If you enjoy reading novels by Jan Karon then you might also like the following authors:
Debbie Macomber writes warm stories about small-town life, family bonds and second chances. Readers who enjoy Jan Karon’s Mitford series might really like Macomber’s “The Shop on Blossom Street.”
This book follows Lydia Hoffman, a woman who opens a cozy knitting shop on Seattle’s Blossom Street after battling a serious illness. As Lydia begins her new business, she connects with customers through knitting classes.
Among them are Jacqueline, a wealthy and lonely woman struggling with family relationships, and Alix, a tough young woman trying to rebuild her life.
Through their time together at the knitting shop, these women form friendships, heal old wounds and begin new chapters in their lives. Macomber creates a welcoming story full of relatable characters and community spirit.
Philip Gulley is an author known for heartwarming and humorous stories set in small towns. Readers who enjoy Jan Karon’s books may also appreciate Gulley’s Harmony series.
In “Home to Harmony”, Gulley introduces us to Sam Gardner, a friendly Quaker pastor called back to his Indiana hometown. With engaging characters and gentle humor, Gulley creates Harmony as a cozy place filled with community spirit and everyday adventures.
If you like stories about small-town life with warmth and kindness, this book might be a great choice.
Maeve Binchy was an Irish author known for her engaging stories about everyday life and believable characters. Her novels often focus on family, friendship and community, with relatable people facing real-life situations.
If you like Jan Karon’s stories, you might enjoy Binchy’s novel “Circle of Friends”. It follows two childhood friends from a small Irish village as they start their college lives in Dublin.
The novel explores their relationships, choices and personal growth, shown through the warmth and sincerity of Binchy’s writing. This book will appeal to readers who appreciate warm-hearted storytelling centered on friendship and personal connections.
Beverly Lewis is well-known for stories set in Amish communities, where characters deal with family relationships, faith and everyday life challenges. If you enjoy Jan Karon’s heartwarming small-town narratives, you might appreciate Beverly Lewis’s “The Shunning.”
This is the story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman about to marry the community’s bishop in Lancaster County. Before her wedding she discovers a long-hidden family secret. This discovery causes her to question her identity and her place in the community.
The novel explores Katie’s struggle as she searches for truth and decides between loyalty to family traditions and a life guided by her heart. Lewis’s vivid descriptions and touching portrayal of Katie’s emotions offer readers a glimpse into Amish life and culture.
Lauraine Snelling writes warm-hearted stories centered on family and faith in small-town settings. Readers who enjoy Jan Karon’s gentle storytelling and characters they can care about often find Snelling’s books enjoyable.
One good place to start is “An Untamed Land,” the first book in her “Red River of the North” series. It follows the Bjorklund family’s journey from Norway to America as they settle in North Dakota in the 1880s.
They face challenges along the way, but Ingeborg, Roald, and their family deal with adversity through faith and determination. The story brings to life the struggles and triumphs of immigrant pioneers and draws readers into the Bjorklunds’ daily lives in their new home.
Anne Lamott is an author known for her honest and insightful stories about everyday life, family and faith. Readers who appreciate Jan Karon’s warm and relatable characters will probably also connect with Lamott’s writing style. Her book “Traveling Mercies” is a great example.
It covers Anne’s experiences as she navigates through life’s daily challenges with humor and sincerity. She describes real-life situations of raising her son, overcoming personal struggles and building her faith.
Lamott’s stories often include witty observations about life’s imperfections and genuine reflections on spirituality that readers of Jan Karon might find relatable.
If you enjoy Jan Karon’s gentle stories about small-town life, you may also like author Gail Fraser. Fraser’s Lumby series captures similar charm and warmth in its depiction of life in a quaint town called Lumby.
In the first book, “The Lumby Lines,” Mark and Pam Walker discover an old monastery hidden away in the peaceful town. They soon decide to restore the property and turn it into a cozy inn.
Readers get to know the amusing local residents through the articles published in the town’s quirky newspaper, “The Lumby Lines.” Gail Fraser creates realistic, lovable characters and shares plenty of humor and feel-good moments.
Richard Paul Evans is known for heartfelt stories that explore love, hope, and redemption. His book “The Christmas Box” tells the story of a grieving widow and the lessons she shares with a young family.
In “The Walk,” he writes about a man who loses everything and sets out on a journey across America to find meaning and healing.
Lisa Wingate writes stories with heart and a focus on human connections. If you enjoy Jan Karon, you might like her books. “Before We Were Strangers” explores family and hidden truths. “The Book of Lost Friends” is about unlikely friendships and uncovering history.
Her stories often bring a sense of hope, even in tough situations.
Nicholas Sparks is known for writing emotional stories that often explore love and loss. In “The Notebook,” he tells a tale of a couple whose love endures despite challenges and the passage of time.
“A Walk to Remember” focuses on a young man who falls for a girl with a secret that changes his life. “Safe Haven” is about a woman who tries to escape her past while finding a chance at love. These books capture moments of deep connection and resilience.
Elizabeth Berg writes stories that feel warm and heartfelt. Her novel “The Story of Arthur Truluv” centers on an unlikely friendship between a lonely widower and a troubled teenager. It’s a story about kindness and second chances.
In “Open House,” a woman navigates the pain of divorce while discovering new possibilities for her life. Fans of Jan Karon will appreciate the gentle tone and focus on personal growth.
Karen Kingsbury writes stories that focus on faith and family. In “Redemption,” she tells the story of a woman facing betrayal in her marriage.
“One Tuesday Morning” explores the lives of two men connected by the events of 9/11, showing how unexpected moments can reshape everything. Her books often center around hope and personal growth.
Catherine Marshall wrote stories that focus on faith, community, and personal growth. Her novel “Christy” tells the story of a young woman who moves to the Appalachian Mountains to teach school, facing challenges that test her beliefs.
Another favorite, “Julie,” follows a young journalist as she navigates life, love, and career choices while uncovering secrets in her small town. Fans of Jan Karon might find these books inspiring and full of heartfelt moments.
Marcia Willett writes warm and emotional stories focusing on relationships and family. In “A Week in Winter,” she tells the story of a woman trying to protect her beloved home while dealing with personal struggles.
“The Sea Garden” explores themes of loss and healing as a young woman moves to a cottage in Devon and uncovers secrets from the past. Both books capture heartfelt connections and life’s challenges in a beautiful way.
Joan Medlicott writes heartwarming stories focused on small-town life and relationships. In “The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love,” three women in their sixties start fresh together in a small North Carolina town, creating a new sense of belonging and purpose.
“From the Heart of Covington” continues their journey, capturing the ups and downs of friendship and community. Her books have a cozy and uplifting feel, which fans of Jan Karon often appreciate.