Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a critically acclaimed young adult romance novel set in the 1980s, telling a deeply emotional story about first love, identity, and belonging.

The novel follows two misfit teens in Omaha, Nebraska:

• Eleanor Douglas is a red-haired, overweight girl with a chaotic home life. She’s just returned to live with her abusive stepfather and tries to stay invisible at school.

• Park Sheridan is a half-Korean boy who loves comic books and music. He feels like he doesn’t fit in either, but in quieter, more subtle ways.

They meet on the school bus, and though their connection starts reluctantly, it gradually deepens. Through shared music (like The Smiths and Joy Division) and comic books (like X-Men and Watchmen), their bond grows. Their relationship becomes a source of comfort and escape, especially for Eleanor, whose home life is increasingly dangerous.