If you enjoy reading books by Jess Walter then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Strout is an author known for her ability to capture the complexities of everyday life in small, vivid moments. In her novel “Olive Kitteridge,” she introduces Olive, a retired schoolteacher in a coastal Maine town.
Olive is sharp-tongued and deeply flawed, yet her humanity shines through as the book reveals her strained relationships, moments of unexpected compassion, and the quiet struggles of those around her.
It’s written as a collection of interconnected stories, each shedding light on Olive and the lives in her community. Strout’s insight into her characters feels personal and real, making the book memorable.
Ann Patchett is an author known for creating relationships and worlds that feel deeply real. One of her standout novels, “Bel Canto,” unfolds during a hostage situation in a South American country. The story begins when a group of terrorists interrupts a lavish birthday party.
Instead of focusing on the chaos of the event, Patchett explores the connections that form between the hostages and their captors. Music plays an important role here, especially through the character of a celebrated opera singer whose voice captivates everyone in the room.
It’s a book that mixes suspense with the kind of personal moments that stay with you long after reading.
Jonathan Tropper writes stories filled with humor and heartfelt moments, often centered around flawed but relatable characters. His book, “This Is Where I Leave You,” follows Judd Foxman, who reunites with his dysfunctional family after his father’s death.
Forced to sit shiva together for a week, old fights resurface, secrets come out, and relationships are tested. It’s a mix of sharp dialogue and emotional depth that makes the story both funny and moving.
Richard Russo writes stories about small-town life, capturing everyday struggles and relationships with warmth and humor. One of his well-known books, “Empire Falls,” focuses on the people in a declining mill town in Maine.
At the center of the story is Miles Roby, who runs the local diner and wrestles with family troubles, lingering pain from his past, and the pressures of a town caught in a slow fade.
The book gives a rich glimpse into the lives of its characters, balancing ordinary moments and deeper emotional truths. If you enjoy books that explore the bonds and burdens of community, Russo might be the writer for you.
Tom Perrotta writes stories that focus on ordinary people dealing with personal struggles and societal pressures. His book “Little Children” peeks into the lives of suburban parents juggling their desires and frustrations behind the picture-perfect facade of their neighborhood.
The book introduces characters like Sarah, a stay-at-home mom feeling trapped in her marriage, and Todd, a father questioning his role as the ideal husband. Their paths cross in ways that challenge their choices and shake up their safe, routine lives.
Perrotta captures the complexity of what people keep hidden in plain sight.
Maria Semple writes stories full of humor and messy, lovable characters. Her book, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” centers on Bernadette Fox, a brilliant but eccentric architect who suddenly disappears.
The story is pieced together through emails, letters, and other documents, as her teenage daughter, Bee, tries to figure out what happened. The mix of family drama and absurd moments makes it hard to put down.
Semple’s sharp dialogue and unique storytelling style create a world that feels both chaotic and heartfelt.
Lorrie Moore is known for her sharp wit and knack for capturing life’s bittersweet moments. Her book, “A Gate at the Stairs,” follows a young college student named Tassie as she takes a nanny job for an adoptive mother.
Set in the Midwest, the story dives into themes of race, love, and loss in a way that feels both funny and heartbreaking. Moore has a way of making everyday situations feel unique, with characters whose imperfections make them impossible to forget.
Fans of Jess Walter might enjoy the humor and humanity in her work.
Colson Whitehead is an author known for writing stories that mix history with deeply personal journeys. One of his books, “The Underground Railroad,” reimagines the real network that helped enslaved people escape.
In the story, the Underground Railroad is a literal train system running beneath the ground, transporting people to freedom. It follows Cora, a young woman escaping a brutal plantation in Georgia. Her journey takes her through different states, each with its own harsh realities.
The book explores her fight for freedom while showing the lengths people will go to for survival.
Barbara Kingsolver writes stories that are rich with detail and deeply connected to the natural world and human relationships.
One of her best-known books, “The Poisonwood Bible,” tells the story of an evangelical missionary who brings his wife and daughters to the Congo in the 1950s.
Each family member has a distinct voice, showing how the experience changes them as they face the clash of their world with Africa’s struggles. The book blends personal and political drama in a way that feels vivid and unforgettable.
Dave Eggers is a writer who often blends humor and humanity with sharp observations about life. One of his standout books, “The Circle,” dives into the world of a powerful tech company.
The story follows Mae Holland, who lands a job at the Circle, a corporation run on transparency and data sharing. As Mae rises in the company, she starts noticing how its ideals clash with privacy and personal boundaries.
It’s a story about technology’s influence on society, filled with moments that make readers question the world around them. If you appreciate Jess Walter’s storytelling with layers of wit and insight, you might enjoy Eggers’ work.
John Irving is known for stories that often explore families, relationships, and the unexpected paths life takes. His book, “The World According to Garp,” follows the life of T.S. Garp, the son of a fiercely independent mother.
The story touches on Garp’s eccentric upbringing, his writing career, and his complicated personal life. It’s full of quirky characters and moments that feel absurd yet real. Fans of character-rich stories might find his work worth exploring.
Jennifer Egan is a storyteller known for crafting narratives that explore connections between characters in unexpected ways. Her book “A Visit from the Goon Squad” moves through interlinked stories about people tied to the music industry.
The book spans decades and shifts perspectives, following a music producer named Bennie and his assistant Sasha, whose lives are shaped by ambition, regrets, and relationships.
One chapter even takes the form of a PowerPoint presentation, offering a unique way to understand family dynamics. It’s a book full of surprises and moments that stay with you.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an author known for writing stories that feel deeply personal yet universal. In her novel “Americanah,” she tells the story of Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to America for school.
The book explores her experiences with race, identity, and love as she navigates life in a foreign country. At the same time, the story weaves in memories of Nigeria and her connection to her first love, Obinze, who faces his own struggles in England.
Adichie’s writing brings these characters to life in a way that feels real and relatable.
Joshua Ferris is a sharp and observant storyteller who captures the humor and struggles of modern life. His book “Then We Came to the End” gives readers a look into the lives of employees at a Chicago advertising agency facing layoffs.
Told in a unique collective first-person voice, the story reveals the quirks, tensions, and connections among the coworkers. From gossip around the office to moments of unexpected kindness, Ferris brings these characters to life in a way that feels intimate and real.
Rebecca Makkai has a knack for creating layered stories with memorable characters. In her book “The Great Believers,” she tells the story of Yale, an art gallery director in 1980s Chicago, as the AIDS crisis begins to affect his close-knit group of friends.
Decades later, Fiona, the sister of one of Yale’s friends, travels to Paris in search of her estranged daughter. The book weaves these timelines together, exploring bonds of friendship and the weight of loss.
Fans of Jess Walter’s emotional storytelling might find her work a great match.