If you enjoy reading books by Mary McGarry Morris then you might also like the following authors:
Anne Tyler is an author known for portraying everyday people and their relationships with humor and warmth. Her novel “Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant” follows the story of the Tull family, led by their strong but flawed mother, Pearl.
The book moves through decades of family life, showing how the siblings struggle with their past and their connection to one another. Tyler creates vivid characters and explores the subtle ways families shape each other over time.
Elizabeth Strout writes stories that focus on ordinary people and the connections that shape their lives. Her book “Olive Kitteridge” introduces readers to Olive, a sharp and unapologetic woman living in a small town in Maine.
Through a series of linked stories, the book explores her relationships with her husband, her son, and other people in the town. The characters feel real, flawed, and deeply human.
For example, there’s a moment when Olive quietly grapples with her own pride after a tense conversation with her son. It’s a book where the details of everyday life carry so much weight.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth, this book might be the kind of story you’re looking for.
Richard Russo writes stories that explore small-town life and everyday struggles. His novel, “Empire Falls,” takes place in a fading mill town in Maine and focuses on Miles Roby, the manager of a diner.
The book captures the daily routines, strained relationships, and complicated pasts of the town’s residents. Russo’s characters feel real and flawed, and the story shows how the weight of family history can shape people’s lives.
Wally Lamb writes stories that pull you into the lives of his characters, making you feel like you’re walking through their world. His novel “She’s Come Undone” tells the story of Dolores Price, a woman navigating loss, dysfunction, and self-discovery from a young age.
Her journey is full of tough moments, yet it’s also about resilience and finding a way to rebuild. The book captures the messiness of life in a way that feels raw and real, with characters you won’t forget.
If you enjoy Mary McGarry Morris, you might find Lamb’s storytelling equally satisfying.
Alice Hoffman writes stories filled with family, love, and a touch of magic. Her book “Practical Magic” tells the tale of the Owens sisters, who grow up in a family known for witchcraft.
They face small-town gossip and a mysterious family curse that complicates their relationships. The story blends everyday struggles with moments that feel almost otherworldly, making it hard to put down. Fans of stories about complicated families might find her work rewarding.
Sue Miller is known for exploring family dynamics and emotional complexities in her novels. One of her standout books is “The Senator’s Wife.” It tells the story of two women, Meri and Delia, who live in the same duplex but lead very different lives.
Meri, newly married and pregnant, starts to notice the cracks in her own relationship as she grows curious about Delia’s past and her long, complicated marriage to a senator.
The book weaves together secrets, betrayal, and personal sacrifice, drawing readers into the private lives of these two women. It’s a story that lingers and stays with you.
Toni Morrison is an author known for stories that explore the complexities of family, identity, and history. Her book “The Bluest Eye” tells the story of Pecola, a young Black girl growing up in 1940s Ohio.
Pecola dreams of having blue eyes, believing they will make her life better and help her escape the pain of racism and neglect.
Through this, Morrison looks at themes like beauty standards and longing for acceptance, creating a haunting and deeply human portrait of a child’s inner world.
Louise Erdrich is known for her rich storytelling and focus on family, history, and community. One of her books, “Love Medicine,” explores the lives of several interconnected Native American families over generations.
The story moves between characters, showing their struggles, dreams, and losses while weaving together a portrait of love and loyalty.
The book opens with June Kashpaw walking away from a bus stop during a snowstorm, setting in motion a narrative that looks at how her life and fate ripple through the lives of others.
Erdrich’s writing pulls you into the heart of these families, laying bare their connections in powerful and unforgettable ways.
Pat Conroy wrote deeply emotional stories about family, conflict, and the ties that shape a person’s life. In “The Prince of Tides,” he tells the story of Tom Wingo, a man haunted by his South Carolina childhood.
When his sister attempts suicide, Tom begins working with her psychiatrist, recounting their painful family history. The novel explores how the past lingers over the present, with vivid depictions of both heartbreak and resilience.
Conroy brings the South to life in a way that feels almost tangible.
Carson McCullers was an American writer known for creating haunting stories about small-town life and the complexities of human emotions.
Her novel, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” tells the story of a deaf-mute man named John Singer who becomes a silent anchor for a group of struggling people in a Southern mill town. Among them are a girl with big dreams, a restless widow, and a troubled African-American doctor.
Each character confides in Singer as they wrestle with their own loneliness. The quiet drama in their lives unfolds with deep emotional weight, making it a memorable and powerful story.
Mary Louise Kelly is a journalist and author known for writing stories that blend personal struggles with a sense of discovery.
Her novel “Anonymous Sources” follows Alexandra James, a young reporter at Harvard, as she uncovers secrets tied to a mysterious death that may involve international intrigue.
The story pulls readers into a world of politics and journalism, where the smallest clue can lead to something dangerous. Fans of emotional and deeply human storytelling might find her work a fascinating journey.
Chris Bohjalian is an author who writes stories that explore family dynamics, secrets, and human struggles. His novel “Midwives” follows the story of Sibyl Danforth, a midwife in rural Vermont, who delivers a baby during a home birth that takes a tragic turn.
When the mother dies, Sibyl faces accusations that threaten her career and freedom. The story is told through the eyes of her daughter, Connie, and captures the tension of a trial that could unravel their world. It’s a book that examines trust and resilience within a family.
Barbara Kingsolver is an author known for her powerful storytelling and deeply human characters. Her novel “The Poisonwood Bible” tells the story of a missionary family in the Congo during the 1960s.
The tale is narrated from the perspectives of the four daughters and their mother, each revealing how their lives are transformed by their father’s rigid beliefs and the events surrounding them.
It’s a story filled with unforgettable moments, where the setting and characters feel completely real. If you enjoy Mary McGarry Morris’s focus on family dynamics and moral struggles, Kingsolver’s work might resonate with you.
Joyce Carol Oates is known for exploring dark and intense themes in her work, often diving into the lives of characters caught in emotional or moral crises.
Her novel “We Were the Mulvaneys” tells the story of a family living in upstate New York whose seemingly perfect life unravels after a tragic event. Through the voices of the family members, we see how the event impacts their bonds.
The father, once proud and confident, becomes isolated, and the children each cope in different ways. It’s a powerful look at the fragile nature of family and the way people deal with loss and shame.
Donna Tartt is an author known for her atmospheric storytelling and deep character studies. One of her most notable works, “The Secret History,” follows a group of college students drawn into a mysterious and unsettling world after they commit a terrible act.
The story explores their relationships and the consequences of their choices, all set against the backdrop of a small liberal arts college. Tartt’s writing pulls readers into the flawed, fascinating lives of her characters.
The book has moments of beauty, darkness, and tension that stay on your mind long after you’ve finished it.