If you enjoy reading books by Stephen Chbosky then you might also like the following authors:
Rainbow Rowell writes stories about connection, insecurity, and the messy parts of growing up. Her book “Eleanor & Park” captures the awkwardness and intensity of first love.
It’s set in the '80s and follows two very different teenagers—Eleanor, who feels out of place in her own home, and Park, who quietly gets by without drawing too much attention. Their relationship begins on the school bus and grows into something that feels fragile but important.
John Green writes stories that explore deep emotions and connections between people. One of his most popular books, “The Fault in Our Stars,” follows Hazel and Augustus, two teens who meet at a cancer support group.
Hazel loves books, and Augustus has a curiosity about life that draws her in. The story takes them on a trip to meet an author Hazel admires, but it becomes more about their bond and how they navigate joy and heartbreak.
Green writes in a way that makes you feel close to the characters, and it’s easy to get caught up in their lives.
Jay Asher is an author who writes stories that explore emotions and relationships in a way that feels real and relatable. His novel, “Thirteen Reasons Why,” follows a boy named Clay as he listens to tapes left behind by Hannah, a classmate who has died.
Each tape reveals how different people and events impacted her life. The way her story unfolds through those tapes draws you in and makes you think about how actions can affect others, even when you don’t realize it.
If you’ve enjoyed the way Stephen Chbosky creates characters who feel authentic and layered, Asher’s work might be worth checking out.
Laurie Halse Anderson is a writer known for tackling emotional and tough topics in her stories. One of her most talked-about books, “Speak,” follows a girl named Melinda, who starts high school carrying a secret that has silenced her.
After calling the police at a summer party, she’s ostracized by her classmates and struggles to find her voice. Through art and inner strength, Melinda begins piecing her world back together.
“Speak” really shows the weight of isolation and the power of courage, connecting deeply with anyone who enjoyed the raw, heartfelt storytelling in Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Jennifer Niven is known for writing stories that explore deep emotions and human connections. Her book “All the Bright Places” follows two teens, Violet and Finch, who meet on the ledge of a school bell tower.
Each of them is struggling with pain in their lives, and their unlikely friendship helps them begin to heal. It’s a story about love, loss, and finding meaning when things feel broken.
Fans of Stephen Chbosky might enjoy the raw emotion and honesty Niven brings to her characters.
Amy Zhang writes stories that explore the emotional struggles of teenagers with a raw and vulnerable voice. Her book, “Falling into Place,” follows high schooler Liz Emerson, who tries to stage her own death to look like an accident.
The story pieces together Liz’s life before the crash, showing moments that led her to that choice. It includes her relationships with friends and the private battles she hides from those around her.
Zhang’s way of capturing heartbreak and confusion feels real, and her characters feel like people you might know in real life.
Ned Vizzini wrote stories about young people grappling with life’s challenges in an honest way that feels very real. His book, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” focuses on Craig, a teenager who checks into a mental health facility after struggling with stress and depression.
Inside, Craig meets a group of quirky patients who help him find perspective and purpose.
The story blends tough moments with humor, capturing the ups and downs of being a teenager in a way that fans of Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” might really connect with.
David Levithan is an author who writes stories filled with emotion and thought-provoking situations. One of his books, “Every Day,” tells the story of A, a person who wakes up every day in a different body.
A has no control over whose life they inhabit and tries to cause as little disruption as possible. Things change when A meets Rhiannon, someone worth breaking all the unspoken rules for. The book explores identity, connection, and what it means to truly know someone.
The story’s unique perspective pulls you right into A’s experiences.
Patrick Ness writes stories that explore emotional struggles and raw human experiences, which might appeal to fans of Stephen Chbosky. His book “The Rest of Us Just Live Here” flips the script on typical young adult tales.
Instead of focusing on the chosen ones who fight cosmic battles, it tells the story of ordinary teens trying to deal with school, relationships, and life in a town where supernatural chaos is the backdrop.
It’s about finding meaning when you’re not the hero, making it relatable and heartfelt.
Gayle Forman writes stories that center on deep emotions and personal growth, which may appeal to fans of Stephen Chbosky. One of her well-known books, “If I Stay,” follows Mia, a teenage cellist, as she navigates a tragic car accident that leaves her in a coma.
Stuck between life and death, she reflects on her relationships with her family, her best friend, and her boyfriend, Adam. Through flashbacks, the book reveals the love and heartbreak that shape her decision about whether to stay in the world of the living or let go.
It’s an emotional journey told with honesty and heart.
Adam Silvera is an author who writes stories filled with raw emotion and characters facing deep, personal struggles. One of his books, “They Both Die at the End,” takes place in a world where people are notified on the day they are going to die.
The story follows Mateo and Rufus, two strangers who meet on their last day and decide to spend it together. Their journey is filled with moments of connection and a sense of living life to its fullest, even when time is running out.
Nicola Yoon writes heartfelt stories that focus on young people figuring out love, identity, and life. Her book “Everything, Everything” tells the story of Maddy, a teenager with a rare disorder that makes her allergic to the outside world.
She’s spent her whole life inside her house, where her days are quiet and predictable. That changes when she meets Olly, a boy who moves in next door.
They start communicating through windows and messages, which sparks a connection that pushes Maddy to question the limits placed on her life. The book captures the intensity of first love and the longing to experience the world.
Fans of Stephen Chbosky’s emotional and character-driven stories might enjoy exploring Nicola Yoon’s work.
Becky Albertalli writes heartfelt stories about the struggles and triumphs of growing up. Her book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” follows Simon, a high school junior with a secret.
He’s gay and hasn’t come out yet, but someone finds his emails to a mysterious boy he’s fallen for. As Simon tries to navigate friendships and love, he must also deal with the fear of being outed before he’s ready.
Albertalli’s characters feel real, with their awkward moments and heartfelt conversations. If you liked “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, Simon’s journey might strike a chord with you.
Jandy Nelson writes with raw emotion and explores intense feelings in her stories. Her book, “I’ll Give You the Sun,” follows twins Noah and Jude as they deal with love, loss, and the complexities of family.
The narrative is split between their two perspectives—Noah’s as a young boy and Jude’s as a teenager years later. Threads of betrayal and tragedy connect their timelines, while their passion for art shapes how they view the world.
Fans of Stephen Chbosky might enjoy how Nelson captures the inner lives of her characters with honesty and heart.
Markus Zusak is an Australian author best known for his novel “The Book Thief.” The story is set in Nazi Germany and follows a young girl named Liesel, who steals books to share with her neighbors and the Jewish man her family hides in their basement.
The story is narrated by Death, which adds a unique voice to a tale about love, fear, and loss during a dark period in history. It’s a powerful story about human connection and the simple acts of kindness that give life meaning.
Fans of Stephen Chbosky’s character-driven narratives might connect with Zusak’s way of exploring deep emotions and personal growth through his characters.