Here are 7 books that The Comeback fans have personally recommended if you like The Comeback. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder

Catherine Yardley Author Of Ember

From Catherine's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Obsessive reader Tea drinker Foodie Cat person Cocktail drinker

Catherine's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Catherine Yardley Why Catherine loves this book

Knife is a searingly honest memoir about a horrific attack. It is both unputdownable, and also a complete workout for the brain. Salman Rushdie lets us into his heart and soul. I can't stop thinking about this book. It's bravery and perfect prose will stay with me for a long time.

By Salman Rushdie ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Knife as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him
 
On the morning of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black—black clothes, black mask—rushed down the aisle toward him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it’s you. Here you are.

What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of The Wedding People

Jennifer Salvato Doktorski Author Of Finding Normal

From Jennifer's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Jennifer's 3 favorite reads in 2025

Jennifer Salvato Doktorski Why Jennifer loves this book

I loved the crisp, witty dialogue and laugh-at-loud moments. Espach elevates the “outsider at the wedding” set up and continues to surprise the reader as we get drawn deeper into these characters lives.

By Alison Espach ,

Why should I read it?

27 authors picked The Wedding People as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A Today Show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming…


Book cover of Sula

Caroline Wolff Author Of The Wayside

From Caroline's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Caroline's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Caroline Wolff Why Caroline loves this book

This was only the second Toni Morrison book I've ever read, and after reading Sula, I'm inspired to read her entire ouevre. Her style is so original, and even though the subject matter is heavy and it goes to extremes of emotions, I still found that I breezed through it - I just wanted to see where Morrison would take us next. A mindblowing read that will stay with me for years to come.

By Toni Morrison ,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Sula as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Extravagantly beautiful... Enormously, achingly alive... A howl of love and rage, playful and funny as well as hard and bitter' New York Times

As young girls, Nel and Sula shared each other's secrets and dreams in the poor black mid-West of their childhood. Then Sula ran away to live her dreams and Nel got married.

Ten years later Sula returns and no one, least of all Nel, trusts her. Sula is a story of fear - the fear that traps us, justifying itself through perpetual myth and legend. Cast as a witch by the people who resent her strength, Sula…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of Big Little Lies

Libby James Author Of Concessions

From my list on exploring morally gray characters and the pursuit of power.

Why am I passionate about this?

I lived vicariously through Nancy Drew when I was young. I was naturally observant and curious, and my mom was known to tail a car through our neighborhood if she thought the driver looked suspicious. So, it’s not surprising that I developed a love for all things thrilling. While working in the oil and gas industry for fifteen years, I spent some time focused on a foreign deal that served as inspiration for my first novel. I worked with people seeking power; negotiations bordered on nefarious; the workplace became toxic. If you ever ponder the moral implications behind the pursuit of power, you’ll enjoy the books on this list!

Libby's book list on exploring morally gray characters and the pursuit of power

Libby James Why Libby loves this book

There’s nothing better than a little gossip, especially when it’s about grown, mostly rich women, who enjoy knowing everything about everyone else but will do anything to protect their own secrets.

Big Little Lies lets the reader peek into the lives of a group of women and how their beliefs and actions are interwoven. Every action has a reaction, and consequences are very real, yet there is a fierce loyalty that drives the women to protect one another.

It’s not entirely clear who is “good” and who is “bad,” which makes it fun to play along and watch alliances shift or strengthen. You’re also not entirely certain what has happened, which I like because I usually always guess the ending!

By Liane Moriarty ,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked Big Little Lies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*Published as BIG LITTLE LIES in Australia and the United States*

Liane Moriarty, million copy selling author of The Husband's Secret brings us another addictive story of secrets and scandal.

Jane hasn't lived anywhere longer than six months since her son was born five years ago. She keeps moving in an attempt to escape her past. Now the idyllic seaside town of Pirriwee has pulled her to its shores and Jane finally feels like she belongs. She has friends in the feisty Madeline and the incredibly beautiful Celeste - two women with seemingly perfect lives . . . and their…


Book cover of The Writing Retreat

maria2

From Maria's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Unknown Author Why Maria loves this book

The gothic element, the whole book inside a book concept, murder house, and claustrophobia blend in so well in this one, accompanied by flawed and interesting characters. The chapters were short, and I couldn’t help myself but just keep reading.

I also loved the way the cruelty the high-quality artistic process is so often rumoured to be connected to was depicted. I absolutely despise people who believe that art requires suffering, and there was a perfect representation of that in this book. It just sounds so pompous and ultimately stupid to me, I don’t know. I don’t think that everything must have a deep meaning, especially with the current debate on ‘good’ vs. ‘bad’ literature.

By Julia Bartz ,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Writing Retreat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Sex, suspense, and the supernatural fuel this propulsive debut.” —People

A young author is invited to an exclusive writer’s retreat that soon descends into a pulse-pounding nightmare—in the vein of The Plot and Please Join Us.

Alex has all but given up on her dreams of becoming a published author when she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: attend an exclusive, month-long writing retreat at the estate of feminist horror writer Roza Vallo. Even the knowledge that Wren, her former best friend and current rival, is attending doesn’t dampen her excitement.

But when the attendees arrive, Roza…


Book cover of The Other Black Girl

Jenny Abamu Author Of The Herd

From Jenny's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Jenny's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Jenny Abamu Why Jenny loves this book

It was an original story with unexpected twists. I didn't expect it to end up so dark, but I thought the meaning behind it was super great, was super interesting.

By Zakiya Dalila Harris ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Other Black Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Before We Were Innocent

Maggie Auffarth Author Of Burn It All

From my list on complex female friendships.

Why am I passionate about this?

My life has been defined by close relationships with other women. My school years were full of sleepovers, group chats, and debrief sessions. In my twenties, my female friends quickly became more important than any romantic relationship as we navigated early adulthood milestones. My friendships with other women have made me who I am. But relationships between women are rarely as simple as the ‘girl power’ or ‘catfight’ labels the media wants to apply. More often than not, they’re a tapestry woven from a thousand different threads, some beautiful and some ugly. I love books, especially thrillers, that aren’t afraid to explore the messiness of these relationships.

Maggie's book list on complex female friendships

Maggie Auffarth Why Maggie loves this book

The past and the present constantly play against each other in this story about three adolescent best friends–only two of whom survive adulthood. I love Berman’s extremely honest portrayal of teenage girls who are as desperate to fit in as they are to stand out.

This is also an extremely well-rendered and lived-in portrayal of a trio of friends with a very different dynamic than a duo.

By Ella Berman ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Before We Were Innocent as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'This compulsive thriller reads like true crime and had me guessing until the very end.' Reese Witherspoon Three friends went on holiday. Only two came back. Ten years ago, after a sun-soaked summer in Greece, best friends Bess and Joni were cleared of any involvement in their friend Evangeline's death. Although they were found innocent, the case made them infamous and they've not seen each other since. Except now Joni wants a favour, and when she turns up at her old friend's doorstep in need of an alibi, Bess has no choice but to say yes. After all, she still…


Book cover of Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder
Book cover of The Wedding People
Book cover of Sula

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