If you enjoy reading books by Sheila Heti then you might also like the following authors:
Rachel Cusk is known for her sharp, clear writing that focuses on the intricacies of relationships and identity. In her novel “Outline,” the story follows an unnamed writer who travels to Greece to teach a creative writing course.
Instead of centering on her life, the book reveals her conversations with others—a neighbor on a plane, fellow writers, and students.
Through these dialogues, the lives and thoughts of the people she encounters take shape, filling the spaces in her quiet, observational narrative. Fans of Sheila Heti may appreciate how Cusk explores life’s questions through intimate and deeply personal voices.
Jenny Offill is known for her fragmented writing style and sharp insights into human behavior. Her novel, “Dept. of Speculation,” tells the story of a woman navigating marriage, parenthood, and her own ambitions.
The narrator, reflecting on her life, shares moments of love, doubt, and frustration. The book weaves pieces of her thoughts, memories, and observations, capturing the messiness of relationships and the struggle to balance personal dreams with family life.
It’s a mix of heartfelt moments and raw honesty that feels both intimate and relatable.
Maggie Nelson has a crisp and thoughtful way of writing that feels personal and engaging. One of her standout works is “Bluets,” a reflection on the color blue that weaves together memories, philosophy, and moments of heartbreak.
The book moves through observations about art, relationships, and loss, all tied to her fascination with the color. It’s both philosophical and deeply human, offering small fragments that come together to tell a larger story.
If you’re drawn to Sheila Heti’s introspective style, Maggie Nelson’s work might speak to you.
Ben Lerner is a writer who explores the inner workings of his characters’ minds, blending everyday experiences with deeper questions about art and identity. His book “Leaving the Atocha Station” follows Adam Gordon, an American poet living in Madrid on a fellowship.
Adam spends much of his time wandering the city, reflecting on the nature of authenticity and avoiding real connections with the people around him. His mix of self-doubt, sharp observations, and dry humor creates a story that feels both personal and philosophical.
It’s a look at what it means to create something meaningful, even when you’re not sure you believe in yourself.
Ottessa Moshfegh writes with a sharp and direct style that pulls you into the lives of her flawed, fascinating characters.
In her novel “My Year of Rest and Relaxation,” the story follows a young woman in New York who decides to spend a year sleeping her life away with the help of questionable medications and an equally questionable psychiatrist.
It’s a strange and darkly humorous look at loneliness and detachment, set against the backdrop of late 1990s Manhattan. Moshfegh has a way of making her characters’ struggles feel raw and oddly relatable.
If you enjoy Sheila Heti’s introspective and unconventional narratives, Moshfegh might be worth a look.
Sally Rooney writes about modern relationships with a sharp and intimate style. Her book, “Normal People,” follows Connell and Marianne, two young people in Ireland whose lives keep intersecting as they grow up.
Connell is popular and well-liked in school, while Marianne is quiet and offbeat. Over time, their connection shifts back and forth between friendship and romance, showing how their personal insecurities and family struggles shape them.
Rooney’s ability to capture the quiet moments and unspoken words in their relationship makes the story feel personal and real.
Kate Zambreno is an author whose work often blends fiction and memoir in unique ways. Her book “Drifts” focuses on a writer who is struggling to finish a novel while navigating the quiet, unpredictable rhythms of daily life.
The story captures moments of obsession, solitude, and the strange beauty found in the mundane. Fans of Sheila Heti might enjoy Zambreno’s reflective and intimate style, which often explores the creative process itself.
Teju Cole is an author who writes with a strong sense of place and character. In his novel “Open City,” he tells the story of Julius, a Nigerian-German psychiatrist wandering through New York City.
Julius reflects on his past and observes the city around him, meeting people whose stories reveal hidden layers of history and personal pain. The book weaves these encounters with quiet moments of introspection, painting a picture of identity, displacement, and memory.
For readers who enjoy introspective narratives and thoughtful prose, Cole’s work offers a unique perspective.
Anne Carson is a poet and essayist who blends poetry, prose, and myth into her work. Her book, “Autobiography of Red,” tells the story of Geryon, a boy with red wings, who navigates love and heartbreak in a modern world.
It’s based on an ancient Greek myth but feels fresh, with moments that are raw and striking. The mix of ancient and contemporary gives it an unusual texture that lingers.
Renata Adler is a writer whose work feels sharp, bold, and completely original. Her novel “Speedboat” is a collection of fragmented scenes and thoughts from the perspective of journalist Jen Fain.
Rather than following a traditional plot, the book explores moments from Jen’s life—her job, her relationships, and her observations about the world. The writing is quick and full of wit, and the details of her reflections stick in your mind.
One moment she’s describing awkward dinner parties, another she’s recounting odd conversations that linger with her. It’s the kind of book that captures how messy and unexpected life can feel.
Chris Kraus is an author who writes with honesty and humor about personal experiences and relationships. Her book, “I Love Dick,” explores obsession and unrequited love through a mix of letters and reflections.
The story begins when the narrator, Chris, becomes infatuated with a man named Dick and starts writing to him, turning the idea of love and desire into something raw and thought-provoking.
It blurs the line between memoir and fiction, creating a deeply personal yet relatable narrative. Fans of Sheila Heti might enjoy Kraus’s unique approach to storytelling and the way she examines human emotions.
Rachel Kushner is a writer with a knack for creating vivid characters and settings. Her novel, “The Flamethrowers,” paints a picture of the 1970s art and political scenes.
The story follows Reno, a young artist who becomes involved with a group of radicals while navigating the male-dominated art world.
From the deserts of Nevada to the streets of Italy during political unrest, the novel shows how personal ambitions and global movements can collide.
Lydia Davis is an author known for her sharp, precise writing and her ability to capture small, everyday moments in unexpected ways. Her book “Can’t and Won’t” is a collection of very short stories that often feel like glimpses into a person’s thoughts or life.
One piece is about a woman who composes a letter to complain about the size of peas she received in a meal, while another focuses on a man silently observing the life unfolding around him during his meals. Davis’s work is thoughtful and full of quiet surprises.
Elif Batuman writes with humor and honesty about introspection and the awkwardness of being human. In her book “The Idiot,” she tells the story of Selin, a college student in the '90s who navigates love, language, and self-discovery.
Selin becomes attached to an intense and puzzling email exchange with a classmate named Ivan, dragging her into situations that feel both heartfelt and absurd. The book captures the strange ways people connect and misconnect, often through small, everyday moments.
Fans of Sheila Heti might enjoy the way Batuman explores identity and relationships with a curious and sharp perspective.
Ali Smith is a writer who blends sharp wit with imaginative storytelling. Her novel “How to Be Both” is a playful and layered work that looks at art, identity, and connection.
It tells two stories: one follows a young girl grieving her mother, while the other focuses on a 15th-century Italian painter. The two narratives intertwine in surprising ways, offering unexpected moments of reflection and beauty.
Smith’s writing feels fresh and inventive, with a focus on human experiences that resonate deeply.