Books Celebrating Unconventional Beauty and Healthy Relationships
Dive into stories where characters embrace their unique appearances and thrive in their relationships. These books showcase the beauty of authenticity and the strength of self-acceptance, proving that happiness isn't tied to looks. Discover narratives that inspire and uplift, reminding you that everyone deserves love and connection, just as they are.
Jane Eyre
546 pages
This book features a protagonist who is described as 'plain,' yet her life and relationships transcend superficial appearances, making it a compelling read.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
338 pages
This book beautifully explores the theme of outcasts forming meaningful relationships, making it a heartwarming and engaging read.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
This book is lovely and unexpectedly turns into a heartwarming love story!
Sarah, Plain and Tall
68 pages
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.
Guards! Guards!
315 pages
If you enjoy fantasy, this book is a great starting point in the extensive Discworld series, showcasing Pratchett's unique take on storytelling without relying on traditional attractive protagonists.
Equal Rites
244 pages
This is a fantastic entry into the Witches books of the Discworld series, offering a fresh perspective on magic and gender roles in a whimsical setting.
Villette
649 pages
Villette features a plain and short-statured woman, possibly reflecting Bronte's own experiences, and showcases a character of great integrity, making it a compelling read.
Jane Eyre
322 pages
Charlotte Bronte's first published novel, and her most noted work is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story. Jane Eyre is plain, poor, alone and unprotected, but due to her fierce independence and strong will she grows and is able to defy society's expectations of her. This is definitely feminist literature, published in 1847, way before the beginning of any feminist movement. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the novel has had such a wide following since it first came on the market. It is also one of the first Gothic romances published and defines the genre. Jane Eyre may not have been graced with beauty or money, but she had a spirit of fire and was filled with integrity and a sense of independence - character traits that never waned in spite of all the oppression she encountered in life. Ms. Bronte brings to the fore in "Jane Eyre" such issues as: the relations between men and women in the mid-19 century, women's equality, the treatment of children and of women, religious faith and hypocrisy (and the difference between the two), the realization of selfhood, and the nature of love and passion. This is a powerhouse of a novel filled with romance, mystery and passions. It is at once startlingly fresh and a portrait of the times. Ms. Bronte will make your heart beat faster, your pulse race and your eyes fill with tears.
Hunger
241 pages
Roxane Gay's memoir 'Hunger' is a powerful exploration of her journey towards finding peace with her body and appearance, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in personal growth and self-acceptance.
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
269 pages
If you're intrigued by the journey of a social outcast navigating relationships, 'Colorless' is a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
The Mists of Avalon
1140 pages
This retelling of the King Arthur story offers a unique perspective through the eyes of Morgaine, Arthur's half-sister, who challenges traditional notions of beauty and self-worth. The novel raises profound questions about the relationship between outward and inward beauty, making it a thought-provoking read.
A Court of Silver Flames
788 pages
If you want to maintain your sanity, you might want to steer clear of Sarah J. Maas's works.
Fairest
339 pages
It's a unique retelling of Snow White that explores themes of beauty and self-acceptance, making it a must-read!
Persuasion
324 pages
The main character Anne Elliot is one of my favorites, making this book a must-read for those who appreciate strong, relatable characters.
I Am the Messenger
370 pages
This book features a relatable protagonist who goes on an incredible journey of redemption, making it a compelling read.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The book features a not-pretty character that adds depth and intrigue, making it a great read.
My Brilliant Friend: the Graphic Novel
It's a very honest and well-written portrait of two women growing up in working class Naples and their friendship.
Beauty
165 pages
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast features a title character who is plain and awkward yet smart and tough, making it a unique and engaging read.
Convenience Store Woman
114 pages
This book features a unique protagonist who is a misfit trying to adapt to society, making it a thought-provoking read that left a profound impact on me.
Normal People
289 pages
This book explores the complexities of relationships in a raw and relatable way, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intricacies of love and connection.
A Secret Garden
325 pages
Katie Fforde's mild romances resonate with readers who enjoy relatable everyday heroines, making them a delightful choice for those seeking connection with the main character.
The Queen's Gambit
276 pages
The book offers a deeper insight into the character's complexities, showing that her appearance contrasts with her inner struggles, which adds significant depth to the story.
