If you enjoy reading books by Sherman Alexie then you might also like the following authors:
Tommy Orange is a writer who focuses on the lives of contemporary Native Americans, bringing their stories to the forefront in heartfelt and powerful ways.
His novel, “There There,” follows a group of characters from different backgrounds as they prepare for a large powwow in Oakland, California. Each character has struggles and hopes that weave into the larger story.
One woman hides her past from her children, while a young man tries to understand where he belongs. The book paints a vivid picture of urban Native American life, full of challenges and connections to culture and history.
Louise Erdrich is an author who writes stories deeply rooted in Native American life and culture. Her book “Love Medicine” weaves together the lives of several interconnected families living on a reservation in North Dakota.
The story spans decades, showing how each character’s choices ripple out and shape those around them. You’ll meet characters like Lipsha Morrissey, who believes in healing through touch, and Lulu Lamartine, whose fierce independence challenges tradition.
The novel reveals layers of love, betrayal and forgiveness, set against the struggles and resilience of the community.
Joy Harjo is a poet and writer who blends stories of Native American culture and history with personal and universal themes.
Her book “Crazy Brave” is a memoir that reflects on her journey through a turbulent childhood, struggles with identity, and finding her voice as an artist.
The book moves through moments like her escape from an abusive situation and her discovery of poetry, which became a source of strength and expression. It’s raw, lyrical, and rooted in her deep connection to her ancestry and heritage.
Fans of Sherman Alexie might find her work relatable for its focus on resilience and the rich storytelling of Indigenous life.
James Welch was a Native American writer who explored themes of identity and belonging in his stories. His book, “Winter in the Blood,” follows a young Blackfeet man as he navigates his life on a Montana reservation.
The novel captures his journey through grief and disconnection, as he seeks meaning in a life marked by loss and isolation. The story combines vivid landscapes with moments of stark reality, revealing the complex ties between personal history and cultural heritage.
Readers who enjoy Sherman Alexie’s works may find Welch’s storytelling deeply engaging in its own way.
David Treuer is an Ojibwe writer who crafts stories that blend modern life with deep connections to Native identity and history.
His novel “The Translation of Dr. Apelles” follows a Native American translator living a solitary life, whose work translating an ancient love story begins to mirror his own experiences.
The book is a mix of past and present, showing how history and love shape lives in unexpected ways. Treuer’s storytelling offers a unique perspective that fans of Sherman Alexie might enjoy exploring.
Betty Louise Bell, a Cherokee author, writes stories that explore Native American identity, family connections, and the struggles of finding one’s place in the world. Her novel “Faces in the Moon” tells the story of a Cherokee woman named Justine.
She returns home to face memories of her childhood and her difficult relationship with her mother. As the layers of her family’s past are revealed, readers get a glimpse into the tensions, sacrifices, and pain that have shaped her family over generations.
The book captures the weight of memory and heritage without losing sight of the everyday moments that connect people to their roots.
N. Scott Momaday is a writer known for storytelling that draws deeply from Native American tradition and history. His novel, “House Made of Dawn,” tells the story of Abel, a young man who returns to his Kiowa pueblo after serving in World War II.
Struggling to find his place between the world of his Native heritage and the modern world, Abel’s journey unfolds through the rhythms of cultural rituals and fragmented memories.
The book paints vivid images of landscapes and explores themes of identity and belonging in a way that feels deeply grounded. It’s a rich read for anyone interested in personal and cultural survival.
Rebecca Roanhorse is a writer who brings the stories of Native culture and mythology into powerful and imaginative narratives.
In her book, “Trail of Lightning,” she introduces a world where the gods and monsters of Navajo legend walk the earth again after a climate disaster has reshaped society.
The story follows Maggie Hoskie, a tough and skilled monster hunter, as she is drawn back into action to track down a missing girl. Along the way, she confronts dark forces, old wounds, and the powers she carries within herself.
The blend of modern survival and ancient myths creates a world you can almost see and touch.
Stephen Graham Jones writes stories that have a strong focus on identity, family, and the complexities of culture. His book, “The Only Good Indians,” follows four friends who are haunted by events from their past after a hunting trip on land they weren’t supposed to enter.
The story blends themes of tradition and guilt with moments that keep you glued to the page. It’s intense and deeply tied to the characters’ relationship with their roots, making it a great read for fans of Sherman Alexie’s work.
Adrian C. Louis was a Native American writer and poet known for exploring life on reservations with sharp honesty and vivid detail. His novel “Skins” tells the story of Rudy Yellow Shirt, an Oglala Sioux tribal policeman on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Rudy struggles with his role in the community and with his troubled brother, Mogie, a Vietnam vet who numbs his pain through alcohol. The book captures the hardship and resilience of reservation life, painting a raw picture of family, history, and survival.
Fans of Sherman Alexie’s work may find Louis’s storytelling powerful and relatable.
Susan Power is a writer with a gift for storytelling rooted in Native American culture and history. Her novel “The Grass Dancer” explores interconnected lives on a North Dakota Sioux reservation.
The book moves through different time periods, showing how choices and traditions shape generations. One unforgettable thread follows a young boy, Harley, as he grapples with grief and the pull of supernatural forces.
The story brings together love, betrayal, and community in a way that feels deeply personal but also full of larger, spiritual truths.
Leslie Marmon Silko is a Native American writer deeply connected to her Laguna Pueblo heritage. Her novel, “Ceremony,” focuses on Tayo, a young man who returns to his New Mexico reservation after World War II, struggling with trauma and a sense of disconnection.
The story blends Laguna Pueblo traditions with modern realities, following Tayo as he seeks healing through his community and cultural roots. The book creates a sense of place in the desert landscapes and highlights the importance of stories in finding identity and balance.
Craig Lesley is a writer whose works often explore family, tradition, and the connection between people and the land of the Pacific Northwest. One of his books, “The Sky Fisherman,” follows a boy named Culver as he moves in with his uncle, a fisherman and guide.
Together, they navigate a small-town community shaped by rivers, secrets, and tragedy. The story captures the bond between them and examines how people cope with loss and change.
Lesley writes with a sense of place that feels alive, drawing readers into the landscapes and lives of his characters.
Linda Hogan is a writer known for exploring connections between people, culture, and nature. Her novel “Solar Storms” tells the story of Angel, a young woman who returns to her Native American roots after years in foster care.
Set in the remote north, Angel reconnects with her family and learns about the land, as well as the environmental impact of a dam threatening the area. The book captures the struggles of identity, home, and the fight to protect what’s sacred.
Erika T. Wurth is an author known for writing stories that explore the lives of Indigenous people, often focusing on identity and family. In her novel “White Horse,” she tells the story of Kari, a woman who loves heavy metal and her local dive bar.
Kari’s life takes a strange turn when she discovers a bracelet that belonged to her mother, leading her to uncover secrets about her family and her past.
Fans of Sherman Alexie might enjoy Wurth’s style, as it captures a strong sense of place and character with touches of humor and grit.