If you enjoy reading books by Lara Love Hardin then you might also like the following authors:
Cheryl Strayed is known for writing deeply personal and emotional stories that connect with readers. Her memoir, “Wild,” tells the story of her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone after her life fell apart.
Battling physical exhaustion and dealing with grief from her mother’s death, she pushes through with no prior experience. The book is filled with moments that feel raw and real, from her struggles with loss to the small victories that kept her moving forward.
Elizabeth Gilbert is an author who writes stories that dive into personal growth, relationships, and the search for meaning.
Her book, “Eat, Pray, Love,” follows a woman named Liz as she steps away from a life that feels empty and begins a year-long journey across Italy, India, and Indonesia. In Italy, she savors food and learns to enjoy life again. In India, she seeks spiritual healing at an ashram.
In Bali, she tries to find balance and open herself to love. The book is heartfelt and full of moments that shine with honesty and self-discovery.
Tara Westover is an author best known for her memoir, “Educated.” The book tells the story of her upbringing in a strict and isolated household in rural Idaho.
Raised by survivalist parents who mistrusted formal education and modern medicine, she didn’t set foot in a classroom until she was seventeen.
The book follows her struggles to pursue learning, break free of her family’s control, and build a life beyond the mountains she once called home.
Through her journey, she vividly shares moments like her early attempts at studying in secret and the challenges she faced while trying to adapt to a world so different from the one she grew up in.
Jeannette Walls is a storyteller who pulls from her own life to create unforgettable books. Her memoir, “The Glass Castle,” shares her journey growing up in a chaotic, deeply flawed, but at times loving family.
Her father was a dreamer with grand ideas, while her mother preferred painting over taking care of her children. Together, they uprooted their kids constantly and lived in poverty.
The book captures moments like her father promising to build her a glass castle and nights spent under the stars, but it also explores the struggles of hunger and neglect. Walls writes with sharp honesty, and her stories stay with you long after you’ve read them.
Readers who enjoy raw, heartfelt narratives might find something special in her work.
Glennon Doyle is an author known for her honest and heartfelt storytelling. In her memoir “Untamed,” she shares her journey of breaking free from societal expectations and finding her true self.
The book explores her decision to leave her marriage, fall in love with a woman, and rebuild her life on her own terms.
There’s a part where she compares the feeling of living by other people’s rules to a caged cheetah, which helps paint a vivid picture of what it means to reclaim your freedom.
If you enjoy deeply personal stories with moments that push you to think about your own choices, her work is worth exploring.
Augusten Burroughs writes memoirs that are raw and often darkly funny. One of his well-known books, “Running with Scissors,” tells the story of his unusual childhood.
After his mother gave him away to her eccentric psychiatrist, Augusten grew up in a chaotic, unpredictable household. The book pulls you into a world where rules don’t seem to exist.
For example, the psychiatrist’s family lets their Christmas tree rot in the living room for months. It’s a mix of absurdity and heartbreak that feels unforgettable. Burroughs shares his story in a way that is honest and unflinching, creating a vivid picture of his early years.
Bessel van der Kolk is a psychiatrist who has worked with trauma survivors for decades. His book, “The Body Keeps the Score,” explores how trauma can deeply affect the body and mind.
He explains how memories of traumatic events can leave lasting imprints, shaping emotions and behaviors in powerful ways.
The book also looks at different approaches to healing, such as mindfulness and movement therapy, giving insight into how people can regain control over their lives.
Dani Shapiro writes with a deep understanding of family, identity, and the secrets that shape our lives. Her memoir, “Inheritance,” tells the story of a life-changing discovery after she takes a DNA test.
Dani uncovers that the man who raised her wasn’t her biological father, unraveling everything she thought she knew about her past. The book explores how one unexpected truth can shift a person’s sense of belonging and self.
If you’re drawn to heartfelt stories of personal discovery, her work offers a moving and reflective experience.
Anne Lamott is an author known for her relatable and often humorous style, writing about life, faith, and the messy parts of being human. One of her books, “Bird by Bird,” offers advice on writing and life through personal stories and reflections.
In it, she shares moments like her brother’s childhood struggle to write a school report on birds until their father encouraged him to take it “bird by bird.” This phrase becomes a metaphor for tackling big challenges in small, manageable steps.
Piper Kerman is the author of “Orange Is the New Black,” a memoir that tells the story of her time in a women’s prison. Kerman shares her experiences after being convicted of a decade-old drug-related crime.
She writes about forming connections with the women she meets and adjusting to the realities of life behind bars. The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths about the prison system or the lives of the people caught in it.
If you’re drawn to stories with raw honesty and vivid personal experiences, this might be a good pick for you.
Kelly Corrigan writes heartfelt memoirs that focus on family, friendships, and personal growth. In her book “The Middle Place,” she reflects on being caught between caring for her own children and supporting her father through his battle with cancer.
It’s a deeply personal story, filled with moments that highlight the complexity of parent-child relationships and the resilience of love. Her writing is honest and relatable, and her stories tend to stay with you.
Mitch Albom is a storyteller known for writing heartfelt books that explore human connections. In his book “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” he tells the story of Eddie, a maintenance worker at an amusement park.
After an accident, Eddie passes away and meets five people in the afterlife. Each person reveals how they impacted Eddie’s life in ways he didn’t realize.
The book weaves together moments from Eddie’s past and the lessons he learns in the afterlife, creating a story about purpose and the unseen ways lives are connected.
Albom’s style focuses on emotions and relationships, which might appeal to readers who enjoy Lara Love Hardin’s thoughtful approach to storytelling.
Melody Beattie is an author known for writing about personal growth and understanding relationships. Her book, “Codependent No More,” focuses on people who find themselves overly focused on the needs of others while neglecting their own.
It explores behaviors like people-pleasing and gives readers a way to regain control over their own lives. Beattie shares relatable stories and insights that make the book easy to connect with.
Nora McInerny writes about life’s most difficult moments with honesty and heart. In her book “It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying Is Cool Too),” she shares her experiences of love, loss, and finding humor in unexpected places.
After losing her husband, her father, and a pregnancy in a short period of time, Nora looks at grief in a way that feels real and raw. She brings moments of laughter into stories that could easily be overwhelming.
Her writing captures the messy parts of life while showing how hope can exist alongside pain.
Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who turned to writing as he faced the reality of his own terminal illness. His memoir, “When Breath Becomes Air,” is a deeply personal account of his journey from doctor to patient.
The book reflects on his life, his love for literature, and his search for meaning while confronting mortality. One powerful moment is when Paul writes about preparing for a surgery, knowing he may not have long to live himself.
It’s an intimate and heartfelt story that resonates with readers on life’s fragility.