When you finish a book you love, it's tempting to want to read a novel just like it next, or at least one that's very similar. That may be a book by the same author, or it might be about the same subject or in the same genre. How to find a similar book is not always easy.
In our ‘books like’ section, Five Books editors hunt for books that are like some of the most popular books available in English. They're very personal takes, because what you love in a book can vary greatly from person to person. Two people might consider War and Peace their favourite novel (say), but one love it for the war parts—and its analysis of what made Napoleon so successful in conquering Europe—while another reader might skip the battle scenes altogether and read only the peace bits. Still, these are our handpicked selections of books like Bad Blood, books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and more.
Loved The Song of Achilles? We think you’ll like these books too
Madeline Miller’s bestselling debut novel The Song of Achilles is a mythical retelling of The Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus. The Song of Achilles, which saw Miller shortlisted for the title of Stonewall Writer of the Year, is a parable of love and loss, with Miller’s beautiful prose captivating the masses and leaving many of us hungry for more. If you have wolfed down Miller’s other bestselling novel Circe and you’re still left wanting more, here are some of our recommendations.
Loved Dune? We think you’ll like these books too
Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic Dune, first published in 1965, is finding a fresh audience thanks to a new, big-budget Oscar-winning film adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson. If you have recently read the book and find yourself now with a hitherto-unexplored hunger for space opera, here are five novels that we think you’ll like if you enjoyed Dune.
Loved The Secret History? We think you’ll like these books too
Donna Tartt’s modern classic The Secret History has captivated readers since it was first published 1992, and has recently seen popularity renewed among Gen Z readers on TikTok. If you loved this subversive literary whydunnit and want to read more books like it, here are five of our recommendations.
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1
The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke
by Tessa Dare -
2
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels)
by India Holton -
3
The Grand Sophy
by Georgette Heyer -
4
Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women)
by Evie Dunmore -
5
Lady Worsley's Whim: An Eighteenth-Century Tale of Sex, Scandal and Divorce
by Hallie Rubenhold
Loved Bridgerton? We think you’ll like these books too
Loved Bridgerton? We think you’ll like these books too
Sales of Julia Quinn’s beloved Bridgerton book series saw a resurgence after its popular 2020 Netflix adaptation. Whether you’re new to Regency romance or a long-time lover of the genre, here are five books like Bridgerton for those who just can’t get enough scandalous period drama.
Loved Normal People? We think you’ll like these books too
Sally Rooney’s second novel, Normal People, has been that rare beast: literary heavyweight and fixture on the bestseller lists, both. If you’ve read the book, watched the show, and still hunger for more, here are our suggestions for what to read after Normal People.
Loved A Court of Thorns and Roses? We think you’ll like these books too
A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first instalment in Sarah J. Maas’ bestselling adult fantasy series, a worldwide phenomenon that has now sold more than 13 million copies. If you’ve been looking for more faerie romance and fantastical adventure like that of A Court of Thorns and Roses, here are five books we think you’ll love.
Loved Wolf Hall? We think you’ll like these books too
If you adored Hilary Mantel’s double-Booker-Prize-winning trilogy Wolf Hall, here are five more books like it: four works of historical fiction and one nonfiction title which we believe—for one reason or another—will go some way towards filling the Cromwell-shaped hole in your life.
Loved Station Eleven? We think you’ll like these books too
Struggling to decide what book to read next? In the latest article in our series matching fans of bestselling books to acclaimed titles in a similar vein, we suggest five quality post-pandemic novels to suit readers who loved Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.
Loved The Handmaid’s Tale? We think you’ll like these books too
Margaret Atwood’s landmark work of speculative fiction was first published in 1985—and returned to prominence after a hit television adaptation underlined its continued relevancy in Donald Trump’s America. Whether you are a faithful fan of many years, or a recent convert to Atwood’s work, you are probably looking for more books like The Handmaid’s Tale—and we can help.
