Theater & Arts
Want to read something new, but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, Vantage has got you covered. Here, we share our top picks so you can spend less time looking for great titles and more time reading them.
Little Fires Everywhere (2017) by Celeste Ng
Recommended for: Anyone who likes small-town dramas like Gilmore Girls and Stranger Things
There is no such thing as a perfect town, and Little Fires Everywhere is a testament to that. The story follows vagabond mother-daughter duo Mia and Pearl Warren, who settle into the Richardsons’ rental house. Pearl becomes charmed by the flawlessness of Shaker Heights and the Richardson kids, much to the concern of her mother. Mia and Elena Richardson, on the other hand, find themselves on the opposite sides of a custody battle, a stand-off that leads to a tale of upturned secrets and the undoing of the town. But Little Fires Everywhere is not your ordinary small-town drama as Celeste Ng articulates experiences of racism, privilege, motherhood, and indifference through her characters. This easy read is a guaranteed page-turner, and the values and issues it tackles resonates beyond the pages.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2008) by Garth Stein
Recommended for: Anyone who loves animals
People can complicate the simplest of situations—at least that’s what The Art of Racing in the Rain shows us. Offering a new look into the human condition, this heartwarming novel is narrated by an elderly dog named Enzo who looks back on his life by his owner’s side. As he recounts the triumphs and tribulations of his owner’s family over the years, Enzo takes on a philosophical view of the world, marveling at the wonders and peculiarities of life. Equally witty and inspiring, this book is a fascinating take on family, love, and loss from the view of man’s best friend.
Flowers for Algernon (1966) by Daniel Keyes
Recommended for: Anyone ready for a moving take on intelligence, kindness, and humanity
Kindness trumps natural intellect any day, yet the real world runs on the speed of thought and action. Unfortunately, the best people are often the ones left behind. Enter Flowers for Algernon, a modern classic to help you reflect on that in full, tear-jerking force. This book is the diary of Charlie, an intellectually challenged janitor who undergoes an experiment that raises his intelligence quotient to genius levels before sharply declining. Throughout the novel, we see the differences in how people treat trusting, innocent Charlie versus jaded, intellectual Charlie. And in a world that tends to reward intelligent self-preservation, this unforgettable novel questions whether mind or heart should truly be the measure of a man.
A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) by Khaled Hosseini
Recommended for: Anyone who wants an inspiring, heart-wrenching, and deeply cultural read
Although Hosseini is more widely known for The Kite Runner, his second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns shares the same powerful themes of family, relationships, and Afghan culture—this time, from a female perspective. Set over a period of 40 years, the book details how two women’s lives intertwine and flourish amid struggle, pain, and war in Afghanistan. It boldly takes on every aspect of their stories—from their difficult personal pasts to their nation’s complex political and religious landscape—exposing readers to social issues and their effects on individuals, families, and communities. Ultimately, this novel is a striking tribute to women, mothers, and daughters everywhere. Hosseini proves that courage is not only manifested in strength but also in sacrifice.
All the Light We Cannot See (2014) by Anthony Doerr
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys reading wonderfully crafted prose and is interested in finding the sliver of humanity despite wartime crises
It’s comforting to think that there’s an invisible line that runs through everybody, tying all of our relationships into a single thread. In this hauntingly beautiful novel, All the Light We Cannot See takes us on the journey of two children on the opposite ends of World War II. The stories of the intuitive French girl Marie Laure and the inquisitive German male Werner are told through a series of poetic narrations that run across time and space. Doerr’s masterful use of flashbacks and flash-forwards, coupled with the engaging alternating narratives, give colorful characterizations to both Marie Laure and Werner. More than just a historical novel, this book takes readers beyond the wartime crisis and the shocking despair that follows to focus on humanity–the inherent kindness–buried deep within us.
Pachinko (2017) by Min Jin Lee
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys stories of liberation and finding your own path despite dire circumstances
Told throughout the course of three books, Pachinko follows four generations of a Korean family who migrated to Japan after the Japanese annexation of Korea. Facing racial discrimination while they adjust to their new land, the family struggles to make ends meet as they each battle their own demons. Lee artfully weaves themes of honoring filial piety and discovering one’s own path against a backdrop of racism, prejudice, and political unrest to tell an honest story of what it means to truly take back one’s own power. Pachinko gives readers an intimate look at a historical event that has shaped cultures and interactions between people of different nationalities, reminding us that history is heartbreakingly human before all else.
Photos sourced from Goodreads
Header graphic by Geri Puno
