Welcome to our appeal series.

We’re highlighting a variety of books to help our readers find something “good” to read. And yes, “good” is a relative term, which is why this series includes a variety of selections with a wide range of appeal.

Each post in this series highlights books that share similar appeal (or story elements) like genre, storyline, tone, writing style and/or characters. The selections in this blog post include fiction novels that are relatable (characters) and engaging (writing style).

What does that mean exactly?

Appeal Defined

Relatable Characters

Because their emotions and experiences are recognizable, readers are able to identify with these characters and their dilemmas. ~ Novelist

Engaging Writing Style

These books capture the imagination of readers through narrative style, character, or use of detail. ~ Novelist

15 Enjoyable Reads

1. The Summer of Sunshine & Margot by Susan Mallery Descended from a long line of women with disastrous luck in love, twin sisters Margot and Sunshine transform their controversial relationships with a client’s son and an employer into unexpected sources of happiness. Appeal Genre: Romantic Fiction Pace: Fast-Paced Tone: Atmospheric and Romantic

2. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman Nina Hill enjoys living quietly with a job at a bookstore and her small circle of friends, until a brand-new family, as well as a persistent suitor, enter her life and change everything. Appeal Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Sardonic

3. Miss You by Kate Eberlen A chance meeting fails to bring the 18-year-old Tess and Gus the love with each other that they deserve, and they wind through lives that bring surprises and divert them from their intended paths, but will they get a second chance at love together? Appeal Genre: Love Stories Tone: Bittersweet Subject: Life Change Events

4. Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins Returning to her hometown in the hopes of reconciling with her estranged family, a woman who recently survived a brush with death makes discoveries with the potential to heal the rift or permanently separate her from her surviving relatives. Appeal Genre: Romance Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: High-Drama and Romantic Themes: Bouncing Back and Life in a Small Town

5. The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues by Edward Kelsey Moore The late-in-life marriage of two infamous natives of an Indiana community attracts the return of a famous guitar bluesman while compelling numerous locals to resolve long-standing disputes. Appeal Genre: Fiction Storyline: Own Voices Tone: High-Drama

6. The Shortest Way Home by Miriam Parker When a moment’s hesitation unravels all of her carefully organized life goals, grad student Hannah impulsively accepts a job in Sonoma, where new friends and an unexpected romance shape her efforts to save a family winery. Appeal Genre: Romance Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: High Drama Theme: Go Your Own Way

7. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa An ode to kindness, sacrifice, and the power of small things traces the experiences of adventurous Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they embark on a road trip across Japan to visit three old friends. Appeal Genre: Literary Fiction Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Heartwarming

8. Extraordinary Adventures by Daniel Wallace Edsel Bronfman, a single man with a dead-end job who lives in a seedy neighborhood with his spirited mother, wins a couples-only vacation and is given only seventy-nine days to find someone to take with him. Appeal Genre: Romantic Comedies Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Amusing, Romantic and Upbeat

9. Chemistry by Weike Wang A novel about a young Chinese woman whose graduate studies in chemistry go off track and lead her to discover the truths about her goals and desires. Appeal Genre: Literary Fiction Storyline: Character-Driven and Own Voices Tone: High Drama and Moving

10. Fight No More : Stories by Lydia Millet A collection of 12 interlocking stories is set in Los Angeles and describes a broken family through the homes they inhabit, their estranged relationships and the victimization they endure at the hands of corrupt employers. Appeal Genre: Farcical / Literary Fiction Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Hopeful

11. Ghosted by Rosie Walsh Sarah thinks she has met the love her life in Eddie–until he disappears after leaving for a long-booked vacation. Appeal Genre: Romance / Mystery Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Romantic and Suspenseful

12. The Editor by Steven Rowley A struggling writer in 1990s New York City gets his big break from none other than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Appeal Genre: Mainstream Fiction Storyline: Character-Driven Tone: Sardonic and Whimsical

13. Elsewhere, Home by Leila Aboulela The first story collection from the New York Times Notable author since winning the Caine Prize offers a rich tableau of life as an immigrant abroad, attempting to navigate the conflicts of assimilation and difference in an unfamiliar world. Appeal Genre: Literary Fiction / Short Stories Storyline: Character-Driven Subject: Cultural Differences

14. Tomorrow There Will Be Sun by Dana Reinhardt Organizing a group birthday vacation in Mexico for her loved ones, Jenna is dismayed when her friends’ personalities change, her husband begins making clandestine calls and her teen daughter bonds with a local delinquent. Appeal Genre: Contemporary Fiction Storyline: Intricately Plotted Tone: Writing Style: Witty

15. Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein From the author of Playing with Matches, the rollicking tale of a young jewelry shop owner who accidentally leads her Instagram followers to believe that she’s engaged—and then decides to keep up the ruse. Appeal Genre: Romantic Comedies Storyline: Plot-Driven Tone: Funny, High-Drama and Offbeat Writing Style: Witty

Looking for more great reads?

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