Under Water (Tara K Menon)

Under Water by Tara Menon is an intense and atmospheric literary novel that explores the enduring power of friendship, grief, and resilience. After losing her mother at a young age, Marissa moves with her father to a small island in Thailand, where she forms a deep and unforgettable bond with her best friend, Arielle. Together they discover the fragile beauty of coral reefs and the sea, their synchronized dives as effortless as manta rays they come to know by name. But when the Indian Ocean tsunami strikes on Boxing Day 2004, their lives are torn apart. Years later, Marissa — now living in New York — is haunted by memories as Hurricane Sandy approaches, forcing her to confront loss, longing, and the fragile nature of survival. Under Water is both a moving portrait of grief and a love letter to the natural world, blending vivid storytelling with emotional depth.