At LoveReading we adore novels that contain a hint or more of quirky. From relationship tales to sci-fi and fantasy, from humour to family drama, we have a collection of quirky tales for you to enjoy. These are books that contain something out of the ordinary, that cause a flicker of excitement to grow and burn with intensity until you’ve finished reading. They often are the books that spark your thoughts and stay with you forever. 

Sometimes, when life is behaving in a particularly strange way, a novel that takes our minds to an unusual place can be the perfect read. Escaping from reality with a quirky read can soothe and settle, or divert and deflect. Quite a few of these books will sit on favourite book lists, however there may well be a few books here that you’ve not heard of before. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures bowled us over in 2023. Exploring loss, loneliness, community and the revolving cycles of life, and taking in the miraculous intelligence of a giant octopus, this extraordinary debut is an enchanting original.

One of our books of the year in 2015 Fishbowl by Bradley Somer is a: “unique, clever and quite quite wonderful” novel that takes a 30 minute peek into the lives of the occupants of an apartment building, including Ian the skydiving goldfish. "The short chapters, capable of evoking an assortment of emotions, flow as quickly as Ian does past each window.”

The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Theriault sits on my list of favourite books. It is: “deceptively clever and utter compelling” and still haunts my thoughts. Bilodo the postman sneaks into other peoples lives by reading their handwritten letters. The author uses haiku and tanka poetry to allow Bilodo to converse with the woman of his dreams. “This is essentially a book of love, of what might have been and of what could still come.”

Another book that still keeps me company is Sourdough by Robin Sloan, this is a: “gorgeous, magical, quirky dream of a story”. Lois is unexpectedly left a sourdough culture and begins to form a connection with it. This story weaves a spellbinding path and with: “almost hypnotic, yet gentle intensity, takes on a life of its own to become a charming, irresistible read.”

If you are looking for something totally different then we recommend The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss. This fantasy novella is: “strangely wonderful, and completely compelling.” We are allowed into the secret world of Auri, who lives underneath a university. “If you are the sort of person who has chatted to inanimate objects, avoided the obvious and listened carefully to silence” then you too may fall in love with this special little book.

So delve into our list of quirk filled slices of wonderful and see if you find them as diverting and wonderful as we do. Let us know in the comments which books you've been inspired to read and which titles you'd add to this list.