Kevin Wilson writes stories about families and unusual situations, often with a touch of dark humor and a lot of heart. His characters are quirky but they feel real, and his books stay with you.
If you are a fan of his particular brand of storytelling, you will want to check out these authors who have a similar touch.
If you enjoy Kevin Wilson’s quirky characters and heartfelt storytelling, Fredrik Backman is another author worth discovering. Backman’s novel “A Man Called Ove” takes readers into the life of Ove, a stubborn and cranky older man whose life gets shaken up by newcomers next door.
As the story unfolds, Ove’s grumpy exterior slowly opens to reveal kindness and surprising humor, leading to unexpected friendships and meaningful connections.
This novel blends everyday comedy with deeply moving moments, highlighting how even the smallest gestures can profoundly change someone’s life.
Maria Semple creates stories full of quirky charm, humor, and family dynamics. Her novel “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” captures the messy yet lovable chaos of family life.
The story follows Bernadette Fox, a gifted but eccentric architect and mother who suddenly vanishes before a family trip to Antarctica.
Told largely through emails, letters, and various documents, the book reveals Bernadette’s world of absurd parent rivalries, secret anxieties, and hidden past passions.
It’s a funny but thoughtful story about the quirky challenges families face when dealing with expectations, identity, and surprising disappearance.
Readers who enjoyed Kevin Wilson’s mix of humor and heart in “Nothing to See Here” might find Maria Semple’s stories resonate in a similar way.
If you enjoy Kevin Wilson’s blend of everyday humor with touching moments, Tom Perrotta might be a good fit for your bookshelf. Perrotta often takes ordinary suburban lives and adds sharp insight and subtle satire.
His novel “Little Children” centers around two parents, Sarah and Todd, who feel trapped by their predictable family routines. They begin an unexpected friendship at the playground that leads their lives into surprising territory.
Perrotta paints his characters with honesty and wit, showing how even ordinary neighborhoods can hide unexpected complexities.
Karen Joy Fowler is an author known for blending humor, family drama, and surprising emotional depth, qualities readers appreciate in Kevin Wilson’s novels.
Fowler’s book “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves” follows Rosemary Cooke, a college student whose childhood memories hold a unique mystery about the sister she lost.
The story explores family bonds and identity, filled with unexpected twists and deeply emotional moments that keep readers connected to the characters. Fowler’s storytelling creates an experience both funny and poignant, similar to the quirky charm found in Wilson’s work.
If you enjoy Kevin Wilson’s quirky characters and witty storytelling, you might want to check out Andrew Sean Greer.
Greer’s novel “Less” tells the story of Arthur Less, a struggling novelist who decides to escape his problems by accepting invitations to obscure literary events around the globe.
Arthur finds himself in hilarious situations, from misadventures at literary festivals to awkward social mishaps. The novel combines humor, heartache, and sharp observations about human nature, all wrapped up in a lively story you won’t want to put down.
Greer’s approachable narrative style and engaging characters could make “Less” a great find for Wilson fans.
Liane Moriarty is an Australian author known for sharp storytelling and complex, relatable characters. If you appreciate Kevin Wilson’s ability to blend family drama with humor and insight, you might enjoy Moriarty’s novel “Big Little Lies.”
The book follows three mothers whose seemingly perfect lives hide secrets, tensions, and personal struggles behind closed doors. An incident at the local school fundraiser reveals the truth beneath the polished surface of their community.
The story explores friendship, domestic life, and mystery, all with a witty edge and engaging dialogue. Moriarty’s writing is lively and authentic, capturing the ups and downs of everyday life with honesty and warmth.
Jenny Offill writes stories that are sharp, funny, and full of insight about everyday life. Her novel “Dept. of Speculation” tells the story of a marriage through a series of short, expressive fragments.
The narrator reflects on her life as a mother and wife, exploring themes of love, loss, and identity. Offill captures small details that reveal the bigger truths hidden within the ordinary.
Her writing is concise, witty, and full of emotional depth, which may especially appeal to readers who enjoy Kevin Wilson’s books.
Jonathan Tropper is an author to check out if you enjoyed Kevin Wilson’s humor and quirky characters. Tropper writes sharp, funny novels about family dynamics, personal crises, and messy relationships.
