5 Real Books Featured in The White Lotus Season 3 So Far 

The exploration of the books featured in the franchise is a pretty popular theme, and it goes all the way back to season 1. Remember Paula and Olivia? Those two never came to the pool without a book. Maybe it's just the rule that you have to use your vacation time to read?

Anyway, The White Lotus season 3 had already done a perfect job of bringing literature into the story. It's not quite obvious, but the choice of books and the way they were chosen for each character is just brilliant, and you'll see why.

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Beautiful and Damned”

This rather underrated novel by Fitzgerald was the choice for Victoria Ratliff, and let's just say it's an amazing fit. The novel focuses on a young couple's descent into excess and moral decay and perfectly highlights shallowness that surrounds Victoria.

Their lives seem perfect on the surface, much like the characters in the novel, but the book hints at the possibility of something deeper, the emotional struggle to find meaning beyond materialism.

“One of the themes of White Lotus has always been that there really are no consequences for rich people. So I’ll be interested if the Ratliff family really loses everything or not. In The Beautiful & Damned, the main character loses his inheritance, goes to war, but then comes back and regains his inheritance, but after losing all of his zest for life and his love for his wife,” Redditor ragnarockette said.

2. Sharon Salzberg “Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness”

Not entirely a surprise that Piper was reading this book. Its focus on mindfulness and the cultivation of compassion resonates with Piper's attempts to find inner peace amidst the chaos of her own life in, let's face it, not the best family.

While the book encourages acceptance and love, Piper seems to be searching for balance in her life using methods that are not for everyone. And that’s her own revolution.

3. Pema Chodron “Start Where You Are: How to Accept Yourself and Others”

Another interesting match is this one. Pema Chordon is a popular author who is also known as a wisdom nun and Buddhist teacher, so giving this book to Chelsea instead of Piper must make a lot of sense. And it does.

Chodron's teachings on accepting oneself and others are especially poignant as Chelsea struggles with self-awareness and trying to understand her role in the most important relationship she has: the one with Rick.

4. Thomas Erikson “Surrounded by Narcissists”

This was actually a funny moment. In episode 4 we saw Belinda finally trying to get some rest by the pool, but it wouldn't be her if something wasn't keeping her from spending a little quality time with herself. However, for a brief moment we saw her reading, and her book was called Surrounded by Narcissists.

Still, the choice makes sense, as Belinda is surrounded by powerful, self-centered figures, and her reading of this book signals her growing awareness of the narcissistic behavior around her. As she tries to fit in as a more important part of the story than before, she also has to realize how to behave with those who are more popular than she is.

5. Knut Hamsun “Hunger”

And probably the saddest choice of all is this one. Lochlan reading Hunger is a rather loud thing for the creators to do, as everyone knows the stuff is powerful. The novel, which explores the existential struggles of a young man facing poverty and isolation, mirrors Lochlan's own emotional disconnect despite his privileged upbringing.

From the first episode, we see the guy torn, not knowing which team to choose: his jerk of a brother or his mysterious sister. The fans on Reddit predict something terrible is going to happen to him. So he must be ready.

“Hunger is legitimately one of the most depressing books I've ever read. Lochy has uncharted depths for that one,” Redditor unfurnishedbedrooms said.