What Order to Read Elizabeth Strout Books

When I first picked up an Elizabeth Strout novel, I had that rare feeling of stumbling into something quietly extraordinary. Her writing has this understated brilliance, ordinary lives, small-town quirks, layered relationships, that just sinks in deeper the more you read. But here’s the thing: Strout’s books are interconnected. Characters drift in and out, stories overlap, and you’ll spot familiar faces in unexpected places.

So if you’re wondering in what order to read her books, let me walk you through it, because the reading experience is even more rewarding when you follow the threads.

Order to Read Elizabeth Strout Books

Elizabeth Strout has written both standalones and loosely connected series. To make it easy, here’s the most authentic and helpful order:

Standalone Novels

1. Amy and Isabelle (1998) – Her debut, set in Shirley Falls, Maine, about the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter.
2. Abide with Me (2006) – A moving story of a minister grappling with grief and doubt in a small New England town.

The Olive Kitteridge Books

These follow Olive, a prickly but unforgettable character, and those in her orbit:
3. Olive Kitteridge (2008) – Pulitzer Prize winner. A series of interlinked stories centered around Olive.
4. Olive, Again (2019) – Picks up years later, continuing Olive’s journey and revisiting familiar characters.

The Lucy Barton / Amgash Series

Lucy Barton appears in several works, start with her origin story:
5. My Name Is Lucy Barton (2016) – A tender novel about Lucy’s hospital stay and her complex relationship with her mother.
6. Anything Is Possible (2017) – Linked stories set in Amgash, Illinois, Lucy’s hometown, featuring people connected to her life.
7. Oh William! (2021) – Focuses on Lucy’s first husband, William, and their continued connection.
8. Lucy by the Sea (2022) – Follows Lucy and William during the pandemic, reflecting on love, loss, and resilience.

Most Recent Novel

9. Tell Me Everything (2024) – A fresh return to Strout’s interconnected world, weaving in familiar characters from Lucy’s orbit.

👉 If you’re new to Strout, I recommend starting with Olive Kitteridge or My Name Is Lucy Barton, depending on which character intrigues you more. Then follow the sequence above for the fullest experience.

Why Elizabeth Strout’s World Feels So Real

One of the magical things about Strout’s writing is how her characters feel like they exist just outside your window. She doesn’t write in flashy prose or big dramatic plot twists. Instead, she shines a light on the everyday struggles, marriages, parenting, loneliness, aging, and shows how extraordinary the ordinary can be.

Her interconnected universe works almost like a literary small town. You don’t have to read in order, but when you do, you catch the little echoes: Lucy Barton popping up in Anything Is Possible, Olive aging and mellowing (just a little) in Olive, Again. It’s like watching your neighbors grow older, wiser, and sometimes more stubborn.

A Bit About the Author

Elizabeth Strout was born in Portland, Maine, and much of her work reflects that New England sensibility, quiet, restrained, deeply observant. Before becoming a full-time novelist, she taught and practiced law, but it’s clear she’s always been most at home in the world of words.

Her writing has earned major recognition: the Pulitzer Prize (Olive Kitteridge), nominations for the Man Booker Prize (My Name Is Lucy Barton), and widespread critical acclaim. But what makes her beloved isn’t the awards, it’s the emotional honesty she brings to every page.

Verdict

If you love novels that sneak up on you, stories that don’t shout but whisper truths you’ll carry with you, Elizabeth Strout is a must-read. The best way to experience her world is to follow the order I’ve laid out, especially the Olive and Lucy series. But honestly? No matter where you begin, you’ll end up hungry for more, flipping back to earlier books just to revisit a familiar face.

Her characters stay with you like old friends, or maybe like complicated family members you can’t quite let go of. And that’s exactly the point.

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