In “This Is Where I Leave You,” Judd Foxman’s father has died, and now he’s stuck spending a dramatic week back home with his dysfunctional family. Old grievances, embarrassing secrets, and awkward encounters fill this family reunion.
Tropper handles serious moments with warmth and comedy, creating characters you’ll root for despite their flaws.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Wilson’s blend of humor, family drama, and unique character studies might appreciate Elizabeth Strout.
Her novel “Olive Kitteridge” takes place in the quiet coastal town of Crosby, Maine, and centers around Olive, a complex, sharp-tongued retired schoolteacher. Through linked stories, we see Olive’s impact on neighbors, friends, and family over the years.
Strout creates a rich portrayal of life’s everyday challenges, revealing compassion, dark humor, and poignant insights into human relationships.
Fans of Wilson’s quirky yet heartfelt storytelling might find themselves similarly connected to Strout’s authentic and vividly drawn characters.
Books by Anne Tyler often explore the quiet, quirky moments of everyday family life. If you enjoy Kevin Wilson’s blend of humor and deep insight into family relationships, Tyler’s “The Accidental Tourist” could resonate with you.
The novel follows Macon Leary, a travel writer who dislikes travel and lives devoted to strict routines. After facing a personal tragedy, Macon’s orderly life begins to shift when he meets Muriel, an eccentric dog trainer whose unconventional ways challenge his comfort zone.
Tyler portrays grief, love, and family in a gentle yet humorous style, filled with rich, relatable details that make ordinary lives feel extraordinary.
Books by Aimee Bender offer readers quirky, heartfelt stories with a magical twist. If you enjoy the unusual family dynamics and subtle humor in Kevin Wilson’s novels, you’ll find something memorable in Bender’s work, too.
Her novel, “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake,” tells the story of Rose Edelstein. On her ninth birthday, Rose discovers an unusual gift: she can taste emotions through the food people make.
A simple bite of cake reveals much more than flavors—she senses hidden sadness and family secrets. This changes how Rose experiences the world around her, pulling readers into a surprising, emotional journey.
Readers who enjoyed Kevin Wilson’s humorous yet sincere storytelling will appreciate David Sedaris. Sedaris is known for his sharp wit and ability to find humor in everyday situations.
His book “Me Talk Pretty One Day” gives a funny and honest account of his life after moving to France and struggling to communicate in a new language.
The essays cover amusing classroom scenes with his intimidating French teacher, awkward social interactions, and relatable mishaps. Sedaris captures life’s absurd moments and offers struggles and victories anyone can relate to.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Wilson’s blend of humor, family life, and quirky characters might find Nick Hornby similarly appealing.
Hornby’s novel “About a Boy” tells the story of Will Freeman, a carefree bachelor whose comfortable, responsibility-free lifestyle is shaken up when he befriends Marcus, an odd, endearing twelve-year-old boy.
Their unlikely friendship leads both characters into situations funny, touching, and surprisingly honest about life’s awkward moments. Hornby’s sharp wit and insight into complex relationships make this novel enjoyable and relatable.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Wilson’s blend of humor, humanity, and quirky characters might appreciate Colson Whitehead.
His novel “The Underground Railroad” tells the story of Cora, a young woman who escapes from slavery using an actual underground railroad beneath the southern states. Whitehead creates characters that readers deeply care about.
He combines realistic historical events with imaginative twists that keep the story fresh and surprising. For readers who appreciate emotional depth balanced with originality, Whitehead’s storytelling could be an engaging new discovery.
Readers who enjoy Kevin Wilson’s humorous yet thoughtful storytelling may find Curtis Sittenfeld a perfect new discovery. Her novel “Prep” follows Lee Fiora, a teenager from Indiana who enters an exclusive East Coast boarding school.
Lee struggles to adapt to the privileged world of classmates, friendship dramas, and romantic missteps. The portrayal of teenage awkwardness feels authentic, funny, and touching.
Sittenfeld clearly understands how social class shapes young people’s relationships and identities, creating characters readers can’t help but appreciate. Fans of Kevin Wilson’s witty, insightful novels will enjoy Curtis Sittenfeld’s writing style and vivid characters.