Hi everyone, I’m pretty new to reading for fun and I just finished To Kill a Mockingbird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and I absolutely loved both.
What I really liked about them was the warmth, strong sense of family and community, and the moral complexity. The characters felt very real and flawed, and the stories were emotional but still hopeful and meaningful. I also liked that they’re more classic and timeless rather than super modern.
I’d love recommendations for books with a similar vibe: character-driven, emotionally rich, thoughtful, and not too “trendy” or modern. I’m open to classics or older novels especially. Thank you!!!
by Big_Statement5786
10 Comments
Definitely check out **The Book Thief** by Marcus Zusak – it has that same warmth despite being set during WWII, and the narrator’s voice is incredible. Also **Where the Crawdads Sing** might hit that sweet spot for you, tons of heart and beautiful character development
Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Grapes of Wrath (or East of Eden), Pride and Prejudice
Cold Sassy Tree. Anything by John Steinbeck.
The Eighth Day by Thornton Wilder.
*All-of-a-Kind-Family Uptown* by Sydney Taylor (there are four additional books in the series)
*Sarah, Plain and Tall* by Partricia Maclachlan
The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd fits your description pretty well. Coming of age story with some trauma and civil rights issues.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency
A Tangled Web by LM Montgomery. It’s a story about a big family, waiting to see who inherits an heirloom vase, and hijinks ensue. She came from a very large family herself, and she reflects that in most of her books.
Poisonwood Bible