Although it may seem like manga and fiction books are two separate circles if they were a venn diagram, you would be surprised to know how similar they are in their themes, genre fiction, characters and much more. So it is not out of the question to assume that a shouju manga or literary fiction novel would be similar. Thus, if you are a manga reader and want to venture into the world of reading fiction books but are unsure where to start, you’re in the right place. Here is The Bombay Circle Press’ list of five books to read if you like these shouju mangas.
- When Haru Was Here by Dustin Hao
If you were devastated by the ending of Akimi Yoshida’s Banana Fish, we recommend you pick up When Haru Was Here by Dustin Hao and be devastated yet again. This magic realism novel revolves around Eric Ly, after his best friend dies, and all he is left with are his memories. So, to cope with the grief, Eric makes up scenarios in his head. But life takes an unexpected turn when one of these scenarios comes to life and Haru is in front of Eric but no one else can see him.
- Give Me A Sign by Anna Sortino
If Suu Morishita’s wholesome A Sign of Affection was your cup of tea, then this is your sign to add Give Me A Sign by Anna Sortino to your books to read this season. The YA romance brings you the story of Lilah, a summer camp counselor with hearing loss who doesn’t quite fit the box of someone who is entirely deaf or someone with fine hearing. But life takes an unexpected and maybe a romantic turn when this year’s summer camp brings together cute British lifeguards, a clout-chasing YouTuber and Issac, the dreamy deaf counselor.
- Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer
Inspired by the popular series Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi, there is no better book to recommend than Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. In fact, Meyer got the idea for the series after she wrote a one-shot fanfiction for Sailor Moon. The series follows a fantasy re-telling of popular fairy tales such as Cinderella, The Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Snow White and many more.
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
If reading Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku made you believe the geeky, fangirly love is not hard for a fangirl/boy, then Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is the way to go to cement the idea.
Cath is a fangirl. But more importantly, she is a fanfiction writer and the complete opposite of her twin sister Wren. But now that they are in college, life is different and Cath is struggling to find the balance between fangirling, writing her fanfiction and staying on top of her assignments. And her roommate’s boyfriend isn’t helping the cause, who believes that fanfiction is the end of literature.
- The Advice Columnist by Janie Emaus
One of the similar books to read if you liked Orange by Ichigo Tanako is Janie Emaus’ The Advice Columnist. This second coming-of-age novel takes you on a journey of self-discovery, hope and following your heart. When Joannie is sacked from her advice columnist job at The Valley News, life seems to have reached a dead end and this time there is no one to advise the columnist on what to do next. That is until her younger self from twenty years ago becomes her guide via emails, texts, voice messages and much more.
Venturing from one form of literature to another can be daunting but it can be easier when you take things slow and start with things to love and find familiarity. And when these books cross over to your “read” list, check out The Bombay Circle Press’ wide selection of novels and novellas.
Image Credit: @hearpple (Pinterest)