4 (R)ealistic Fiction Books That’ll Make You Question Your Life Purpose

I’ll be honest, I don’t read a lot of realistic fiction. In fact, I prefer my fiction to be on the unrealistic side. But I make a few exceptions every now and again. These are a few of my favorite realistic fiction books that made me really think about my life. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s crazy, but it’s always an adventure…

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Rachel Joyce

Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old friend in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin

A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island. And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It’s that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom. Then Bernadette disappears.

Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon away from life as a San Francisco web-design drone and into the aisles of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after a few days on the job, Clay discovers that the store is more curious than either its name or its gnomic owner might suggest. The bookstore’s secrets extend far beyond its walls.

Every single one of these books has a fun twist to it and some level of mystery. It’s interesting delving into the lives of strangers and pulling out their secrets, however mundane/heartbreaking/curious they may be.

Do you prefer your fiction to be realistic?

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