Fiction: Reading for Fun

The story follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to the United States to further her education and subsequently starts a successful blog about race in America from the perspective of a non-American black person.

The story revolves around the Irish-American family of Mr. and Mrs. Lynch and their children.

It's a mesmerizing and complex narrative that centers around a dictator's life in an unnamed Caribbean country.

The story is set in Botswana and follows the journey of Makhaya, a South African political dissident seeking asylum in the country to escape persecution. He arrives in a rural Botswana village, finding refuge and attempting to rebuild his life. Alongside an English agricultural expert, Gilbert, Makhaya aims to help the villagers overcome drought and poverty by introducing new farming methods.

A novel that weaves together the stories of several characters who find themselves at a unique establishment, Bailey's Cafe, run by the enigmatic Bailey and his wife, Nadine.

The Benefactor leads us on a kind of psychic Grand Tour, in which Hippolyte's violently imaginative dream life becomes indistinguishable from his surprising experiences in the ''real world."

A novel that revolves around the lives of two women, Rachel and Miriam. Rachel is a successful African American woman living in Los Angeles, while Miriam is an immigrant from Haiti who works as a nanny.

Set in rural New Mexico during World War II, the story follows Antonio Marez, a young boy grappling with questions of faith, culture, and morality.

Bluebeard is a 1987 novel by Kurt Vonnegut. It is told as a first-person narrative and describes the late years of fictional Abstract Expressionist painter Rabo Karabekian, who first appeared as a minor character in Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions (1973).

A novel that tells the story of protagonist Blue Calhoun, a man living in North Carolina. The narrative spans over decades, chronicling Blue's life from his youth to adulthood, and the various events that shape his experiences.

E.J. Watson, a violent and enigmatic planter in the Florida Everglades at the beginning of the 20th century, struggles to reclaim his family plantation and build a new life for himself, but is constantly thwarted by the prejudices of the time and his own inner demons.

A novel that weaves together the stories of two Chinese women, a mother and her daughter, spanning from pre-World War II China to modern-day San Francisco.

The story of a young Haitian girl named Sophie Caco. The novel explores Sophie's journey from her childhood in Haiti to her life in the United States.

A novel that explores the life of Brausen, a man who is nearing the end of his life. The story is a reflection on Brausen's past, his relationships, and his internal struggles.

Oscar de León, a nerdy Dominican-American boy, navigates life and love while struggling to break free from a generational curse.

Two young musicians from different backgrounds fall in love, but their relationship is threatened by the music industry and their own personal challenges.

It tells the story of a young man named Homer Wells, who grows up in an orphanage in rural Maine. The orphanage is run by Dr. Wilbur Larch, who not only oversees the care of the orphans but also performs illegal abortions.

A novel that follows the life of Elizabeth Abbot, a young woman who takes a job as a housekeeper for the Emerson family. As Elizabeth becomes intertwined with the Emerson household, she forms connections with the family members, particularly Mr. Emerson, who suffers from a heart condition, and his daughter, Margaret.

Set in the 1960s in a fictional Massachusetts town called Tarbox, it portrays the lives, relationships, and sexual dynamics of a group of young, married couples.

The story centers on the character of Larry, an artist and a father, and his interactions with his family, particularly his adult children. The novel delves into Larry's reflections on his own life and his role as a father.

Set in the American South, the story centers on the Fairchild family, who live in rural Mississippi. The novel portrays the events leading up to the wedding of Dabney Fairchild, one of the daughters of the large and distinctive Fairchild family.

A novel that revolves around the dysfunctional Tull family. The story is centered on Pearl Tull, a single mother raising her three children after her husband's departure. The narrative traces the lives of Pearl and her children - Cody, Ezra, and Jenny - examining their individual perspectives and relationships within the family.

Carly Sears, a young widow in 1970 who discovers that her unborn child has a heart defect. However, Carly's enigmatic brother-in-law, a physicist, reveals to her a stunning secret: time travel is possible, and he urges Carly to take a leap of faith by transporting herself to the future to secure medical advancements that could save her baby.

The story is set in the rural region of Driftless, Wisconsin, and focuses on a group of characters whose lives become intertwined in various unexpected ways.

It tells the story of two sisters, Sarah and Emily Grimes, who grow up in the shadow of their parents' divorce. Sarah is the older sister, and she is more stable and conventional. Emily is the younger sister, and she is more rebellious and unconventional.

This collection contains a series of powerful stories that delve into themes of race, injustice, and the human experience.

A novel that interweaves the stories of several characters across different eras, all connected by a common thread: the enduring significance of the diamond engagement ring.

