I happened to read The God of Small Things the year I turned 31. If you’ve read it, you probably remember that the main character in that novel is 31, as is her twin brother. And their mother died when she was 31, so to the protagonist of the book, the age thirty one was “not old, not young; a viable die-able age.” The book shaped my experience of that age in my life, making it feel somehow pivotal, and giving it a mantra.

I am just starting this project, and would love your help. I’m organizing a compendium of books, according to the age of their central character. I think it would be great to be able to give my 24 year old cousin a book where the main character is 24, or give my mom a book where the heroine is 76. Or to read only books that correspond with my age one year.

If any books come to mind where the protagonist’s age is significant, please email me through the link below with the title, the author and the protagonist’s age.

Eventually this will be wiki- style page where you can enter the information directly, but for now, please email me the information at:

georgeferrandi@hotmail.com

and I’ll post your contributions in chronological order.

Thanks very much for your help.