. This honest take underscores how Daphne Kapsali’s collection challenges typical solitude stories, offering you a complex, sometimes messy, but ultimately revealing look at solitude’s many facets and how it reshapes your understanding of self.
BB

Recommended by Bolu Babalola

Pop culture scholar; bestselling storyteller

@katierpacker Me reading 100 Days of Solitude (I love the book sm but!!! So much incest 😭) (from X)

100 days of solitude book cover

by Daphne Kapsali··You?

2015·398 pages·Self-isolation, Personal Growth, Mindfulness, Creativity, Philosophy

Daphne Kapsali’s experience abandoning London life for a remote Greek island led her to craft a unique blend of memoir, philosophy, and travel writing in "100 Days of Solitude." Through 100 interconnected yet standalone essays, you explore the internal battles of self-doubt and the pursuit of authentic living, with vivid stories ranging from mundane mishaps to profound moments of clarity. You'll find reflections on embracing uncertainty over comfort, and learn how solitude can spark creativity and self-discovery. This book suits anyone seeking to rethink their relationship with time, space, and personal identity beyond conventional productivity or isolation narratives.

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Best for personal growth plans
This AI-created book on solitude mastery is crafted based on your background, skill level, and specific interests in self-growth during isolation. You share what aspects of solitude you wish to explore and your personal goals, and the book focuses on providing insights and guidance tailored to your journey. It’s designed to help you navigate the complexities of being alone while maximizing the opportunities for growth and clarity that solitude offers. This personalized approach ensures the content matches your unique experience and aspirations.
2025·50-300 pages·Self-isolation, Solitude Mastery, Self-Growth, Emotional Resilience, Mindful Reflection

This tailored book explores techniques for mastering solitude and fostering self-growth, crafted to align with your unique background and goals. It examines the psychological nuances of isolation, offering a pathway through personal challenges and opportunities that solitude presents. By focusing on your specific interests, it reveals how to cultivate resilience, deepen self-awareness, and harness solitude for creative and emotional development. The content embraces a personalized approach, delivering insights that resonate with your individual journey and empower meaningful transformation. Through this book, you engage with a synthesis of human knowledge tailored to support thriving in isolation and unlocking personal potential.

Tailored Guide
Solitude Resilience
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for turning loneliness into growth
Renuka Gavrani is a young author who explores solitude and self-discovery with an eye toward transforming loneliness into personal growth. Drawing from her own experiences, she encourages embracing alone time as a path to achieving your dreams and finding inner peace. Her insights make this book a valuable companion for anyone ready to rethink solitude and harness it for meaningful change.
2024·152 pages·Self-isolation, Personal Growth, Mindfulness, Emotional Health, Solitude

What started as Renuka Gavrani's personal journey through loneliness became a thoughtful exploration of solitude’s potential to foster growth. She breaks the stigma around being alone, showing you how to shift from feeling isolated to embracing your solo moments as opportunities for self-discovery and goal achievement. The book divides this transformation into two parts: first reshaping your perception of loneliness, then leveraging solitude as a springboard for personal development. If you’ve ever felt trapped by social expectations or struggled with being alone, this book offers practical insights and relatable examples that guide you in turning solitude into a constructive, empowering experience.

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Best for dog owners in confinement
Dominic Hodgson, known as 'The Pet Biz Wiz,' is a respected dog trainer and author of nine books who pioneered the UK's first Dog Adventure company. Having helped over 1,600 pet business owners grow their enterprises, he brings deep expertise to this book, addressing the challenges dog owners face during self-isolation. His experience shines through in practical advice designed to keep your dog active, mentally sharp, and emotionally connected even when confined indoors.
2020·129 pages·Self-isolation, Pet Care, Dog Training, Behavior Management, Mental Stimulation

What started as a practical response to lockdown challenges quickly became a resource for anyone stuck indoors with their dog. Dominic Hodgson, an experienced trainer known as 'The Pet Biz Wiz,' zeroes in on keeping your dog mentally and physically engaged without leaving your home. You'll find straightforward techniques for tiring out energetic dogs, creative scent games, and interactive feeding methods that transform mealtime into entertainment. The book caters to dog owners facing the unique frustrations of self-isolation, offering tools to maintain harmony and connection when outdoor options are limited. If you want to keep your dog happy and reduce destructive behaviors during confinement, this guide has pragmatic ideas that actually work.

