If you enjoy reading books by Booth Tarkington then you might also like the following authors:
William Dean Howells was an important figure in American literature, well-known for his realistic approach to storytelling. His novel “The Rise of Silas Lapham” follows the story of a self-made businessman who struggles to balance success, family, and morality.
The book explores the challenges of climbing the social ladder and how wealth can create as many problems as it solves. The characters feel authentic, and their choices keep you engaged.
If you enjoy Booth Tarkington’s focus on personal and societal ambition, Howells offers a similar kind of insight into human nature.
Thornton Wilder was an American author and playwright known for crafting stories that explore human connections and the passage of time.
One of his most famous works, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” starts with the collapse of a bridge in Peru, where five people tragically fall to their deaths. A monk decides to investigate the lives of these individuals to understand why they met this fate.
As the story unfolds, readers get a glimpse into each person’s life, learning about their desires, struggles, and relationships. The book raises questions about destiny and the meaning behind the events in our lives.
If you enjoy Booth Tarkington’s focus on heartfelt narratives, you might connect with Wilder’s ability to capture human experiences.
Edna Ferber was a storyteller who painted vivid pictures of American life, often focusing on ordinary people facing big changes. Her novel “So Big” is about Selina Peake, a woman who starts as a schoolteacher in a small farming community.
Through hard work and sheer determination, she transforms a struggling farm into something prosperous. The book shows the rewards and heartbreak that come with perseverance, and it gives a strong sense of the grit and beauty in early 20th-century America.
If you enjoy Booth Tarkington’s attention to character and setting, you might find Ferber’s work equally engaging.
John P. Marquand was an American novelist known for his sharp portrayals of social changes and complex characters. One of his books, “The Late George Apley,” is written as a fictional biography of a wealthy Boston aristocrat.
Through letters and reflections, it explores George Apley’s life, showing how he struggles to balance family expectations and personal desires in a changing society.
The story paints a vivid picture of New England high society, blending humor with a subtle critique of tradition and privilege.
Ellis Parker Butler was an American author known for his humor and light-hearted storytelling. One of his most famous works is “Pigs Is Pigs,” a short story about a railway agent named Mike Flannery who insists on charging livestock rates for two guinea pigs.
This sparks a hilarious chain of events as the guinea pigs multiply, causing chaos and confusion. Butler’s writing combines vivid characters and situations with a playful tone that brings the scenes to life.
Fans of Booth Tarkington’s wit might enjoy the charm of Butler’s stories.
Sinclair Lewis was an American author who liked to shine a light on the flaws and aspirations of everyday people. One of his well-known books, “Babbitt,” focuses on George Babbitt, a middle-aged real estate agent living in a Midwestern city.
George is obsessed with status, modern gadgets, and the opinions of his peers, but beneath his polished image, he battles feelings of dissatisfaction.
The story digs into his attempts to break free from the monotony of his life, showing both his struggles and the pressures of the society around him.
It’s a sharp look at small-town values and personal ambition that might appeal to readers who appreciate Booth Tarkington’s portrayals of societal change and character-driven stories.
Willa Cather was an American author known for her vivid storytelling and deep connection to the landscapes and lives of the American frontier.
Her novel, “My Ántonia,” tells the story of Jim Burden, an orphaned boy, and Ántonia Shimerda, the daughter of Bohemian immigrants, growing up in Nebraska. The book captures the struggles and beauty of pioneer life, showing how the land shapes the people who live on it.
Cather’s writing has a way of making the past feel alive, and her characters stay with you long after you close the book.
James Thurber was a humorist and cartoonist known for his sharp wit and relatable stories about everyday life. His book, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” explores the life of a mild-mannered man who escapes into vivid daydreams to cope with his unremarkable reality.
In his fantasies, Walter imagines himself as a heroic pilot, a skilled surgeon, and a fearless adventurer, though these are often interrupted by the mundane demands of his day.
The mix of humor and human nature makes Thurber’s work memorable and a good match for fans of Booth Tarkington’s charming and character-driven stories.
Harold Bell Wright was an American author who wrote stories filled with emotion and moral struggles, often set against the backdrop of small-town life or rugged landscapes.
His book “The Shepherd of the Hills” is set in the Ozark Mountains and tells the story of a mysterious man who arrives in a remote village. His presence stirs up questions and changes the lives of the locals in surprising ways, weaving themes of redemption and forgiveness.
Wright’s storytelling captures the charm of everyday characters and the beauty of rural life, appealing to fans of Booth Tarkington’s work.
Sherwood Anderson was an American writer who often explored small-town life and the struggles of ordinary people. His book “Winesburg, Ohio” is a collection of interconnected stories about the residents of a fictional town in Ohio.
The book follows George Willard, a young journalist, as he learns about the hidden desires and regrets of the townsfolk. Characters like Wing Biddlebaum, with his nervous hands and haunting past, leave a lasting impression.
Anderson captures the loneliness and quiet frustrations of his characters in a way that feels deeply personal, making the reader feel as though they’re a part of the town. Readers who enjoy Booth Tarkington’s focus on human nature may find Anderson’s writing equally engaging.
Gene Stratton-Porter was an early 20th-century author known for her love of nature and vivid storytelling. One of her works, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” follows Elnora Comstock, a young girl growing up near the Limberlost swamp.
Facing challenges at home with her bitter and distant mother, Elnora strives to educate herself and earns money by collecting and selling moths.
The story is filled with moments of resilience, friendships, and a glimpse into the wonders of the natural world, all set against the unique backdrop of the Indiana wilderness.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was a master at capturing the dreams and flaws of his characters in a way that feels both grand and deeply personal. His book “The Great Gatsby” follows Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man chasing an unattainable dream.
Set during the Roaring Twenties, the story is filled with dazzling parties, lost love, and the pursuit of something always out of reach.
The narrator, Nick Carraway, finds himself drawn to Gatsby’s life and secrets while offering a front-row view of the glamour and emptiness of the era. If you enjoy tales of ambition and human longing, this book might pull you right in.
Margaret Deland was an American author, known for exploring human relationships and small-town life, themes fans of Booth Tarkington might appreciate.
Her novel “John Ward, Preacher” tells the story of a young woman named Helen who marries a fiery preacher despite their different religious beliefs.
The book dives into their marriage and the conflicts arising from faith and personal conviction, all set against the backdrop of a tightly knit community. It captures the struggles of love and morality without becoming overly sentimental.
Mark Twain is often celebrated for his ability to capture the humor and humanity of everyday life in America.
One of his best-loved works, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” follows the mischievous and imaginative Tom as he navigates small-town adventures along the Mississippi River.
From tricking his friends into painting a fence to hunting for treasure, Tom’s escapades are full of charm and fun. The book offers a vivid picture of childhood, filled with moments that are both entertaining and memorable.
If you enjoy Booth Tarkington’s portrayal of small-town life, Twain brings a lively, youthful perspective to a similar setting.
Mary Roberts Rinehart was a popular American author known for her mystery novels. Her book “The Circular Staircase” is about a woman named Rachel Innes, who rents a country house for the summer. Strange things start to happen, including a murder that shakes the household.
The story combines mystery with humor, and the characters feel real as they try to piece together what’s going on. If you enjoy Booth Tarkington’s mix of vivid character interactions and engaging plots, Rinehart’s style might appeal to you.