Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf, is about how small, seemingly unimportant things can overtake us; how yearning can succumb to expectation. Just thinking about this book makes my throat ache. The novel follows Clarissa Dalloway through a single day of her life as she prepares for a party. The reader is privy to her inner life and how it has colored the lives of her intimates. It’s a complex read, and I was lucky enough to have smart people guide me through the first pass. It’s written in stream of consciousness, which some people find confusing. If that spooks you, buy the Cliff Notes to help you through. If you’re still confused, send me an email. Seriously. I want you to love this book.