Jessica Bruder is an American journalist known for nonfiction works exploring contemporary social themes. Her notable book, Nomadland, highlights the lives of nomadic older Americans and inspired the acclaimed film adaptation.
If you enjoy reading books by Jessica Bruder then you might also like the following authors:
Barbara Ehrenreich writes with a sharp eye for detail and an honest, straightforward style. She explores what it's really like for people struggling with low wages and tough jobs in America.
Her notable book Nickel and Dimed shows the reality faced by low-wage workers as Ehrenreich herself tries surviving on minimum wage. Readers who appreciate the real-life storytelling of Jessica Bruder will enjoy Ehrenreich's candid and insightful look at economic challenges.
Matthew Desmond offers a powerful and detailed picture of poverty through deep research and an approachable writing style. His book Evicted paints a vivid, human picture of tenants and landlords dealing with eviction in America.
If Jessica Bruder’s honest portrayal of people's struggles connects with you, Desmond’s compassionate and eye-opening treatment of housing insecurity will also speak directly to your interests.
Ted Conover is a writer who immerses himself fully into the subjects he covers, giving his nonfiction a personal and empathetic perspective. In his book Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing, he becomes a corrections officer to understand life behind prison walls.
Like Jessica Bruder, Conover engages deeply with real-life stories, providing a thoughtful exploration of hidden worlds most readers rarely see.
Katherine Boo’s reporting captures the human spirit through carefully observed, deeply empathetic accounts of difficult circumstances. Her book Behind the Beautiful Forevers shares the lives of families in a Mumbai slum, dealing with poverty and the struggle to survive.
Fans of Jessica Bruder’s narrative nonfiction will be drawn to Boo's clear-eyed, human-focused stories of resilience and hardship.
Adrian Nicole LeBlanc writes narrative nonfiction that reads like a novel, offering vivid, deeply personal accounts of people's complicated lives. Her book Random Family traces the lives of two women navigating poverty, crime, and family dynamics in the Bronx.
Readers who connected to Jessica Bruder’s approach of intimately portraying real people in challenging circumstances will likely enjoy LeBlanc’s sincere and immersive storytelling.
Alex Kotlowitz writes vividly and compassionately about difficult social issues like poverty, race, and violence in America. His style is intimate and deeply empathetic, highlighting the humanity behind the headlines.
In his book, There Are No Children Here, Kotlowitz explores the lives of two young brothers growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Chicago, revealing their dreams, struggles, and daily courage.
Beth Macy focuses on compelling true stories set in small-town America, often highlighting the struggles of overlooked communities. Her writing is clear, engaging, and deeply researched.
In Dopesick, Macy examines America's opioid epidemic by telling real stories of its devastating personal and community impacts. Her compassionate portrayal of her subjects gives readers insight into a difficult and often misunderstood issue.
Arlie Russell Hochschild uses insightful research and honest conversations to better understand social divides, culture, and emotions. She approaches complex issues thoughtfully, with care and curiosity.
In her book, Strangers in Their Own Land, she travels to rural Louisiana to understand residents whose views seem at odds with their own best interests. Her sensitive storytelling encourages empathy and deeper reflection about American social divides.
Patrick Radden Keefe crafts detailed, engaging, and thoroughly reported narratives about complex crimes, historical controversies, and hidden influences. His reporting makes complicated events both readable and gripping.
In Empire of Pain, Keefe provides an absorbing account of the Sackler family's rise and the devastating opioid crisis connected to their pharmaceutical business. His careful storytelling brings clarity and urgency to the topic.
Sam Quinones is known for clear storytelling and an ability to connect wide-ranging issues through personal narratives and thorough reporting. His books often tackle the intersection of immigration, drug trafficking, and public health.
In Dreamland, Quinones looks at the opioid epidemic from Mexico to small-town America, weaving together stories of addiction, opportunity, tragedy, and determination. His engaging style helps readers grasp the larger forces behind this public health crisis.
Eliza Griswold writes thoughtful, deeply researched nonfiction that explores complex social and political issues. Her clear style guides readers through nuanced stories of communities facing significant change and struggle.
In Amity and Prosperity, Griswold examines the devastating impact of fracking on rural Pennsylvania, giving a moving portrait of residents fighting to protect their homes.
Alec MacGillis specializes in clear-eyed investigative journalism, offering sharp insights about political power, economics, and regional divides in America. His writing blends thorough research with accessible storytelling, connecting policy decisions to everyday lives.
His book Fulfillment explores how Amazon's growth has reshaped American cities and amplified economic inequality.
Jon Krakauer approaches nonfiction with a journalist's precision and a storyteller's sense of drama. His books often explore human ambition, survival, and the boundaries people push in pursuit of their goals.
In Into the Wild, Krakauer examines the adventurous and tragic journey of Christopher McCandless, raising difficult questions about idealism, freedom, and society.
Sasha Abramsky writes engaging nonfiction focused on social justice, poverty, and human rights in America. His clear style grounds stories in empathy and strong reporting.
In The American Way of Poverty, Abramsky confronts the harsh realities of economic inequality and hardship in the U.S., shining a vital light on the millions living on the margins.
Dale Maharidge offers compelling accounts that tell the stories of everyday people facing adversity and change in America. Often teaming up with photographers, he combines vivid portraits of real-life hardship with historical context and deep social awareness.
In Someplace Like America, Maharidge portrays working-class struggles during economic downturns and brings their voices to the forefront with power and humanity.