Our family, friends and neighborhood shape and mold us in more ways than we comprehend. The mannerisms, socially acceptable behavior, norms that should be followed are set by the place be grow up and live in. Neighborhoods can be warm and welcoming, kind and concerned and sometimes strange and threatening too. While stalker, murderer, creepy neighbors form an altogether separate fan base amongst readers, here are some reading suggestions that let you into the fictional neighborhood you might have always wanted, or not. Well, we will leave that for you to decide!
It won’t be wrong to call this one a National Good Neighbors book. In Kristin Hannah’s ‘The Great Alone’ Ernt Allbright returns from the war and decides to move with his family to Alaska. His wife, Cora, will do whatever her husband says. While Leni, a thirteen year old, has no say in her parents’ decision of uprooting their family and relocating to Alaska. When the family settles in their new home, Alaska welcomes them with warmth and sunshine. The neighbors seem to be more than what they had wished for. But when the winter and darkness enter together, Leni and Cora have no one to seek help from. The entire neighborhood changes with the blanket of cold closing in on the Allbright family. In ‘The Great Alone’ wilderness reeks of dangers and beauty envelops dark secrets.
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Written in the form of 13 short stories, ‘Olive Kitteridge’ is one of the enthralling neighborly books on the reading list. A four part miniseries was produced by HBO on this novel, in the year 2009. The story takes place in the coastal town of Crosby in Maine. The thirteen short tales are connected by the title character- Olive, who is a math teacher for seventh grade and is married to a pharmacist. This novel is not just a compilation of 13 stories, it is a closer look into the life and character of Olive, via the stories and other characters.
A classic children’s read, Anne of Green Gables is not just a delightful read for children, but this neighborly book is equally enjoyed by grown-ups. The story is set in the neighborhood of Prince Edward Island, Canada. It depicts the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl who is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Anne is sent by the orphanage owing to some confusion, while the Cuthbert’s had been expecting a boy. Imaginative, dramatic and stubborn, Anne is first rejected but eventually welcomed in the Cuthbert home. Soon Green Gables, becomes Anne’s home. Anne grows up in the neighborhood of Green Gables, she joins school, makes friends and even gets some class rivals. Anne’s character and the atmosphere of Green Gables, both make this one an enjoyable read.
An interesting fictional character from one of the most delightful neighborly books, Ove is an old man who puts the ‘q’ in quirks. He is blunt about who he dislikes and why. He likes keeping his principles, maintaining a strict regime, and not having really much control over temper. While he is the popular bitter neighbor in his locality, he is not actually mean and angry as an individual. Forced to retire, 59 year old Ove is unhappy with a lot of things and people around him, and surely so with the new next door neighbors.
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Another one on the list of neighborly books, this is a historical novel. While a fictional story, this books takes some inspiration in modelling its characters on the people and ways of life in Guernsey. The most interesting thing about ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ is that, the entire book has been written in the form of letters. Juliet Ashton, a well-known writer sets start the story as the main character. This is a warm and funny read with deeply ingrained love for literature, at its core.
Also Read: Addictive Books to Read While Traveling
Some of these books are breezy neighborhood stories that are also delightful travel reads. And while you are travelling and reading, it is essential that you keep your books covered, not just to avert the unwanted attention of your fellow passengers to the title on your paperbacks, but also to keep your books stain and smudge free. Choose from Handivity’s range of booksleeves and Kindle Paperwhite sleeves and you are all set to enjoy reading!