Today’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by the Broke and the Bookish) topic is Ten Things on our Reading Wishlist.
Read-alikes are similar books that would appeal each other’s fans. Whenever you see books described by the publisher as “the next _____” or “for fans of _____”….those are read-alikes. Actually, those are what the publisher wants to you believe are read-alikes so they can sell lots of books. Hence, the egregious overuse of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train
With this list, I’m not looking for the publisher’s view, but for books that actually do remind me of and come close to living up to the originals! For example, If We Were Villains
Ten Read-Alikes I’m Dying to See
Another City, Not My Own
Well, I actually just want another author like Dominick Dunne. He wrote about the real crimes of the rich and famous in a delightfully gossipy and snarky way. He covered the OJ Simpson trial (in Another City, Not My Own), the Martha Moxley murder/Michael Skakel trial, the Billy Woodward murder, and financier Edmond Safra’s death, among others. There’s no one out there now quite like him.
Gone Girl
You’d think this would be an easy read-alike to find given the number of books publishers slap with “the next Gone Girl” label! Alas, not so. I’m on the hunt for a psychological thriller that has a twist or ending that is completely surprising, yet not outlandish…and that, with hindsight, fits with the story.
Like Gone Girl, tons of subsequent books have been marketed as “for fans of Seating Arrangements.” But, I haven’t found one that actually hits the right fun, but still dark and snarky tone of the original.
Shelter
So many people I recommended this to loved it…and asked for more like it. I’ve got nothing! Find me another book that is as fast-paced, yet gorgeously written, emotionally brutal, and chock full of substantive issues!
The Devil in the White City is such a perfect and entertaining blend of true crime and history. The recent Killers of the Flower Moon kind of gets there, but didn’t have me quite as enthralled as The Devil in the White City.
The Dinner
Koch has such a distinctive style (biting social commentary, has his characters think and say things that regular people would never admit to thinking…but probably do) and The Dinner is his masterpiece in my opinion. It’s tight, action-packed, and exemplary of his trademark style. His subsequent books don’t quite hit The Dinner‘s mark.
Can you tell thrillers have been letting me down lately?! I’m in the market for another super unique, twisty, dark thriller with a bad*ss lady heroine!
“Group of friends making their way in New York City” books are a dime a dozen…and I approach each one hoping for the next The Interestings. Easier said than done. Recent underwhelming attempts are The Futures and Why We Came to the City.
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
I’ve recommended this book out the wazoo since reading it last year and I haven’t heard of anything else like it. It’s technically a novel, but is based on real events and uses real names. Benjamin even manages to write in a style reminiscent of Truman Capote, the main character in her novel.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple (my review)
This is another Seating Arrangements-type situation. Tons of books claim to be “the next Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” and none of them quite hit the right tone. Even Semple’s follow-up book, Today Will Be Different
What read-alikes are you dying to see? And, do you have read-alike recommendations for these books?
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Have you tried Mary Kubica for mysteries/thrillers? Probably not quite to the level of Flynn, but I’ve enjoyed her books. Also, if you have not yet read Renee Rosen, then you must pick her up! She writes historical fiction with real people. Her research and story telling are impeccable and I can’t get enough of her!
I read The Good Girl and unfortunately wasn’t a huge fan 🙁
I’ll check out Renee Rosen!
A read-alike for “The Swans of Fifth Avenue” might be “Adeline: A Novel of Virginia Woolf”, about the last 15 years’ of the great writer’s life. It’s written (almost) in the style of Woolf to the point where I felt that I was privy to her interior monologues.
I *loved* “Another City, Not My Own”, so I’d love a read-alike for it!
I’m a big fan of novels based on real events, like a blend of fiction and biography.
I’ll check out Adeline – thank you!
Erik Larson, all day, all the time!
Yup, yup…except Dead Wake. Didn’t love that one.
Love your read-alikes take on this. I had no idea where to go with it, so skipped this one.
You have a couple books on here that I’ve not read: Seating Arrangements and Another City, Not My Own. I guess I better get on that.
I agree with the comment from Angela. Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl was definitely in the same league as Gone Girl.
Thanks!
Seating Arrangements is perfect for summer!
Unfortunately, I didn’t love The Good Girl 🙁 That being said, I listened to it on audio and I’ve now realized fiction on audio just doesn’t work for me.
My mom loves Dominick Dunne too. My book club is going to read The Swans of Fifth Avenue this year at my recommendation.
Yay!! Actually, Swans is a tad bit Dunne-esque…”fictional” (but so close to reality it’s hard to remember it’s fiction) about real people and events….and focus on socialites.
I heard someone else talk about Shelter just yesterday. I have to pick it up now since you recommend it also.
I’m new to your blog but I love your take on the TTT topic.
My list here: http://wp.me/p4cJzL-3o8
Oh my gosh-yes!! It’s so so amazing.
I’m with you on Gone Girl. That was so good, so surprising that nothing has come close.
I haven’t read Seating Arrangements, but I do love a good snarkfest, so I’ll check that out. Did you read Eligible? That was pretty darned snarky…
I haven’t read Eligible, but have been told I should! I don’t love fairytale retellings, so shied away, but heard I’d probably still like it.
Oh man I’d LOVE another The Interestings. I’m not even that necessarily into the NYC setting, just the friendships growing and changing over time. Total catnip for me!
Yep – totally agree! NYC is not a requirement!
I’ve just downloaded The Interestings on the strength of your review. I’m sure I went to uni with those people!
Yay – I hope you love it! I love Wolitzer’s writing!
Have you read The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson? I think it is better then gone girl.
No, but this is the second time it’s been mentioned to me this week as a top notch thriller. I’ve added it to my TBR list!
I’m sorry I can’t stop laughing about the phrase “out the wazoo” regarding Swans! Is that the technical term?! You make me so happy.
I agree completely about Dunne (of course). No one has shown up who writes the way he did. What did he write about Safra?! I forgot about that scandal!
My wishlist might include more novels with quirky characters. I love a good non-narcissistic but emotionally challenged character, but it’s hard to write and to find.
Haha! I thought that was a normal expression! Is it maybe a Southern thing and I didn’t realize it? Glad I can make you happy 🙂
I think Safra was an essay or series of essays for Vanity Fair…possibly included in one of his collection books too. I don’t think he wrote a full book about it.
I do love some quirky characters too! Actually just read one – Rabbit Cake.
Don’t you wish there was another book/series that made you feel the same way the HP series did/does? Or how about the Hunger Games? I don’t wish there were read-alike books. I wish there were books that would ignite that fire in me again that still has me ‘shipping all over the place.
I only read the first HP…I’m hiding over here…I know it’s sacrilege! Did love Hunger Games. And agree about that same kind of fire.
Alias Grace, to go with Devil in the White City! (I know I already told you this during Nonfiction November, but I can’t help plugging it again.)
Oooh – that’s the Atwood I’m planning to read next….perfect!
For The Interestings try The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud. Or Rich and Pretty for a less-sweeping version. I haven’t found anything for Where’d You Go, Bernadette, but Perfect Little World kind of fits.
I keep hearing about the Emperor’s Children! I definitely need to try that. And Perfect Little World was on my radar for awhile…then I forgot about it. And I haven’t read Rich and Pretty either, but have heard about it.
Thanks for the recs!
Great list of books! I completely agree with you on Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple I haven’t read another book just like it, but would love it! I really enjoyed that book!!