Here are 2 books that Lightning in a Mason Jar fans have personally recommended if you like Lightning in a Mason Jar. Book DNA is a community of 13,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The River Is Waiting

Franz Douskey Author Of Sinatra and Me: The Very Good Years

From Franz's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Franz's 3 favorite reads in 2025

Franz Douskey Why Franz loves this book

Wally Lamb is a New York Times bestselling author. The River Is Waiting is Mr. Lamb’s third Oprah Book Club selection. This book is a very deep human struggle about a young father “grappling with unbearable tragedy as he searches for hope, redemption, and the possibility of forgiveness.” 

This is an emotionally tough book to read. Once a reader finishes reading The River Is Waiting, that book, the characters within, and the raw experiences they live through will end. They will linger in all the darkest places.

By Wally Lamb ,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked The River Is Waiting as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK

#1 New York Times bestselling author Wally Lamb, celebrated for two prior Oprah Book Club selections, returns with an exceptional third pick, a propulsive novel following a young father grappling with unbearable tragedy as he searches for hope, redemption, and the possibility of forgiveness.

Corby Ledbetter is struggling. New fatherhood, the loss of his job, and a growing secret addiction have thrown his marriage to his beloved Emily into a tailspin. And that's before he causes the tragedy that tears the family apart. Sentenced to prison, Corby struggles to survive life on the inside, where…


If you love Lightning in a Mason Jar...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of The Correspondent

Darlene Foster Author Of Amanda in Ireland

From Darlene's 3 favorite reads in 2026.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Darlene's 3 favorite reads in 2026

Darlene Foster Why Darlene loves this book

This is a brilliantly written story about a complicated, contemporary woman, seen through her letters and emails. Sybil Van Antwerp is in her seventies and has been writing letters all her life. She is a hardworking, intelligent career woman; a friend, sister, mother and avid reader. Through her correspondence, we learn about those around her; her effect on them and their effect on her. I enjoyed all the characters; those with whom she corresponds, including well-known authors. (I loved that part). The sad reality is that she is losing her sight and may not be able to continue writing letters. She also has to come to grips with a past tragedy in order to move on. I loved this book; I could relate to Sybil. It will stay with me for a long time.

By Virginia Evans ,

Why should I read it?

16 authors picked The Correspondent as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover the emotional, funny, unforgettable BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, Amazon Best Book of 2025 and New York Times bestselling word-of-mouth sensation that thousands of readers are calling their favourite book of the year...

Over 30,000 five star reviews on Goodreads!

'THIS NOVEL IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION' Ann Patchett

'I WAS DELIGHTED AND MOVED . . . MASTERFUL' New York Times

'I CAN'T PRAISE IT ENOUGH. AN ABSOLUTE TRIUMPH' Clare Chambers

'THIS NOVEL IS A COMPLETE AND UTTER JOY' Ann Napolitano

'I DON'T HAVE ANY WORDS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY' Reader review

'I THINK I'VE JUST FINISHED MY…


Book cover of The River Is Waiting
Book cover of The Correspondent

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