If you enjoy reading books by Kathleen Grissom then you might also like the following authors:
Sue Monk Kidd is an author who creates powerful stories about complex characters facing difficult pasts and personal transformations. Readers who enjoyed Kathleen Grissom’s historical dramas will likely appreciate Kidd’s novel “The Invention of Wings.”
The story is set in early 1800s Charleston and alternates perspectives between Sarah Grimké, the daughter of a wealthy family, and Handful, a slave gifted to Sarah on her eleventh birthday.
Both girls long for freedom in their own ways, their lives deeply intertwined as they grow up under the shadow of slavery and strict social expectations. This novel explores courage, belief, and the sacrifices people make to find their voices and the freedom they seek.
Lisa Wingate is an author known for her emotional historical fiction that explores family ties, loss, and redemption. If you enjoyed Kathleen Grissom’s “The Kitchen House,” Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours” might capture your attention.
Inspired by real events, this novel follows the Foss siblings who were taken from their impoverished home in the 1930s and placed in an orphanage that trafficked children.
Years later, a young attorney named Avery Stafford discovers troubling clues that trace back to the tragic legacy of her family roots. The powerful blending of two timelines and compelling characters makes this story both heartbreaking and meaningful.
Readers who appreciate Kathleen Grissom’s emotional storytelling and vivid historical backdrops will likely enjoy the novels of Kristin Hannah. Hannah excels at creating memorable characters and weaving rich historical detail into her moving stories.
Her novel “The Nightingale” is set in occupied France during World War II and centers on the courageous lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle. The story illustrates the strength, sacrifices, and bravery required of ordinary women during devastating times.
Hannah’s exploration of the sisters’ struggles and heroism leaves a lasting impression that readers won’t easily forget.
Sarah McCoy is an author who captures the complexity of historical fiction with emotional depth reminiscent of Kathleen Grissom. Her novel “The Baker’s Daughter” weaves together the stories of two women from different times.
Set partly during World War II in Germany, it follows Elsie Schmidt, a teenage baker’s daughter who faces difficult choices during a time of war and hardship.
In the present day, journalist Reba Adams crosses paths with Elsie and uncovers a long-hidden secret that connects their lives across generations. McCoy portrays characters burdened by history and secrets with empathy and insight.
For readers moved by Grissom’s character-driven narratives and rich historical backdrops, McCoy’s “The Baker’s Daughter” offers a satisfying, emotional experience.
Readers who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s heartfelt historical storytelling may also appreciate the novels of Tara Conklin.
Her book “The House Girl” weaves together past and present by following two compelling lives: a determined young slave named Josephine in the pre-Civil War South, and Lina Sparrow, a modern-day attorney assigned to uncover the truth behind a controversial artwork.
Conklin’s careful blend of history, secret connections, and emotional depth creates a powerful narrative of courage, confrontation, and hidden truths that resonate deeply.
Books by Christina Baker Kline often explore meaningful historical moments through the eyes of memorable, relatable characters. If you enjoyed Kathleen Grissom’s novels, you might appreciate Kline’s “Orphan Train.”
This novel connects the stories of Vivian, an elderly woman who as a child traveled west on an orphan train in the 1920s, and Molly, a contemporary teenager in foster care.
Their lives intersect unexpectedly, revealing powerful parallels in their struggles, resilience, and search for identity and family.
Kline’s vivid storytelling highlights an often overlooked chapter in American history and creates a moving narrative that stays with readers long after the last page.
Readers who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s vivid historical storytelling might appreciate Ann Weisgarber. Weisgarber brings historical periods to life through intricate characters confronting moral dilemmas in challenging times.
In her novel “The Personal History of Rachel DuPree,” readers meet Rachel, a determined African-American woman in the early 1900s. Rachel leaves her life in Chicago behind to start anew with her husband Isaac in the harsh South Dakota Badlands.
Life there proves tough, with hardships testing their marriage and survival in unexpected ways. Weisgarber’s depiction of Rachel’s quiet strength amidst isolation and struggle provides an intimate and meaningful portrait of frontier life.
Kim Michele Richardson writes engaging historical novels that delve into rural American life and community resilience.
Her novel “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” explores a fascinating piece of history many readers haven’t encountered before—the packhorse librarians of Kentucky.
Set in the 1930s, the story follows Cussy Mary Carter, a young woman who travels the rugged Appalachian hills to deliver books to isolated families desperate for hope and connection.
