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TToday, I’m bringing you three book recommendations that, I hope, you haven’t heard of before—or that you haven’t thought about in a long time.
- Forgotten Classic: A worthy book from days of yore.
- Backlist Gem: A book published a while ago that still deserves attention.
- Small But Mighty: A quieter new release that you definitely don’t want to miss.
All three of these books have a shy and/or awkward protagonist who manages to be loveable and not annoying.
Here they are!
1. FORGOTTEN CLASSIC: Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson (1934)
Barbara Buncle isn’t awkward, but she’s shy and unassuming and a keen observer of human nature. When her anonymously published book gains fame, she just might get unmasked as the author—and thrust into the loathsome limelight. Oh, the unexpected consequences of creativity…
The plot: Miss. Buncle decides to write a novel to supplement her income. Her book, Disturber of the Peace, becomes an instant sensation, but the villagers in her small town soon realize the thinly veiled characters are based on them. Chaos ensues as they try to uncover the true identity of the mysterious author and deal with the personal revelations the book brings to light.
Why read it? This novel is a witty and heartwarming celebration of everyday life. As you can imagine, the spotlight is on character with a capital C. So, if you love a jolly jumble of characters, give this one a try.
Note: I haven’t read this one, but I’ve seen it reviewed and recommended by people with similar taste to my own. What a shame it’d be to limit these shortlists to just books I’ve read. I want to include a few from my TBR, too!
2. BACKLIST GEM: Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (2013)
Willow Chance is a 12-year-old genius. She loves nature and is obsessed with diagnosing medical conditions. She doesn’t fit in with her peers. She isn’t exactly shy, but she is as awkward as it gets.
The plot: Willow’s world is turned upside down when her adoptive parents die in a car crash, leaving her alone. As Willow connects with an eclectic group of people, including her school counselor, a Vietnamese family, and a taxi driver, she rediscovers what it means to belong.
Why read it? Willow is one of those protagonists who will stay with you long after the last page. For a book with such a sad premise, it’s mightily uplifting. Be prepared to laugh and cry, often at the same time. Plus, there’s an underwear scene that, alone, is worth the price of admission.
3. SMALL BUT MIGHTY: The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry by Anna Rose Johnson (March 5, 2024)
Lucy Landry is like Anne Shirley in her day-dreamiest “call me Cordelia” era. She spends most of her time with her head in the clouds, assuming various make-believe personas to roleplay her way through life. Lucy stumbles into many cringey faux pax, but we can’t help but love her innocence and spunk.
The plot: Freshly orphaned, Lucy Landry is plunked down hard into a no-nonsense homeschool family with six kids. They want to know who she is, but…who is she exactly? She’s not quite sure. Her romantic notions get a dose of reality-tonic, and she must face her deepest fears while also trying to solve a mystery that meant everything to her beloved, departed father.
Why read it? Because we love Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, and we crave new stories with that vintage spirit. Anna Rose Johnson specializes in writing middle-grade novels that feel as homey and comforting as a warm chocolate chip cookie. She’s quickly becoming one of my auto-buy authors.
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