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The 52 Book Club's 2025 Challenge - hosted by the52bookclub

Breaks the fourth wall
The fourth wall is an imaginary wall that separates the reader from the characters. We as the reader can see and understand the story, but usually characters don't know of or acknowledge the existence of a reader. When a character breaks the fourth wall, they're removing the barrier between the reader and themselves.

In literature, there are a variety of ways a book may break the fourth wall. One of the most common ways perhaps, is addressing the reader directly. (Think of the famous line from Jane Eyre: "Reader, I married him.")

Narrators may address the reader with side comments or an authorial intrusion. (For example, in The Princess Bride, the narrator uses asides marked in parentheses to comment on the story.) 

Breaking the fourth wall is also commonly used in metafiction. Metafiction intentionally references the work's fictional nature. An example of this is when the narrator or characters are aware of or acknowledge that they are fictional characters. 

While there are a variety of interpretations as to what breaking the fourth wall looks like within literature, for this prompt, we're looking for books that break the barrier between reader and character. It may be something occurring constantly within the book, or only a line or two sprinkled throughout. If you think that's happening in the story, it counts toward this prompt! 
All books added
SING: the story of Rock choir by Caroline Redman Lusher

SING: the story of Rock choir

Caroline Redman Lusher

272 pages • paperback • 2024 user-added

nonfiction autobiography
Awake by Jen Hatmaker

Awake

Jen Hatmaker

320 pages • hardcover • 2025

nonfiction memoir emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Karen Joy Fowler

337 pages • digital • 2013 user-added

fiction contemporary literary emotional reflective medium-paced
My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates

My Sister, My Love

Joyce Carol Oates

22 hours, 29 minutes • audio • 2008 user-added

fiction contemporary crime mystery dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes

No Friend to This House

Natalie Haynes

368 pages • paperback • 2025

fiction fantasy historical literary adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary

Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum

Michael McCreary

233 pages • digital • 2019

nonfiction memoir funny informative lighthearted fast-paced
Off the Page by Jodi Picoult

Off the Page

Between the Lines #2

Jodi Picoult

356 pages • digital • 2015

fiction fantasy romance young adult emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1

Louise Rennison

247 pages • hardcover • 1999

fiction young adult funny lighthearted medium-paced
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

Angie Cruz

191 pages • digital • 2022

fiction contemporary literary emotional funny reflective medium-paced
The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

The Carnivorous Carnival

A Series of Unfortunate Events #9

Lemony Snicket

286 pages • hardcover • 2002

fiction middle grade mystery adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced