The novel follows the life of a 26-year-old former high school basketball star, who is dissatisfied with his current life. He impulsively leaves his wife and son and embarks on a journey in the hopes of finding a more meaningful existence. His decisions, however, lead to a series of tragic events that impact the lives of those around him. This mid-20th-century novel explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and the tragic consequences of impulsive decisions.

The novel revolves around the lives of the Lambert family, an old-fashioned midwestern couple and their three adult children. The parents, Alfred and Enid, are dealing with Alfred's Parkinson's disease and their own marital problems, while their children are each facing their own personal and professional crises. The narrative explores the themes of family dynamics, societal expectations, and the struggles of modern life. The story climaxes with the family's last Christmas together at their childhood home.

This novel explores the complex relationships between four Chinese-American mothers and their American-born daughters. The narrative switches between the perspectives of the eight women, revealing their pasts, their struggles with cultural identity, and the misunderstandings that have grown between the generations. The mothers, who all experienced hardship in their native China, want their daughters to have better lives and thus push them to excel in America. The daughters, in turn, struggle to reconcile their American surroundings with their Chinese heritage.

"Love Medicine" is a novel that explores the lives of several generations of a Native American family living on a reservation in North Dakota. The narrative is presented through a series of interconnected stories, each told from the perspective of different family members, and spans over 60 years, from 1934 to 1999. The book explores themes of love, family, identity, and the struggle between tradition and modernity. It provides a deep and poignant look into the complexities of Native American life and culture, and the challenges faced by the community.

"A Visit from the Goon Squad" is an interconnected collection of stories about a group of characters whose lives intersect in the music industry. The narrative spans several decades, tracing the characters' journey from their youth to middle age. It explores themes of time, change, and the impact of technology on human relationships and the music industry. The novel is known for its experimental structure, including a chapter written as a PowerPoint presentation.

"The Magnificent Ambersons" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in the early 20th century that explores the dramatic changes brought about by the industrial revolution in America. It follows the decline of the once-prosperous Amberson family as their fortune and influence wane with the rise of new money and modern technology. The story is centered around the prideful and spoiled George Amberson Minafer, whose arrogance and inability to adapt to the changing world lead to his downfall.

This novel tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch—saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Cloud's, Maine, and a man of rare compassion and an addiction to ether. Dr. Larch loves all his orphans, especially Homer Wells, who is never adopted and becomes his invaluable apprentice. As Homer comes of age, he must leave the only home he's ever known to explore the world outside, a world filled with temptations and moral dilemmas, from the struggle over abortion to the question of what constitutes a family.

"The Prince of Tides" is a gripping narrative about a troubled man who must confront his traumatic past in order to help his twin sister, a poet who has attempted suicide. The protagonist, in the process of aiding his sister's psychiatrist, is forced to delve into their shared history of growing up in a dysfunctional family in South Carolina. The story is a deep exploration of family dynamics, mental health, and the enduring impact of childhood trauma, all set against the backdrop of the Southern United States.

The book follows the life of a young boy who survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum, which kills his mother. In the confusion following the explosion, he steals a priceless Dutch painting, The Goldfinch, which becomes his secret treasure and eventually draws him into the criminal underworld. The narrative explores themes of loss, survival, and the power of art to shape human destiny.

"Them" is a novel that chronicles the lives of the Wendall family, a lower-class family living in Detroit, over the course of three decades. The story, told from the perspective of three main characters, explores their struggles with poverty, violence, and a constant desire for a better life. It also delves into the societal issues of the time, including racial tensions and the disillusionment of the American Dream. The narrative is a gritty, realistic depiction of the hardships faced by many families in urban America during the mid-20th century.

The novel revolves around a young girl named Maisie, who becomes a pawn in the bitter divorce of her self-involved and neglectful parents. Her parents use her to hurt each other, and she is passed back and forth between them, their new spouses, and a sympathetic governess. Throughout the novel, Maisie navigates her way through a world of adult intrigue, betrayal, and selfishness, developing a mature understanding of human nature and relationships.

The novel explores the journey of a 13-year-old boy, his drug-addicted mother, and his baby sister as they travel through Mississippi to pick up their white father from the state penitentiary. The story is steeped in the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and struggle, and is further complicated by the presence of a ghost from the family's past. It's a haunting tale about the legacy of trauma and the power of family ties.

The novel is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Ellen Foster who, after her mother's suicide and father's subsequent neglect and abuse, is shuffled between family members and foster homes. Despite the hardships she faces, including poverty and racism in the South, Ellen's remarkable resilience and determination help her to overcome her circumstances. Ultimately, she finds a loving home with a foster mother and begins to heal from her traumatic past.

