A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a novel I fell in love with last year, it actually found a place as one of my favourite novels of all time and that is rare based on how much I read. I found the novel to be heartwarming, well-written, and upon closing brought a sense of contentment my soul desperately craved.
What I value about A Man Called Ove is the journey within and if you too valued that journey, then you are going to love these recommendations. If you are searching for another journey-based book or one to pull on your heartstrings and reignite that feeling of peace in your soul, here are five books to read like A Man Called Ove.
| Watch Over Me
Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour is a short novel (almost a novella but not quite) fuelled by Mila's pain. Mila is a recent high school graduate who has accepted a teaching position on a remote farm in Mendocino, California. She is warned prior to her arrival there is no internet, the place is quiet, and the land is endless.
The warnings to Mila make the position sound like a fresh start, the perfect location to forget about the trauma of her past and start anew but what she is not warned about are the ghosts. Despite them, Mila preservers as the solitude to her is freedom but as time passes along, Mila begins to realise that you can't forget your past if the pain still grips tightly.
Why Watch Over Me could be your next read after A Man Called Ove is because of the similarities in the journey. Watch Over Me will evoke emotion and it is an ideal read for those searching for a bit of paranormal, self-reflection, something short, or something worth discussing. An unusual and journey-filled novel worth a read.
Find the full review | HERE | for Watch Over Me
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| A Cloud of Outrageous Blue
Set in 1348, A Cloud of Outrageous Blue by Vesper Stamper is a story of discovery and the impact one individual can have. With unique drawings and revolving around a time period rarely fictitiously written about, this novel is ideal for those craving something more YA based and something completely unique.
Within the blink of an eye, Edyth loses everything she holds dear when she is sent to a priory. Except, it is there she discovers power within herself and as the Great Plague creeps closer and closer, her journey to save herself intertwines beautifully with history.
An intriguing historical fiction novel that you may wonder, how is it similar to A Man Called Ove? It is similar because this read will empower you. In A Man Called Ove we discovered the power of Ove, here you will discover the power of Edyth.
Find the full review | HERE | for A Cloud of Outrageous Blue
| The Travelling Cat Chronicles
The Travelling Cat Chronicles also slipped its way into my list of favourite novels. The premise of this novel is the most similar to A Man Called Ove as it is one of a journey. A beautifully empowering and painful journey that I will never let go of, it touched me deeply. I hope it touches you powerfully too because it is special and I feel it will pull on your heartstrings just like A Man Called Ove.
You join the journey of Nana and Satoru on a road trip. Satoru's beloved cat, Nana, is a content cat. He doesn't care where he goes as long as he is beside his owner, Satoru. Together, they travel Japan and meet up with Satoru's good friends but Nana cannot figure out why everyone they meet is so interested in him and when he does, his heart begins to crack.
Your heart will crack reading this and if you choose to read one novel from this list, let it be The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa. I wish I was more eloquent in prose so I could deliver to you the power of this novel but alas, I cannot so you will just have to read it instead and then report back here so we can discuss deeply. This is quite similar emotionally to A Man Called Ove and if you are looking for a journey and your heartstrings to be pulled, this is the novel for you.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Travelling Cat Chronicles
| Anxious People
It feels cruel to not recommend another novel by Fredrik Backman to read after A Man Called Ove. If you want something by the author but with a different writing style, Anxious People is your next read. Wildly popular, Anxious People is about ... anxious people.
During an apartment viewing, a group of strangers are taken hostage by a bank robber who escapes by hiding in their viewing by accident. There are eight people held hostage; eight people who carry secrets, pain and emotions that as the turmoil begins to increase, begin to spillover and cause a chain of events in which none of them can explain what happens next.
Surprisingly enough, this is written drastically different to A Man Called Ove and still is a novel that will entice you to read quickly and make you realise we are all quite anxious people.
This is not necessarily a novel that emulates similar vibes compared to A Man Called Ove but instead has similar storytelling and is a great novel overall. You absolutely should read this especially if you liked how the story was told in A Man Called Ove.
Find the full review | HERE | for Anxious People
| The House in the Cerulean Sea
Are you looking for something that will grow your heart ten sizes like A Man Called Ove but want something a little more magical? The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune may be a good choice for you. This novel is about love and determination, foundations that A Man Called Ove was built on built this novel.
A magical world is here where Linus Baker determines if government run magical orphanages pass inspection. Due to his history and straightforward nature, Linus has been tasked with a highly classified case regarding a reclusive orphange housing some of the most dangerous children in the world, one of them being Satan's son.
Linus arrives with a professional attitude and his book of rules in tow only to be met by a surprising sight with secrets begging to not be exposed. As the assignment continues, Linus must make a decision: Destroy the world or destroy a home.
You will feel love in this novel and if that is the emotion you miss from A Man Called Ove, you will find it here.
Find the full review | HERE | for The House in the Cerulean Sea
