Tender sweet feelings: I want them. From books.
July 2, 2017 3:07 PM Subscribe
Looking for book suggestions similar to Eleanor and Park or Fangirl.
I recently read Eleanor and Park, and Fangirl, both by Rainbow Rowell, and I LOVED the characters. These books filled me with a joy and tenderness that I haven't felt from other books recently. I'm looking for books with similarly awkward, sweet, innocent yet smart characters, where the writing just makes you want to give yourself or someone else a very long hug. I'm open to adult or young adult writing, but not especially interested in sci-fi or fantasy. Thanks!
I recently read Eleanor and Park, and Fangirl, both by Rainbow Rowell, and I LOVED the characters. These books filled me with a joy and tenderness that I haven't felt from other books recently. I'm looking for books with similarly awkward, sweet, innocent yet smart characters, where the writing just makes you want to give yourself or someone else a very long hug. I'm open to adult or young adult writing, but not especially interested in sci-fi or fantasy. Thanks!
Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here
Also another Rainbow Rowell, Attachments. Any Rainbow Rowell, if I'm honest.
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:27 PM on July 2, 2017
Also another Rainbow Rowell, Attachments. Any Rainbow Rowell, if I'm honest.
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:27 PM on July 2, 2017
You must read The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli. Awkward, sweet protagonist and just so much love and joy in it!
I also love E. Lockhart's Boyfriend List series for similar reasons, such a lovable awkward main character just trying to work things out.
Also try Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson!
posted by wsquared at 3:30 PM on July 2, 2017
I also love E. Lockhart's Boyfriend List series for similar reasons, such a lovable awkward main character just trying to work things out.
Also try Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson!
posted by wsquared at 3:30 PM on July 2, 2017
Have you read The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers? I didn't totally like it, but when I try to put the reason into words, I thought it was too much of exactly what you're looking for.
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 3:40 PM on July 2, 2017
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 3:40 PM on July 2, 2017
Anything by Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables.
Fiction by Elizabeth McCracken. Two novels I can recommend are The Giant's House and Niagara Falls All Over Again
Heart, You Bully, You Punk by Leah Hagar Cohen
Graphic novel rec: One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:13 PM on July 2, 2017
Fiction by Elizabeth McCracken. Two novels I can recommend are The Giant's House and Niagara Falls All Over Again
Heart, You Bully, You Punk by Leah Hagar Cohen
Graphic novel rec: One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:13 PM on July 2, 2017
Megan Rosoff's books do this for me. Especially 'Jonathan unleashed', and 'Just in case'.
posted by yesbut at 5:53 PM on July 2, 2017
posted by yesbut at 5:53 PM on July 2, 2017
I came here to say The Sun Is Also A Star. It deserved the National Book Award nom. If you're into middle grade as well as YA, anything by Brian Selznick but especially Wonderstruck. Ms. Marvel. The Lara Jean/To All The Boys I Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han.
posted by colorblock sock at 9:51 PM on July 2, 2017
posted by colorblock sock at 9:51 PM on July 2, 2017
I'm looking for books with similarly awkward, sweet, innocent yet smart characters, where the writing just makes you want to give yourself or someone else a very long hug
A Short History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper. Picture an updated I Capture the Castle with Nazis, secret marriages, and alternative genders/sexualities. I love this whole series, it's just wonderful.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. It is fantasy, but it's become a real comfort read for me in a lot of ways, because Maia is just such a sweet, well-intentioned character, struggling to do the right thing despite the ways in which adults have failed him.
posted by suelac at 9:07 AM on July 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
A Short History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper. Picture an updated I Capture the Castle with Nazis, secret marriages, and alternative genders/sexualities. I love this whole series, it's just wonderful.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. It is fantasy, but it's become a real comfort read for me in a lot of ways, because Maia is just such a sweet, well-intentioned character, struggling to do the right thing despite the ways in which adults have failed him.
posted by suelac at 9:07 AM on July 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I just picked up Knit One, Girl Two based on this Smart Bitches, Trashy Books review. It sounds like it might be along the lines you're looking for.
posted by Lexica at 12:14 PM on July 3, 2017
posted by Lexica at 12:14 PM on July 3, 2017
Agree so much with the recommendation of The Giant's House. I also love Tuck Everlasting (more a kid than quite YA, but a favorite of mine and has so much sweetness,) and Landline (more Rainbow Rowell.)
posted by fairlynearlyready at 1:08 AM on July 4, 2017
posted by fairlynearlyready at 1:08 AM on July 4, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the suggestions! Looking forward to digging into these books!
posted by JubileeRubaloo at 8:04 AM on July 8, 2017
posted by JubileeRubaloo at 8:04 AM on July 8, 2017
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posted by sunset in snow country at 3:10 PM on July 2, 2017 [2 favorites]