If you enjoy reading books by Mark Haddon then you might also like the following authors:
Matt Haig is an author known for exploring human emotions and struggles through unique narratives. One of his most popular books, “The Midnight Library,” tells the story of Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a library between life and death.
Each book in this library represents a different life she could have lived, offering her a chance to see how things might have turned out if she’d made different choices. It’s a thought-provoking story about regrets, possibilities, and what it means to truly live.
Fans of Mark Haddon might appreciate the introspection and emotional depth Haig brings to his writing.
Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author known for writing about ordinary people with extraordinary depth. His book, “A Man Called Ove,” introduces readers to Ove, a grumpy and rigid man who finds his life interrupted when a lively family moves in next door.
Beneath his tough exterior lies a man shaped by heartbreak and loss. The story shows how unexpected friendships can bring color back to even the grayest lives. Backman’s writing often strikes a balance between humor and tenderness while exploring human connections.
Fans of Mark Haddon might enjoy the way Backman captures complex emotions through relatable characters.
Jon McGregor is a British author known for his unique storytelling style and his ability to find beauty in ordinary moments. His novel, “Reservoir 13,” follows the lives of villagers after a teenage girl disappears in the surrounding hills.
The story doesn’t focus on the investigation or any dramatic twists but instead explores how the people in the village continue with their everyday lives, season after season.
It captures the rhythms of community, nature, and time in a way that can feel both intimate and expansive. If you enjoy finding depth and emotion in small details, McGregor’s work is worth exploring.
Rachel Joyce writes stories that often explore life’s quiet moments and the ways people connect. Her novel “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” follows Harold, a retired man who receives a letter from a dying friend.
Instead of mailing his reply, he decides to deliver it in person, walking hundreds of miles across England. Along the way, he meets strangers who each leave a mark on him, reflecting the beauty and hardships of everyday life.
Her writing focuses on the emotions and relationships that shape us.
Nick Hornby is a writer known for his warm, honest storytelling that mixes humor and emotion. One of his best-known books, “About a Boy,” follows the unlikely friendship between a self-centered bachelor and a quirky 12-year-old boy.
The story shows how their lives change as they help each other grow. It’s packed with sharp dialogue and memorable moments, making it easy to connect with the characters. Fans of Mark Haddon’s work might enjoy the blend of wit and heart in Hornby’s writing.
Elizabeth Strout is known for her ability to create stories about ordinary lives that feel deeply personal and real. Her book “Olive Kitteridge” focuses on Olive, a retired schoolteacher in Maine.
The novel is told through interconnected stories about Olive and the people around her—her husband, her son, her neighbors. Olive is sharp-tongued and stubborn, but also vulnerable in ways she doesn’t always understand.
One moment stands out where Olive sneaks into her son’s home only to realize how distant they’ve become. Strout’s writing captures small, emotional shifts that stay with you long after the story ends.
David Nicholls is an author known for writing stories that explore relationships and personal growth. One of his books, “One Day,” follows the lives of Emma and Dexter, two friends who meet on their college graduation day.
The story revisits them on the same date each year, showing how their connection changes over time in surprising and emotional ways. Readers who enjoy Mark Haddon’s ability to blend humor with deeply human moments might find Nicholls a great fit.
Gail Honeyman is a Scottish author known for her debut novel, “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” The book introduces Eleanor, a socially awkward woman in her thirties who lives a rigid, isolated life.
Her world starts to shift after she forms an unlikely friendship with Raymond, a kind IT colleague. As they help an elderly man who falls on the street, Eleanor begins to confront her lonely past and the pain she has worked so hard to ignore.
The story blends humor and heartache, offering a look into human connection and healing. Fans of Mark Haddon’s work may appreciate the focus on flawed but deeply human characters.
Anne Tyler writes stories about family, relationships, and the small moments that shape everyday life. Her book “Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant” follows the Tull family, led by Pearl, a stubborn and often difficult mother.
The story shifts between her perspective and her children’s, showing how their lives are shaped by her fierce love and complicated nature. The scenes of family meals and the attempts to run Pearl’s beloved restaurant create a sense of warmth and tension.
Fans of Mark Haddon might enjoy how Tyler brings ordinary lives into focus, showing how every small act leaves a mark.
Markus Zusak is an Australian author known for his heartfelt storytelling and unique perspective. One of his most talked-about books, “The Book Thief,” is set in Nazi Germany and follows a young girl named Liesel Meminger.
After being sent to live with foster parents, she develops a love for stealing books and reading them. Through her eyes, the story explores the power of words, the bonds shared between unlikely friends, and the harsh realities of war.
Narrated by Death, the book brings a fresh voice to historical fiction. Fans of Mark Haddon’s emotional depth in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” might find Zusak’s work equally absorbing.
Ali Smith is a Scottish writer known for her inventive style and sharp storytelling.
One of her standout books is “How to Be Both,” which weaves two narratives together: the story of a modern teenage girl coping with loss and the life of a Renaissance artist from the 15th century.
The book plays with time and perspective, presenting these lives in unique and unexpected ways. It’s a fascinating exploration of art, grief, and how stories connect people across eras.
Kate Atkinson is known for her unique narratives and deep exploration of family and relationships. One of her standout novels is “Life After Life.” It follows Ursula Todd, a woman who keeps living and dying in different ways as if fate is giving her endless chances.
Ursula’s story takes place during major events of the 20th century, including the Blitz in London. The way her life twists and turns gives the reader a sense of how small choices can shape everything.
If you enjoy stories that are both heartfelt and unpredictable, you might find Atkinson’s work fascinating.
Lisa Genova is a writer who focuses on stories about neurological conditions, blending personal struggles with deep human connections. Her book “Still Alice” tells the story of a successful Harvard professor named Alice Howland.
Alice’s life is thrown off course when she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The novel traces her journey as she faces memory loss and the growing isolation it brings, while offering a glimpse into how her family reacts to her changing reality.
Patrick Ness is an author known for writing stories that tackle deep emotions and complex themes with characters that feel real. One of his standout books is “A Monster Calls.”
The story follows a boy named Conor, who is dealing with his mother’s illness and nightmares that haunt him at night. One night, a monster appears by his window, offering to tell three true stories in exchange for one truth from Conor.
The bond that forms between Conor and the monster brings moments of honesty and heartache. It’s a powerful look at grief and the courage it takes to face it.
Julian Barnes is an author known for his thoughtful and engaging storytelling. His book, “The Sense of an Ending”, follows Tony Webster, a man reflecting on his past as he is confronted with a mysterious legacy left to him by the mother of his first girlfriend.
The story unpacks how memory shapes perception and how the past is never as straightforward as it seems. Barnes has a way of drawing out emotions through quiet moments, and his writing often lingers on the complexities of relationships and the human experience.