The novel focuses on four siblings who, after the tragic death of their father, are locked away in the attic of their cruel grandmother's mansion as their mother tries to inherit the family fortune. The children endure years of abuse and neglect, and as their mother's visits become less frequent, they must rely on each other for survival. Over time, they form a deeply complex and troubling relationship, leading to a shocking and devastating climax.

A teenage boy navigates the complexities of life after his mother is brutally attacked on their reservation in North Dakota. As the legal system fails to bring justice due to jurisdictional issues, the boy takes matters into his own hands. The novel explores themes of tribal law, justice, and the transition into adulthood, all set against the backdrop of Native American culture and history.

This novel tells the story of Anthony Patch, a 1920s socialite and presumptive heir to a tycoon's fortune, and his wife Gloria. As they await the inheritance of his grandfather's estate, their reckless marriage deteriorates into a cycle of alcohol, parties, and squabbles, leading to their downfall. The narrative provides an exploration of the themes of greed, status, and the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.

This novel explores the life of a young Barbadian-American girl growing up in Brooklyn during the Great Depression and World War II. The protagonist struggles with her identity as she navigates the cultural divide between her parents' traditional Barbadian values and her own American aspirations. The story delves into the themes of immigration, cultural identity, race, and gender, as the protagonist comes of age and seeks to establish her independence.

This novel tells the story of a New York editor who is called back to his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, by his two manipulative older sisters to help them prevent their elderly father from remarrying. As he becomes embroiled in their family drama, he reflects on his upbringing in the South, his father's tyrannical rule over the family, and the impact it had on his life. The narrative explores themes of family, memory, and the passage of time.

The novel tells the story of a wealthy, prominent Southern family, the Howlands, who have lived on the same plot of land in Alabama for over a century. The narrative is marked by the scandalous interracial relationship between the patriarch, William Howland, and his African-American housekeeper, Margaret Carmichael. Their secret relationship and the children it produces are kept hidden until William's death, when his granddaughter, Abigail, uncovers the truth, leading to a dramatic confrontation with the racially prejudiced townspeople. The book explores themes of race, family legacy, and the destructive power of bigotry.

"Falling in Place" is a novel set in the 1970s that explores the lives of a group of suburban Connecticut residents during one hot summer. The narrative focuses on the characters' internal struggles and interpersonal relationships, portraying a family in crisis, a teenage girl's suicide attempt, and a young boy's fascination with outer space. The story provides a stark examination of the disillusionment and existential dread experienced by the characters, reflecting the broader societal malaise of the era.

"Empire Falls" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the life of Miles Roby, a man who has spent his entire life in a decaying, blue-collar town in Maine. Miles, a kind-hearted man, runs the Empire Grill, a local diner, and dreams of escaping the town and his manipulative, wealthy boss. The novel delves into the complex relationships and social dynamics of the town, examining themes of love, loss, and the economic decline of small-town America.

A nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell embarks on a quest to solve the mystery behind a key he discovered in his deceased father's closet. His father died in the 9/11 attacks, and Oskar believes the key is a clue to a message his father left behind. As he explores all five boroughs of New York City, he encounters a diverse group of people, each with their own stories and struggles. The narrative is a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the search for closure.

In "Searching for Caleb," a quirky, upper-class family is brought to life, with a focus on the Peck family's black sheep, Duncan. Duncan, who rejects the family's traditions and expectations, embarks on a quest to find his missing uncle Caleb, who disappeared decades ago without a trace. Alongside him is his cousin, Justine, who also feels out of place within their family. The novel explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the need for personal freedom.

The book is a powerful exploration of the American juvenile justice system through the eyes of a 16-year-old African-American boy who is on trial for his alleged involvement in a robbery-turned-murder. As he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, the protagonist grapples with his identity, the perceptions of others, and the harsh realities of a system that is quick to label him a monster. The narrative is uniquely presented through a mix of screenplay format and diary entries, offering an introspective and multifaceted look at the protagonist's experiences and the complexities of morality, truth, and humanity within the confines of a legal battle for his future.

"Everything I Never Told You" is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of a Chinese-American family living in 1970s Ohio. When their daughter Lydia goes missing and is later found dead, the Lee family is shattered by grief and forced to confront their own secrets and insecurities. As they navigate through their individual struggles, the novel explores themes of identity, race, and the pressures of societal expectations, painting a poignant portrait of a family on the brink of collapse.