The story revolves around a young woman named Polly Solo-Miller, exploring her journey through love, relationships, and the nuances of family life.

Eddie, a maintenance worker at an amusement park, who dies trying to save a little girl. After his death, he encounters five individuals in heaven, each of whom shares a connection to his life on earth.

A philosophical novel that follows the life of Howard Roark, an innovative and uncompromising architect.

Jean Louise Finch, a young woman returning to her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama, must confront her father's racist beliefs and her own disillusionment with the American South.

Identical twin sisters with an obsession with language are driven apart by their different paths and competitive natures.

It tells the story of Lena McPherson, a woman with a special gift to communicate with spirits and an unconventional relationship with a ghost named Herman.

The novel explores the lives of a Southern family, the Howards, and their experiences within the social and cultural context of the South.

It explores the character of Hermione from Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" and reimagines her story, intertwining themes of love, loss, and empowerment.

The story follows the life of Mavis, a young African American woman who inherits her family's peach farm in rural South Carolina after her father's sudden death. Determined to take over the farm and make it successful, Mavis faces the challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

A satirical story centering around an accidental discovery made in a physics lab in Texas.

A novel that revolves around the life of a beloved children's book author, Mort Lear, and the unexpected consequences following his sudden death.

The novel traces the lives of the Trueba family, primarily focusing on the women, Clara and her daughter Blanca. Spanning several decades, it intertwines magical realism with historical events, portraying the political and social upheavals in the country.

Joan Mitchell has two suitors, and can't decide whom to marry. A witness to her mother Aurelie's less than successful romantic history, she'd like to skip marriage altogether. Joan and Aurelie live together in a beautiful French Quarter home on Coliseum Street in New Orleans, along with Joan's many half-sisters born of Aurelie's five disastrous marriages. Joan lives a mostly carefree life, but when she becomes pregnant, she chooses to end her pregnancy rather than marry a man she doesn't love -- a decision with grave consequences in conservative 1950s New Orleans.

This novel follows the lives of four sisters from the Dominican Republic, the Garcías, as they navigate cultural adjustments after relocating to the United States.

The story follows Coleman Silk, a professor who is embroiled in a scandal after being accused of making a racial slur in class. This accusation leads to Silk's resignation and sets off a chain of events that unravels the truth about his life and past.

The story revolves around the life of Mariette Bright, a young African American woman living in a small town in the American South. Mariette's journey is marked by struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of hope amidst hardship and adversity.

Jamey, a young hippie singer, achieves success but feels like he's compromising his values. He navigates the late 1960s and learns what it means to be successful and idealistic at the same time.

A novel that follows the journey of Jyoti, a young woman from a rural village in India who transforms herself into Jasmine, a resilient and determined immigrant in America. The story chronicles Jasmine's evolution as she adapts to the challenges and opportunities presented by her new life in the United States.

The book revolves around the lives of four Chinese immigrant families living in San Francisco and their American-born daughters.

The novel follows the life of a gospel singer named Arthur Montana, tracing his personal journey, his experiences with family, friends, and his career in the music industry.

The story follows the journey of Delia Grinstead, a woman in her forties who, during a family beach vacation, suddenly decides to walk away from her life and responsibilities. Leaving her family behind, Delia embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention.

The Lake details a man's relentless quest for an unattainable beauty, haunted by an insatiable longing that leads him to pursue elusive women. His homeless and fugitive existence is marked by a desire for an ethereal, unworldly beauty symbolized by women he encounters. Reality contrasts as a constant, ugly companion symbolized by the deformity of the hero's feet, emphasizing the disparity between these two worlds.

The story of a successful journalist, Catherine, who returns to her small hometown to care for her father and to work on her writing. While there, she becomes drawn to a local mystery involving a missing woman.

The story of a cook named Dominic Baciagalupo and his son Danny, who flee a logging camp after a tragic accident. As they traverse through decades, constantly changing identities and locations, their lives become intertwined with the complexities of relationships and the impact of past events.

A novel that follows the life of a young girl named Li'l Mama as she navigates the challenges of growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood. Raised by her grandmother, Mama's rules guide her through life, teaching her valuable lessons about survival, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.

It is a poetic autobiography that reflects on the author's life and experiences, capturing moments from his childhood to his later years.

This novel follows the lives of four women who form an unlikely bond through their experiences with motherhood.

The book is narrated by Humbert Humbert, a European literature scholar with an obsessive and illicit infatuation with a twelve-year-old girl named Dolores Haze, whom he nicknames "Lolita."

