Books for someone who loves Hornby and Perrotta

July 11, 2007 1:20 PM

Ok, so I've read every book by Nick Hornby and Tom Perrotta. What should I read next?

A couple of years ago I read High Fidelity and absolutely loved it. Since then I read every Nick Hornby book. I loved them all, but none of them like High Fidelity. I also read Little Children by Tom Perrotta, and after that I've read all his other books.

So, I need to find some new authors that I might like. I've read (in college and after college) all sorts of world literature, but I haven't enjoyed reading any books as much as the Hornby and Perrotta books (maybe with the exception of 100 years of solitude).

What I liked about Hornby was that he was writing about guys I could relate to (I'm 29 for another month or so, single and have more than my fair share of good and bad relationships), which incidentally were guys in their late twenties / early thirties and their relationships and work. I loved how they made me feel happy and a bit inspired about where I was and what I was doing. I just remember feeling really good after reading High Fidelity.

So, I guess I'm looking for more authors who are writing about people I can relate to.

I've already been recommended How to talk to a widower and I'm just waiting for Amazon to ship it, but I'm looking for more books.

posted by einarorn to media & arts (25 comments total)

You will probably enjoy Chuck Klosterman, though the guy he's writing about is...himself. I share your tastes, and also enjoyed Miss Misery by Andy Greenwald.

Want a High Fidelity ripoff that's pretty good? Check out Love Monkey by Kyle Smith.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 1:39 PM on July 11, 2007

You might enjoy Tobias Wolff.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 1:46 PM on July 11, 2007

Pete Dexter
Martin Amis
Martin Cruz Smith
posted by ubu at 1:54 PM on July 11, 2007

Oh, and Richard Russo
posted by ubu at 1:56 PM on July 11, 2007

I know you've stated you've read every book Hornby's written, but have you checked out the two compliations of his columns for The Believer magazine, found here. I find them generally hilarious and have come across a few rather enjoyable recommended books that he's discussed.
posted by Asherah at 1:59 PM on July 11, 2007 [2 favorites]

I love Hornby and Perrotta, and I liked Miss Misery, and will second that and sjuhawk31's suggestion of Klosterman... I'll have to check out Kyle Smith!
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:00 PM on July 11, 2007

Yeah, seconding Russo - specifically his novel "Straight Man". You'll read it in a day.
posted by billysumday at 2:11 PM on July 11, 2007

Hornby has a young adult (YA) novel coming out soon called Slam. I picked up an advance copy at the American Library Association conference and I have to say I liked it better than any of his other novels I've read, although the fact that it's written from a YA perspective may not float your boat.

And I'm thirding Russo.
posted by arco at 2:40 PM on July 11, 2007

"Rumble, Young Man, Rumble," by Benjamin Cavell
posted by rush at 2:51 PM on July 11, 2007

I'd recommend Chris Bachelder's Bear v Shark, Dean Bakopoulos's Please Don't Come Back from the Moon, The Virgin Suicides, Pastoralia by George Saunders, and Orphans by Charles D'Ambrosio.
Also I have to say WTF to the Martin Cruz Smith rec.
posted by mattbucher at 3:08 PM on July 11, 2007

Also I have to say WTF to the Martin Cruz Smith rec.

Thought perhaps the poster might relate to, or just enjoy a story involving, Arkady Renko. Sure, he might not. Just throwing it out there. Must be tough being perfect all the time, mb. GD laypeople screwing up your impeccable reading list.
posted by ubu at 3:38 PM on July 11, 2007

I think you might like Iain Banks.
posted by Zonker at 3:49 PM on July 11, 2007

I'm a big fan of the much too young Jonathan Safran Foer. Either book, Everything is Illuminated or Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close are great reads. Mphth both George Sanders, (see also The Brief and Frieghtening Reign of Phil) and Jeffrey Eugenides, especially Middlesex.
posted by Toekneesan at 4:00 PM on July 11, 2007

He's not what you might call a literary heavyweight, but Mil Millington might be checking out.
posted by liquidindian at 4:16 PM on July 11, 2007

Thought perhaps the poster might relate to, or just enjoy a story involving, Arkady Renko.

I just didn't see how a Russian crime novel fit in with Hornby & Perotta. If you are explaining that it's a character driven novel in line with Hornby & Perotta's character studies, then thanks. If you are stooping to ad hominem then it's a bad show, man. Bad show.
posted by mattbucher at 4:50 PM on July 11, 2007

If you liked Hornby's books, you might enjoy Damian Lanigan's books "Stretch, 29" and "The Chancers."

They are, in their own ways, basically High Fidelity ripoffs, but I found them engaging and entertaining, and well-written to boot.

Also, Tim Sandlin's GroVont trilogy ("Skipped Parts", "Sorrow Floats," and "Social Blunders") may be to your liking as well.

I feel like I have dozens of books on my shelves which fit the Hornby / Perotta mold to some degree. When I get home tonight I'll add some more recommendations.
posted by dersins at 5:15 PM on July 11, 2007

Too funny that billysumday mentioned "Straight Man". I just read that a few weeks ago. Definitely a quick, fun read.
posted by JaredSeth at 5:21 PM on July 11, 2007

James Hawes
posted by pompomtom at 5:22 PM on July 11, 2007

Seconding Mil Millington (you can get a taste of his style online at Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About which I contest is the funniest single page on the entire intarweb.

You might also enjoy Douglas Coupland, based on your question I'd say start with "Eleanor Rigby" or maybe "Hey Nostradamus!".
posted by namewithoutwords at 6:22 AM on July 12, 2007

I'll nth Richard Russo - I love all of his stuff, but "Straight Man" best fits in with what you're looking for, I think.

I'll also second (or is it more?) Kyle Smith. I see a lot of books that claim to be Hornby-esque - and I usually read them and get disappointed (heck, I get disappointed by a lot of Hornby's work too), but I laughed out loud while reading "Love Monkey", and I rarely do that.
posted by backwards guitar at 7:37 AM on July 12, 2007

There is a new book by Hornby out next month (I have the galley). It's about being a young, teen father.
posted by parmanparman at 8:29 AM on July 12, 2007

Thirding Mil Millington (at least his first book). Right up the asker's alley.
posted by ND¢ at 10:44 AM on July 12, 2007

Thanks everyone. These look like really nice suggestions, and I'll work my way through them in the next weeks :-)
posted by einarorn at 1:28 PM on July 12, 2007

Seconding Jonathan Safran Foer. He is outstanding.

Also, if your favorite Hornby novel is High Fidelity another music/mix heavy book with a love story background is Love is a Mixed Tape by Rolling Stone's contributor, Rob Sheffield. A good, solid book, it's an incredibly quick read (unfortunately).

Also A Question of Attraction by David Nicholls is also fantastic and written in the cute-Britishy-understated and brilliant way.
posted by banannafish at 1:30 PM on July 12, 2007

You might enjoy Brisbane author Nick Earls. He's often compared to Hornby.
posted by hot soup girl at 3:13 PM on July 12, 2007