“I’m not a religious person, but I do sometimes think God made you for me.”
Sally Rooney has become one of the most defining voices of contemporary literary fiction, hooking readers with her sharp dialogue, introspective characters, and emotionally charged relationships. Her novels explore themes of love, power dynamics and the complexities of human connection in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. If you love authors like Sally Rooney, you’re likely drawn to books that balance intellectual depth with raw emotional honesty. Whether it’s witty, character-driven fiction, millennial angst or razor-sharp social commentaries, plenty of writers similar to Sally Rooney offer a similar reading experience. Join us today at What We Reading as we round up some of our favourite authors for Sally Rooney fans – writers renowned for books like Sally Rooney’s, filled with nuanced relationships, modern-day struggles and compelling narratives.
Naoise Dolan
Why You’ll Love Her: Dolan’s writing is sharp, witty and emotionally perceptive, much like Sally Rooney’s. Exciting Times explores modern love, power imbalances, and the emotional detachment of our millennial protagonist, all delivered with deadpan humour and a keen social awareness. Her characters, like Rooney’s, wrestle with insecurities, self-worth and the complexities of relationships in a rapidly changing world.
Recommended Read: Exciting Times – a biting, introspective novel about Ava, an Irish expat living in Hong Kong, caught between an affluent banker and a charismatic lawyer. As she navigates love, class, and her own emotional hesitations, Dolan’s humour and observations make this a perfect read for Rooney fans.
Megan Nolan
Why You’ll Love Her: Nolan’s writing is raw, unfiltered and profoundly introspective, much like Sally Rooney’s. Acts of Desperation delves into obsessive love, self-destruction, and the blurred lines between desire and dependence. Her narrator’s emotional turmoil and self-examination mirror the psychological depth found in Rooney’s characters, making her a compelling read for fans of intimate, character-driven fiction.
Recommended Read: Acts of Desperation – A searing, confessional tale about a young woman overwhelmed by an all-consuming toxic relationship. As she spirals into obsession and self-loathing, Nolan’s brutally honest prose captures the intensity of love, power and self-destruction with exceptional clarity.
Brandon Taylor
Why You’ll Love Him: Taylor’s books are intimate, introspective, and deeply character-driven, much like Sally Rooney’s. His novels explore themes of identity, race, class and the emotional weight of relationships with the same quiet intensity that Rooney fans appreciate. His characters often grapple with self-doubt, loneliness and the struggle for connection, making his work a perfect fit for readers who love nuanced, psychological fiction.
Recommended Read: Real Life – a tender yet unflinchingly emotional novel about Wallace, a Black, queer graduate student navigating academic pressures, past trauma, and a complicated relationship in a majority white-Midwestern university. Taylor’s precise, elegant prose and deeply felt character study make this a must-read for any fans of Rooney’s emotionally charged storytelling.
Otessa Moshfegh
Why You’ll Love Her: Moshfegh’s writing is sharp, darkly humorous and unflinchingly honest – perfect for readers who appreciate Sally Rooney’s exploration of flawed, introspective characters. Her protagonists often struggle with alienation, self-destructive tendencies and a deep cynicism toward contemporary life, much like Rooney’s emotionally complex leads. While Moshfegh’s style is more biting and provocative, both authors are similar in being able to craft internal monologues that feel raw and brutally real.
Recommended Read: My Year of Rest and Relaxation – A darkly comedic and unsettling novel about a privileged young woman in New York who, despite having everything on paper, opts to numb herself from life through an extreme regimen of prescription drugs and sleep. Moshfegh’s detached yet deeply psychological storytelling makes this a fascinating read for fans of Rooney’s introspective, emotionally complex voices.
Tessa Hadley
Why You’ll Love Her: Hadley’s novels are quiet, emotionally rich, and deeply attuned to the complexities of relationships – much like Sally Rooney’s. She deftly explores themes of love, friendship, and personal transformation, often focusing on the inner lives of her characters with a keen psychological lens. Her writing has a graceful, observational quality that captures the small yet profound moments that mould an individual’s life.
Recommended Read: Late in the Day – A beautifully crafted novel about two married couples whose lives are thrown into turmoil after an unexpected death. As the survivors wrestle with grief, memory and rekindled desires, Hadley’s intricate character work and elegant prose make this a must-read for Rooney readers drawn to intimate depictions of loss and love.
Sheila Heti
Why You’ll Love Her: Heti’s writing is deeply introspective, philosophical and experimental, making her a great fit for readers who love Sally Rooney’s intellectual, character-driven fiction. Similar to Rooney, she explores themes of identity, relationships and the search for meaning, often blurring the lines between fiction and autobiography. Her protagonists engage in deep self-reflection, questioning their desires, ambitions and place in the world.
Recommended Read: How Should a Person Be? – A bold, unconventional book that blends fiction, memoir, and philosophical meditations to follow a young woman navigating art, friendship, and self-discovery. With its candid exploration of modern relationships and personal ambition, Heti’s novel is a compelling choice for Rooney fans drawn to raw, introspective storytelling.
Elif Batuman
Why You’ll Love Her: Batuman’s writing is intellectual, witty, and filled to the brim with a sense of dry humour, much like Sally Rooney’s. She crafts deeply reflective characters, often navigating the complexities of love, identity and self-discovery in the context of academia and personal growth. Her unique voice, blending cultural observations with personal experiences, makes her work a perfect match for readers who enjoy Rooney’s introspective style and subtle explorations of human relationships.
Recommended Read: The Idiot – A semi-autobiographical story about Selin, a first-year Harvard student, who sets out on a journey of self-exploration and love, all while grappling with language, culture and identity. Batuman’s witty, intellectual prose and her depiction of the nuances of early adulthood make this a delightful read for Rooney fans.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
