Benji’s summers in Sag Harbor were a rite of passage, a bittersweet escape from the city’s chaos. As a Black teenager in the 1980s, he navigated the complexities of identity, friendship, and first love against the backdrop of this idyllic beach town. Whitehead’s prose crackles with nostalgia, capturing the essence of those sun-drenched days and the awkward fumbling towards adulthood. It’s a story that’ll make you laugh, cringe, and yearn for your own youthful summers past.
Eleanor and Park is a bittersweet tale of first love that will tug at your heartstrings. Set in 1986, it follows two misfit teenagers as they navigate the complexities of high school, family, and unexpected romance. Rowell’s vivid prose brings to life the awkward moments and electric touches that define young love. I found myself rooting for these characters, feeling their joy and pain as if it were my own. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page, reminding us of the power of connection in a world that can feel so isolating.