As Fall break approaches, the first one for this generation of NYU Abu Dhabi students without the affordable WizzAir flights, perhaps many feel stranded and lost, planning what to do. The Gazelle Editors come to the rescue with suggestions from their own dust-covered and forgotten TBR, TBW, and TBL lists.

Chadi Saadoun, by Roberto Bolaño (Book)

“Fourteen stories haunted by 'the melancholy folklore of exile' and set in the Chilean exile diaspora of Latin America and Europe; each story follows a narrator grappling with a private yet often unlucky quest, representing Bolaño’s 'failed generation.' “

Mayada Abuhaleeqa, Good Will Hunting (Film)

“A film that has been on my TBW list for the longest time is Good Will Hunting, starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams. I have only heard positive things about it, and I cannot believe I have put it off for so long. I will be watching very soon though!”

Mehraneh Saffari, Blood Meridian (Book)

“I have been hearing about Blood Meridian for the longest time. I have also heard from someone in passing that my favorite video game, Red Dead Redemption 2, was inspired by this book as well. The library had placed its copy of Blood Meridian next to Failed Frontiers, a book about how the wild west is commonly used as a metaphor for failed masculinity by authors, including a chapter on Blood Meridian. As someone who orientalizes the wild west, I have been even more intrigued about reading it.”

Dana Mash’Al, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This (Book)

“I am planning to read it in October, and I have only heard stellar reviews. This is about Western imperialism and exceptionalism, and how the myth of Western supremacy has been completely stripped from us after October 2023. It is a critique, and a societal commentary, but most importantly, it is a documentation of the sense of disillusionment felt by many across the world today.”

Manoj Dhakal, Hannibal (TV Series)

“This Psychological Thriller serves well to both sides of you: the adrenaline junkie, and the thoughtful observer of the human condition.”

Yana Peeva, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You by Ethel Cain (Music Album)

“Ethel Cain’s music always requires an empty room, a well-rested mind, and an open heart. It has been impossible to find such a moment in the month and a half since the album was released, so I cannot wait for Fall Break when I finally, maybe, will have the chance to enjoy this album to the fullest. I hope some of you will join me on this journey.”

If you end up reading, watching, or listening to these recommendations alongside our editors, feel encouraged to write your own reflections and submit them for The Gazelle’s upcoming issues. Alternatively, if you discover other fascinating works for your TBR, TBW, and TBL lists, please consider sharing them with us, so we can all enjoy thought-provoking books, inspiring movies, and jaw-dropping music albums.