The Reading List

This affecting story details the relationship between widower Mukesh and teen library worker Aleisha. Mukesh is mourning the death of his wife Naina, and he discovers a copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife she has left behind. Looking to connect with his also-bookish granddaughter, he heads to the library. There he finds Aleisha, who is struggling with the weight of supporting her mother’s mental health and isn’t thrilled to be working at the library that her literary brother loves.

After Aleisha finds a list of novels tucked into the back of a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, she vows to read all the books. Eventually, she shares the books she loves with Mukesh. The connection between Aleisha and Mukesh strengthens as they find solace and joy in the shared reading list — and in the serendipity of life.