Authors similar to JP?

[Rhonda Rae]

Laura wrote: "The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond... very good and very similar to Picoult and her wrinting style. On the cover of the book it even says, "highly recommended for fans of authors like Jodi Picoul..."

Thanks Laura...I've wondered if this was a good read, because of the subject matter its not been my first choice. But, now I think its time to give it a try.

[Anna]

I enjoyed The Year of the Fog too. The characters reminded me of Picoult characters too--complex and broken.

[Lyndsay]

I may have missed the post, but I can't believe no one suggested Chris Bohjalian.

Many of his books are set in New England and deal with family dynamics that are often overlooked in novels like JP touches upon.

I would suggest Trans-Sister Radio for a first time read of his, especially in lieu of all the attention being placed on gay/gender issues at the moment. As a general first time read, Midwives would also be fantastic choice.

[Lauren]

Nicholas Sparks... I also really enjoy books by Lisa See. Try: Snow Flower & the Secret Fan

[Dara]

I have seen that Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, but I have never read any of Lisa See's books

[Lauren]

I suggest you read it, it is one of my favorites :)

[Nance]

Kelly wrote: "I have read a few of Kristin Hannah's and she is very good and also similar to Jodi Picoult. I agree, Magic Hour is the best, but I also enjoyed On Mystic Lake.
I just read The Secret Life of CeeC..."

I agree, Diane Chamberlain writes books that are about real life situations, and I can definitely compare her to Jodi Picoult. She writes with that raw emotional innocence of believable characters that make me stop and say "yes" this can happen in real life. I love the intrigue and intimacy that the characters portray!!

[Betsy]

Shannon wrote: "No I have never even heard of her. But I am so excited that you gave me a new author to try!!! Thanks! "

I'll second Kristine Hannah.Try The Magic Hour.
Shreve's Testimony is heartwrenching. I wouldn't let it near a kid you were trying to keep unaware of sexual situations.I teach Middle School and if I could have fiqured out a way to extract the gritty and graphic parts of the story , I would have read Testimony aloud to them.Too many of my kids that year were finding themselves in treacherous situations by blindly following trends.
Some of Sharyn McCrumbs books could be compared to Picoult's too. Pretty Little Peggy O and The Rosewood casket might be good reccommendations.
There's a Literature Web on line that if you type in the name of an author will give you a series of author's whose works are similiar.

[Tiffany]

Allison wrote: "I think Kristin Hannah is a great writer who I enjoy for the same reasons as I enjoy JP's books. I recommend Magic Hour first, Between Sisters second, and then Firefly Lane. She's great, and she wr..."

I agree, Kristin Hannah has somre really good books. I loved Magic Hour, it got a little slow for me in parts but the journey was worth it. I was also a big fran of Between Sisters and True Colors. I don't know why True Colors touched me so much, but it did. Great topics! Jennifer Weiner is pretty good too. I loved "Little Earthquakes"

[Tiffany]

Britta wrote: "I've read Alice Sebold's Lovely Bones and also Lucky - I actually liked Lucky more than Lovely Bones, but they are both good."

Good to know Britta. I wasn't sure about Lucky, but I loved Lovely Bones so much.

[NancyInWI]

I just discovered a new-to-me author and she reminds me a bit of Jodi Picoult. Katrina Kittle. Her "The Kindness of Strangers" is a difficult subject, but riveting book.

[Betsy]

The Kindness of Strangers is riveting and disturbing. I'm finding books like that hard to read.

[Rene]

Chris Bohjalian is definitely an author to check out. I read Secrets of Eden earlier this year and could not put it down. I also just finised True Colors. It was great! I enjoyed Firefly Lane too but did not like Winter Garden.

[Megan]

I am a huge Jodi and Kristin fan. I have not read one of either of their books that I did not enjoy. I am going to start Firefly Lane this weekend....so that's exciting. Magic Hour is my favorite Kristen book thus far and The Plain Truth or Salem Falls are my favorite Jodi books thus far....however, it's hard to choose as I love all of her books. I am excited to try some of the authors suggested here. I think The Kindness of Strangers is going to be the next one on my list.

[Betsy]

The Kindness of Strangers is very gritty. If you have some emotional issuses with the subject matter it wll rip your heart apart.

[Hayley]

Great thread; i'm currently working my way through Diane Chamberlain books. I've read about five or six so far.
And obviously all of JP's Books! =]

[Dero]

I have read all of JP's books and also enjoy Chris Bohjalian's books, especially Before You Know Kindness and Midwives. I also have read most of Kristen Hannah's books and Firefly Lane and True Colors. I also love Sara Gruen, who has a new book out. I love Wally Lamb also and would recommend The Hour I First Believed.

[Hayley]

Thanks everyone.
I've got some Barbara Delinsky books now, and also a couple of Kristin Hannah books to try. They look really good.

Diane Chamberlain seems to be my second favorite after Jodi Picoult. Can't wait to see how these other two authors rate.

[Anisha]

Summer's Child by Chamberlain reminds me of Picoult's My Sister's Keeper and Handle with Care since it deals with the relationship between sisters. I definitely recommend it!

[Sandysconnected]

I would say Sue Miller.

[Kaley]

I had actually started reading books from an author named Joy Fielding before I picked up JPs books. I found her to be interesting to read.