The story follows the protagonist, Dr. Thomas More, a psychiatrist who is both a satirical and philosophical figure in the novel. Set in a time of social and political unrest, the novel explores a world on the brink of collapse due to various societal problems, scientific advancements, and moral decay.

This novel follows Stephanie from her childhood in France, through her father's mysterious disappearance, her emigration to America, her adolescence in New York, her marriage, her children, and ultimately her self-liberation,

Ove, a grumpy old widower, finds new meaning in life through his unlikely friendship with a young family.

Katherine Pierson, a sheltered young woman educated in a convent school, marries a man twelve years her senior and must choose between devoting herself to her husband and children, and doing for herself. 

The story revolves around a middle-aged Protestant minister, Tom Marshfield, who experiences a crisis of faith and a series of personal struggles.

It follows a narrator's journey through an unnamed European country, reflecting on history, memory, and the human condition.

Morte d'Urban is a novel by J. F. Powers about a Catholic priest, Father Urban Roche, who is sent to a remote retreat house in Minnesota. Father Urban is a complex and contradictory character. He is a gifted preacher and spiritual counselor, but he is also deeply flawed and struggling with his own doubts and insecurities.

The story delves into the lives of the Blair family: Abigail, the mother, and her two daughters, Margaret and Merle.

Binx Bolling, a young stockbroker living in New Orleans. Binx is in a state of existential crisis, feeling disconnected and disenchanted with the world around him. He frequently goes to the movies to escape from his own reality.

My Name Is Asher Lev is a coming-of-age story about a young artist who struggles to find his place in the world.

The story of a young boy named Louis Drax, who has survived eight near-fatal accidents. On his ninth birthday, he falls off a cliff and is left in a coma, sparking an investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his life.

This story follows the lives of two African American sisters, Aimee and Desiree. Set in the 1960s and 70s, the story delves into their experiences, relationships, and the challenges they face while growing up in Detroit.

The story centers around the character of Silver, a former drummer for a one-hit wonder band who is now living a directionless and detached life.

Laurel Hand, a woman who returns to her hometown to be with her father, Judge McKelva, after her stepmother Fay's death. Laurel confronts her grief while dealing with the complexities of family dynamics and the clash between different generations.

The novel delves into the lives of the women in the town and the conflicts that arise when a group of women known as the "Convent" seek refuge in an abandoned convent on the outskirts of Ruby. As the women in the Convent navigate their own traumas and relationships, tensions arise between them and the men of the town, leading to a complex and intense confrontation.

The story revolves around the life of Barnaby Gaitlin, a man in his thirties who feels disconnected from his affluent family and struggles with direction in his life.

The story is set in the fictional town of Tarbox, Pennsylvania, and takes place during a single day at the Diamond County Home, a retirement home for the elderly. The novel follows the events of the annual fair held at the home, where the residents interact, share stories, and partake in the fair's activities.

The novel's central character is Tommy, a young man who becomes addicted to heroin after returning from the Vietnam War. Tommy is a complex and sympathetic character, and the novel offers a realistic and unflinching portrayal of his struggles with addiction.

This novel tells the story of the journey of Stephen Dedalus from his childhood to adolescence and eventually adulthood.

A novel about three women in their mid-thirties and their partners, all living in the world of Wall Street and its suburbs during the summer of 1984.

It follows the story of a young academic, Mark Gaynor, who is navigating the world of academia in an environment filled with intellectual fervor, personal ambitions, and various conflicts.

It is set in Botswana in the early 1970s, and it tells the story of Elizabeth, a young South African refugee who is struggling to cope with her mental health and her new life in exile.

An aging Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom struggles with the challenges of aging, the impending death of his wife, and the disappointment of his son. He finds solace in food, sex, and basketball, but ultimately finds peace and acceptance

The story begins with Rabbit feeling trapped in his dull and unsatisfying life, leading him to make impulsive decisions, such as leaving his pregnant wife and young child. Rabbit embarks on a journey, attempting to find purpose and meaning in his life, but he grapples with personal struggles, relationships, and the pursuit of his own identity.

The story follows Chick, a professor, and his close friendship with the brilliant and controversial intellectual, Ravelstein, a character inspired by Bellow's real-life friend, Allan Bloom. Ravelstein, an influential philosopher, is facing his final days due to complications from AIDS. Chick, serving as the novel's narrator, reflects on their relationship, Ravelstein's impact, and the complexities of friendship and mortality.

It is a multi-generational saga that follows the lives of the Jordache family, from their humble beginnings in Germany to their rise to wealth and power in America.

