I’ve a long trip coming up and looking for a/some compelling books, but I will also be in public and don't want to be sobbing. I generally read heavy-themed, dark and/or depressing novels but I can't anymore, I’ve had a number of recent close bereavements from cancer and sudden death, so I have some triggers related to this. But also lighter/fluffy books also don't really do it for me.
I usually read :
- character-driven books
- the type of books that get nominated for booker prize (literary fiction)
- themes of cultural identity/based on migration or diaspora experiences
- black comedy / satire
- also I love stories about extreme journeys or feats like Endurance , worst journey in the world, Erebus, Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy;
- also enjoy really good investigative non fiction like ‘Empire of Pain’ about the Sackler dynasty or ‘Say Nothing’ about northern ireland.
Can’t tolerate right now:
- No cancer or other terminal illnesses
- dead or dying parents at the centre of the book (ok if it’s a fact of a characters life)
- strong focus on meaningful child-parent relationships
- surprise twists where someone dies tragically
- not a fan of magical realism, fantasy, sci-fi (though some dystopia I like)
Books I liked and can tolerate :
- My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (I know, this one does not meet the above requirements, and despite the fact that the main characters parents are dead and she’s grieving/ depressed, it did not trigger me because it was so irreverent and absurd )
- Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- Most Zadie Smith
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- A Sense of an Ending Julian Barnes
- Girl Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (I generally hate magical realism but loved this, but found lots of her others less compelling)
I really want to read The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, it sounds right up my alley but I fear it will be too upsetting. Anyone got any input on that?
by watermelonrockpebble