Author Sally Rooney has captivated readers with her sharp insights into relationships and emotional depth. From coming-of-age dramas to thought-provoking historical fiction, these books also explore vibes similar to the human experience that we love to see in Rooney’s work. Make sure you pick up her most recent novel, Intermezzo, then pile the rest of these heart-warming and insightful books onto your TBR list.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Two brothers are coping with the death of their father in very different, but equally impactful ways. The eldest is living something resembling the model life, except that he’s in love with two women. The youngest, a competitive chess player, gets involved with an older woman who brings her own traumatic past into the picture. As the two struggle with the present and cope with their grief, Rooney explores love, possibility, heartache and hope.
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The Learning Curve by Mandy Berman
Oliver Ash, a former literature professor with a tarnished reputation, is facing scrutiny due to rumors of an inappropriate relationship. Meanwhile, his wife, Simone, is in Berlin working on a research project and raising their young son. When two college students, Fiona and Liv, become entangled with Oliver, it leads to unexpected consequences and a deeper exploration of desire, friendship, and identity.
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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Sam Masur and Sadie Green, two childhood friends, collaborate on a groundbreaking project that catapults them to video game stardom. Their friendship is tested by creative ambitions, personal betrayals, and the challenges of fame and success at a young age. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship and the demands of their careers, Sam and Sadie must confront the dark side of their own ambitions and the betrayals of those closest to them.
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Ghosts by Dolly Alderton
As Nina Dean hits her early thirties, her life feels like it’s slipping away. Friendships fade, exes move on, and everyone relocates to the suburbs. Her family is no help, with her mom’s mid-life makeover and her dad’s worsening dementia. When she meets Max, a charming romantic who talks about marriage on their first date, it seems like a perfect turn—until reality hits.
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The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Rachel’s life takes a turn when she meets the effervescent James. Their friendship blossoms as they navigate a bohemian lifestyle in chaotic Cork City. Together, they hatch a plan to seduce her married professor, but their scheme spirals into a web of secrets and compromises involving James, Rachel, and the professor’s glamorous wife.
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My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee
During a vibrant trip across Asia, Tiller, an average American college student with minimal aspirations, is taken under the wing of Pong Lou, a dynamic Chinese American entrepreneur. As Tiller is catapulted from ordinary life to a talented protégé, he is immersed in extreme, eye-opening experiences that transform his view of the world, Pong, and himself.
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The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
Michael, a closeted teen, and Bunny, a popular girl hiding her father’s alcoholism, form an unlikely friendship. Their lives intertwine, leading to a tragic event forever changing their futures. Through their compelling stories, Thorpe explores identity, body image, and the complexities of human connection. Michael and Bunny’s experiences portray their challenges as they navigate their teenage years and strive to find their place in the world.
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The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, Elwood Curtis arrives at The Nickel Academy believing he is as good as anyone. Raised by his loving grandmother, he’s ready to start college. But one incident lands him in a harsh environment that only promises cruelty and corruption. As Elwood’s idealism clashes with the cynicism of his new friend Turner, their choices lead to consequences that will shape their futures for decades.
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How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Louise dreaded returning home after her parents’ deaths. She’d rather leave her daughter with her ex and avoid Charleston’s family home, filled with her father’s academic relics and her mother’s puppet obsession. But she can’t escape her brother, Mark, a local who resents her success. Together, they must prepare the house for sale, a task fraught with memories and challenges. Their home, however, has other plans for them both.
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The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Frida Liu, a Chinese immigrant, feels like a failure. Her career is a disappointment, her husband is cheating, and her government is watching. But her daughter, Harriet, is her saving grace. Until one day, a single mistake lands Frida under the scrutiny of a government agency that judges mothers on their every move. Now, she must prove her worth as a mother or risk losing Harriet forever.
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Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
With humor and heart, Michelle Zauner recounts her experiences as the only Asian-American kid in Eugene, Oregon, and her complex relationship with her mother’s high expectations. Through painful adolescence, cherished moments in Seoul, and her journey to the East Coast, Zauner’s story of family, food, and identity comes alive.
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