Geek Love
366 pages
National Book Award Finalist • Here is the unforgettable story of the Binewskis, a circus-geek family whose matriarch and patriarch have bred their own exhibit of human oddities—with the help of amphetamines, arsenic, and radioisotopes. One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years Their offspring include Arturo the Aquaboy, who has flippers for limbs and a megalomaniac ambition worthy of Genghis Khan . . . Iphy and Elly, the lissome Siamese twins . . . albino hunchback Oly, and the outwardly normal Chick, whose mysterious gifts make him the family’s most precious—and dangerous—asset. As the Binewskis take their act across the backwaters of the U.S., inspiring fanatical devotion and murderous revulsion; as its members conduct their own Machiavellian version of sibling rivalry, Geek Love throws its sulfurous light on our notions of the freakish and the normal, the beautiful and the ugly, the holy and the obscene. Family values will never be the same.
The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant
256 pages
This book is hilarious and fun, making it a great read for anyone looking for a light-hearted adventure!
هيرى پوٹر اور رازوں کا کمره :
314 pages
The books provide a deeper insight into Hermione Granger's character, emphasizing her struggles with self-image and the contrast between her appearance in the books and the movies.
The Interestings
561 pages
The Interestings is an incredible read that explores the lives of several characters, including the protagonist, who navigate complex themes that resonate deeply.
Uprooted
449 pages
Agniezka may not be conventionally pretty, but her captivating traits and depth of character make her a compelling protagonist worth reading about.
Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Anniversary Edition
244 pages
Neil Gaiman's seminal series, THE SANDMAN, celebrates its 30th anniversary with an all-new edition of THE SANDMAN VOL. 1: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES! New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman's transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision. In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman. This book also includes the story "The Sound of Her Wings," which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death. Collects THE SANDMAN #1-8.
The Other Bennet Sister
609 pages
This book offers a delightful exploration of Mary Bennet's life, the sister who navigates a path between the extremes of marriage, making it a very enjoyable read.
The Bear and the Nightingale
330 pages
Katherine Arden’s bestselling debut novel spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice. “A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up.”—Naomi Novik, bestselling author of Uprooted Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil. Then Vasya’s widowed father brings home a new wife from Moscow. Fiercely devout, Vasya’s stepmother forbids her family from honoring their household spirits, but Vasya fears what this may bring. And indeed, misfortune begins to stalk the village. But Vasya’s stepmother only grows harsher, determined to remake the village to her liking and to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or a convent. As the village’s defenses weaken and evil from the forest creeps nearer, Vasilisa must call upon dangerous gifts she has long concealed—to protect her family from a threat sprung to life from her nurse’s most frightening tales. Praise for The Bear and the Nightingale “Arden’s debut novel has the cadence of a beautiful fairy tale but is darker and more lyrical.”—The Washington Post “Vasya [is] a clever, stalwart girl determined to forge her own path in a time when women had few choices.”—The Christian Science Monitor “Stunning . . . will enchant readers from the first page. . . . with an irresistible heroine who wants only to be free of the bonds placed on her gender and claim her own fate.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Utterly bewitching . . . a lush narrative . . . an immersive, earthy story of folk magic, faith, and hubris, peopled with vivid, dynamic characters, particularly clever, brave Vasya, who outsmarts men and demons alike to save her family.”—Booklist (starred review) “An extraordinary retelling of a very old tale . . . The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully layered novel of family and the harsh wonders of deep winter magic.”—Robin Hobb
Puddin'
380 pages
Puddin' is a delightful follow-up to Dumplin', continuing the journey of self-discovery and friendship that readers will find engaging.
Dumplin'
400 pages
Dumplin' is a captivating YA novel that explores themes of body positivity and self-acceptance, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an inspiring story.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
342 pages
It's a tragedy that beautifully explores Quasimodo's journey of friendship and human connections.
A Man Called Ove
368 pages
This book beautifully reveals the journey of an aging widower, Ove, who struggles with his worth after losing his wife. As the story unfolds, readers learn to embrace both the ugly and beautiful parts of themselves, making it a profound exploration of self-worth and connection.
