If you like Succession, you’ll love “The Nest” or “Pineapple Street” – great stories of families intertwined and dealing with the fallout of inheritances.
“The Nest” by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney shares the story of one brother’s bad behavior, which has endangered the Plumbs’ joint trust fund, or “the Nest,” as they’ve taken to calling it, as the siblings grapple with family tensions and old histories.
“Pineapple Street,” by Jenny Jackson, is rife with the indulgent pleasures of life among New York’s one-percenters and a smart escapist novel that sparkles with wit.
You might not get the quips and chaos of Roman Roy, but the twisted family dynamics of the richest of the rich are fun to unravel.
If you love Yellowstone, 1883, or 1923, you’ll love “Where the Lost Wander: A Novel” by Amy Harmon, which tells the story about a family on the Overland Trail. As you may have seen on 1883, life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. This is a story of love and the sacrifices made to find each other, save each other, and eventually make peace with who they are.
The Longmire Mystery series, by Craig Johnson, itself a show on Netflix, showcases the rugged way of life in Wyoming. The novels follow Sheriff Walt Longmire, who is on a mission to solve crimes while recovering from his wife’s death.
“Montana Sky” by Nora Roberts unravels the relationships between three sisters who are all but strangers, and all of whom are vying to take up their portion of what’s mentioned in their father’s will in wilds of Montana.
Dreaming of the amazing Taormina and Scillian beauty of The White Lotus, Season 2?
“My Brilliant Friend,” part of the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, takes you to a different part of Italy, the island of Ischia in Naples. This story, also an amazing show available on HBO, tells the story that spans almost 60 years of the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, and their complex and at times conflicted friendship. While the themes differ from the White Lotus, the beauty of Italy shines through the pages.
“Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty achieves the same feat of White Lotus, weaving together the stories of those visiting a resort at the same time. Of course, Moriarty is responsible for many well-known novels, including “Big Little Lies,” our obsession show from a few years ago. In this page-turner, she creates instantly relatable characters and showcases how our shared flawed humanity is also our greatest strength.
If you’re loving the new Apple TV series Shrinking, working through grief and having a sense of humor are key.
In “Black Widow,” Leslie Gray Streeter gives us real talk about love, loss, and grief. As she shares, she is not cut out for widowhood. She’s not ready for hushed rooms and pitying looks. She is not ready to stand graveside, dabbing her eyes in a classy black hat. But here she is, having lost her soulmate to a sudden heart attack, totally unsure of how to navigate her new widow lifestyle.
“In Grief is Love,” author Marisa Renee Lee shares her experience with the healing process that does not mean moving on after losing a loved one — healing means learning to acknowledge and create space for your grief.
If you still miss Modern Family, you’ll love the new book “The Guncle.” The has-been sitcom star Patrick has always loved his niece and nephew but when tragedy strikes, he also becomes charged with their wellbeing. This heart-warming and humorous beach read makes for a good summer novel that reminds you of the enduring power of love, patience and, most of all, family.
There are so many great books and shows out there as high quality entertainment is just abundant in this day and age. Enjoy your reads and watches and share with ELYSIAN what entertainment brings you value, comfort, laughs, or tears.