As avid readers, we’re always on the lookout for the next great book to add to our To Be Read (TBR) list. Whether you’re a fan of fiction, non-fiction, or something in between, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. If you’re looking to add some new titles to your TBR list, here are five must-read books that you won’t want to miss.
1. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Half tells the story of twin sisters who grow up in a small, Southern black community in the 1960s. One sister, Stella, decides to pass as white and leave her family and community behind, while her twin, Desiree, marries a black man and returns to their hometown with her daughter. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and family as the sisters’ lives diverge and intersect over the years.
Brit Bennett’s prose is stunning, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, with a powerful message about the ways in which our choices and identities shape not only our own lives, but also the lives of those around us.
2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library is a beautifully written novel that explores the idea of what might have been. Nora Seed is a woman who feels she has nothing left to live for and decides to end her life. But instead of dying, she finds herself in a library where each book represents a different version of her life, each with a different outcome based on different choices she could have made.
The novel’s premise is both intriguing and thought-provoking, and Matt Haig’s writing is both lyrical and compassionate. The book is ultimately a meditation on the power of choice and the importance of living in the present moment, even when that moment is painful.
3. Recollections of My Non-Existence by Rebecca Solnit
Rebecca Solnit’s Recollections of My Non-Existence is a memoir that explores her journey as a young woman finding her voice and her place in the world. The memoir delves into Solnit’s experiences with misogyny, sexism, and violence, and how those experiences shaped her identity as a writer and activist.
The book is both a personal reflection and a cultural critique, with Solnit unpacking the ways in which our society silences and erases women’s voices. The writing is powerful and insightful, and the memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in feminism, social justice, and the power of storytelling.
4. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Red at the Bone is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the lives of three generations of an African American family in Brooklyn. The novel opens with a teenage pregnancy and follows the lives of the child, her parents, and grandparents as they navigate the complexities of family, identity, and history.
Jacqueline Woodson’s writing is exquisite, with stunning prose that captures the characters’ thoughts and emotions with precision and depth. The novel is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, with a message about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of family and community.
5. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Braiding Sweetgrass is a stunning work of non-fiction that explores the intersection of indigenous wisdom and modern science. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and the book weaves together scientific knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge to create a profound meditation on the relationship between humans and the natural world.
The book is both informative and poetic, with vivid descriptions of the natural world and Kimmerer’s personal reflections on her relationship to the land and her culture. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in environmentalism, indigenous rights, and the ways in which science and spirituality can work together to create a more sustainable future.
In conclusion, these five books offer something for everyone, from poignant memoirs to beautifully crafted novels and insightful works of non-fiction. Adding them to your TBR list is a great way to expand your reading horizons and delve into new and exciting narratives and ideas. Happy reading!
