Seeking “Hen Lit” Recommendations (a.k.a. Chick Lit, but older)

[Anonymous]

I just came across the term “Hen Lit,” and it seems to sum up a genre I’ve been enjoying (and seeking more of) these past few years:

- contemporary fiction (rather than historical);
- centering female main character(s) aged 45-60 (midlife);
- lots of focus on the character(s)’ inner life/identity/sense of self, independent of romance/marriage/kids (though they’re often plot points, too);
-sometimes funny/light or sometimes more serious/heavy - I’ve enjoyed both.

Here are a few I’ve enjoyed. I’d love other recommendations:

- The Second Ending, by Michelle Hoffman
- Johanna Porter is Not Sorry, by Sara Read
- Waywards, by Dana Spiotta
- Calling Invisible Women, by Jeanne Ray
- Sylvia’s Second Act, by Hillary Yablon (currently reading)

[Anonymous]

Haven’t read it, but the NYT just favorably reviewed Sandwich, which seems to fit your category.

[Anonymous]

The Woman who went to Bed for a Year, Sue Townsend

Tom Lake, Ann Patchett

Lady Tan's Circle of Women, Lisa See (might not exactly fit your definition, but is a great book)

[Anonymous]

Jennifer Weiner and Elin Hilderbrand's books might fit that criteria

[Anonymous]

Try books by Elizabeth Berg.

I have only read 4 books by her. But all four of them were about finding a new balance as an older person. Perhaps all her books are along those lines.

[Anonymous]

The Wall, by Marlen Haushofer.

It is about a woman who has adult children. And quite by accident, seems to have ended up as the last human alive on earth. She has a dog and a cow for company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just came across the term “Hen Lit,” and it seems to sum up a genre I’ve been enjoying (and seeking more of) these past few years:

- contemporary fiction (rather than historical);
- centering female main character(s) aged 45-60 (midlife);
- lots of focus on the character(s)’ inner life/identity/sense of self, independent of romance/marriage/kids (though they’re often plot points, too);
-sometimes funny/light or sometimes more serious/heavy - I’ve enjoyed both.

Here are a few I’ve enjoyed. I’d love other recommendations:

- The Second Ending, by Michelle Hoffman
- Johanna Porter is Not Sorry, by Sara Read
- Waywards, by Dana Spiotta
- Calling Invisible Women, by Jeanne Ray
- Sylvia’s Second Act, by Hillary Yablon (currently reading)

The only one of the books you mention that I have read is Calling Invisible Women. Because I enjoyed that book, I bought another book by the same author (Ann Padgett's mom). The other one I read was about a woman who keeps thinking perhaps she is done raising a family and she and her spouse can finally retire and travel, but something always comes up. That book was called Step Ball Change. I think all of her books are about women in the 45- 60 age range.

[Anonymous]

Circe! Did you do Circe yet?

[Anonymous]

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

[Anonymous]

Strangers and cousins by Leah Hager Cohen
The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward

[Anonymous]

These are great! Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Liane Moriarty! if you do audiobooks, the reader of hers is the icing on a great cake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t read it, but the NYT just favorably reviewed Sandwich, which seems to fit your category.

I'm 3/4 through Sandwich and I never want it to end. So good!

[Anonymous]

Anne Tyler springs to mind, these in particular:

Ladder of Years
Breathing Lessons
Clock Dance
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant
A Patchwork Planet
Noah's Compass
Searching for Caleb

[Anonymous]

Where’d you go Bernadette?
Good book