Books On My TBR

1) The Waves by Virginia Woolf 

From every snippet of this book that I’ve seen, the prose is devastatingly beautiful, and that’s exactly what compelled me to immediately include it on my TBR list. Published in 1931, this book follows six friends and their development into adults. There is variety in the themes and meanings that you can pull from this book, and it covers matters like social acceptance and change/new experiences. It covers the way humanity perceives the world and how we struggle to create order and meaning in our lives. It’s a novel with immense depths, and it is filled with rich/lyrical language. I’m looking forward to reading it. 

2) East of Eden by John Steinbeck 

I got this recommendation from TikTok after a really emotional and passionate review left by a reader, so, of course, I was fascinated. From what I’ve gathered through reviews, the book follows the cyclical nature of relationships, specifically between two generations of brothers. It displays this complex relationship between a Californian farming family and is a recreation of the biblical Cain and Abel story. It also displays the arc of redemption and the ability to grow and heal and expand our hearts/minds to love. It shows flaws in our character and moral actions as humans, but also how we can control what we do, and how that relies on free will vs fate. So many people seem to adore this book; they have glowing praises of it being a “masterpiece” and a “must-read” since it makes you evaluate and think deeper about so many topics. 

3) Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I found this book after I read A Little Life and desperately needed something heartfelt and cozy to repair the damage that book did. So I stumbled upon Remarkably Bright Creatures, and I was skeptical at first. This is because one of the main characters is a beloved octopus? Named Marcellus? With his own point of view? But apparently, this marine companion is wonderful to read about and a great addition to the story. We get introduced to him through Tova, a grieving widow seeking comfort and something to occupy her mind due to the many trials and tribulations she has faced. This is when she picks up a job at the aquarium and lovingly cares for the sea creatures there. The two unlikely individuals become friends, share their struggles,  and eventually bond. From what I’ve heard, the book is comforting and filled with love, so I’ll be checking it out. 

4) Beautiful Boy by David Sheff 

I had originally heard only of this memoir because of the movie with Timothee Chalamet, so, obviously, I had to pay respects to the book and add it to my list (I am a book lover first and movie lover second). It’s a heartbreaking novel that follows David Cheff, a journalist and father who details his life with a son who suffers from addiction. Reviews have said that it is beautifully written, exceptionally moving, and full of questions regarding the stigmas/causes of drug addiction. It offers insight and research into the true impacts and nature of drug use and its impact on familial relationships and life in general.

5) Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan

It’s a French classic written in 1954 that became sensational and was authored by a mere teenager. I mean, how do you top that? Bonjour Tristesse is a coming-of-age story that follows a 17-year-old Cecile and her first love as well as the complicated nature of her attitude/actions when it comes to her father. The main story revolves around the matter of her interference in her father's love life and the disastrous impacts it causes. But the book is so much more than just that: it’s a precocious tale that closely follows the depth of emotions, love, and especially youth. You get to understand each character's story and it adds variety and contrast to the idea of girlhood in general. One of my favorite accounts claimed it was purely “evocative” of summer and my interest peaked immediately. I first stumbled upon it when I was trying to diversify and expand my bookshelf, and considering the novel's French roots, I think it is the perfect addition to my long list of potential reads.