Book recommendations for the Bridgerton siblings
If you’re anything like us at Bookscape, you too have been spending the last few weeks watching Polin Edits (Penelope Featherington + Colin Bridgerton) on loop and counting down the days to the second part of Bridgerton Season 3.
With Part 2 premiering this week, we bring to you a curated list of books that we think the five older Bridgerton siblings are likely to add to their TBRs (To Be Read book lists) – based on their personalities and diverse love lives. There’s feminist literature for Eloise and stories about hopeless romantics for Colin.
Go on, read along with your favourite Bridgerton!
In her memoir, Zauner reflects on her turbulent relationship with her mother, Chongmi, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in October 2014. She delves into how preparing traditional Korean dishes aids her in processing the loss and reconnecting with her heritage. This story of how Zauner coped with the loss of a parent who was dear to her is sure to resonate with the Viscount.
Enemies to lovers and elder siblings who are terrified of letting their families down? There’s nothing the eldest Bridgerton needs to read more. Henry’s Book Lovers will literally hold a mirror to his story in season 2 but in a small town setting with a dash of literariness instead of Regency. Riddled with toe-curling love confessions, Nora and Charlie’s romance is also the bane of our existence and the object of all our desires.
The second eldest Bridgerton brother, Benedict is an artistic soul with a penchant for rebellion, constantly seeking inspiration and adventure in Regency-era London society.
As the Bridgerton sibling who has a way with words and teaches his elder brother a thing or two about love poetry (“What is it, truly, to admire a woman? To look at her and feel inspiration...To honour her being with your deeds and words?”), this is a perfect read! With sage, lyrical words from Rilke on life and the art of writing, Benedict is bound to read this and hold this close to his heart like a close companion.
The charming and affable third Bridgerton brother, Colin is known for his wanderlust and romantic nature, always yearning for new experiences beyond the confines of society. He falls in love with his best friend of 3 years, Penelope Featherington, in the ongoing season.
While he always caters to most people in the ton, Colin feels like he lacks direction and purpose and seeks those in his life. This Bridgerton sibling could benefit from reading the musings and observations of Lahiri’s unnamed protagonist in Whereabouts who navigates the streets and neighborhoods of an unnamed city. Through introspection and observations, the book explores solitude, belonging, and the search for connection.
An irresistible and steamy friends-to-lovers romance with the male protagonist being a hopeless romantic? Jasmine and Rahul navigate their close friendship as unexpected feelings and sizzling chemistry arise after they become roommates. As they confront their pasts and fears, they must decide if taking a chance on love is worth the potential risk to their friendship. Almost sounds like Polin, don’t you think so?
The eldest Bridgerton sister, Daphne is a poised and beautiful debutante whose journey to find love in the competitive marriage market of Regency London leads to unexpected twists and turns. She was the very first diamond of the show and after faking a relationship with the Duke, falls in love and marries him, taking on the title of Duchess.
Jane Austen’s wit and observations about human nature in Pride and Prejudice are timeless. Daphne could appreciate and learn from the sharp social commentary and expectations placed on women in Regency England. Daphne’s high expectations of finding the perfect romance are reflected greatly in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy’s timeless love story.
The story of the four March sisters, Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg, this timeless classic, if read by the first diamond of the season, will make her feel seen. We think Daphne and Meg are very alike in the way they prioritise their families, think about marriage and kids and their love for their respective families.
The fiercely independent and intellectually curious sister of the Bridgerton clan, Eloise bucks societal norms in pursuit of autonomy and a life beyond marriage.
What if Shakespeare had a sister? Women also require a room of their own and same resources as men to enjoy their freedom. Why must women marry off? Don’t they have dreams of their own, those independent of marriage? We’re sure Eloise would take away something from Woolf’s landmark essay, considered as one of the pioneering feminist texts.
Evaristo’s experimental novel celebrates the diversity of women’s experiences while intertwining the lives of 12 characters, mostly women of African or Caribbean descent in Britain. Every woman and non-binary character speaks of their experiences with and without a partner while rejecting traditional notions of marriage, much like this rebellious Bridgerton sibling.
