If you enjoy reading books by Cheryl Strayed then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Gilbert is an author whose deeply personal storytelling and honest reflections on life resonate with many of Cheryl Strayed’s readers. Her memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love,” chronicles a transformative year after her difficult divorce.
Gilbert indulges in delicious Italian cuisine in Rome, seeks spiritual growth in an Indian ashram, and finally finds a balance of pleasure and devotion in Bali.
Her emotional openness and willingness to face life’s messy truths invite readers into a narrative filled with vulnerability, humor, and sincere self-discovery.
If you appreciated the honesty and introspection in Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild,” Gilbert’s journey through heartache toward healing may captivate you as well.
Joan Didion is an author known for her thoughtful reflection and honest storytelling. If you love Cheryl Strayed’s emotional depth and clear voice, Didion might resonate with you.
In her memoir, “The Year of Magical Thinking,” Didion captures the emotional turmoil following her husband’s sudden death. She describes how shocking grief affects logic, memory, and reality itself, as she tries to make sense of loss and carry on with daily life.
Her writing is precise yet full of feeling, creating a deeply personal and relatable story about coping and survival.
Books by Jon Krakauer often explore adventure, self-discovery and personal struggles in ways readers of Cheryl Strayed will relate to. In his book “Into the Wild,” Krakauer tells the true story of Christopher McCandless.
McCandless was a young man who left behind his family, his possessions and the expectations of society. He traveled alone into the Alaskan wilderness in search of meaning and freedom.
Krakauer offers a thoughtful look at McCandless’s life, his decisions and the harsh reality he faced in the solitude of nature. For those drawn to stories about humanity, exploration and personal insight, “Into the Wild” speaks clearly and powerfully.
Readers who enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s personal storytelling and genuine humor might find Bill Bryson to be a great next author. Bryson offers a funny yet thoughtful perspective on everyday situations, nature, and travel.
In “A Walk in the Woods,” Bryson recounts his attempt to hike the challenging Appalachian Trail. With no real hiking experience, he and his friend Katz face hilarious setbacks, encounters with odd characters, and plenty of missteps.
Alongside the humor, Bryson includes insightful observations about nature, friendship, and perseverance. His approachable style and relatable struggles provide an enjoyable reading experience for anyone who likes honest, funny, and heartfelt adventures.
Mary Karr is an author whose memoirs are honest, raw, and emotionally powerful—a great pick for readers who enjoyed Cheryl Strayed’s heartfelt storytelling. In her memoir “The Liars’ Club,” Karr revisits her turbulent childhood in a small Texas oil town.
Karr’s storytelling immerses the reader into family secrets, trauma, resilience, and humor. Her family is complicated and often unpredictable: a mother with hidden struggles, a father with a fiery temper, and moments of tenderness hidden beneath hardship and conflict.
Karr’s prose has a vividness and warmth that draws readers straight into her world. Throughout the story, readers see how a child navigates the complexities of a fractured yet fiercely loving family, which makes “The Liars’ Club” a memoir that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Books by Jeannette Walls often explore personal struggles, family bonds, and resilience in tough times. In her memoir “The Glass Castle,” Walls tells the story of her unconventional childhood spent with deeply flawed but charismatic parents.
Her family often faced poverty, hunger, and frequent moves from one town to another. Despite hardships and instability, Walls shares vivid moments of adventure and hope, presenting complex themes of love and dysfunction without judgment.
Readers who appreciate Cheryl Strayed’s open-hearted storytelling and honest reflections about life’s difficult moments could connect strongly with Walls’ relatable and engaging memoir.
If you enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s honest and reflective storytelling, Susan Orlean might be a great fit for your reading list. Her nonfiction work, “The Library Book,” explores the devastating fire that consumed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986.
Orlean weaves together the mystery of who set the blaze with fascinating accounts of the library’s long history and colorful characters.
She connects deeply personal experiences with detailed research, allowing readers to glimpse the passion libraries inspire and the powerful role they play in community life.
Readers drawn to intimate narratives and profound insights into human stories will appreciate Orlean’s thoughtful and moving style.
