If you enjoy reading books by Chris Cleave then you might also like the following authors:
Colum McCann is an author who writes stories that feel deeply personal and connected to the world. One of his books, “Let the Great World Spin,” is set in 1970s New York and weaves together the lives of different characters in the city.
At its heart is a man walking a tightrope between the Twin Towers, a moment that links people in unexpected ways. The book explores how strangers’ lives intersect, creating a sense of shared humanity.
McCann’s writing has a way of drawing you into the lives of his characters, making their joys and struggles feel real.
Khaled Hosseini is an author known for powerful stories that explore family, love, and loss. One of his most well-loved books, “The Kite Runner,” follows the lives of two boys, Amir and Hassan, growing up in 1970s Afghanistan.
Their friendship is tested by betrayal and tragedy, and the story follows Amir as he seeks redemption years later after moving to America.
The book brings to life the bond between the boys and the cultural shifts in Afghanistan during that time, making it hard to forget once you’ve read it.
It’s emotional and unforgettable, and fans of authors like Chris Cleave might find themselves drawn to Hosseini’s ability to write about human connections.
Rachel Joyce is a writer known for crafting heartfelt and memorable stories. One of her books, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” tells the story of Harold, a retired man who receives a letter from an old friend dying in a hospice.
Instead of mailing a quick reply, he sets off on a walk across England to see her, believing his journey might somehow save her. Along the way, his encounters with strangers make him reflect on his own life and choices.
The story captures the beauty of unexpected connections and the hope found in simple acts.
Mark Haddon is an author known for writing stories that are both emotional and thought-provoking. One of his standout books is “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
It follows Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism, as he tries to solve the mystery of a neighbor’s dead dog. Christopher is brilliant with facts and numbers but struggles with understanding emotions.
His investigation leads him to uncover family secrets that change his world. The story gives readers a chance to see the world through Christopher’s unique perspective, which makes it both heartfelt and unforgettable.
Jojo Moyes writes heartfelt stories with strong emotional connections between her characters. One of her most popular books, “Me Before You,” follows Louisa, a young woman who becomes a caretaker for Will, a man left paralyzed after an accident.
Their relationship starts off rocky but grows into something unexpected and deeply moving. Moyes has a way of exploring love and loss in a way that feels genuine and stays with you long after you finish the book.
Readers who enjoy Chris Cleave’s mix of emotional depth and relatable characters might enjoy Moyes’ work too.
Liane Moriarty is an Australian author known for her ability to create stories centered on complex relationships and secrets.
In her book “Big Little Lies,” she weaves together the lives of three women—Madeline, Celeste, and Jane—whose seemingly perfect lives unravel in unexpected ways. The story starts with a murder at a school trivia night, then slowly reveals what led to that moment.
The book explores friendships, family dynamics, and the hidden struggles beneath polished exteriors.
Sarah Winman is an author whose writing captures emotion and human connections. One of her books, “When God Was a Rabbit,” tells the story of Elly and her close bond with her older brother, Joe.
It spans decades, following their lives through moments of joy, loss, and the unusual ways they cope with the challenges they face. There’s a pet rabbit with a voice and a bit of mystery threaded through the story.
Fans of Chris Cleave might enjoy the way her work focuses on relationships and the strength people find in one another.
Heather Morris is the author of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” a story based on true events from World War II. The book follows Lale, a Slovakian Jew, who is forced to tattoo identification numbers on fellow prisoners in Auschwitz.
While working, he meets Gita, a woman who changes his life. Their love grows in the darkest of circumstances, offering hope where it seems impossible. Morris captures the power of resilience in a story about survival and love.
If you enjoy deeply human stories, this would be a good pick.
Ann Patchett writes stories full of human connection and unexpected relationships. Her book “Bel Canto” begins with a hostage situation during a birthday party at a vice president’s home in an unnamed South American country.
The story focuses on the bonds formed between captives and their captors over time. One of the characters, an opera singer named Roxane Coss, shares moments of beauty through her music, even in the middle of danger.
It’s a story about how people adapt and find meaning in strange and tense circumstances.
Elizabeth Strout is an author known for crafting stories about ordinary lives with depth and emotion. In her novel, “Olive Kitteridge,” she introduces Olive, a retired schoolteacher in a small Maine town.
The book connects a series of moments from Olive’s life and the lives of others around her, showing how their experiences intersect. Olive is blunt, flawed, and deeply human, making her both difficult and unforgettable.
In one chapter, you see her grappling with feelings of jealousy during a seemingly quiet moment, and in another, she navigates strained relationships with her husband and son.
The stories feel intimate and honest, revealing struggles, regrets, and unexpected connections among everyday people.
Lisa Genova writes emotional and deeply human stories, often centered on characters facing life-changing challenges. Her book “Still Alice” tells the story of Alice, a Harvard professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
The book gives an intimate view of how the disease affects her memory, relationships, and sense of identity. It’s written in such a way that you get a clear picture of her struggles and the impact on her family.
David Nicholls is an author with a knack for capturing relationships and life’s twists in a way that feels real and relatable. In his novel “One Day,” he tells the story of Emma and Dexter, two people who spend one significant day together every year for twenty years.
Through their changing lives, careers, and personal struggles, the bond between them deepens and shifts. The book explores how timing and choices shape relationships, making it hard to put down for anyone drawn to heartfelt, character-driven stories.
Sebastian Faulks is known for writing emotionally rich stories with historical settings. One of his most famous novels, “Birdsong,” explores love and survival during World War I.
The book follows Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman who experiences a forbidden romance in France before being thrust into the devastation of the trenches. The contrast between his personal struggles and the horrors of war makes this story unforgettable.
Jhumpa Lahiri writes with care about identity, family, and the experience of feeling caught between two places.
Her book “The Namesake” follows Gogol Ganguli, the son of Indian immigrants in the United States, as he struggles with his name, his heritage, and his sense of belonging.
The story spans years and captures moments like Gogol’s parents adapting to life far from home and Gogol himself confronting the weight of his name, which ties him to a story he doesn’t fully understand.
It’s a deeply personal journey showing the push and pull of culture and connection. Fans of Chris Cleave’s focus on humanity in personal stories might find Lahiri’s writing style and themes equally engaging.
Nicole Krauss writes thoughtful and emotionally moving stories that explore human connection and the weight of memory. Her novel “The History of Love” weaves together the lives of several characters tied to a lost manuscript.
At its heart is an elderly man named Leo Gursky, who spends his days reflecting on an unfulfilled love and searching for meaning late in life. The way the story links his bittersweet past with others’ lives creates an intimate portrait of longing and resilience.