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Best for exploring solitude's depth
Sara Maitland is a Scottish author celebrated for her insightful explorations of solitude and personal reflection. With a literary background and a passion for themes of isolation and self-discovery, Maitland translates her own experiences into a nuanced examination of being alone. Her work invites you to rethink solitude, not as a void but as an opportunity for emotional and psychological growth, positioning her as a thoughtful guide on this deeply human experience.
How to Be Alone (School of Life) book cover

by Sara Maitland··You?

Self-isolation, Solitude, Emotional Health, Personal Reflection, Mindfulness

Sara Maitland brings to life the complex experience of solitude with a literary lens shaped by her deep engagement with literature and personal reflection. This book explores how being alone can be more than just a state of isolation—it can be a rich, transformative practice. You’ll find insights into embracing solitude as a tool for self-discovery and emotional clarity, illustrated by Maitland’s reflections and historical examples, such as meditative solitude in religious traditions. If you seek to understand how to navigate your own moments of being alone without loneliness, this book offers thoughtful perspectives rather than quick fixes. It’s best suited for those curious about the psychological and emotional dimensions of solitude rather than practical survival guides.

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Best for personalized renewal plans
This custom AI book on mental renewal is created based on your background, current emotional state, and the specific challenges you face during isolation. By sharing your goals and interests, you get a book that focuses exactly on the mental and emotional reset you need. AI helps craft a plan that fits your pace and preferences, making the journey toward clarity and calm more accessible and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·Self-isolation, Mental Clarity, Emotional Renewal, Mindfulness Practices, Stress Reduction

This tailored book explores a detailed, step-by-step plan for rapid mental and emotional renewal during isolation, focusing on your unique background and goals. It covers practical techniques to clear mental fog, reduce emotional strain, and rebuild clarity over a 30-day period. By matching its content closely to your interests, this book reveals how isolation can become a catalyst for personal transformation rather than mere solitude. It examines methods for sustaining emotional balance, enhancing mindfulness, and fostering renewed mental energy, all tailored to fit your specific needs and pace. This personalized approach allows you to engage deeply with content that resonates, making renewal both accessible and meaningful.

Tailored Guide
Cognitive Reset Methods
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for overcoming fear of solitude
Janett Menzel works as a counselor, specialist journalist, and author with expertise in anxieties and female self-worth. Her extensive background led her to write this book to help individuals confront and transform their fear of being alone through self-recognition and emotional understanding. Drawing from her counseling experience, she offers readers a structured journey to explore their loneliness and develop lasting self-love, making the book a valuable companion for those navigating self-isolation challenges.
2017·207 pages·Self-isolation, Emotional Health, Self-Love, Anxiety, Personal Development

Janett Menzel draws from her extensive experience as a counselor and specialist journalist to explore the complex emotions behind loneliness and the fear of being alone. You’ll learn to identify the roots of your discomfort with solitude, understand how old belief systems and toxic relationships contribute to it, and apply over 70 strategies to transform these patterns into genuine self-love. The book’s workbook format encourages self-recognition and gentle examination rather than avoidance, making it particularly suited for anyone struggling with emotional dependencies or seeking to develop a healthier relationship with themselves. If you’re ready to confront your fears with practical insight rather than quick fixes, this book offers a thoughtful path forward.

