Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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In search of a very specific story type - antisocial loner learns about love/friendship
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Christine wrote: "Hi bookish friends - maybe you can help me find more stories along these lines!
I've really enjoyed:
A Man Called Ove
The Rosie Project
All Systems Red|327589..."
Wow. Well, I haven't read The Rosie Project, but of the other two, you just listed one of my all-time favorite books and one of the books I've loathed more than most others! LOL!! I'm afraid to try to recommend anything even if I could think of something - I'm curious to see what other people come up with.
I've really enjoyed:
A Man Called Ove
The Rosie Project
All Systems Red|327589..."
Wow. Well, I haven't read The Rosie Project, but of the other two, you just listed one of my all-time favorite books and one of the books I've loathed more than most others! LOL!! I'm afraid to try to recommend anything even if I could think of something - I'm curious to see what other people come up with.

And another Fredrik Backman book Britt-Marie Was Here
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Recent reads that came to mind. I loved them all.

A Thousand Perfect Notes
Both about abuse victims getting pulled out of self- or abuser-imposed isolation and learning about friendship/trust.
Strange the Dreamer
A fantasy take on the theme, featuring a hyper-isolated protag experiencing love for the first time.
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg. I know there is a sequel, Night of Miracles, but I'm not sure it would fit for this. (I haven't read it yet!)


And before you read Britt-Marie was Here maybe you should read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman. Britt-Marie is in that one and it's set before Britt-Marie was Here. Gives you a bit of background on Britt-Marie. I listened to the audiobook and it was rather fun.
I second Strange the Dreamer. Also Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. I like her books.
Recently read On a Red Station, Drifting by Aliette de Bodard. Maybe you'd like that. I really did. And there are a heap of other novellas and short stories in the series too but they're standalone in the same universe.
Maybe The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart byHolly Ringland. It's only just being released in the US this month and it is gorgeous.
And Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal. It's about an Indian woman who left her culture pretty much behind and now is back in amongst it and the relationships that she forms with the women she comes in contact with and teaches. Among other things. Brilliant book.


Yoo wrote: "I really enjoyed Convenience Store Woman. I used it for the A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters prompt but as it is set in Japan ..."
That was an interesting book. I'd say that was a "antisocial loner learns that she really can be happy just the way she is" type of book!
That was an interesting book. I'd say that was a "antisocial loner learns that she really can be happy just the way she is" type of book!




Ooh, that sounds great and Steve Martin is a genius - definitely adding this (among other suggestions - thanks to all)!


Books mentioned in this topic
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend (other topics)Valencia and Valentine (other topics)
How Not to Die Alone (other topics)
The Pleasure of My Company (other topics)
The Kiss Quotient (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Holly Ringland (other topics)Balli Kaur Jaswal (other topics)
Ann Leckie (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
Laini Taylor (other topics)
More...
I've really enjoyed:
A Man Called Ove
The Rosie Project
All Systems Red
And I was thinking they all have a similar story arc where a protagonist is pretty isolated, gets pulled out of their solitary comfort zone, and reluctantly develops meaningful relationships.
Any other suggestions for similar books?