Richardson paints a vivid picture of hardship, courage, and perseverance in Depression-era Appalachia, through powerful characters and carefully researched history.
Readers who loved Kathleen Grissom’s novels like “The Kitchen House” will appreciate Richardson’s thoughtful storytelling and the authentic look at overlooked parts of American life.
Ellen Marie Wiseman crafts emotional historical novels filled with strong characters and powerful stories of resilience, courage, and hope.
Readers who connect with Kathleen Grissom’s immersive storytelling and vivid historical settings may also enjoy Wiseman’s novel “The Orphan Collector.”
Set during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918 Philadelphia, the story introduces Pia Lange, a brave thirteen-year-old German immigrant determined to protect her younger siblings amidst the chaos of sickness and xenophobia.
Meanwhile, Bernice Groves, a grieving mother consumed by prejudice and loss, sees the disaster as a twisted opportunity. Wiseman weaves their lives together in a story of survival, fear, and the enduring strength of kindness.
Beatriz Williams writes historical fiction filled with vivid settings, complex characters, and dramatic secrets. Readers who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s vibrant blend of history and emotional storytelling will likely appreciate Williams’ novels.
One of her popular books, “A Hundred Summers,” centers around Lily Dane in the glamorous beach community of 1930s Rhode Island. Lily unexpectedly reconnects with former friends and former flames, uncovering hidden truths about family and romance.
The novel explores themes like friendship, love, and betrayal, all against the backdrop of an approaching hurricane, which heightens the rising tensions.
Williams effortlessly alternates between past and present, connecting the unfolding drama leading to the hurricane, while revealing secrets that reshape Lily’s understanding of her past.
Readers who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s stories of historical fiction may find Ruta Sepetys equally captivating. Sepetys writes powerful novels set in lesser-known historical periods, each told through deeply relatable characters.
Her book “Between Shades of Gray” follows Lina, a Lithuanian teenager forced by Soviet soldiers into a remote Siberian labor camp during World War II.
Amid harsh conditions and uncertainty, Lina secretly documents her experiences through drawings, risking everything to preserve her family’s story. This heartfelt narrative sheds light on forgotten chapters of history and highlights themes of courage, love, and resilience.
Readers who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s detailed storytelling and rich character development might appreciate Delia Owens. Her novel “Where the Crawdads Sing” follows the life of Kya Clark, known to her small town as the “Marsh Girl.”
Abandoned by her family, Kya grows up isolated in the marshlands of North Carolina. She becomes deeply connected with nature as she learns to survive on her own.
When a local young man is found dead, suspicion turns toward Kya, and the small-town prejudices and tensions escalate dramatically. Owens combines the beauty of the natural world with a powerful mystery and emotional depth, making it hard to put the book down.
Paula McLain is an author who masterfully blends historical detail with vivid storytelling. Her book “The Paris Wife” tells the story of Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway.
In Jazz Age Paris, readers are transported into the vibrant yet complicated life the couple shares, filled with artistic ambition, love, and personal struggles. Through Hadley’s eyes, readers witness the trials that accompany life beside a rising literary star.
Those who enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s immersive historical settings and rich character portrayals will find themselves equally drawn into McLain’s portrayal of love and loss in post-war Europe.
Patricia Harman writes captivating historical fiction set in vivid, richly-drawn communities. Her book “The Midwife of Hope River” follows Patience Murphy, a midwife in Depression-era Appalachia. Patience helps women through childbirth while facing her own personal struggles.
The story centers around resilience, friendship, and small-town solidarity in the face of hardship. Readers who enjoyed Kathleen Grissom’s “The Kitchen House,” with its historical depth and emotional storytelling, will find themselves equally drawn to Harman’s novels.
Geraldine Brooks is an author known for historical fiction that vividly brings past eras to life. If you enjoy Kathleen Grissom’s “The Kitchen House,” you might also appreciate Brooks’s novel “Year of Wonders.”
The book is set in an English village during a devastating plague in the 17th century. Anna Frith, a young widow, is the main character who faces tragedy, loss, and surprising human strength.
Brooks shows how the village isolates itself voluntarily to stop the disease from spreading, resulting in both bravery and fear among neighbors.
Through Anna’s eyes, readers witness courage, superstitious beliefs, and the powerful resilience of a community under unimaginable circumstances.