By the time you read this vs The Portrait of a Lady

Both "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James and "By the time you read this" by Lola Jaye are popular choices for readers interested in Social life and customs and Manners and customs. This comparison helps you decide which to read first — or whether both belong on your list.

Shared Themes

FictionFathers and daughters, fictionFiction, psychologicalFathers and daughters
Cover of By the time you read this

By the time you read this

Lola Jaye

2008

When he discovered that he had only six months to live, thirty-year-old Kevin Bates picked up his pen and wrote The Manual—advice for his five-year-old daughter, Lois, to live by, laugh at, and follow from twelve until thirty. Seven years later, when Lois is given The Manual, she can barely bring herself to read her father's words, the pain of his loss is still so raw. Yet soon Kevin's advice is guiding her through every stage of life from teen angst to career arcs, to knowing when she's at long last met "the one." While The Manual can never be a substitute for having Kevin back, the words left behind become Lois's steady support through all of life's ups and downs, and prove invaluable to unlocking the key to happiness.

Published 2008
Books like By the time you read this
Cover of The Portrait of a Lady

The Portrait of a Lady

Henry James

1881

HENRY JAMES (1843-1916), was born in New-York. His father was a writer in theology and his elder brother, William, was a philosopher. From 1865 he was a regular contributor of reviews and short stories to American periodicals. His first piece of fiction, "Watch and Ward", appeared in 1871, followed by "Transatlantic Sketches" and "A Passionate Pilgrim" in 1875. His first important novel was "Roderick Hudson (1876). For more than 20 years he lived in London, and in 1898 moved to Lamb House, Rye, where his later novels were written. At first he was concerned with older civilization of Europe, and to this period belong his novels "Daisy Miller" (1879) and "Portrait of a Lady"(1881). In "The Tragic Muse" (1890), "The Spoils of Poynton"(1897), and "The Awkward Age" (1899), he analyses English character. With "The Wings of the Dove" (1902), "The Ambassadors" (1903), and "The Golden Bowl" (1904), he returned to the theme of the contrast of American and European character. In 1915, Henry James became a British subject, and in 1916 was awarded the OM.

Published 1881
Books like The Portrait of a Lady

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is easier to read: The Portrait of a Lady or By the time you read this?
Reading difficulty depends on your familiarity with the genre. Check each book's page count and subject matter above, and start with whichever aligns better with books you've enjoyed before.
Can I read The Portrait of a Lady and By the time you read this in any order?
Yes — these are standalone works. You don't need to read one before the other unless they're part of the same series.
Which book is better for beginners?
If you're new to this genre, look at the shorter book with broader appeal and start there. You can always come back for the other.

Are you an author? Promote your book or submit a free listing.

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Book links on this page may be affiliate links. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.