October 23, 2020
10 Popular Books With Mature Characters

Do you enjoy reading books with older characters?
Today’s post is a list of ten books (five newer and five older releases…plus some bonus picks!) with main characters that are fifty plus. Recently, I’ve read several titles with older characters and it’s been delightful!
Do you love older characters?
***Titles are Amazon affiliate links.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett
A young girl befriends a lonely and sad older woman in this heartfelt story (thanks for the rec Nicki @ The Secret Library Book Blog…different title across the pond, though!) My review of Eudora Honeysett here.
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
Poignant story of found family. My review of Arthur Truluv here.
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Grandmother & Granddaughter trade houses and lives. My review of The Switch here.
The Book of CarolSue by Lynne Hugo
Two widowed sisters, one farm, and a baby. My review of CarolSue here.
The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
Ona is 104! My review of One-in-a-Million Boy here.
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
A retired Civil War Captain escorts a young, uncooperative girl through the rugged southwest in this heartwarming story. My brief review of News of the World here. (the movie with Tom Hanks is scheduled to release in December!)
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
An older woman travels to France in search of a valuable book of names that she created during WW11. My review of Book of Lost Names here.
A Man Called Ove and Brit-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Two great characters by Fredrik Backman! A lonely, older man is befriended by a young girl who lives next door and an older woman leaves her cheating husband to rediscover herself. (Although I loved both stories, I have not formally reviewed them.)
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Never too old to find companionship and love. (not reviewed) After you read this, don’t miss the movie with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda on Netflix!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
Companion Reads: Harold and Queenie have a complicated relationship! (can be read as stand alones, but are best with Queenie as a companion read to Harold) My review of Harold Fry here and my review of Queenie Hennessy here.
QOTD!
Have you read any of these books?
What title would you add to this list?
***Edit: Several readers on the blog and Instagram have suggested I add The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Honestly, I didn’t include it in my original list because it wasn’t the right read for me and was a DNF …others have loved it!.
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I have not read these (though I have A Man Called Ove).
I would add “The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” (that whole thing is the title!) by Jonas Jonasson. I had SO MUCH FUN reading that one! I also liked seeing older characters that weren’t just used as a sacrifice for younger characters (a lot of zombie books have that trope), but they had aspirations, goals, and even fell in love 🙂
Oh that’s right! I forgot about that one! Great suggestion! If you want a great love story try Our Souls at Night! Thanks for commenting!
I like this list. I am always on the lookout for feel good stories. I think these fit the bill. Souls at night seems good. One in a million also seems like it would be a good book and a learning experience of life from the perspective of someone that is 104 years old!
Our Souls at Night is a classic and so beautifully written! Then watch the movie with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda! So many good stories here! I hope you find a great one! Enjoy! 🙌😍
Thank you for the movie tip as well. Those are two good actors. I am sure the movie will be a good one.
🙌
Haven’t read any of these but I love reading about more mature characters…..since it’s my age group!🥴 I’m writing all of these down and then a hunting I will go! Wonderful post Carol!📚💗
Thank you Susan! I hope you find something you love! 🙌😍
I agree with jarilissima about The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Every book on your list looks so good to me, and I’ve only read Harold Fry. 🙂
I think I need to fit the post to include that one!
I have only read three of these, Carol. The Book of CarolSue, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and The Love Songs of Miss Queenie Hennessy, which is my outright favourite. Adding all the others including The Hundred Year Old Man…thanks for the brilliant post! ❤📚
Thank you Sandy! Enjoy! 🙌
Fab list Carol and thanjs fir the mention about Eudora! I was going to mention The One Hundred Year Old Man as well but he’s already been mentioned. 😀
Thanks Nicki! I’m going to edit my list include it. 😍🙌
Excellent have you read it?
Bookish confession: it was a DNF for me, so it wasn’t on my radar when I made this list 😱😰 but so many readers have loved it!
Me and my husband really enjoyed the story although the writing was rather stiff. We wondered if it was the translation or just the way it was written.
…and yes it could have been a translation issue!
👍
Ahhhh LOVE THIS POST SO MUCH! Definitely a useful recommendation list for me!
Im sooo happy to hear that!!! Thanks for commenting! Happy reading! 🙌
Nice… this should be a “Top Ten Tuesday” theme!
Yes! I’ll save it for a TTT Freebie!!!
I’ve read 5 of these Carol and the others are on my TBR. Great post!
Thanks Lynne! 🙌😍
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Thanks so much Nicki! 😍
Great list, Carol💜 I see some I need to explore.
Thanks Jonetta! 🙌
This is a great list Carol. I read Harold Frye but not Queenie Hennesy, it is on my list though. I loved The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood, but have not run into too many people that read it. I think I am going to have to see if I can find News of the World by Paulette Jiles before the movie comes out. I love everything with Tom Hanks in it.
I liked Harold more than Queenie but both are very well written! One in a Million Boy flew under the radar I think! You will love News of the World …it’s beautifully written for a western! And the ending is really satisfying!
What a great list! I know it often seems as it books are about people in their 20s and 30s (which is why I’m not entirely certain about the call for a “new adult” category; most of the adult books I read ARE about people in their 20s anyway!), so I love the idea of featuring other books here.
Thanks Briana! I especially enjoy an older character and young character friendship!
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