House RulesHouse Rules
Score Modern
What it's about
Jacob Hunt is eighteen and has Asperger's syndrome. He can't read social cues, he follows strict rules, and he is obsessed with forensic science, often turning up at crime scenes. When his social skills tutor is found dead, the police see Jacob's odd behavior as signs of guilt, and his mother has to fight a system that doesn't understand him.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It's a gripping courtroom drama and a portrait of a family living with autism.
You'll love it if you liked
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Nineteen Minutes
Presumed InnocentGood to know
It's told from several family members' points of view. Some autistic readers find its portrayal outdated.
By the numbers
- Readers50 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller72 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #122 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #131 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #562 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1077 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
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Quick answers
Is House Rules worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,077 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is House Rules about?
Jacob Hunt is eighteen and has Asperger's syndrome. He can't read social cues, he follows strict rules, and he is obsessed with forensic science, often turning up at crime scenes. When his social skills tutor is found dead, the police see Jacob's odd behavior as signs of guilt, and his mother has to fight a system that doesn't understand him.
How long does it take to read House Rules?
About 13 hours (532 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after House Rules?
If you liked it, try The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult or Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow.