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Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
At first glance, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” feels like a breezy, comedic romp through suburban Seattle. But beneath the laughs is a sharp social critique on modern motherhood and the stifling expectations placed on women. Maria Semple crafts Bernadette Fox as a character who is both eccentric and deeply relatable, struggling to balance her creative ambitions with her role as a mother. The novel digs into the psychological complexity of burnout and the invisible struggles many women face, especially those who are expected to “do it all.” Its epistolary format, told through emails and memos, cleverly reveals hidden layers about mental health and the pressures of conformity. Semple’s biting humor is disarming, allowing her to slip in commentary on the way society undervalues female creativity. Readers are left laughing, but also thinking about the cost of perfectionism and the importance of personal fulfillment.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
“Big Little Lies” might seem like pure suburban drama, but it’s a razor-sharp exploration of trauma, domestic abuse, and the public facades people maintain. Liane Moriarty weaves together the stories of three women—Madeline, Celeste, and Jane—whose secrets ripple through their tight-knit community. The novel’s suspenseful plot peels back layers of marital discord, bullying, and the long-term effects of trauma on families. Moriarty’s portrayal of domestic violence is nuanced and empathetic, highlighting the way victims can hide their pain behind seemingly perfect lives. By blending humor with darker themes, she invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about privilege and complicity. The book’s success even sparked a celebrated HBO adaptation, showing just how resonant these hidden struggles are with a wide audience. Under the surface, it’s a call for empathy and a deeper understanding of what people hide behind closed doors.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Graeme Simsion’s “The Rosie Project” is a rom-com with a twist: its protagonist, Don Tillman, is a brilliant but socially awkward genetics professor likely on the autism spectrum. While the story is peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, it also thoughtfully explores neurodivergence and what it means to fit in. Don’s logical approach to love upends traditional romantic tropes, shining a light on the beauty of difference and the limitations of societal norms. As Don embarks on an unconventional quest to find a wife, readers are invited to question ideas about normality, relationships, and acceptance. The book’s charm lies in its ability to make readers root for an outsider, while gently challenging their assumptions. Simsion’s sensitive yet humorous touch ensures that the novel is as insightful as it is entertaining. It’s a love story that asks bigger questions about who gets to decide what’s “normal” in the first place.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
“Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” introduces readers to a protagonist who is anything but ordinary. At first, Eleanor’s odd routines and blunt social interactions seem quirky, but soon it becomes clear that she is coping with deep loneliness and trauma. Gail Honeyman crafts a moving portrait of healing, showing how small acts of kindness can transform a life. The novel’s emotional core lies in Eleanor’s gradual journey toward self-acceptance and finding connection in a world designed for conformity. Through her story, Honeyman explores the hidden scars many carry and the stigma around mental health. The narrative balances moments of humor with powerful insights about recovery and the importance of community. Readers come away not just entertained, but also more aware of the quiet battles people fight every day. It’s a testament to the lifesaving power of friendship and empathy.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
In “The Midnight Library,” Matt Haig creates a magical space between life and death, where every book represents a different path the protagonist, Nora Seed, could have taken. What starts as a whimsical fantasy quickly delves into existential questions about regret, purpose, and the meaning of happiness. Haig’s writing is accessible, yet he doesn’t shy away from tackling depression and the overwhelming pressure to make the “right” choices. The novel’s structure lets readers experience the weight of infinite possibilities, making them reflect on their own lives. Scientific studies show that regret is a common emotion, but Haig’s novel suggests that acceptance and self-compassion can offer peace. The story’s hopeful message resonates with anyone who’s ever wondered about roads not taken. By merging fantasy with psychological depth, it offers gentle wisdom alongside escapist pleasure.
