Books

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Genre: realistic fiction

Connell and Marianne share a deep connection that forms at the end of their high school years and continues as they both attend Trinity College in Dublin. On multiple occasions, their bond is threatened by their relationships with other people, their varying levels of social acceptance, and other problems that arise in their lives. However, they always seem to find their way back to each other, whether they pursue a romantic relationship, a friendship, or something in between.

While reading this novel, it would be difficult not to develop a connection with Connell and Marianne; not only are they likable characters, but the book follows their lives for a significant amount of their young adulthood, allowing the reader to feel attached to their story. This book is simply a study of people and their relationships, but it’s so captivating, complicated, and powerful at the same time. Normal People also deals with social acceptance, mental health, and unhealthy family dynamics, and shows how much of an impact people can have on each other.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Genre: young adult fiction, thriller

Cadence and her family, the Sinclairs, spend their summers on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. While the Sinclairs attempt to maintain their image as a wealthy, picture-perfect family, they are torn apart by greed, arguments, and tragedies. Cadence and her cousins, Mirren and Johnny, remain close as they watch their family fall apart; along with Gat (although Gat is not a Sinclair, he comes to the island with his uncle, who is dating Johnny’s mother), the four teenagers call themselves “the Liars.”

We Were Liars keeps the reader turning pages and wondering what secrets the Sinclair family may be keeping. The unbreakable bond between Cadence, Mirren, Johnny, and Gat is extremely moving and heartwarming; their relationships show the importance of holding on to the people one loves, especially when life gets complicated. This novel is eye-opening to the effect of wealth and privilege, and the fact that people are often not as “perfect” as they portray themselves to be. Lastly, there’s a shocking, emotional plot twist that will keep the reader thinking; this novel is guaranteed to leave a lasting impact on anyone who picks it up.

Movies

Frances Ha

Genre: comedy-drama

An aspiring dancer named Frances deals with the instability of her relationships, career, and living situation as she navigates young adulthood in New York City. She struggles to find satisfaction with her own life as she watches her best friend, Sophie, leave her behind to pursue a seemingly perfect relationship and an eventful life.

Thanks to the outstanding writing of Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha is a masterpiece; the concept of the film may seem simple, but it’s incredibly inspiring to watch Frances find her way in life. While the movie touches on romantic relationships, its emphasis on friendship is especially important. Frances and Sophie share a bond that is really the core of the film, and they clearly have significant impacts on each others’ lives. Although it was released in 2012, Frances Ha is a black and white film; the beautiful cinematography helps the movie stand out, so this interesting choice by director Noah Baumbach definitely paid off. Overall, Frances’ story is a reminder that conflict and instability can help people discover their place in the world, as scary as they may seem at the time.

Mr. Roosevelt

Genre: comedy

The death of a beloved family member brings Emily, an aspiring comedian attempting to pursue a career in Los Angeles, back to her college town of Austin, Texas. She finds herself staying with her ex-boyfriend - and his new girlfriend - in her old house. As she watches their seemingly perfect lives move forward, Emily struggles to make ends meet and deal with the baggage of her past.

This charming hidden gem clearly shows the genius of Noel Wells, who wrote, directed, and starred in the film. Despite the comedic aspects of the movie and Emily’s bubbly, spirited personality, Mr. Roosevelt still manages to highlight the struggles of young adulthood in an emotional and heartfelt way. As she deals with financial and career challenges, low-self esteem, and coming to terms with her past, the audience does not only sympathize with Emily, but can also relate to her. The cinematography also stands out; the movie is filled with aesthetically pleasing scenes and bright colors, which match Emily’s colorful personality.

Television Shows

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Genre: comedy-drama

By looking after their two children as her husband struggles to find success as a stand-up comedian, Midge Maisel plays the role of a 1950s housewife - until her husband leaves her, and she reinvents her life completely. To her parents’ dismay, Mrs. Maisel ends up pursuing a career in comedy, breaking the social norms of the time period and exceeding everyone’s expectations along the way.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel places its viewers right into 1950s Manhattan as it follows Midge through her complicated yet admirable life. Along with this captivating setting and storyline, the show has brilliant writing that does not fail to keep audiences laughing, especially through Mrs. Maisel’s quick wit and clever comments. Above all else, Midge is just so easy to love; while dealing with life-changing hardships, she maintains her sense of humor, finds unexpected yet well-deserved success in a new career, and breaks traditional 1950s gender roles all at the same time.

Dead to Me

Genre: dark comedy

After losing her husband in a hit-and-run, Jen is determined to discover who killed him. She meets Judy at a grief support group, and the two women develop a close friendship as they both deal with the tragedies of their pasts. However, dark secrets and grave mistakes threaten their relationship and the stability of their lives.

With clever writing and great acting, Dead to Me manages to be both humorous and heart-wrenching as Jen and Judy help each other cope with their grief and move through life. The show is also extremely captivating, with frequent plot twists and 30-minute episodes that are easy to binge-watch. As complicated as their friendship can be, the development of Jen and Judy’s strong bond shows how love can persist through the most troubling times and unforeseen circumstances.