Books On Board

Elinor Lipman Books in Order

  • 19 Books
  • 1987 – 2025 Published
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Reading order
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How to Start Reading Elinor Lipman’s Books

Elinor Lipman is frequently described as a modern-day Jane Austen, writing witty, warm-hearted social comedies populated by flawed yet deeply lovable characters. Because all of Lipman's novels are standalone works, there is no strict chronological reading order to follow. You can pick up whichever premise catches your eye, but if you want a guided path, here are the three best places to start.

Option 1: The Fan Favorite – The Inn at Lake Devine (1998)

If you ask long-time readers where to begin, most will point you toward The Inn at Lake Devine. Set in the mid-20th century, the novel tackles anti-Semitism with Lipman's trademark romantic comedy touch. The story follows Natalie Marx, a Jewish girl who becomes determined to visit an upscale Vermont resort after her mother is politely rejected from staying there. It is a perfect showcase of Lipman’s ability to combine serious societal issues with romance, humor, and resilience.

Option 2: The Breakthrough Debut – Then She Found Me (1990)

If you prefer to see an author's style evolve, starting at the beginning with her debut novel is an excellent choice. Then She Found Me follows the quiet, orderly life of high school teacher April Epner, which is completely upended when her glamorous, flamboyant biological mother tracks her down. The novel explores adoption, expectations, and family dynamics, and it was eventually adapted into a 2008 feature film starring Helen Hunt and Bette Midler.

Option 3: The Author’s Personal Pick – On Turpentine Lane (2017)

For a lighter, breezy read, try the book that Lipman herself has cited as one of her favorites to write. On Turpentine Lane is set in a fictional college town in Massachusetts and stars Faith Connors, a woman who buys a quirky old bungalow that comes with its own mysterious, potentially criminal history. It captures the cozy, optimistic, and snappy dialogue that defines Lipman's later works.

Elinor Lipman Books in Publication Order

For readers who want to experience her writing as it was released, here is the complete chronological list of Elinor Lipman's publications. Since these are standalones, they can be read in any order, but reading them sequentially allows you to witness the sharpening of her signature satirical voice over the decades.

The Novels

  • Then She Found Me (1990): A heartwarming and comedic exploration of parent-child reunions and unexpected family bonds.
  • The Way Men Act (1992): Set in a small Massachusetts town, this novel follows a wedding florist and dress designer as they navigate love, gossip, and the eccentricities of small-town life.
  • Isabel's Bed (1995): A struggling writer moves to Cape Cod to ghostwrite the memoir of a notorious, wealthy woman who survived a high-profile shooting.
  • The Inn at Lake Devine (1998): A romantic comedy exploring love, prejudice, and persistence at a discriminatory Vermont resort.
  • The Ladies' Man (1998): The story of a retired talk-show host who returns to Boston to reconcile with his three grown daughters.
  • The Dearly Departed (2001): A lighthearted comedy of errors set in a fictional New Hampshire town, sparked by the unexpected death of two former lovers.
  • The Pursuit of Alice Thrift (2003): A clever, sprightly romance about a socially awkward surgical resident who falls for a charming, questionable salesman.
  • My Latest Grievance (2006): Winner of the Paterson Fiction Prize, this coming-of-age story follows the daughter of two professors at a women's junior college when her father’s first wife arrives on campus.
  • The Family Man (2009): A gay man in Manhattan takes in his ex-stepdaughter after she loses her job, leading to a heartwarming redefinition of family.
  • The View from Penthouse B (2013): Two widowed sisters and an unexpected young boarder navigate the post-recession financial crisis from a shared Manhattan apartment.
  • On Turpentine Lane (2017): A whimsical, romantic mystery about a first-time homebuyer, a missing fiancé, and a historical town secret.
  • Good Riddance (2019): A comedic tale centered on a discarded class yearbook that finds its way into the wrong hands, sparking drama, romance, and a documentary.
  • Rachel to the Rescue (2020): A satirical romp about a young woman working in Washington, D.C., who gets fired from a federal agency and uncovers a political cover-up.
  • Ms. Demeanor (2022): A clever romance about Jane Morgan, a lawyer sentenced to home confinement in her apartment building after a public indiscretion, who falls for a fellow house-arrest neighbor.
  • Every Tom, Dick & Harry (2025): Lipman's recent novel, starring Emma Lewis as she reluctantly takes over her parents' estate-sale business in Massachusetts and navigates town secrets, a new lodger, and romance with the local police chief.

Short Stories and Anthologies

  • Into Love and Out Again (1987): Lipman's literary debut, featuring a series of linked short stories exploring the ups and downs of contemporary relationships.
  • What My Mother Gave Me: Thirty-one Women on the Gifts That Mattered Most (2013): An anthology edited by Elizabeth Benedict containing a compilation of personal essays, including contributions from Lipman.

Non-Fiction & Essay Collections

  • Tweet Land of Liberty (2012): A collection of political, rhyming verses that Lipman originally shared on Twitter during the 2012 U.S. presidential election.
  • I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays (2013): A collection of non-fiction essays reflecting on her childhood, her career, and navigating the personal joys and losses of midlife.

What to Know Before You Start

Elinor Lipman's books are famous for their lively dialogue and domestic settings. Most of her novels take place in New England—particularly in Massachusetts, where she was born and raised. Her protagonists are typically independent, professional, and slightly flawed women who find themselves navigating bizarre or coincidental social situations.

While her novels are lighthearted and filled with romantic comedy tropes, Lipman does not shy away from heavier themes. She frequently addresses prejudice, class differences, identity, and the complexity of modern, non-traditional families. However, she wraps these themes in comforting, optimistic resolutions that leave readers smiling.

If you are looking for political satire, pay special attention to Rachel to the Rescue. This book had a unique publishing journey: after being passed on by her American publisher due to its direct jabs at the Trump administration, it was first published in the UK, earning the nickname of 'the Trump book that could only be published abroad' before eventually finding its way to US readers.

Frequently Asked

Do I need to read Elinor Lipman’s books in a specific order?

No. All of Elinor Lipman’s novels are standalones. You can read them in any order you choose without worrying about missing character arcs or plot continuity.

Which Elinor Lipman book should I read first?

A great place to start is The Inn at Lake Devine, which is widely considered one of her best and most popular books. Alternatively, you can start with her debut novel, Then She Found Me.

Are any of Elinor Lipman’s books adapted into movies?

Yes. Her debut novel, Then She Found Me, was adapted into a 2008 feature film directed by and starring Helen Hunt, alongside Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick.

What is the story behind the publication of Rachel to the Rescue?

Because of its sharp political satire targeting the Trump administration, Lipman's regular US publisher declined the book. It was first published in the UK by Eye Books before being distributed in the United States.

What is Elinor Lipman's latest novel?

Elinor Lipman's latest novel is Every Tom, Dick & Harry, published in February 2025. It follows a woman running an estate-sale business in a small Massachusetts town.

Has Elinor Lipman written any non-fiction?

Yes. She published Tweet Land of Liberty (2012), a collection of political rhymes, and I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays (2013), a collection of personal memoirs.