If I like…..

[BaaBaaGlitterSheep]

Looking for recommendations please…. I am working my way through the back catalogue of some of my favourite authors but would like to find some new ones as well. If I like Anne Tyler, Ann Patchett, Maggie O’Farrell, John Boyne and Marian Keyes, who else am I going to like?! Thanks in advance.

Have you read anything by Elizabeth Strout? If not then, as you like Anne Tyler and Ann Patchett, they might appeal.

Clare Chambers? Small Pleasures is wonderful

Try Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Thanks everyone.

@BarbaraBuncle I have read Olive Ketteridge, many moons ago but nothing since so that is a very good shout.

@NashvilleQueen @EineReiseDurchDieZeit I haven’t heard of either of those but I have had a look and I think they are exactly what I am looking for so thank you.

I loved Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I read it after Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Both fabulous books.

I love Anne Tyler, I would recommend Mary Lawson

If you like Marian Keyes you might assist enjoy Katie Fforde.

If you like Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novels, Cecily by Annie Garthwaite is great.

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo is a novel about family dynamics that has lots in common in Patchett and Tyler.

Thank you everyone, these are all great suggestions.

@ApolloandDaphne I actually have a copy of Any Human Heart that I have never read so will give that a go.

@elizzza I have just finished The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell and loved it so Cecily will be right up my street. I love that period of history as well. Thank you.

I like most of your named authors and Ann Patchett is an especial favourite.

Yy to Mary Lawson and Clare Chambers.

Have a look at Sue Gee, an author who deserves to be more widely known. Earth and Heaven and The Mysteries of Glass are excellent.

And Rose Tremain. Music and Silence is a great one to start with.

You might like Lissa Evans' Old Baggage trilogy, about life for a middle-aged suffragette after the battle for women's votes has been won.

My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young is unflinching in describing the reality of the trenches in WWI but also a beautifully told love story.

I recommend The Observations by Jane Harris to everyone.

And if you haven't come across The Cazalet Chronicles yet I think you would really enjoy them. Four volumes of a family saga stating just after the first World War and following the family through subsequent decades.

Thank you @highlandcoo. I have read the first book of both the Old Baggage trilogy and the Cazalet Chronicles but not got round to any of the others so thanks for reminding me. I will take a look at your other suggestions as well.

Seconding the Lissa Evans books

I really enjoy Richard Russo novels and always recommend him when people like Ann Tyler. Similar American wit, warmth and observation.

I haven’t heard of Richard Russo @CountFucula so will have a look. Thank you!

Have you read any Kate Atkinson? All of her books are wonderful. She has a dectectuve series which might not be your cup of tea, but her others are wonderful - great characters! Start with ‘Behind the Scenes at the Museum’. I also love ‘Life After Life’.

Not quite the same author-wise but a female lives story I'm listening to is The Storm We Made by Vanesa Chan about WW2 in Malaya with Japanese occupation. Hard hitting in parts.

@Noodleys the only Kate Atkinson I have read is Jackson Brodie and I wasn’t massively keen but I would give her non-crime fiction a go so I will add that to the list. Thank you

Thanks @fabio12 I will take a look

Elizabeth Berg and Anita Shreve have a similar writing style to Anne Tyler

I'm loving Lisa Jewell at the moment.

I love Anne Tyler and also Carol Shields, Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Hoffman and Alice Munro.

Thanks everyone, I am loving all these suggestions!

I like several of the authors you have mentioned and also like
Ruth Jones
Patrick Gale
Dinah Jefferies
Benjamin Myres
Tracey Chevalier
Sarah Rayner

I like loads of authors but there sprang to mind looking at your list

**these

Yes, Tracey Chevalier is a good suggestion. I really enjoyed A Single Thread recently.

I forgot to mention the literature map site. You type in an author you like and you get suggestions of similar writers. Good fun to try.

https://www.literature-map.com/

I was going to suggest Tracey Chevalier as well. I loved the Virgin Blue and the Lady and the Unicorn especially.

I loved, LOVED the Dutch House but then read “State of Wonder” and thought it was a completely ridiculous story. So disappointed- anyone recommend any other Ann Patchett?

I read Pachinko around the same time as the Dutch House and really enjoyed that too. It’s a real family epic.