Escapist and uplifting books to take your mind off current events.
The election’s over, but the noise? Oh, it’s just getting started. Tired of the endless notifications, debates, and hot takes? No matter where you land on the victory-misery spectrum of the 2024 presidential election results, maybe it’s time to take a break — from screens, tweets, and texts. Why not unplug and dive into something a little quieter, like a book? Head to your local library or independent bookstore and trade in your feed for a fabulous read. Here are 10 options that, no matter where your head is at, will keep you turning pages. From thrillers to love stories, historical epics to family sagas, embrace a world where the drama is (mostly) make-believe.
Longing to escape? Try some magical realism
I can’t say enough about Remarkably Bright Creatures, but I also don’t want to say too much. The protagonist, Tova, spends her days after her husband’s death working a cleaning job at the local aquarium. There, she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus with a penchant for escaping his tank. The writing is magnificent, and the story unfolds in a subtle, surprising way. When I figured out where it was headed, I actually squealed. It’s a heartwarming and mysterious story of community, loss, and love. Just wonderful.
Now that you know who won the election, do you miss the suspense?
The Herd by Andrea Bartz will keep you guessing. Set in corporate New York City, HERD is a fictional women-only working space (a la the now defunct Wing). On the eve of a big press announcement, Eleanor Walsh, the company’s SHE-E-O (sorry, I can’t help myself) disappears without a trace. Two women, Hana, the head of HERD PR and Eleanor’s best friend, and Katie, Hana’s journalist sister, launch their own investigation. I tore through this book — it’s fast, fun, cleverly plotted, and brimming with intrigue.
Need a predictable happy ending?
Pick up a rom-com! I absolutely love Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan. Nora Hamilton writes formulaic romances (you know the type) for television. But when her up-to-no-good husband (you also know the type) leaves her and her two kids, she spins her sad tale into a feature-film-worthy script. Enter central casting and former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, in the role of Nora’s husband. Get ready to be charmed, delighted, and swept off your feet — just like Monaghan’s protagonist.
Searching for hope?
Look no further than Viola Davis’s memoir, Finding Me. The first sentence of the 50-something actress’s tour de force grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. Born on a Southern plantation, a survivor of abuse, racism, and Hollywood’s challenges, the Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar-winning actress gives a brutally honest and deeply personal account of her remarkable and resilient life.
Need proof that there’s more that unites us than divides us?
While Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People may seem especially timely this week, his debut, A Man Called Ove, is a wonderful way to restore your faith in humanity. Briefly, a grumpy yet lovable man finds his solitary world turned upside down when a boisterous young family moves in next door. Yes, it’s a sad book, but you’ll also laugh, fall in love with the characters, and be reminded that our similarities are far greater than our differences.
Wish to fast-forward to the most wonderful time of the year?
Scoop up Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark. This quirky queer holiday romp stars three siblings, each at personal and romantic crossroads, who come home to the Catskills for Christmas. Clark’s writing style is whimsical, delightful, and oh-so-easy to read. Like a cup of warm cocoa on a day when it’s just too cold (or too scary) to go outside.
Looking to be inspired by a strong, successful woman?
Consider The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki. This rags-to-riches (or grains-to-Grape-Nuts) historical fiction story about the glamorous — and occasionally outrageous — Marjorie Merriweather Post will leave as lasting an impression as the cereal heiress herself. From stirring up grains in her dad’s barn to hosting lavish parties at Mar-a-Lago, Marjorie lived like royalty. Although she was a powerhouse in business and philanthropy, her personal life was a chaotic mix of mishaps and betrayals. Pataki’s storytelling captures it all—the sparkle, grit, and wit of a woman who truly lived life to the fullest.
Haven’t had your fill of old-man wisdom?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, talking to the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 80th birthday, should do the trick. The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World captures a week of face-to-face conversations between the two Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Beyond the wisdom and laughter, the joy of their friendship is something to behold.
Want to brush up on family drama before Thanksgiving?
Check out Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. As Covid spreads across the U.S. in 2020 (don’t worry—this is not a pandemic story), Joe and Lara are quarantining with their three grown daughters on the Michigan cherry farm that’s been in Joe’s family for generations. Lara entertains them with the story of one summer in her early 20s, when she was in love with an actor who later became a famous movie star. (Having three daughters myself, and once dancing with John Stamos at Studio 54, I could totally relate!) This is also a story of family, past and present relationships, and possibilities for the three young women.
Just want to hang with the girls?
If you’re yearning to be comforted by your closest friends, my sophomore novel, Eliza Starts a Rumor, may be your perfect escape. Set in the picturesque Hudson Valley, this novel invites you into the lives of four women — Eliza, Amanda, Allison, and Olivia — who navigate the highs and lows of life, love, and betrayal together. Through infidelities, buried truths, and the kinds of secrets that only a tight-knit group of friends can uncover, they support each other in ways that are both heartwarming and messy. Called witty, poignant, and brimming with moments of both laughter and tears, Eliza Starts a Rumor is a journey that proves friendship can be the greatest love story of all.
Jane L. Rosen is the author of six novels, Nine Women, One Dress, Eliza Starts a Rumor, A Shoe Story, On Fire Island, Seven Summer Weekends, and her upcoming release, Songs of Summer. In her monthly column, Cake or Pie?, she whimsically interviews fellow authors. She is also a screenwriter and a contributor to The New York Times, Tablet, and The Huffington Post. Visit her at JaneLRosen.com.
