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 Harry Potter? We think you’ll like these books too
When you’re looking for books like Harry Potter, it’s worth trying to pin down exactly what aspects of the series it is you’re trying to relive. Here, Sophie Roell, Editor of Five Books, tries to break it down and offers some ideas of other books you might enjoy.
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.
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 Bad Blood? We think you’ll like these books too
You may have heard of Elizabeth Holmes and her startup Theranos, which spuriously purported to provide full-scale blood diagnostics using only a droplet of blood from a finger prick, from the fascinating HBO documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley. The book the documentary is based on, written by the journalist who broke the story that led to Holmes’ and Theranos’ prosecution, is even more fascinating. But if, like many, you’ve just raced through Bad Blood and are hungry for more books like it, then we have some suggestions.
Loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine? We think you’ll like these books too
Gail Honeyman’s debut novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was a celebration of kindness and human decency. But what should you read while you’re waiting for her next book? We have some suggestions. If you like Eleanor Oliphant, we think you’ll love these five books:
Loved Educated? We think you’ll like these books too
Looking for a book to read after finishing Tara Westover’s remarkable memoir Educated? Hoping to find another book like it? We have a few suggestions: five brilliant books exploring similar themes that we wholeheartedly recommend to fans of Westover’s writing.
Loved Little Fires Everywhere? We think you’ll like these books too
Celeste Ng’s family drama – the story of a sleepy suburb shaken up by a mother and daughter – became a runaway bestseller and was recently adapted for television by Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. If you loved Little Fires Everywhere, you may now be looking for more books like it. We have some ideas.
Loved This is Going to Hurt? We think you’ll like these books too
Adored Adam Kay’s excellent book of stories from the medical frontline? So did we. But what should you read next? Here are five excellent medical memoirs that will appeal those who enjoyed This is Going to Hurt: the Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor and are now looking for more books like it.