Pico Iyer is an author known for thoughtful journeys and insightful personal exploration, often reflecting on travel, identity, and the pathways we choose. In his book “The Art of Stillness,” Iyer explores how slowing down and pausing can clarify our understanding of life.
Through both personal experiences and stories of well-known figures, he reveals how quiet reflection and stepping back from our busy lives can lead to deeper meaning.
Readers who enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s honest self-exploration and thoughtful perspectives may find a similar connection in Iyer’s reflective and personal approach.
Leslie Jamison is an author known for her deeply personal essays and honest reflections on human vulnerability. Her book “The Empathy Exams” offers thoughtful meditations on compassion, pain, and connection.
Jamison shares revealing accounts of her experiences as a medical actor. She pretends to have various illnesses to test the empathy of medical students. Each essay examines how empathy shapes our emotional lives, relationships, and interactions with the world around us.
Readers who enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s approach to exploring life’s emotional complexities might find Leslie Jamison’s work equally relatable and rewarding.
Readers who appreciate Cheryl Strayed’s honest and reflective storytelling may also connect with Maggie Nelson’s thoughtful and raw approach to life’s personal experiences. Nelson explores complex emotions in her memoir “The Argonauts.”
In this book, Nelson shares her journey through love, identity, parenting, and family dynamics. She candidly discusses her relationship with artist Harry Dodge and the ways they navigate gender identity, sexuality, pregnancy, and parenthood together.
Her narrative is woven with thoughts from philosophy, literature, and critical theory, creating a unique and powerful exploration of self-discovery.
Rebecca Solnit is an insightful writer known for thoughtful essays and memoirs exploring identity, travel, and human resilience. Readers who enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s reflective style in “Wild” might also appreciate Solnit’s book “A Field Guide to Getting Lost.”
This collection meshes personal stories, cultural history, and philosophical insights to examine the value of uncertainty and wandering off the beaten path.
Solnit shares moments from her travels through deserts and cities, weaving in themes of loss, discovery, and the beauty that reveals itself when you’re not quite sure where you’re headed.
Her storytelling is layered and vivid, providing both an adventure and an emotional journey that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Readers who enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s honest reflections and connection to nature might find Annie Dillard equally captivating. Annie Dillard writes insightful narratives that explore life’s beauty and complexities through personal experience.
Her memoir, “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek,” takes readers through a fascinating year near her home by Tinker Creek in Virginia. With vivid observations of the natural world around her, Dillard shares thoughtful insights on life, spirituality, and humanity’s relationship with nature.
Her reflective style, deep curiosity, and sincere exploration create an experience both engaging and inspiring for readers seeking meaning in everyday details.
Terry Tempest Williams is a thoughtful writer who explores the deep connections between nature, family, and personal experience. In her book “Refuge,” Williams shares her own powerful story of loss and survival.
She writes vividly about how the rising water levels of Utah’s Great Salt Lake threaten the wildlife refuge she loves. At the same time, she deals with her mother’s serious illness, reflecting on family ties, environmental threats, and the strength we get from nature.
If you appreciate Cheryl Strayed’s honest reflections in “Wild,” the emotional honesty and beautiful insights in Williams’ writing will likely resonate with you too.
If you enjoy Cheryl Strayed’s honest and emotional storytelling, you might also connect with Tara Westover. Her memoir, “Educated,” explores her isolated upbringing in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho.
Despite never attending school as a child, Westover teaches herself enough to step foot in a classroom at age seventeen. Her journey takes her to places she never imagined, from university classrooms to challenging family confrontations.
“Educated” is a powerful story of courage, resilience, and the complex bonds of family.
Brené Brown is an author known for her raw honesty and thoughtful exploration of vulnerability and courage. If you’re drawn to Cheryl Strayed’s heartfelt reflections on personal challenges, you’ll likely connect with Brown’s writing.
In “Daring Greatly,” Brown confronts head-on how embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and a more authentic life.
She weaves together personal stories, thoughtful research, and conversations with real people to uncover the power hidden within openness and authenticity.
Each chapter gives readers a thoughtful look at subjects like shame, trust, and worthiness, and how vulnerability can change the way we love, parent, work, and lead.
If you enjoy books that push past surface-level conversations into topics that truly matter, “Daring Greatly” is a powerful place to start.