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Best for thriving in extended isolation
Roz Savage is the most prolific female ocean rower in history, having rowed solo across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, spending 520 days alone at sea. Her firsthand experience with extreme isolation inspired this book, where she distills hard-earned lessons about coping with solitude. Drawing on her remarkable voyages, the book offers you a unique perspective on how to not just survive but thrive when alone, making it a valuable companion for anyone facing extended periods of self-isolation.
2020·201 pages·Self-isolation, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Mindset, Resilience

Roz Savage’s decades alone at sea sculpt the core of this book, offering you insights drawn from over 500 days of solitude far from human contact. Rather than dwelling on fear, she focuses on reshaping your mindset to embrace isolation as a space for personal growth and self-awareness. You'll find practical strategies to manage feelings like disorientation and self-doubt, with relatable anecdotes from her ocean voyages and others who have studied loneliness. If you’re seeking to transform solitude from a burden into an opportunity for reflection and purpose, this guide delivers straightforward wisdom grounded in real experience.

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Best for positive isolation strategies
Gi Gi O'Brien, a social entrepreneur and founder of the Global Intelligence Initiative, brings together neuropsychology, neurobiology, and cosmology to offer a fresh perspective on self-isolation. Her experience consulting across Barbados, Los Angeles, and Bali, combined with the Australian Pacesetter Award, grounds this handbook in credible expertise. Motivated to help people master their innate intelligence, she crafted this guide to transform the hardships of pandemic lockdown into a path for emotional and mental growth.
2020·84 pages·Self-isolation, Quarantine, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Wellbeing

Gi Gi O'Brien's background as a social entrepreneur and founder of the Global Intelligence Initiative informs this handbook's unique blend of neuropsychology, neurobiology, and cosmology to help you navigate self-isolation with humor and positivity. You’ll uncover practical insights like her innovative 5H Hierarchy for Self-Evolution and a tailored quarantine routine designed to boost mental immunity and foster creativity during lockdown. The book reshapes the Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity for inner peace and future growth, with chapters exploring how to harness optimism, nourishment, and action amid uncertainty. It’s a thoughtful read for anyone seeking to transform isolation from a challenge into a catalyst for personal development.

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Conclusion

These 8 books collectively reveal that self-isolation isn't a one-dimensional experience. From political manipulation to personal transformation, from managing pet care to fostering mental resilience, the themes converge on embracing solitude as a complex, sometimes messy, but ultimately enriching state.

If you're facing political or social anxiety during isolation, start with The Weaponization of Loneliness to understand larger forces at play. For emotional growth and practical coping, The Art of Being Alone and About the Art of Being Alone offer hands-on strategies. Dog owners confined at home will find The Dog Owners Self-Isolation Survival Guide indispensable for maintaining harmony.

For rapid mindset shifts, combine The Gifts of Solitude with The Quarantine Handbook to nurture mental immunity and positivity. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Self-isolation book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and deepen your experience of solitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with what resonates most. If you're curious about isolation’s political impact, try The Weaponization of Loneliness. For personal emotional growth, The Art of Being Alone offers practical insights. Choose based on your current needs to make the journey manageable and meaningful.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Self-isolation?

Not at all. Many books like How to Be Alone and About the Art of Being Alone guide beginners gently through understanding solitude. They focus on emotional awareness and self-love, making them accessible for anyone starting their solitude journey.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Consider starting with books that address your immediate challenges. Begin with mindset and emotional coping books such as The Gifts of Solitude, then explore broader themes like social isolation in The Weaponization of Loneliness. Tailor the order to your interests and pace.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Both offer value. Newer books like The Art of Being Alone provide fresh perspectives suited to current experiences, while classics like How to Be Alone offer timeless reflections. Balancing both can enrich your understanding of solitude across time.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

The Dog Owners Self-Isolation Survival Guide and About the Art of Being Alone stand out for concrete, practical strategies you can implement immediately, whether managing pet care or transforming loneliness into self-love.

How can personalized Self-isolation books complement these expert recommendations?

Personalized books build on expert insights by tailoring advice to your unique situation, making strategies more relevant and actionable. They bridge general principles with your goals and challenges. Learn more about creating your personalized Self-isolation book.

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