If you enjoy reading books by Taffy Brodesser-Akner then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Strout writes stories that explore the quiet struggles and connections in everyday lives. In her novel “Olive Kitteridge,” she introduces Olive, a sharp and straightforward retired teacher living in a small coastal town in Maine.
The book is made up of linked stories that show how Olive’s life intersects with her neighbors, family, and former students. One story might focus on a young woman working in a hospital, while another draws you into Olive’s tense relationship with her son.
Through these moments, you get a deep sense of how one person can affect and be affected by others.
Curtis Sittenfeld writes stories that explore relationships and human behavior with sharp insight. One of her novels, “Eligible,” is a retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” set in modern-day Cincinnati.
In it, Liz Bennet works as a magazine writer, and her sisters have their own quirks and struggles. The story follows Liz as she navigates love, family drama, and her complicated dynamic with the aloof and wealthy Mr. Darcy.
It’s clever and filled with moments that feel both funny and real. Sittenfeld has a way of making the characters’ struggles feel relatable.
Meg Wolitzer is an author who writes about relationships, ambition, and the different paths people’s lives can take. One of her standout books is “The Wife.”
The story follows Joan, a woman who reflects on her life as the devoted partner of a famous novelist while grappling with her own sacrifices and unspoken truths. It’s a sharp look at marriage, power, and the choices women make in the shadows of others.
Fans of character-driven stories will find a lot to love in her work.
Jennifer Egan has a talent for exploring the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time. Her novel, “A Visit from the Goon Squad,” weaves together interconnected stories about a music executive named Bennie Salazar and his assistant, Sasha.
The book jumps across decades, offering glimpses into the characters’ lives and unexpected turns their paths take. One chapter is written as a PowerPoint presentation, showing a family’s story in a unique way.
Egan’s writing captures the way people change and how their choices ripple through time.
Emma Straub is an author who writes about relationships, family, and the complexities of modern life. Her book, “This Time Tomorrow,” tells the story of Alice, a woman approaching forty who wakes up one morning to find herself back in her teenage years.
With this chance to revisit her past, she gets to spend more time with her father, seeing him in a different light. It’s a heartfelt exploration of time, love, and second chances that feels both intimate and universal.
Jonathan Tropper is known for writing stories about family, relationships, and the messy, funny, and emotional moments that come with them. In his book, “This Is Where I Leave You,” he introduces the Foxman family, who are brought together by their father’s death.
The siblings, all struggling with their own lives, have to sit shiva under the same roof for a week. What follows are moments of clashing personalities, awkward confrontations, and unexpected humor as old wounds resurface.
It’s a story about how family can drive you crazy but also anchor you.
Sally Rooney writes stories about relationships that feel deeply real. Her novel, “Normal People,” follows Marianne and Connell, two young people from the same small Irish town.
They come from different backgrounds but form a complicated connection that carries them through high school and college. The story explores how their bond shifts over time, shaped by love, power, and miscommunication.
If you enjoy characters that feel authentic and flawed, Rooney might be a good author to look into.
Tom Perrotta is an author known for exploring the complexities of modern life in a relatable way. His book, “Little Children,” focuses on a suburban neighborhood where the lives of several parents intersect in unexpected ways.
The story follows Sarah, a stay-at-home mom questioning her life choices, and Todd, an ex-jock who seems stuck in his role as a dad. Their paths cross at the playground, leading to decisions that shake up their lives.
Meanwhile, the community faces tensions with the arrival of a man with a troubling past. Perrotta’s writing captures the messiness of relationships and the quiet struggles of everyday people.
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes stories about complicated relationships and the hidden sides of people’s lives. In her novel “Malibu Rising,” she tells the story of the Riva siblings, a famous family in 1980s Malibu.
The book takes place during a single night, leading up to a massive party that changes everything. The siblings share a broken but fascinating family history, including their connection to their absent father, and the ways they each try to carry that weight in their own lives.
Nick Hornby is known for writing stories about ordinary people dealing with relationships, identity, and the messiness of modern life.
In his book “High Fidelity”, he introduces Rob, a record shop owner who’s obsessing over his top five breakups while trying to figure out why his relationships don’t last.
The story follows him as he reconnects with old flames, reflects on his decisions, and questions his future. It captures the ups and downs of love and the way music can tie into our memories and emotions.
If you’re into character-driven tales filled with wit and emotion, this might be one to check out.
Andrew Sean Greer is an author known for his sharp wit and heart-filled storytelling. One of his most celebrated novels, “Less,” follows Arthur Less, a struggling writer who decides to escape his problems by accepting invitations to a series of literary events across the globe.
What begins as a way to avoid his ex’s wedding turns into an awkward, funny, and moving journey about love, aging, and self-discovery. The mix of humor and honesty in “Less” feels personal but universal, making it easy to connect with Arthur as he stumbles through life.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author known for stories that explore identity, culture, and personal relationships. Her novel “Americanah” follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman, as she moves to America for college and confronts issues of race, love, and belonging.
The book gives glimpses into her life in Nigeria, the challenges she faces in America, and her eventual return home. Ifemelu writes a blog about race in America, which brings in sharp, honest observations.
It’s a story that balances humor, emotion, and thoughtfulness as it examines the meaning of home.
Celeste Ng writes stories about families and relationships, exploring how personal choices and societal pressures shape lives. In her novel “Little Fires Everywhere,” she tells the story of two families in a suburban town.
The Richardson family lives a picture-perfect life, but things start to unravel after they cross paths with single mother Mia and her daughter Pearl. Secrets, privilege, and the meaning of motherhood come to the forefront as their lives intertwine.
Ng’s writing draws you into the characters’ hearts and minds, making their struggles feel real and unforgettable.
Claire Lombardo is an author known for creating rich family dramas with a lot of emotional depth. Her book, “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” revolves around the Sorenson family.
Marilyn and David Sorenson share an enviable, decades-long marriage, while their four adult daughters struggle with their own lives and secrets.
Spanning several decades, the novel shifts between past and present moments, highlighting the deeply complicated relationships between parents and children.
One of the most memorable threads involves a daughter reconnecting with a son she gave up for adoption years earlier, introducing tension and unexpected bonds. It’s a story full of messy family dynamics and moments of love and heartbreak.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author who writes about family, identity, and cultural disconnection. Her book, “The Namesake,” follows the life of Gogol Ganguli, the son of Indian immigrants.
Gogol grows up in America, feeling caught between his parents’ traditions and the world around him. The story explores how his unusual name ties him to his family and shapes his sense of self over time. It’s a heartfelt look at belonging and what it means to navigate two worlds.