Roger Lambert, a middle-aged divinity professor, is challenged by Dale Kohler, an evangelical Christian graduate student who believes he can prove that God exists with computer science. Roger also becomes obsessed with the thought that Dale is having an affair with his wife, Esther. Roger himself becomes involved with his niece Verna, a coarse but lively nineteen-year-old and single parent.

In 1968, Ruby Jean Jamison and Agnes McCoy start out singing gospel in Columbia, South Carolina, before trying to find success on the hard road to Nashville.

A wealthy housewife leaves her family to join a Hindu ashram in Arizona, only to find that it is not all it seems.

A small town in South Carolina that is divided over the rescue of a drowned girl's body from a sacred river. The girl's parents want to retrieve the body for a proper burial, but environmentalists oppose the rescue, arguing that it will damage the river and set a dangerous precedent.

Four lifelong friends reunite for a biannual weekend getaway. Despite their outward veneer of success, each woman harbors hidden secrets and struggles. As they reminisce about the past and confront the present, they must decide whether to continue their façade or embrace their true selves.

After her sister's tragic death, Johnnie navigates life as a successful TV journalist. The novel explores themes of family, relationships, and career aspirations against the backdrop of Johnnie's personal growth and emotional journey.

The book follows the lives of the Pecks, particularly focusing on the granddaughter, Justine Peck, who embarks on a search for her mysterious and elusive uncle, Caleb.

It is a sequel to his 1966 novel The Last Gentleman. The novel tells the story of Will Barrett, a middle-aged widower who is struggling with depression and loneliness. He meets Allison, a young woman who has escaped from a mental hospital. Together, they embark on a journey to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

David Darnell, a young man born into wealth and privilege, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as he searches for meaning and purpose in his life. Along the way, he learns about the importance of hard work, compassion, and love.

A novel that follows the lives of two African American sisters, Val and Inda, who are very different in nature. Val, an ambitious career woman, lives a successful life in Los Angeles, while Inda, her more free-spirited sister, resides in the Bay Area.

A collection of short stories by the highly regarded author J. California Cooper. Known for her distinctive storytelling and powerful narratives, this anthology presents a compilation of poignant and emotionally rich tales that explore various aspects of human experiences, such as love, pain, relationships, and the complexities of life.

In "The Summer Girls," the story revolves around the three half-sisters: Carson, Dora, and Harper. They are called back to their grandmother's home in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, to spend the summer together. During their time there, they reconnect with each other and their family roots, grappling with personal challenges and rediscovering the importance of family and love.

This novel follows the lives of two African American women, Gayle and Pat. The story spans several decades, exploring their friendship, the challenges they face, and their individual journeys.

Set in a small Georgia town, the story follows the Mayfield family, focusing on three generations of women—Kitty, her daughter Eurlene, and granddaughter Angellynn.

The story explores Jack's complex relationships, his journey through various stages of life, and his relentless pursuit to uncover the truth about his elusive father.

Douglas Petersen, whose marriage to Connie is on the brink of collapse. The story unfolds as the couple and their son travel across Europe on a grand tour that was initially intended to bring them closer. Douglas hopes the trip will salvage their relationship, but the journey becomes a poignant exploration of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of human connections.

Liz Ryan, a successful surgeon in Los Angeles, discovers that she was adopted from Saudi Arabia as an infant. Intrigued by her heritage, she accepts a job in Jeddah and begins a search for her birth mother. Along the way, she learns about the culture and customs of Saudi Arabia and falls in love with a Saudi Arabian man. However, their relationship is forbidden, and Liz must decide whether to follow her heart or return to her life in America.

A novel that follows the story of four African American women—Lena, Lucy, Mimi, and Fanny—living in the South during the 1960s civil rights era.

In Wilder Ways, Donald C. Jackson takes readers on a journey into the deep and very personal connections that can develop between people and wild places while hunting, fishing, and rambling across landscapes. Fishing by lantern light late at night for bullhead catfish on a small stream, hunting wood ducks and squirrels on his farm in north Mississippi, bow hunting deer as twilight creeps across a small clearing, handlining crabs in the Pascagoula River estuary, hunting caribou in Alaska and elk in Colorado, searching for blind fish in Ozark caves, and fighting a storm on an Indonesian river.

The book is a collection of interconnected stories that revolve around the lives of several African American women living in a housing project called Brewster Place.

A novel about a man who lives his life 44 times, from childhood to adulthood to old age. The novel is told in a fragmented style, with the protagonist's memories and experiences overlapping and juxtaposing each other.