Books Like...
"Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld follows the story of Lee Fiora, a scholarship student at a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. The narrative delves into Lee's struggles with insecurity, alienation, and self-doubt as she navigates through the complexities and awkwardness of high school life. The writing style captures the bittersweet account of Lee's coming of age, portraying her as a relatable but not always sympathetic character who grapples with fitting into her surroundings while dealing with unrequited love and teenage angst.
Set against the backdrop of a prep school, the novel offers a realistic portrayal of adolescent experiences, showcasing themes of anxiety, insecurity, and the constant struggle for acceptance and belonging. The story unfolds through Lee's perspective, providing insights into her journey of self-discovery and transformation during her years at the boarding school. The plot explores the challenges faced by Lee as she copes with feelings of isolation and inadequacy, ultimately offering a poignant reflection on the complexities of teenage life.
If you liked Prep, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
'The Idiot' by Elif Batuman follows the story of Selin, a college freshman at Harvard in 1995, as she navigates her first love, friendships, and academic life. The narrative is presented in a diary-like format, offering insights into Selin's thoughts and experiences with humor and honesty. The plot meanders slowly, focusing on Selin's musings on language, self-discovery, and the challenges of young adulthood. The story is filled with quirky characters and absurd moments, providing a glimpse into the protagonist's journey of finding meaning and purpose in a world full of uncertainties.
I didn’t know what email was until I got to college. I had heard of email, and knew that in some sense I would “have” it. “You’ll be so fancy,” said my mother’s sister, who had married a computer scie... - #2
The Swallows by Lisa Lutz is a gripping novel set at an elite boarding school in New England, where a new teacher, Alex Witt, uncovers disturbing secrets about the toxic masculinity among the students. As the girls decide to fight back against the boys' behavior, a revolution ensues, leading to a high-stakes battle for justice. The narrative is filled with suspense, rage, and compelling characters, offering a thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and the objectification of women within the school's environment.
I don’t hate teaching. I don’t love it either. That’s also my general stance on adolescents. I understand that one day they’ll rule the world and we’ll all have to live with the consequences. But ther... - #3
Old School by Tobias Wolff is a novel set in an elite New England prep school in the 1960s, where the students are obsessed with modern literary heavyweights such as Robert Frost, Ayn Rand, and Ernest Hemingway. The story follows a scholarship boy's experiences as he competes in writing contests to earn the chance to meet these famous authors. The narrative delves into themes of class, honesty, and the pursuit of literary excellence, all while capturing the essence of American sensibilities regarding money, class, and intellectual pursuits. The writing style is described as nuanced, thought-provoking, and evocative, with a focus on the characters' love for literature and the challenges they face in their pursuit of writing and self-discovery.
Robert Frost made his visit in November of 1960, just a week after the general election. It tells you something about our school that the prospect of his arrival cooked up more interest than the conte... - #4
'The School at the Chalet' is the very first Chalet School story, published in 1925, that introduces readers to Madge Bettany, a young woman who establishes a boarding school in the Austrian Alps. Joined by her younger sister Joey and a mix of girls from different backgrounds, the story follows the challenges and adventures faced by the characters as they navigate life at the school. The setting in the Austrian Alps is vividly captured, transporting readers to a different time and place with a strong sense of integrity shining through the narrative.
Only three weeks til the end of term! Nothing much can happen in three weeks!’ Thus Madge Bettany, as she sat in her bedroom, talking things over with Mademoisel e La Pâttre. ‘Our first term,’ she wen... - #5
Abigail by Magda Szabo is a coming-of-age novel set in World War II Hungary, following the story of Gina, a privileged and slightly spoiled teenage girl sent to a strict boarding school by her father, a General, for her safety. The book delves into the complexities of human relationships, the challenges of adapting to a new environment, and the mysteries surrounding the school and its hidden helper, Abigail. Through engaging storytelling and a mix of innocence, danger, and intrigue, Szabo weaves a tale of friendship, love, sacrifice, and the struggles of growing up in tumultuous times.
When Magda Szabó came to write Abigail in 1970, she was already an established figure in her native Hungary, with a growing international reputation. Prior to that, she had endured years of enforced s... - #6
'Private' by Kate Brian follows the story of Reed Brennan, a scholarship student at Easton Academy. Reed navigates the elite private school's social hierarchy, particularly the exclusive group of girls known as the Billings Girls. Throughout the story, Reed faces challenges, makes new friends, and discovers dark secrets within the school. The plot is filled with drama, mystery, and suspense, reminiscent of popular teen girl series like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. The writing style keeps readers engaged with its fast-paced narrative and relatable characters.
- #7
'The Secret Place' by Tana French revolves around a cold murder case at a private girl's school, St. Kilda's. Detective Stephen Moran gets a chance to join Dublin's Murder Squad when Holly Mackey provides a clue related to the case. The story unfolds as Moran teams up with Detective Antoinette Conway to investigate the tangled relationships and secrets among the schoolgirls, all set against the backdrop of a mysterious 'secret place' at the school. The narrative alternates between the present investigation and the past events at the school, showcasing French's skill in character development and atmospheric storytelling.
She came looking for me. Most people stay arm’s length away. A patchy murmur on the tip line, Back in ’95 I saw, no name, click if you ask. A letter printed out and posted from the wrong town, paper a...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Dublin Murder Squad ) - #8
Gentlemen and Players by Joanne M. Harris is a dark and sinister thriller set in a prestigious all boys boarding school, St. Oswald's. The story revolves around a clever psychopath seeking revenge on the school, creating a complex psychological mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the unpredictable ending. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Roy Straitley, an elderly Classics master, and the mysterious assailant, adding depth to the plot and character development.
The book delves into themes of revenge, deception, loyalty, and identity within the backdrop of a British public school. With a well-crafted plot, unexpected twists, and engaging character interactions, Gentlemen and Players offers a gripping and suspenseful read that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
If there's one thing I've learned in the past fifteen years, it's this: that murder is really no big deal. It's just a boundary, meaningless and arbitrary as all others - a line drawn in the dirt. Lik... - #9
'Special Topics in Calamity Physics' by Marisha Pessl follows the story of Blue van Meer, an intelligent adolescent who moves to a small liberal arts college community with her college professor father. Befriended by a high school teacher and four students under her influence, Blue uncovers the true nature of those around her. The book is filled with literary and film references, written in a unique 'faux' research paper style, with a labyrinthine plot that keeps readers engaged despite its length. The writing style is described as clever, witty, and filled with endless references and allusions, showcasing the author's intelligence and imagination.
Dinner at Hannah's was a honey-bunch tradition, held more or less every Sunday for the past three years. Charles and his friends looked forward to the hours at her house (the address itself, a little ... - #10
'First Term at Malory Towers' follows the story of Darrell Rivers, a 12-year-old girl sent to a boarding school where she navigates friendships, academic challenges, and mischief. The plot revolves around Darrell's experiences at the beautiful school located in Cornwall, with vivid descriptions of the school's surroundings, her interactions with fellow students like Alicia, Gwendoline, Mary Lou, and Sally, and the life lessons she learns during her first term. The writing style is described as nostalgic, light, and engaging, with a focus on character development and moral lessons that resonate with readers of all ages.
Her mother looked into Darrell's room, and smiled. 'Admiring yourself?' she said. 'Well, I like it all too. I must say Malory Towers has a lovely school uniform. Come along, Darrell. We don't want to ...