Hello! After graduating college and starting a career in healthcare I fell off the wagon and stopped reading for pleasure and exclusivity read research to improve my career. Now that I’m at a comfortable point I want to get back into reading for fun.
I just finished Normal People, the first book I’ve read in about 4 years, and I loved it. I could not put it down. I want to find more books similar to it.
I am notoriously picky with books; at the recommendation of a friend I bought “A Little Life” and I just cannot get into it. I have ADHD and it’s hard for me to follow 4 characters with so many details, I’ll power through but I’m not particularly enjoying it.
What books would you recommend for someone who likes the structure & pace of Normal People (I loved that it used their inner monologues, I enjoyed that it followed only 2 people, and I liked that it was depressing lol). I’m not into reading about heavy romance/sex scenes but I could get through Normal People since they were pretty brief. I think what I liked about Normal People was how realistic it felt and how relatable Marianne and Connell are; it leaned more realistic romantic drama as opposed to heavy on the romance.
I hope this makes sense, sorry for the length, and I look forward to your recommendations!
by NearKilroy
1 Comment
tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by gabrielle zevin. normal people was my favorite book before i read it and it’s truly impeccable.
the pairing by casey mcquiston is sort of like normal people but gay and more self aware.
if you’re a science person, lessons in chemistry is stellar. all the voices are incredibly strong and the science research is beautiful even though it takes a backseat to the actual plot.
if you can get through the slow burn start, the secret history is unbelievable. i read the last ~300 pages in one sitting like i was 10 years old again (and i also have adhd)
fast thrillers might also work for you—gone girl is great, so is sharp objects. a good girls guide to murder or verity also really pull you in.
happy reading :))