12 Books Found

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"I read a novel in the summer of 2017 or 18 and have long since forgotten the Title & Author. The book itself I purchased at my local library between 2012-2016. I hope someone here can help me or suggest something similar to what I read. Details I remember: Genere: Fiction, but realistic. I dont recall any violence and he wasn't in survival mode. While it had an old feel I do not believe its a classic, I dont think it was very popular. Had very little romance. No magic. No aliens. The physical book: A thin book, hard cover, the cover itself mainly had a white background and very basic. The book must of had about 300 pages max but if I had to take a guess maybe 250-275 pages total. I want to say part of the title was written in blue. I remember white base, black wording and maybe 1 word in blue. Main Character: Was a single white male. He was between 20-69. I think he was closer to 25-40. Was not an old man and wasnt a little boy. He lived in a practically empty house, alone. Did not own a lot of things. I literally think he slept on a mattress on the floor. I think he was broke. I dont recall him having family. Not suicidal. I also dont think he was a fisherman. Just a basic man, who didn't do a whole lot. My guess is he was unemployed. Not disabled. I doubt a war veteran. I remember thinking he was weird. Not serial killer weird, just weird. The book was also in his POV. I think: He wore glasses and had blue eyes. I also remember him seeing or being interested in a female. I think: At one point the female wore a yellow button up or a red dress. She was more out going then him. She was kind. In general, the book had few characters. Probably 2 and maybe a random waitress or stranger here or there. Plot/Scenes: I also remember the woman wanting to come over but him being embarrassed about his home. I mean it was practically empty so where would she go? I also think I remember them on a date and him being stressed because how would he pay for it? Location: I remember him living by a body of water. I want to say it was a beach but I'm not 100% certain. It also had to have been somewhere in Europe or America. He wasnt in the middle of the woods, Africa or Australia. It had a walkable town feel, I remember him going to a restaurant at one point by the water. So I'm assuming he walked there. Timeline: I believe the book took place in around the time it was written. I dont recall an Iphone or any "modern" day technology. I also think it was summer or spring. I dont recall anyone being cold or snow. Publicated: In 2017/18 I remember thinking this book was old, so it must of come out between 1900-1999. If I had to get more specific maybe 1940-99? Newest it could be would be 2016. It was easy enough to follow along so I dont believe it could be older than 1900. It was a weird book, but enjoyable and I'm curious after everything I've read if I would still enjoy it. It is not: The Stranger by Albert Camus Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway The shipping news by E. Annie Proulx Short synpopis of everything above: Realistic Fiction novel Plot: Not much of anything. A lonely man, living a simple, quiet life. Halfway through the book starts seeing a woman but I would not say this book is much of a romance. When you think it was written and when you read it (10 years ago, about 1985, AUC 2777, etc.): Read the book in 2017 or 2018. Bought the book between 2012-2014 from my local library for about 1$. Book's intended audience: Adults. The country or region in which you read it: I read it in the United States on the East Coast. But I believe the book took place in either Europe or the United States. Any titles you've already excluded: The Stranger by Albert Camus Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway The shipping news by E. Annie Proulx Anything else you remember about the title, author, illustrations, cover, characters, setting, binding, or size of book I do not recall the title but I believe it could of had "Blue" or "Pale" in it. For the Author, I dont know why I want to guess they were from France. But I could be wrong. Illustrations, were nothing, this was a short novel with no pictures. The cover might of had something but nothing that really sticks out. Cover: My used copy was a small hard cover. The cover sleeve itself I remember having a white base. I also recall black and blue on the cover. Characters: Two main characters. Point of view from the man, and the story was more about the man than the woman. Setting: Current time to its publication date, by the water in a town. Binding: Not that thick, maybe 275 pages? Would not take too long to read. I maybe took a week to finish, I was not an avid reader at the time. I also asked Reddit, ChatGPT, Google, so if you see similar posts please note I am desperate to find this book! Thank you for your time and I am hopeful someone knows what I am talking about."