Books to get you out of a reading slump

seasidelivingco
Nov 1, 2024
3 min read

Before we jump headfirst into Christmas and winter mode, we still have November to endure—a final full month of autumn before it says adieu. We have a few more weeks of warm autumnal colors before they turn cool. There’s still time for books that offer both spook and comfort to match what you’re feeling. Our list this month features books from various genres, including grief, heartbreak, thriller, and poetry.

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek lose their father and try to navigate their lives as they’re grieving their loss. Peter and Ivan have never been close growing up, causing them to walk down different paths as they grieve their father. Peter, a confident and successful Dublin lawyer, falls down the rabbit hole of sleeping meds and engages in relationships with two different women–Sylvia and Naomi. While Peter tries to figure out his love life, his competitive chess player brother Ivan meets Margaret, a woman with her own triggering past. They get lost in each other quickly and intensely. As time passes, the brothers stretch themselves to see how far they can go before they break.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Aspiring poet and college student Esther Greenwood moves to New York for a summer internship, where she struggles to define her identity while adhering to societal norms. Esther falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide, which lands her in a mental health institution. There, she receives help from a psychiatrist who calms her mind but subjects her to electric shock therapy. Throughout her time in the institution, Esther searches for the light at the end of her dark tunnel.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Unhoused parolee Millie becomes a housemaid for a seemingly perfect couple, Nina and Andrew. However, a closer look reveals cracks in their relationship. Millie strives to be the best housemaid they’ve ever had, despite being relegated to the attic. She soon realizes she can never keep up with Nina’s excessive to-do lists and rules. After trying on one of Nina’s dresses, she finds herself locked in her bedroom. Millie learns she must fight for her life, but she has her own plans for Nina and Andrew—plans they won’t see coming.

Pack up the Moon by Kristin Higgins

Joshua and Lauren have loved each other for years and are newly married. Yet, in their first year of marriage, Lauren gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Joshua can’t come to terms with not living the rest of his life with his beloved. So, Lauren makes it her mission to write Joshua one letter every month to help him through his first year without her. She writes letters for every emotion he’ll encounter after she’s gone. He tries his best to get through her death and reads her letters when he’s low. As he gets back out into the world, he realizes that healing isn’t linear, but his wife helps him through some of his hardest moments.

Lullabies by Lang Leav

Autumn is the epitome of poetry reading. The season centers around change and transformation, themes we often grapple with as we try to figure out who we are or where we’re headed. When the leaves change color and fall, it signifies that old habits and feelings are fading, making way for something new. Change can be scary but it's necessary. Poetry can provide comfort, offering a hand to hold through grief, heartbreak, and self-love. Lang Leav’s anthology, Lullabies (Volume 2), explores love and loss through a musical lens. It’s like a warm hug on a chilly fall night, perfect for anyone looking to articulate their emotions