Books Like...

'Hold Still' by Nina LaCour follows 16-year-old Caitlin as she navigates the aftermath of her best friend Ingrid's suicide. Discovering Ingrid's diary hidden under her bed, Caitlin reads it day by day to uncover more about her friend's thoughts and emotions. Through art and new relationships, Caitlin grapples with her grief and attempts to find closure. The story delves into themes of friendship, loss, healing, and self-discovery, portraying the complexities of dealing with suicide and its impact on those left behind. LaCour's writing style intricately weaves emotions and experiences, drawing readers into Caitlin's journey of understanding and acceptance.

The Mermaid's Daughter by Ann Claycomb is a modern retelling of the Little Mermaid story, focusing on Kathleen, a young opera student plagued by chronic pain and a mysterious connection to water. As Kathleen delves into her family history, she uncovers generations of mermaids, each facing their own struggles and tragedies. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, weaving together elements of mythology, opera, and the complexities of family legacy. Claycomb's writing style blends passion and descriptive storytelling to create a dark and captivating tale that explores themes of love, loss, and the price of destiny.

In "Ingo" by Helen Dunmore, readers are introduced to Sapphire and her brother, Conor, who live by the sea in Cornwall. The story unfolds with the mysterious disappearance of their father, leading Sapphire to discover the world of Ingo, a dangerous realm beneath the waves. As Sapphire and Conor navigate the secrets of the underwater world and the connection between the merpeople and their own family, they are faced with choices between life on land and life in the water. The book creatively explores themes of family, loss, environmental issues, and the allure of the sea, captivating readers with its enchanting and mysterious storyline.

"Ingo" is a captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers into a world of merpeople, underwater adventures, and family secrets. The author, Helen Dunmore, weaves a tale that combines elements of mystery, mythology, and environmental themes, drawing readers into the depths of the sea alongside the main characters. Through vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling, Dunmore brings to life a world where the boundaries between land and sea blur, and where the characters must navigate the challenges of their dual existence in a captivating and imaginative way.

Sue Monk Kidd's novel 'The Book of Longings' is a fictional retelling of the life of Jesus through the perspective of Ana, his wife. Ana, a strong-willed and educated woman, navigates the challenges of first-century Judea as she finds love and purpose in her relationship with Jesus. The book beautifully weaves historical accuracy with a compelling narrative, exploring themes of love, faith, and the struggle for women's voices to be heard in a male-dominated society.

During the summer of 1964 in rural South Carolina, a young girl is given a home by three black, beekeeping sisters. As she enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, she discovers a place where she can find the single thing her heart longs for most. The story follows fourteen-year-old Lily as she searches for love and her place in the world, bringing the 1960s in the U.S South to life in a creative tale of self-discovery, mother-daughter relationships, and finding acceptance among an eccentric group of black women beekeepers.

Lily, a motherless 14-year-old, embarks on an emotional voyage of self-discovery, accompanied by her black nanny, fleeing from an emotionally abusive father and the law. Through her journey, she discovers herself, her mother, and her future with the help of the black women beekeepers she encounters. The book delves into themes of friendship, mother-daughter relationships, confronting prejudices, and the resilience and spirit of strong women facing numerous challenges.

"The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd is a historical fiction novel based on the real-life story of sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke, who were abolitionists and feminists in the 1800s. The book follows the parallel lives of Sarah, a daughter of a slave-owning family in Charleston, and Handful, a slave given to Sarah as a gift on her eleventh birthday. Through alternating perspectives, the author delves into the complexities of life in the antebellum South, shedding light on the struggles of both the free and enslaved individuals during that time period.

The narrative of "The Invention of Wings" is praised for its attention to detail, intense research, and the powerful portrayal of characters like Handful. The book explores themes of slavery, feminism, abolitionism, and the societal constraints faced by individuals like Sarah Grimke, who challenged the norms of her time. Readers are captivated by the historical accuracy and the emotional depth of the story, which offers a poignant and thought-provoking look at the lives of those involved in the abolitionist movement.

"Lily and the Octopus" by Steven Rowley is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story about the deep bond between a man named Ted and his beloved dachshund Lily. The book follows Ted as he navigates the emotional turmoil of discovering a tumor on Lily's head, which he refers to as the Octopus. Through magical thinking and whimsical storytelling, the author delves into themes of love, loss, and the profound connection between humans and their pets. The narrative skillfully weaves together moments of joy, sorrow, and growth as Ted grapples with the inevitable goodbye to his cherished companion.

The writing style of "Lily and the Octopus" is described as touching, clever, and heartwarming by readers who were moved to tears by the beautifully crafted story. Steven Rowley's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to deep sadness, through his poignant portrayal of the relationship between Ted and Lily is praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. The book seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and reality, offering a unique and poignant exploration of grief, acceptance, and the enduring power of love.

"The Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher is a family saga novel that follows the life of Penelope Keeling, a 64-year-old woman recovering from a heart attack. The story delves into Penelope's relationships with her three adult children, each with their own flaws and motivations. Set in England with flashbacks to World War II, the novel explores themes of family dynamics, inheritance, and the impact of the past on the present. The narrative weaves between different timelines, revealing the complexities of Penelope's life and the decisions she must make regarding her father's valuable painting, "The Shell Seekers."

The writing style of Rosamunde Pilcher in "The Shell Seekers" is described as beautifully descriptive, engrossing, and character-driven. Pilcher skillfully creates vivid settings, intricate relationships, and emotional depth in the story. The novel is praised for its lush settings, well-developed characters, and engaging plot that keeps readers immersed in the lives of the Keeling family across generations.

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera is a deeply moving novel that follows Griffin, a gay teen mourning the death of his ex-boyfriend, Theo. The story explores themes of grief, heartbreak, mental illness, and guilt as Griffin navigates his feelings towards Theo's new boyfriend, Jackson, and his own struggles with OCD. The book alternates between past and present timelines, showcasing Griffin's journey through the stages of grief and his attempts to come to terms with Theo's death.

The writing style of the book captures the raw emotions of teenage characters, particularly Griffin, in a poignant and realistic way. The narrative delves into complex relationships and the impact of loss, portraying the characters' vulnerabilities and flaws with honesty and depth. Through Griffin's introspective voice, readers witness his internal struggles, his coping mechanisms, and his eventual path towards acceptance and healing.

'The Women's Room' by Marilyn French is a profound and thought-provoking novel that follows the lives of a group of American women in the late sixties and early seventies as they struggle to find their own identities. Through the main protagonist Mira Ward, the book explores themes of feminism, self-awareness, and societal expectations. The narrative weaves through Mira's journey from a dissatisfied housewife to a graduate student at Harvard, highlighting her evolution and feminist consciousness. The book delves into the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society, emphasizing the importance of female relationships and empowerment.

The writing style of 'The Women's Room' is described as captivating and anchored in reality, making readers care deeply for the characters and their struggles. The book is praised for its ability to resonate with women from different generations, offering insights into the changes and challenges women have endured over the years. It is viewed as a significant work in the feminist canon, accurately depicting the era of the 1970s and the feminist movement with poignancy.