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
“The Nest” invites readers into a world of sibling rivalry, financial drama, and razor-sharp family dynamics. On the surface, it’s a witty tale about four siblings waiting for their inheritance, but Sweeney uses this premise to comment on entitlement, legacy, and the messiness of adulthood. The novel exposes how money—and the expectation of it—can warp relationships and fuel lifelong resentments. Sweeney’s characters are flawed but endearing, each struggling with personal setbacks that are both humorous and heartbreaking. Through their story, the book asks what we owe our families, and whether money can ever truly fix what’s broken. Research into inheritance disputes shows how common such tensions are, making the novel’s themes all the more relatable. Readers will recognize their own family squabbles in the Plumbs’ misadventures, finding both comfort and caution in the chaos.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is as addictive as a Hollywood tell-all, but it’s also a nuanced exploration of identity, sexuality, and power. The novel follows the enigmatic actress Evelyn Hugo as she reveals her secret life to a young journalist, touching on issues of race, gender, and the cost of fame. Reid’s portrayal of a bisexual Cuban-American woman breaking taboos in mid-century America is both timely and moving. The story exposes the sacrifices required to survive and thrive in a prejudiced industry, asking what it means to be true to oneself. The glamour of old Hollywood is a glittering backdrop for conversations about authenticity and the price of ambition. By centering a complex, morally ambiguous heroine, the novel encourages readers to question what’s real behind the spotlight. It’s a reminder that the juiciest stories are often the most revealing.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
“Such a Fun Age” delivers fast-paced drama with a biting analysis of privilege, race, and performative allyship. Kiley Reid’s debut centers on Emira, a Black babysitter accused of kidnapping her white charge, and the fallout that exposes the biases of those around her. The novel deftly skewers the well-meaning but clueless attempts at “wokeness” among privileged white liberals. Reid’s dialogue is sharp and funny, but it’s her insights into modern social dynamics that leave a lasting impression. The book taps into current conversations about microaggressions and the limits of good intentions, making it especially resonant in today’s climate. By unpacking the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and self-worth, Reid challenges readers to confront their own assumptions. It’s a smart, timely read that manages to entertain while provoking serious thought.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Daisy Jones & The Six” is a wild, immersive ride through the world of 1970s rock and roll, but there’s far more than sex, drugs, and drama at play. Told in a unique oral history format, the novel explores the creative process, ownership, and the complicated dynamics between men and women in the music industry. Reid uses her characters to highlight the challenges faced by female artists and the ways in which fame can distort reality. The book’s depiction of addiction, jealousy, and artistic rivalry is both raw and honest. Research shows that the music industry remains plagued by gender inequality, a theme the novel addresses head-on. Beneath the glitz, it’s a meditation on the price of ambition and the sacrifices required for greatness. Even readers who aren’t music fans will find themselves swept up in the emotional highs and lows of creative life.
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Emma Straub’s “The Vacationers” seems like a sunny escape, but it’s really a multi-layered exploration of family, forgiveness, and the messiness of reinvention. The Post family’s trip to Mallorca serves as a backdrop for old wounds, secrets, and new beginnings to surface. Straub’s witty observations capture how family vacations can bring out both the best and worst in people. Issues of infidelity, aging, and changing family roles are all tackled with empathy and humor. The novel evokes the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and the struggle to move forward. Readers are reminded that even the most picture-perfect moments can hide deeper struggles. Straub’s keen eye for detail and her compassionate portrayal of flawed characters make this more than just a light summer read.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
“Lessons in Chemistry” is a witty, subversive novel set in the early 1960s, following a fiercely intelligent scientist, Elizabeth Zott, who refuses to bend to patriarchal expectations. Garmus uses humor and sharp dialogue to critique the sexism and limitations women faced in science and society at the time. As Elizabeth unexpectedly becomes a television cooking show host, she uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and inspire other women. The novel’s blend of humor and serious social commentary makes it a standout, sparking conversations about how much—and how little—has changed for women in STEM fields. Research continues to show gender gaps in science, making the book’s themes especially relevant. Garmus’s heroine is both funny and formidable, providing inspiration and food for thought.
Circe by Madeline Miller
“Circe” by Madeline Miller transforms a mythological figure into a fully realized, deeply human heroine. Miller’s lush prose brings ancient Greece to life, but the novel’s true brilliance lies in its feminist reinterpretation of an often-maligned witch. Circe’s journey of self-discovery, exile, and empowerment resonates with modern readers, reflecting ongoing struggles for autonomy and respect. Miller examines themes of transformation and survival, showing how Circe’s power grows not from magic alone, but from resilience and self-knowledge. The book is both accessible and profound, making complex ideas about gender, identity, and freedom easy to grasp. By focusing on a woman’s perspective in a world of gods and heroes, Miller invites readers to reconsider traditional stories. The result is a slow-burning epic that lingers in the mind.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Emily Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation” is more than just a will-they-won’t-they romance. Through the annual vacations of best friends Poppy and Alex, the novel explores the vulnerability required to build real intimacy. Henry deftly captures the tension between ambition and contentment, as her characters grapple with the question of what “home” truly means. The story’s humor and warmth are balanced by moments of deep emotional honesty, making the characters’ journeys relatable and real. Readers are drawn into the push and pull of friendship evolving into love, with all its messy complications. The novel also touches on the challenges of maintaining connections in a transient, achievement-focused world. Henry’s writing reminds us that joy and fulfillment often come from the simplest moments shared with people we trust.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“Mexican Gothic” lures readers in with its eerie mansion, mysterious illnesses, and classic horror trappings, but it’s much more than a spooky tale. Silvia Moreno-Garcia sets her story in 1950s Mexico, using the gothic genre to dissect issues of colonialism, eugenics, and the abuse of power. The protagonist, Noemí Taboada, must navigate both supernatural and very real dangers in a world shaped by racism and patriarchal control. Moreno-Garcia’s prose is lush and atmospheric, heightening the sense of dread while also exposing the insidious legacies of colonialism. The novel’s exploration of who gets to wield power—and at what cost—is chillingly relevant to contemporary readers. Through Noemí’s courage and intelligence, the book offers hope and resistance in the face of oppression. The result is a smart, layered novel that proves horror can tackle serious societal issues while still delivering thrills.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
