Love Whale Fall? Readers pick 100 books like Whale Fall...

Here are 4 books that Whale Fall fans have personally recommended if you like Whale Fall. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Rebecca

By Daphne du Maurier ,

From Caroline's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

By Caroline Ebinger

Why Caroline loves this book

Made my overthinking seem minor! What a wild ride.

Rebecca

By Daphne du Maurier ,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

* 'The greatest psychological thriller of all time' ERIN KELLY
* 'One of the most influential novels of the twentieth century' SARAH WATERS
* 'It's the book every writer wishes they'd written' CLARE MACKINTOSH

'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .'

Working as a lady's companion, our heroine's outlook is bleak until, on a trip to the south of France, she meets a handsome widower whose proposal takes her by surprise. She accepts but, whisked from glamorous Monte Carlo to brooding Manderley, the new Mrs de Winter finds Max a changed man. And the memory…

Explore

Topics

Genres

If you love Whale Fall...

James

By Percival Everett ,

From Laura's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

By Laura Renauld Author

Why Laura loves this book

I love books that reimagine a story that is well known, challenging reader's assumptions about the characters or the circumstances they find themselves in, while also standing on its own for readers that haven't read the inspiration. JAMES brings Huck Finn's companion to life, giving him wit, intelligence, and agency. I read it twice, back-to-back. Easily my favorite read of 2025!

James

By Percival Everett ,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2024

'Truly extraordinary books are rare, and this is one of them' - Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author of Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha

James by Percival Everett is a profound and ferociously funny meditation on identity, belonging and the sacrifices we make to protect the ones we love, which reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. From the author of The Trees, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Erasure, adapted into the Oscar-winning film American Fiction.

The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new…

Explore

Topics

Genres

Martyr!

By Kaveh Akbar ,

From Elizabeth's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

By Elizabeth Shick Author

Why Elizabeth loves this book

A truly unforgettable novel, clever and moving at the same time. Confused, lonely, and frustratingly stubborn, Cyrus Shams is his own worst enemy--the best kind of character in my opinion! Newly sober and too smart for his own good, he pours his heart into his writing but neglects the relationships that sustain him. There were times I wanted to shake him, but I never stopped routing for him to find his way, and find peace.

Scattered with Cyrus' poetry, dreams, and imagined conversations, the novel has a gorgeous literariness to it that pulled me right in as a reader. At times, I felt as if the author were on another intellectual plane, but instead of feeling lost, I felt as though my eyes were being opened to a new understanding of the world.

Cyrus immigrated to the US from Iran as a child after his mother's plane was bombed by…

Martyr!

By Kaveh Akbar ,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked Martyr! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'I will carry this story, and the people in it, with me for the rest of my life' JOHN GREEN, author of The Fault in Our Stars

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2024
A NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST 2024
A BARNES & NOBLE DISCOVER PRIZE FINALIST
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD 2024
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2024 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, AMAZON, TIME AND SARAH JESSICA PARKER
ON BARACK OBAMA'S SUMMER READING LIST 2024

'Smart, dazzling, different . . . This book is thrilling.'
Ann Patchett, author…

Explore

Topics

Coming soon!

Genres

If you love Elizabeth O'Connor...

Sipsworth

By Simon Van Booy ,

From Elizabeth's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

By Elizabeth Shick Author

Why Elizabeth loves this book

This unusual but delightful little novel is a joy to read. When Helen Cartwright returns home to the English countryside after a life abroad, she keeps to herself, avoiding human contact as much as possible as she awaits the end of her life. A chance encounter with a mouse forces her out into the world, upending her solitary routine and setting in motion a chain of events and interactions that are as surprising as they are entertaining. SIPSWORTH explores complex themes of memory and loss in a way that is uplifting without being at all sentimental.

What I loved best about this novel is the oddball cast of characters, each with their own set of endearing flaws and hang-ups. Helen herself is hilariously stubborn, doing the right thing almost against her own will, which makes for many laugh out loud moments. As she sets out on her mission, the people…

Sipsworth

By Simon Van Booy ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sipsworth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A LOVE READING STAR PICK AND BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

'A gorgeously odd tale about finding yourself again, unexpectedly. If you want a little piece of joy in your reading life, buy it' Jojo Moyes

'Loaded with charm, resilience, and the deep desire for connection that all mammals share. I loved it' Ann Patchett

'Utterly charming and beautifully written, Sipsworth is a tender tale about loss, loneliness and the healing power of connection that you won't want to put down' Mike Gayle

'Utterly charming and heartwarming' Ruth Hogan, The Keeper of Lost Things

'Beautiful and enchanting' Washington Post

Following…

Explore

Topics

Coming soon!

Genres

4 Books Like Whale Fall

Why Caroline loves this book

If you love Whale Fall...

Aggressor by FX Holden,

Why am I passionate about this?

Why Laura loves this book

Why am I passionate about this?

Why Elizabeth loves this book

If you love Elizabeth O'Connor...

The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More by Meredith Marple,

Why am I passionate about this?

Why Elizabeth loves this book

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

1,277