Something to live up to "Hello Beautiful"
Hello readers. I am chasing the high I got after reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and I've just discovered this sub so I hope you all can help me! This was the most beautiful book I've ever read. I couldn't read another book for weeks after this one because I just couldn't stand to move on from the characters. It was a welcome break from my typical "who done it" mysteries, or Elin Hildebrand beach reads.
I am craving more books that have that meaningful, literary kind of feel, a bit of challenge and complexity, but are enticing and enjoyable enough that the "work" of the reading is unquestionably well worth it. I usually only get to read for 20 minute spurts before bed so it's ideal if it gets you hooked early and has short-ish chapters or good breaks. I do appreciate a historical fiction, or at least something that isn't too modern. (It always throws me off a bit when characters have iPhones or go to Chipotle lol)
Some other reads that were on the right track: Hamnet, which struck that literary feel but was a bit of a slow burn and harder to get into than I'd like. And I just read The Whalebone Theater, which I found had delightful writing style and complex characters but I was hoping for a tad bit more action given how long it was.
Hit me with recs, please and thank you!!