CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell, 12/04/24

In 'Funny Story', Emily Henry tells the story of Daphne Vincent, a children’s librarian whose life is turned upside down when her fiancé, Peter, leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak, a chaotic and laid-back winery employee who is the opposite of Daphne’s practical and buttoned-up personality. As they form a tenuous friendship and engage in a pretend-lovers plot, they navigate their emotional baggage, childhood traumas, and the complexities of love and relationships. The novel is set in the beautiful small town of Waning Bay, Michigan, and explores themes of self-discovery, meaningful friendships, and the growth of the characters.

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.