Friday Mood Recs: Classic and contemporary reads for White Lotus watchers

Kooky characters, far flung settings, and exorbitant wealth...oh my

I have not been able to stick with a lot of TV shows recently. Every night after my daughter goes to bed, lounging on the couch sounds like a dream, but there’s just nothing I want to watch. Thank goodness for Sundays because The White Lotus is appointment television for me.

I love this show so much. It’s smart and fun and pleasing to the eye. I’m also the kind of viewer (and reader) who doesn’t care so much about the plot—give me an interesting cast of characters to hang out with and I’ll keep coming back to eavesdrop on their conversations and side eye their choices. Here’s what I enjoy most about the show:

• Surprising pairings of people. The vacation setting means you get gatherings of people who don’t have all that much in common. People who wouldn’t necessarily cross paths in the real world are now sharing a space.

• A closed setting. The characters may venture from their hotels, but for the most part the series establishes a closed system that allows the tension to build.

• Armchair travel. I don’t know when I’ll next be able to hop on a flight to Hawaii or Sicily or Thailand, so it’s nice to be a tourist in my entertainment.

• A blend of silly and serious. I like the tone of this show. It’s winkingly funny while addressing serious ideas. It’s not a full-on farce, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Even the characters occasionally feel like they’re in different shows, in the very best way.

I’ve read quite a few books that offer similar vibes and use similar conventions, and (perhaps surprisingly) the majority of them are classics. Today I’m sharing five excellent books with White Lotus-level ensembles, dramas, and settings. If, like me, you can’t wait to check in at the White Lotus each season, here are some books for you: