J. D. Vance is an American author known for his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. His work offers a personal look at Appalachian culture and challenges facing working-class Americans, often drawing from his own experiences.
If you enjoy reading books by J. D. Vance then you might also like the following authors:
Tara Westover writes with honesty and emotional depth about family and self-discovery. In her memoir, Educated, she describes growing up isolated in rural Idaho, without formal education.
Westover explores themes of family loyalty, the pursuit of knowledge, and the challenges of forging your own identity.
Sarah Smarsh uses a thoughtful, clear-eyed style to examine poverty, identity, and class divides. Her book, Heartland, dives into personal experiences growing up poor in rural Kansas.
Smarsh shines a light on working-class struggles and the lasting impact poverty has on individuals and communities.
Beth Macy writes deeply researched nonfiction that captures the human side of big societal issues. In Dopesick, Macy investigates America's opioid crisis from multiple perspectives—families, medical professionals, and affected communities.
Her storytelling brings empathy and insight to an otherwise overwhelming issue.
Matthew Desmond blends vivid storytelling and meticulous research in his writing about poverty and housing instability. His book Evicted follows families in Milwaukee struggling with the constant threat of losing their homes.
Desmond highlights systemic inequalities and their devastating personal effects in gripping, relatable detail.
Arlie Russell Hochschild combines clear observation and compassion in her writing about cultural divides and political landscapes.
In Strangers in Their Own Land, Hochschild travels to rural Louisiana to understand why communities struggling with economic and environmental hardships often embrace conservative values. Her approach emphasizes empathy, perspective, and finding common human connections.
Barbara Ehrenreich takes an honest, eye-opening look at the struggles faced by working-class Americans. In Nickel and Dimed, she explores the hardships of low-wage jobs by personally taking on roles like waitress, maid, and sales clerk.
Her straightforward reporting style brings compassion and clarity to pressing social issues, appealing to readers who appreciated J. D. Vance's exploration of poverty and social class in America.
Jeannette Walls writes memoir with honesty and emotional depth, vividly depicting her challenging yet remarkable childhood. Her memoir, The Glass Castle, shares the story of growing up in extreme poverty with dysfunctional yet charismatic parents.
Walls' clear storytelling highlights how resilience and complicated family bonds shape one's life, resonating with readers of J. D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy.
David Grann dives into lesser-known historical mysteries with rich research and absorbing storytelling.
In Killers of the Flower Moon, he investigates a series of murders targeting members of the Osage Nation in the early 20th century, detailing the injustice faced by an entire community.
Fans of J. D. Vance who value stories about overlooked parts of American history told with clarity and suspense will greatly enjoy Grann's work.
Bryan Stevenson writes powerfully about racial injustice and inequality within the legal system. In his book Just Mercy, he shares stories of people he has defended as a lawyer, shining a light on wrongful convictions, poverty, and systemic issues in the justice system.
Stevenson's compassionate and straightforward narrative style makes complex issues personal and relatable, appealing to readers of J. D. Vance who appreciate narratives that tackle social justice and personal struggle.
Patrick Radden Keefe blends detailed investigative journalism and authentic storytelling to explore intricate real-world events. His book, Empire of Pain, provides an in-depth examination of the Sackler family and their role in America's opioid crisis.
Keefe skillfully blends a focus on family dynamics, greed, and societal impact, themes that readers of Hillbilly Elegy will find relevant and insightful.
George Packer is a thoughtful and insightful writer who explores the social and political forces shaping contemporary America. Like J. D. Vance, he examines the struggles facing working-class Americans and the impact of economic changes and social divisions.
In The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America, Packer profiles diverse Americans whose lives illustrate broader trends and challenges in society, making complex issues personal and relatable.
Alec MacGillis is a sharp and engaging journalist who investigates economic disparity and regional inequality across America.
His book, Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America, examines how powerful companies like Amazon shape economic landscapes, exacerbating the gap between flourishing cities and struggling smaller communities.
If you appreciate the way J. D. Vance portrays America's socioeconomic divides, MacGillis's reporting offers similar clarity and compassion.
Hope Jahren brings a warm, personal voice to topics that relate science and nature to human experiences.
In her memoir, Lab Girl, she shares the joys and challenges of becoming a scientist, alongside insightful stories that connect environmental discoveries with personal meaning.
Readers who value Vance's firsthand storytelling and reflections on personal growth may find Jahren equally appealing.
Chris Hedges is an outspoken writer and journalist who addresses the social injustices, moral dilemmas, and institutional failures prevalent in America. His style is direct and impassioned, as seen in his book America: The Farewell Tour.
In this work, Hedges explores the widening social divisions, disillusionment, and decay he sees in American society, offering perspectives similar to the critical insights Vance provides.
Sam Quinones is a seasoned journalist known for compassionate storytelling about communities impacted by addiction, poverty, and social change. His deeply human perspective is clear in Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic.
In this book, Quinones investigates how opioids devastated communities across America, thoughtfully portraying individuals and families affected, much like Vance did in his own reflections on his upbringing.