Emily Gould is an American novelist known for her honest, relatable approach to contemporary fiction. She notably authored Friendship and Perfect Tunes, capturing real-life relationships and experiences with humor and insight.
If you enjoy reading books by Emily Gould then you might also like the following authors:
Sheila Heti writes smart, sharply observed narratives that blur fiction and memoir. She takes a candid look at self-perception, friendship, and the pressures of adulthood, often in a funny yet thoughtful way.
Her novel How Should a Person Be? is a great example of her style, an honest portrayal of a young woman's struggle to define herself through creativity, relationships, and life's uncertainties.
Tao Lin captures the uncertainty and emotional distance of modern life through spare prose and an ironic tone. His writing often explores feelings of isolation and disconnection in a digitally saturated world.
In his novel Taipei, Lin explores themes of alienation and self-medication with a detached, minimalist style, resonating well with readers who appreciate Emily Gould's intimate, introspective storytelling.
Ben Lerner blends autobiography and fiction effortlessly. He reflects openly and intelligently on art, identity, and the meanings we assign to our experiences. He’s great at capturing the paradoxes of modern life and artistic ambitions.
In his book Leaving the Atocha Station, Lerner explores a young American poet's struggle with authenticity, self-doubt, and cultural displacement while living in Spain.
Sally Rooney writes sharp, engaging stories about personal relationships and emotional struggles among millennials.
With precise attention to subtle moments in friendships and romantic connections, Rooney examines how people relate to each other, communicate their feelings, and cope with life's pressures.
Her novel Normal People perfectly captures the complexities and shifting dynamics in a relationship, touching on issues of class difference, emotional vulnerability, and self-discovery.
Jia Tolentino writes insightful essays chronicling contemporary issues such as internet culture, feminism, consumerism, and identity. She explores complicated topics through clear prose and witty observations.
In her essay collection Trick Mirror, Tolentino examines what it’s like to live and think clearly in today's world, offering sharp insight into self-image, identity, and how we navigate cultural pressures.
Leanne Shapton writes in a distinctive and creative style that blends visual art, photography, and literary storytelling. Her works often explore memory, relationships, and personal identity with subtle humor and emotional depth.
A good example is Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry, a unique novel styled as an auction catalogue that tells a poignant story through everyday objects.
Heidi Julavits' writing is smart, introspective, and witty. She often examines complex relationships, personal anxieties, and everyday interactions with humor and sharp observations.
Her book The Folded Clock: A Diary offers candid reflections that skillfully mix the ordinary and the profound, making readers laugh while also encouraging deeper self-reflection.
Cat Marnell writes with an intense, raw honesty, vividly depicting personal struggles, addiction, and stylish excess in glamorous settings. Her voice is unapologetically candid, moody, but charismatic.
In How to Murder Your Life, she portrays her turbulent experiences in fashion journalism, substance abuse, and chasing an elusive, thrilling life with dark humor and remarkable transparency.
Melissa Broder's style is adventurous, brutally honest, and darkly funny. She explores themes like desire, loneliness, self-image, and modern anxieties with intensity and irreverent humor.
Her novel The Pisces brings together a mix of romantic fantasy and gritty realism, offering readers a strange, funny, and altogether original look into complicated love and emotional crisis.
Lena Dunham writes with an outspoken, humorous, and self-deprecating voice, candidly confronting the messy, awkward aspects of adulthood and relationships. Her work resonates with readers who appreciate openness and relatable vulnerability.
In her essay collection, Not That Kind of Girl, Dunham humorously and honestly explores personal experiences around love, body image, friendship, and identity.
Chloe Caldwell writes with refreshing honesty about personal experiences, friendship, and self-discovery. Her memoir-like style often deals with the raw edges of relationships, identity, and the complexities of growing up and figuring things out.
Her book, Women, explores a passionate and intense relationship between two women, offering a thoughtful take on love, heartbreak, and personal growth.
Mira Jacob approaches difficult subjects like identity, family, race, and belonging with humor and sincerity. Her storytelling feels personal and intimate, often exploring conflicts between different generations and cultures.
In her graphic memoir, Good Talk, Jacob combines illustrations and striking narratives to share conversations about race and identity, truly connecting with readers through relatable dialogue and honesty.
Curtis Sittenfeld is known for capturing the subtleties and complexities of human relationships, status, and personal ambition. Her characters are deeply relatable, drawn with humor and crisp observation.
In Prep, Sittenfeld chronicles the experiences of a Midwestern girl navigating class and social hierarchies at an elite boarding school, her quiet observations pulling readers deep into her struggles.
Kate Zambreno mixes memoir, literary criticism, and fiction to examine gender, identity, creativity, and the lives of women artists often overlooked. Her style is smart, intimate, and unconventional, blurring traditional genre lines.
In her book, Heroines, Zambreno revisits literary history through a feminist lens, spotlighting forgotten wives and muses, and giving voice to their stories in a powerful way.
Michelle Orange writes thoughtfully and perceptively about culture, identity, memory, and contemporary life. She uses personal narrative and critical analysis to explore themes like feminism, technology, and emotional authenticity.
Her essay collection This Is Running for Your Life skillfully blends personal experiences and cultural critique, offering readers sharp insights into modern life and relationships.