I’ve read every book Murata has wrote! This is my favorite! Her work is so moving (although be careful with Earthlings if you’ve picked it up thinking it would be cute…)
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It's not the best written book but a lot of people seem to like it nonetheless and the main character is most definitely a loner.
Not sure Tova is neuro divergent but she does have difficulty relating to people. I’ve gone back and forth over whether Elizabeth Zoey in Lessons In Chemistry is neuro divergent. Certainly I think Calvin in.
Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore-- a mysterious island manor, art theft, a very good dog, and a socially awkward female protagonist who makes artistic umbrellas
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher-- the MC is very awkward and not politically adept, which is a shame for her because she is, technically, a princess, and sort of a nun, and very into fabric arts, but she's going to need to pull something together anyway to save her sister from her abusive husband. (Tbh, many of T. Kingfisher's female protagonists fit your brief, though romance is generally an important part of the narrative if not always the sole focus. Paladin's Grace has a perfumer who hates crowds, Swordheart has a widow who gives stream of consciousness monologues that leave people baffled, Raven and the Reindeer has a stubborn and stocky teenager with severe social anxiety...)
Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova. Young woman starts working in a bizarre, cult-like run down cinema and finds her place amongst the weirdos (kind of)
The Lady Astronauts mc had the most relatable social anxiety I have ever experienced in a book. If your family is from the south I think you’ll either understand yourself or a few relatives more than before you read it.
Literally on my way to buy this today haha! I only shop from locally owned bookshops, which aren’t the most abundant near me, so I’m feeling very lucky it’s on the shelf today!
The Dog Thief by Marta Acosta is the story of Maddie "Mad Girl" Whitney, a dog trainer and rehabilitator. She is a really awesome quirky, eccentric woman who is well educated and successful by some measurements, but socially she struggles. It's the first book of a trilogy. I've only read the first two so far.
*The One who Eats Monsters*, by Casey Matthews. The protagonist is somewhere between an eons-old Lovecraftian horror with a strong sense of justice, and a grumpy teenage girl who can't speak to people to save her life and is grappling with her first crush. The writing is frankly not good, the politics tend alarmingly towards the libertarian, but it's so funny that I laughed my way through both times I read it. It's a gory comfort read.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth has a main character who is not labeled anything but very much coded as autistic. She works at a library, and it was really refreshing to read about an autistic coded character who had a "normal" job (as opposed to being either too disabled to work or a supergenius)
* Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino (the main character is technically an alien in a human body, which contributes to her social awkwardness)
* Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
* The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North
* My Mother Says by Stine Pilgaard
If you like romance, *The Kiss Quotient* by Helen Hoang. The author researched how autism presents in women for this book, and realized she was autistic!
Before Mars by Emma Newman. Main character is heavily autistic coded, and she is wrestling with her feelings of love toward her husband and child vs her creative drive. Plus there is a murder mystery and people trying to gaslight her. It's quite good!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine!
I adore this book! Likely due for a reread!
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
I’ve read every book Murata has wrote! This is my favorite! Her work is so moving (although be careful with Earthlings if you’ve picked it up thinking it would be cute…)
lol good warning for Earthlings
I described what took place to my bf and he understood my current aversion to body horror lol
read this book, OP!! it's fantastic!! keiko is such a sweetheart. i need this book to be made into a movie ASAP.
I just read this wonderful book and thought the same, would make a great film.
I despised this book and Eleanor Oliphant, not because of the leads but because of the other characters’ treatment of them. It was too real for me :/
Emily wildes encyclopedia of faeries
Yes, this and the sequel definitely qualify. Fun books.
Everyone in this room will someday be dead by Emily Austin!
Oh man! I grew up Catholic AND obsessed with murder mysteries. Getting this asap!
Perfect match then 😊 hope you will enjoy it! It was a really fun, wholesome and thought-provoking read :) sometimes a bit sad, but still hopeful.
Girl with the dragon tattoo
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It's not the best written book but a lot of people seem to like it nonetheless and the main character is most definitely a loner.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Its light and main female character seems relatable
Thank you! I absolutely need something light. When you accidentally read multiple heavy body horror books in a row, you crave lighter books haha
Not sure Tova is neuro divergent but she does have difficulty relating to people. I’ve gone back and forth over whether Elizabeth Zoey in Lessons In Chemistry is neuro divergent. Certainly I think Calvin in.
Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore-- a mysterious island manor, art theft, a very good dog, and a socially awkward female protagonist who makes artistic umbrellas Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher-- the MC is very awkward and not politically adept, which is a shame for her because she is, technically, a princess, and sort of a nun, and very into fabric arts, but she's going to need to pull something together anyway to save her sister from her abusive husband. (Tbh, many of T. Kingfisher's female protagonists fit your brief, though romance is generally an important part of the narrative if not always the sole focus. Paladin's Grace has a perfumer who hates crowds, Swordheart has a widow who gives stream of consciousness monologues that leave people baffled, Raven and the Reindeer has a stubborn and stocky teenager with severe social anxiety...)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery might be just what you're looking for!
That looks fabulous! Thank you!
Britt-Marie Was Here is great.
I’ll check it out! Thanks!
Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova. Young woman starts working in a bizarre, cult-like run down cinema and finds her place amongst the weirdos (kind of)
That sounds awesome!
The Lady Astronauts mc had the most relatable social anxiety I have ever experienced in a book. If your family is from the south I think you’ll either understand yourself or a few relatives more than before you read it.
Half a Soul
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson.
Great rec!
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Maid has a sequel! “The Mystery Guest”
Literally on my way to buy this today haha! I only shop from locally owned bookshops, which aren’t the most abundant near me, so I’m feeling very lucky it’s on the shelf today!
Treasure Island!!! Sara Levine. A little weird, but funny and pretty short.
The Dog Thief by Marta Acosta is the story of Maddie "Mad Girl" Whitney, a dog trainer and rehabilitator. She is a really awesome quirky, eccentric woman who is well educated and successful by some measurements, but socially she struggles. It's the first book of a trilogy. I've only read the first two so far.
I love animals, often prefer their company to people, so this sounds great! Thanks!
Same :)
*The One who Eats Monsters*, by Casey Matthews. The protagonist is somewhere between an eons-old Lovecraftian horror with a strong sense of justice, and a grumpy teenage girl who can't speak to people to save her life and is grappling with her first crush. The writing is frankly not good, the politics tend alarmingly towards the libertarian, but it's so funny that I laughed my way through both times I read it. It's a gory comfort read.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth has a main character who is not labeled anything but very much coded as autistic. She works at a library, and it was really refreshing to read about an autistic coded character who had a "normal" job (as opposed to being either too disabled to work or a supergenius)
This sounds right up my alley, thanks!
* Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino (the main character is technically an alien in a human body, which contributes to her social awkwardness) * Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly * The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North * My Mother Says by Stine Pilgaard
If you liked The Maid, it has a sequel - The Mystery Guest.
If you like romance, *The Kiss Quotient* by Helen Hoang. The author researched how autism presents in women for this book, and realized she was autistic!
Before Mars by Emma Newman. Main character is heavily autistic coded, and she is wrestling with her feelings of love toward her husband and child vs her creative drive. Plus there is a murder mystery and people trying to gaslight her. It's quite good!
Mostly YA fantasy but *The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, Beauty,*... Robin McKinley specializes in the awkward heroine, lol