Don’t fret. We’ve got you covered.
Consider reading one of these three similar books while you wait for your hold to come in.
Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
Why this book?
It has a much lighter tone than The Correspondent, but it also features a protagonist in the second act of life, if you will. In spite of its more humorous approach, it is deeply introspective like The Correspondent.
While not an epistolary novel – told through letters – it does involve a letter!
Julie Schumacher’s Dear Committee Members.
Why this one?
Thematically it has nothing in common with The Correspondent, but if you love epistolary fiction you may enjoy this book. This one has a biting, sardonic tone about a college professor writing scathing letters of recommendation for entitled students and all kinds of fun stuff that academics have to deal with.
Like the Harold Fry book mentioned above, this one is also a series…So, more to sink your teeth into if you like it while waiting for The Correspondent to make its way to you.
And…one more read-a-like recommendation for good measure…
Drumroll please…
Last but not least, consider getting your hands on:
Jonathan Evison’s The Heart of Winter.
This last one isn’t told through letters/diaries (epistolary) either, but like the first read-a-like I suggested it is set during the second half of life. This one is intensely emotional fiction about dealing with illness and remembering decades of partnership and marriage. It is much more poignant than the sarcastic epistolary novel I recommended above. This may be more your vibe.
I hope one of these three books appeals to you while you wait.
If not, don’t hesitate to reach out for more recommendations. I also offer personalized book recommendations based on your reading preferences and habits.
You can email me directly at ckleftis@yarmouthlibrary.org or fill out the Google form at this link.
Happy Spring Reading!
