Elinor Oliphant is my favourite book ever. What next?

[thisisnothow]

Just finished it and loved Elinor. Don't what to read next but missing a good book. Recommendations please!

Same here @Whisky2014 same here!

Aptly put @ShatnersWig . In fact I think that I love what you have just summarised about Elinor idiot.

The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. First read in 2013 I have just started re-reading it. Definitely in my top ten of favourite books.

I second, or is it third now? The Poisonwood Diary. It's magic, as is one of the first Kate Atkinson, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

Anything by Elizabeth Willhide but especially Ashenden.
A Little Life.

Moonglow (Michael Chabon)
Recently read Matt Haig's How to stop time and that's ok.

The Vanishing Act of Esmeralda Lennox by Margie O'Farrell or anything by her really.

I think Eleanor Oliphaunt is like really good chick lit to be honest. It's very readable and has a great feel good factor.

I tried Secret Histories after all the recommendations on here and it is one of the few books I've abandoned half way through. Really unlikeable characters and vert dull. A negative recommenation for that one from me.

I would recommend Bitter Orange. Can’t remember who it’s by off the top of my head but is v unputdownable.

I think Eleanor Oliphaunt is like really good chick lit to be honest. It's very readable and has a great feel good factor.
I do too which is why I recommended further chick lit! Feel low brow after the later discussion

The Rosie Project?

I've just started The Cactus after finishing Elinor Oliphant. Am I right to think that the protagonist in Cactus is likely more on the autistic spectrum whereas Elinor Oliphant appears to think/act like she's on the spectrum but it's in fact down to the abusive childhood/childhood trauma? Would be interesting to see how other people perceive the characters as I automatically steer towards spectrum/non spectrum. Probably as DD has ASD and it's on my mind a lot...

The Keeper of Lost Things is great, as suggested by PP.

I just read We Always Lived in the Castle, a much darker story but still interesting.

shatnerswig thanks for that very precise review. I've seen negative comments about this book before but none that articulate exactly why it's bad. You've saved me some time and money!

But it made me laugh. Which has to be a good thing.

I read for enjoyment.

There was something about Elinor (not the actual character but the book itself) which I found slightly offending, although I can't put my finger on it. Might have something to do with the author having been inspired to write it after reading about loneliness in the younger generation. Although loneliness is of course a major problem, Elinor is lonely for a very specific and unusual reason. I doubt the majority of lonely 20 and 30 something's have been through similar.

Initially I thought Elinor was lonely because of a lack of social communication skills which is probably why I assumed ASD to begin with. Loved the 'voice' thought that, although it is so much older than the character itself. Mummy's voice also appeared much older than that of a 27 yo.

Sorry, am turning this into an analysis now

I've just read Three Things About Elsie which you might enjoy. Felt it was a bit long but I felt the same about Eleanor O.

Black Water Lilies is also an interesting read about murders in Giverny. Lovely descriptive language and it made me want to go there!

The BEST book I've read in years is How To Stop Time by Matt Haig. Bloody loved it so much and hope they make it into a film somehow.

It's exactly the inconsistencies that shatner describes that left me feeling meh about this book. It was the buying the laptop scenario that killed it for me the most.

PS most of you are spelling it Elinor, is there a different version to the Eleanor one?

@brassbrass There's quirky and a bit different. Then there's just totally nonsensical. Even allowing for her past experience, no one would behave as she does. We can be a bit contradictory at times but this took the piss. Books often have a co-incidence or two or require a bit of suspension of disbelief but this jumps the shark. How can you buy into something so much when the main character is not only totally unsympathetic but completely unbelievable?

Shatnetswig, I wonder if this is what making me feel slightly offended by the book? That her quirks could potentially (and I mean potentially) be believable if due to ASD or neurodiversity but if it's 'just' down to childhood trauma then I'm not sure it 'holds'?

I'm not a psychologist but the character doesn't 'fit' with either that of a neurodiverse personality or that if someone suffering from trauma.

The Last Days of Jack Sparks.

The Thursday Next series - start with The Eyre Affair, if you enjoy that there are 5 more to go!

I really enjoyed
The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae
Elizabeth is Missing

The Goldfinch was a real struggle. Nearly gave up several times, but kept going as so many raved about it, I thought it must get better. It didn't.

shatner perhaps the author was a bit lazy about the research. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Curious Incident of the dog etc. That ticks all the boxes in a clever and subtle and poignant plot that holds together to the very end.

I need a good book. Read nothing but self help and parenting for years! Don't think this Eleanor one is for me though judging from the comments

And she just would not have had a shopper. Ffs why did she have a shopper?

@brass Now Curious IS a good book. An excellent one.

I loved it too! If you like that you could try books by Frederik Backman. Particularly A Man Called Ove. Rosie Project is great too. And Boy Made of Blocks. Just read Cactus but it was very similar to Rosie Project (which was better IMHO). All those are sort of quirky protagonists who you grow to love.

Haven't found one as good as that yet.

I've never had to stop reading a book before because it felt like it was taking the piss. The fact it was so boring didn't help either!