A book to captivate the heart and mind

I need to check out of this reality from time to time so I’m looking for a great fiction novel suggestion. 

I’m a new mom that is overwhelmed and overstimulated. For some reason, I’m chronically awake at 1am. Scrolling Reddit is not good for my mental health and neither is the amount of adds in streaming services now. 

I want my daughter to see me reading more than she sees me looking at a screen (embarrassingly, this is not the case right now). I read the New York Times Sunday paper every week (also not great for my mental health) but that’s about it right now.

I’m hormonal and sad a lot. The world is scary. People are mean. The suffering breaks my heart. I am also floored by the sweetness and tenderness of the world. 

Today, my cousin told me she is dying and this will be her last Christmas. Life is so delicate. I cry at the juxtaposition of my cousin holding my beautiful baby. 

I guess what I’m saying is that, I would like to read something that is captivating and complex, beautiful and maybe even a bit tragic, just as life is. I feel like this could be cathartic and perhaps help me process my own life and mortality.

Please, nothing morbid or corny. I would love to read one of the great classic novels if something fits the bill. I’m open to newer releases as well.

thanks everyone!