If you enjoy reading books by Sara Gruen then you might also like the following authors:
Kristin Hannah is known for writing heartfelt stories filled with emotion and rich characters. Her novel “The Nightingale” tells the story of two sisters in France during World War II.
One joins the Resistance, risking her life to fight against the German occupation, while the other struggles to protect her family under Nazi control.
The book paints a vivid picture of courage, survival, and the strength of the human spirit during one of history’s darkest times.
Barbara Kingsolver is an author known for weaving stories that explore humanity’s connection to the natural world and the complexities of relationships.
Her novel, “The Poisonwood Bible,” tells the story of an evangelical preacher who takes his wife and four daughters to the Congo in the 1950s.
As the family struggles to adapt to a place so different from their own, each member’s perspective reveals the ways they are transformed by their environment.
The book looks at culture clashes, family bonds, and personal growth against the backdrop of a nation’s fight for independence. Fans of Sara Gruen’s vivid, character-driven narratives might find Kingsolver’s work equally engaging.
Jodi Picoult is an author known for writing stories that tackle emotional and thought-provoking issues.
One of her well-loved books, “My Sister’s Keeper,” focuses on a family dealing with their daughter’s leukemia diagnosis and the moral dilemma of having another child to save her life.
The story explores the complex relationships in the family and raises questions about love, sacrifice, and autonomy. If you enjoy deeply emotional stories, her work might catch your interest.
Diane Setterfield is an author known for her ability to craft rich, atmospheric stories with a touch of mystery. One of her well-known works, “The Thirteenth Tale,” centers on a reclusive writer, Vida Winter, who invites a young biographer to hear the true story of her life.
The book unfolds with dark family secrets, a crumbling estate, and a pair of twins at the heart of the mystery. The setting has a haunting edge, with unexpected twists pulling you deeper into the lives of the fascinating characters.
Fans of emotionally charged and layered narratives might find it hard to put down.
Alice Hoffman is known for weaving emotion and a touch of magic into her stories. One of her books, “The Museum of Extraordinary Things,” is set in early 20th-century New York City. It follows Coralie, the daughter of a Coney Island showman, who works as a mermaid in his museum.
When she meets Eddie, a photographer searching for a missing girl, their lives become connected through secrets and unexpected discoveries. The story paints vivid images of the city and its people, pulling you into its world.
Paula McLain is known for writing historical fiction that often brings real figures to life in vivid ways. Her novel “The Paris Wife” focuses on Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, and their life together during the 1920s in Paris.
The story explores their marriage, Hemingway’s rise as a writer, and the challenges they faced in a world of artists and expatriates. It’s a look into a fascinating time and their complex relationship, surrounded by figures like Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
McLain’s ability to weave together history and personal emotion makes the story feel immediate and engaging.
Geraldine Brooks writes stories that mix history with human drama, creating vivid worlds that feel close and real. In her book, “Year of Wonders,” she tells the story of a young woman named Anna living in a small English village during the 1600s.
The village decides to isolate itself to stop the spread of the plague, leading to moments of survival, fear, and unexpected courage. Brooks brings the struggles and resilience of the villagers to life, showing how people’s lives change under extraordinary circumstances.
William Kent Krueger is an American author known for stories rooted in family, survival, and the natural world. His standalone novel “Ordinary Grace” is set in a small Minnesota town in the 1960s.
It follows thirteen-year-old Frank Drum as he navigates a summer marked by tragedy. There’s a mysterious death, heartbreak within his family, and the deep pull of questions about faith and forgiveness.
The story unfolds through Frank’s perspective, showing how those events shape him and his family forever. It’s a quiet yet powerful tale that focuses on human connections and loss in a very personal way.
Elizabeth Berg is an author known for her warm and heartfelt stories about everyday life. One of her novels, “The Story of Arthur Truluv,” tells the tale of a lonely widower, Arthur, who spends his days visiting his late wife’s grave.
There, he meets Maddy, a young girl struggling with her own troubles. Their unlikely friendship brings them both a sense of purpose and hope. Berg’s ability to create characters who feel real and relatable makes her work a good fit for fans of Sara Gruen.
Karen Joy Fowler is a talented author who explores relationships, families, and the little quirks that make people who they are. One of her standout novels is “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.”
It follows Rosemary, a woman reflecting on her childhood and the unusual dynamic in her family. The book reveals they raised a chimpanzee, Fern, alongside her as part of a scientific experiment.
The story weaves in the emotional bonds between humans and animals, leaving a deep impression without hitting you over the head with it. If you liked Sara Gruen’s ability to show connections between humans and animals, this book might catch your interest.
Sue Monk Kidd is an author known for creating heartfelt stories with deep emotional connections. Her novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” takes readers on a journey through the South in the 1960s. It follows Lily, a young girl searching for answers about her late mother.
Lily finds herself living with three sisters who keep bees. Their home, surrounded by the hum of bees and jars of honey, offers her unexpected lessons about love and forgiveness.
The story blends family relationships and self-discovery against a backdrop of racial tension and rich southern culture.
Jacquelyn Mitchard is an author known for her emotional storytelling that focuses on family, relationships, and resilience. Her novel, “The Deep End of the Ocean,” tells the story of Beth Cappadora, a mother whose three-year-old son vanishes during a high school reunion.
The book follows how the loss affects her family, fracturing their bonds and reshaping their lives. Years later, a boy who seems connected to the disappearance appears, shaking everything they thought they knew.
It’s a powerful look at love, loss, and the strength to rebuild life after tragedy.
Tatiana de Rosnay writes stories that often explore family ties and secrets from the past. One of her most well-known books, “Sarah’s Key,” follows two timelines.
In 1942, a young girl named Sarah is caught in the Vel' d’Hiv roundup in Paris and locks her brother in a cupboard, thinking she’ll come back for him. Decades later, a journalist named Julia stumbles upon Sarah’s story while researching for an article.
As she uncovers what happened, the past connects to her life in unexpected ways. De Rosnay’s ability to weave personal stories with historical events creates a powerful narrative.
Erica Bauermeister is an author known for her rich and sensory storytelling. Her novel, “The School of Essential Ingredients,” weaves together the lives of eight people who gather for a cooking class.
Each character brings a personal story, and as they cook, they connect through food and shared experiences. The teacher, Lillian, uses her understanding of flavors to help students confront their emotions and pasts.
It’s a book filled with heartfelt moments where meals become a way of healing and transformation. Fans of Sara Gruen’s emotional narratives may really enjoy this.
Anita Shreve was an author known for her emotionally charged stories, often set in New England, where the characters face deep personal challenges.
One of her most well-known novels, “The Pilot’s Wife,” follows Kathryn Lyons as she uncovers secrets about her husband after he dies in a plane crash.
The story pulls you into Kathryn’s search for answers as she navigates betrayal and loss, all while trying to make sense of a life she thought she understood.