The Bookish Ashley

Brenda Walsh, the strong-willed, passionate, and independent character from Beverly Hills, 90210, is known for her dramatic flair and deep emotions. Her reading list would reflect her intense personality and love for complex, emotionally charged stories. Brenda would gravitate toward books that explore identity, love, rebellion, and personal growth—while also enjoying a good dash of drama. Here’s a selection of books that would perfectly suit Brenda’s mood and spirit.

1. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda, with her flair for the dramatic and deep passion, would be drawn to this gothic classic about obsessive love and vengeance. The intensity of Heathcliff and Catherine’s tumultuous relationship would resonate with Brenda’s own emotional highs and lows.

Synopsis: Set on the moody Yorkshire moors, this novel follows the passionate and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Their love story is filled with jealousy, obsession, and a thirst for revenge that spans generations.

2. “Just Kids” by Patti Smith

Why Brenda Would Read It: As someone who craves authenticity and rebellion, Brenda would appreciate Patti Smith’s memoir about her artistic journey in New York City. The story’s focus on creativity, friendship, and following one’s path would inspire Brenda’s own dreams of living life on her terms.

Synopsis: This memoir recounts Patti Smith’s early years in New York City, her deep friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and their shared journey as struggling artists. It’s a story of art, love, and the pursuit of an unconventional life.

3. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda would connect with Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel about a young woman grappling with her identity, mental health, and societal expectations. The book’s exploration of existential struggles would appeal to Brenda’s introspective side.

Synopsis: The Bell Jar follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman who wins a prestigious internship at a magazine in New York but soon finds herself spiraling into depression. The novel explores themes of mental illness, identity, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations.

4. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda would see herself in Holden Caulfield, the rebellious and misunderstood protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye. His search for meaning and disdain for “phonies” would resonate with her own feelings of being an outsider in the privileged world of Beverly Hills.

Synopsis: This classic novel follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from multiple schools, as he navigates New York City in search of authenticity and connection. The novel explores themes of alienation, innocence, and the search for identity.

5. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda would be hooked by this psychological thriller’s twists and turns, as well as its complex female protagonist. The novel’s exploration of love, manipulation, and identity would intrigue Brenda, who has a taste for drama and mystery.

Synopsis: This gripping novel alternates between the perspectives of Nick and Amy Dunne, a married couple whose relationship begins to unravel when Amy goes missing. As the mystery unfolds, dark secrets about their marriage come to light, leading to a shocking conclusion.

6. “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda, with her rebellious spirit and interest in social justice, would be drawn to The Handmaid’s Tale for its exploration of power, control, and resistance in a dystopian society. She would be inspired by the strength of the women who fight to reclaim their autonomy.

Synopsis: Set in a dystopian future where women’s rights have been stripped away, this novel follows Offred, a handmaid forced to bear children for the ruling class. The story is a chilling reflection on power, control, and the strength of the human spirit.

7. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda would love the dark, intellectual intrigue of The Secret History, with its exploration of morality, obsession, and the consequences of living outside societal norms. The novel’s academic setting and complex characters would appeal to her love of cerebral drama.

Synopsis: This novel tells the story of a group of elite college students who, under the influence of their charismatic professor, become involved in a murder. As their lives unravel, the novel delves into the moral and psychological consequences of their actions.

8. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney

Why Brenda Would Read It: Brenda would be captivated by the raw, emotional complexity of the relationship between Connell and Marianne in Normal People. The novel’s exploration of love, vulnerability, and identity would appeal to Brenda’s introspective and passionate nature.

Synopsis: This novel follows the complicated relationship between Connell and Marianne, two teenagers from a small Irish town, as they navigate love, friendship, and personal growth throughout their college years. The novel is a deeply emotional exploration of connection, class, and intimacy.

Conclusion

Brenda Walsh’s reading list would be filled with intense, emotionally charged books that explore identity, rebellion, and personal growth. From dark love stories to psychological thrillers, Brenda would seek out narratives that challenge societal norms and dive deep into the complexities of human emotion. Whether she’s embracing the gothic romance of Wuthering Heights or the rebellious spirit of The Catcher in the Rye, Brenda’s reading choices reflect her bold, passionate, and fiercely independent personality.