If you enjoy reading books by Jeannette Walls then you might also like the following authors:
Tara Westover wrote “Educated,” a memoir about her journey from growing up in a strict and isolated survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD at Cambridge University.
Her story begins with a childhood where she had no formal schooling and worked in her father’s junkyard. As she grows older, she begins to question her upbringing and the beliefs she was taught, eventually finding ways to seek education on her own.
The book paints a vivid picture of her struggles with family loyalty and the new world she discovers through learning. Readers who enjoy Jeannette Walls’ focus on personal resilience and unconventional family dynamics might find Tara’s story captivating.
Cheryl Strayed is a writer who knows how to capture raw and honest experiences. Her memoir, “Wild,” tells the story of her solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail after her life fell apart. She faced the loss of her mother, a divorce, and struggles with her own choices.
The book isn’t just about walking a long trail; it’s about challenges, self-discovery, and finding a way forward when it feels impossible. Strayed writes in a way that makes you feel the weight of her pack, the grit of the trail, and the emotions tied to her journey.
If you like personal, reflective stories grounded in real-life struggles, you might enjoy this one.
Mary Karr is a memoirist known for her sharp storytelling and raw honesty. In her book “The Liars’ Club,” she shares tales from her childhood in a small Texas town.
The story looks at her complicated family life, from her mother’s struggles with mental health to her father’s love for outrageous stories. The vivid and heartfelt memories make it a powerful look at resilience in the face of chaos.
Readers who enjoyed Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle” may find a similar pull toward Karr’s unfiltered and personal writing.
Elizabeth Strout is an author known for creating realistic characters, often exploring their lives in small-town settings. Her book “Olive Kitteridge” tells the story of Olive, a retired schoolteacher with a sharp tongue and a complex personality.
The book is made up of interconnected stories that show Olive’s relationships with her family, friends, and neighbors in a coastal Maine town.
One memorable part is when Olive’s blunt nature leads to tense but honest moments with her son, which reveal the layers of their strained relationship. Each chapter offers a different perspective, giving a fuller picture of both Olive and the community around her.
Ann Patchett writes stories that focus on relationships and connections between people in unusual circumstances. Her novel “Bel Canto” takes place during a hostage situation at a lavish party in South America.
What makes it stand out are the bonds that form among the hostages and their captors. There’s music, surprising friendships, and moments that make you think about human nature. Fans of Jeannette Walls might enjoy how Patchett captures emotions and human resilience.
Alice Sebold is known for her ability to write about life’s darker moments with honesty and depth. Her book, “The Lovely Bones,” tells the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who watches her family and friends from the afterlife after her tragic death.
As Susie narrates, you see her father trying to uncover the truth, her sister growing into her own strength, and her killer going about his life. The way Sebold captures the mix of pain and hope in this story makes it unforgettable.
Kristin Hannah is known for writing stories about families, resilience, and relationships. Her book “The Great Alone” follows a family moving to the remote wilderness of Alaska after the father, a Vietnam War veteran, decides they need a fresh start.
The harsh environment and long winters test their strength as a family, while secrets from the past threaten to unravel them. The story captures both the beauty and danger of Alaska, with characters trying to survive in both the wild and with each other.
Dorothea Benton Frank wrote stories that capture the charm and struggles of life in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Her novel, “Sullivan’s Island,” introduces a woman named Susan Hayes, who returns to her childhood home after her life starts unraveling.
Through her journey, Susan faces family secrets and old memories while reconnecting with the coastal community she left behind. The book blends personal growth with a strong sense of place, painting a vivid picture of Southern life.
Wally Lamb is known for writing powerful stories with deeply human characters and emotional depth. His book “She’s Come Undone” follows the life of Dolores Price, a young woman who faces trauma, heartbreak, and isolation.
The story explores her struggles to find happiness and self-acceptance after years of pain and setbacks. Dolores’ voice feels raw and real, pulling you into her world.
If you like Jeannette Walls’ approach to complex family and personal journeys, you might enjoy Wally Lamb’s work.
Sue Monk Kidd is an author known for crafting heartfelt stories about family, identity, and personal growth. One of her most well-loved books, “The Secret Life of Bees,” is set in South Carolina in the 1960s.
It follows Lily Owens, a young girl who runs away from home, hoping to escape her troubled past. She ends up finding refuge in the home of three eccentric sisters who keep bees and produce honey.
Through her time with them, Lily learns about love, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family. The story captures both the sweetness and sorrows of life in a way that feels deeply personal.
Barbara Kingsolver writes novels that explore family, resilience, and the relationship between people and their surroundings. If you enjoyed Jeannette Walls, you might like “The Bean Trees.”
It follows Taylor Greer, a young woman who leaves her small hometown in Kentucky to start fresh. Along the way, she unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of an abandoned child.
The story focuses on the unlikely connections Taylor builds and how those bonds affect her life in unexpected ways.
Julie Kibler is an author who writes with heart and sincerity, often exploring deep relationships and family histories.
Her book “Calling Me Home” tells the story of an unexpected friendship between an older white woman named Isabelle and her African American hairdresser, Dorrie.
As they take a road trip together, Isabelle begins to share a secret from her youth—a forbidden love story from the 1930s that crossed racial boundaries.
The narrative moves between past and present, revealing the challenges Isabelle faced and the impact her choices had on her life. The book weaves a connection between their lives, showing how love and loss shape us in unexpected ways.
Elizabeth Gilbert writes engaging stories with a focus on personal journeys and deep emotions. One of her well-known books, “Eat, Pray, Love,” follows the author’s year-long trip across Italy, India, and Indonesia after a tough divorce.
In the book, she pursues joy through food in Italy, seeks peace in an ashram in India, and finds love in Bali. Her writing is heartfelt and introspective, drawing readers into her experiences and the places she visits.
Fans of Jeannette Walls may enjoy Gilbert’s ability to turn personal struggles into transformative stories.
Caroline Knapp was a thoughtful writer who often explored personal struggles with honesty and depth. In her memoir, “Drinking: A Love Story,” she shares her battle with alcoholism and how it impacted every corner of her life — her relationships, career, and sense of self.
The book paints vivid scenes of her life, from elegant parties where she masked her pain with cocktails to quiet moments when guilt felt overwhelming. She writes about her journey to understand why she turned to alcohol and what it took to rebuild her life.
Readers who liked Jeannette Walls’ ability to tackle hard truths about family and identity might find Knapp’s work equally engaging.
Kim Edwards is an author who writes emotionally rich stories about family secrets and relationships. Her novel, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” begins with a heartbreaking decision.
A doctor delivers his own twins during a snowstorm, but when he sees that his daughter has Down syndrome, he decides to send her to an institution and tells his wife the baby has died.
The story becomes a journey through the lives shaped by this decision, with themes of love, loss, and reconciliation woven in. Fans of Jeannette Walls may enjoy how Edwards explores family dynamics in a way that feels deeply human.