If you enjoy reading novels by Mary Oliver then you might also like the following authors:
Wendell Berry is a poet, essayist, and novelist who writes about nature, community, and the ties between people and the land. His book “Hannah Coulter” tells the story of a woman reflecting on her life in a small Kentucky farming town.
Through Hannah’s voice, Berry shares her joys and struggles, her love for her family, and the changes in rural life across generations.
The book presents a heartfelt portrait of a woman rooted in a particular place, offering a deep sense of connection to both her family and the land she calls home.
Jane Kenyon was a poet known for her deep connection to nature and her exploration of everyday moments. Her collection, “Otherwise: New and Selected Poems,” captures quiet, intimate experiences with incredible clarity.
In one poem, she writes about her daily life with her husband, Donald Hall, in rural New Hampshire, reflecting on small joys and struggles. Her words often circle back to themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, making her work feel personal and relatable.
Readers who enjoy Mary Oliver’s focus on nature and life’s quieter details might find a similar warmth and honesty in Kenyon’s poetry.
Pattiann Rogers is a poet who writes with a deep connection to the natural world, exploring the beauty and mystery of life. If you enjoy Mary Oliver, you might like her collection “Firekeeper: New and Selected Poems.”
In this book, Rogers focuses on the patterns and wonders of nature, looking at the connections between the physical and spiritual world.
One of her poems observes small creatures like insects and captures their movements in vivid language, almost making you stop and think about their place in the larger picture of life. Her work draws attention to moments that often go unnoticed, celebrating their uniqueness.
Billy Collins is a poet known for writing about ordinary moments in life with a sense of curiosity and warmth. His collection, “Aimless Love,” brings together a mix of new poems and selections from earlier works.
In this book, he writes about simple pleasures like enjoying a cup of tea or observing nature. His poems are easy to follow but often carry deeper reflections on life and time.
One poem, for example, explores the joy of walking a dog while pondering the connection between humans and animals. Mary Oliver fans
David Whyte is a poet who writes about the beauty of the natural world and the complexities of the human experience. His book “The Heart Aroused” explores how poetry and creativity can bring meaning to our work and daily lives.
He weaves together reflections on classic poetry, personal stories, and insights on how we connect with the world around us.
For example, he shares moments where ancient poetry offers guidance for navigating life’s challenges, showing a bridge between timeless wisdom and modern struggles. It feels grounded and deeply personal, offering readers something both thought-provoking and relatable.
Naomi Shihab Nye is a poet and author who writes with a thoughtful and heartfelt style, drawing inspiration from everyday life and moments of connection.
In her book “The Turtle of Oman,” she tells the story of a young boy named Aref, who is preparing to leave Oman and move to Michigan. The book explores his bond with his home, his grandfather, and the memories that shape his sense of place.
Through small but meaningful experiences, like packing his suitcase or visiting favorite spots with his grandfather, the story captures the emotions of leaving behind what feels familiar while learning to look forward to what’s ahead.
Ruth Stone was a poet whose work captured the rawness of life with honesty and sharp detail. Her poems often explore themes of nature, loss, and the struggles of everyday existence.
In her collection “In the Next Galaxy,” she writes about love, grief, and the passage of time through vivid imagery. One poem describes a simple yet striking moment of pulling apples from the ground after the first frost, hinting at both renewal and decay.
Stone’s writing has a grounded quality, yet it often surprises with moments of wisdom that feel both personal and universal. Readers who enjoy Mary Oliver’s reflection on the natural world and human experience might find something special in Ruth Stone’s work.
Gary Snyder was a poet and essayist who connected deeply with nature and the rhythms of the natural world. His book, “Turtle Island,” is a collection of poetry and prose rooted in environmental themes and a respect for the earth.
The poems reflect a life lived close to the land, touching on conservation, wilderness, and human responsibility. For instance, there’s a poem about watching a cougar move through the forest, showing the quiet power of wild creatures.
His work carries a sense of intimacy with nature that readers of Mary Oliver might appreciate.
Louise Glück was a poet who wrote with a sense of quiet intensity and emotional depth. If you enjoy Mary Oliver’s connection to nature and deep reflection, you might appreciate Glück’s work. Her poetry often explores themes of loss, family, and the natural world.
In her collection “A Village Life,” she steps into a rural village and captures the small moments of daily life. The poems feel grounded in a specific place, where seasons pass and generations leave their mark.
The lives she describes have a simplicity that carries layers of meaning, like when she writes about a child wandering through a field or the quiet tension within a family home. It’s a book that feels rooted in timeless human experiences.
Ted Kooser is an American poet known for writing about ordinary life in a way that feels close to home. His book “Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps” is a collection of personal essays that reflect on the rhythms of rural Nebraska.
In this book, Kooser shares quiet moments like stargazing on cold nights or noticing the beauty of frost-covered windows. The writing captures a sense of place and celebrates the simple, meaningful parts of life that are easy to overlook.
If you enjoy Mary Oliver’s way of finding grace in everyday nature, Kooser’s observations might resonate with you.
Sharon Olds is a poet known for her ability to turn personal experiences into vivid and emotional moments on the page.
Her collection “Stag’s Leap” explores the raw and intimate aftermath of her divorce, capturing the heartache, anger, and bittersweet memories of a long marriage coming to an end.
Through her honest voice, she lets readers feel the shifting stages of loss and healing, with small, everyday moments revealing deeper truths about love and its unraveling.
Fans of Mary Oliver’s connection to life and emotion in her poetry might find a kindred spirit in Olds’ work.
Anne Lamott is a writer who captures life’s beauty and struggles with honesty and heart. Her book, “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life,” weaves stories from her own experiences as a writer.
It’s not only about writing but also about finding meaning in everyday moments. She has a way of mixing humor with wisdom, whether she’s describing her childhood or offering creative advice.
The book’s title comes from her father’s advice to her brother when he was overwhelmed by a school project: “Take it bird by bird.” That simple message runs through the book and reminds readers to approach challenges one step at a time.
Maxine Kumin was a poet who wrote about nature, life, and the relationships that tie people to the world around them. Her book “Where I Live: New and Selected Poems” reflects these themes beautifully.
In it, she writes about the seasons, rural life, and her deep connection to the land she lived on. One poem describes the quiet resilience of animals surviving a harsh winter. Another explores the slow, steady work of planting and growing a garden.
The imagery feels grounded and real, giving readers a sense of being immersed in the natural world. If you enjoy the way Mary Oliver captures the beauty of nature, Kumin’s work might speak to you in a similar way.
Elizabeth Bishop was a poet known for her vivid descriptions of nature and moments of quiet reflection. Her collection, “Geography III,” captures her ability to observe the world in precise detail.
One poem, “The Moose,” takes the reader on a bus ride through the countryside, where the ordinary journey turns into something extraordinary when a moose appears. The way she balances simple, clear language with deep observations makes her work feel honest and memorable.
If you enjoy poetry that takes a close look at the natural world, her writing might resonate with you.
Terry Tempest Williams is an author who writes about the natural world and how it’s tied to personal and collective experiences.
Her book, “Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place,” weaves together her mother’s battle with cancer and the rising waters of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
The narrative explores themes of loss and connection as it highlights the beauty and fragility of both family and the environment. Williams has a way of making the land feel deeply personal, reflecting how nature and human life often mirror each other.