10 Must-Read Books to Enjoy After Watching Conversations With Friends

Hey friends, If you’re anything like me, finishing Conversations With Friends on Hulu leaves you with that lingering emotional buzz and a hunger for more stories that dig deep into the complexities of relationships, love, and identity. As a fan of Sally Rooney’s work, I know exactly how her novels can make you feel every emotion under the sun—raw, real, and utterly relatable. That’s why I’ve put together a list of 10 must-read books like Conversations With Friends that echo the themes and tone of the book adaptation. These literary fiction recommendations are my personal picks that I believe will keep your TBR pile exciting and your heart full.

A Brief Look at Sally Rooney’s World

Sally Rooney has an uncanny ability to capture the intricate dance of human connection. Her novels—filled with witty dialogue, raw emotion, and sharp social observations—offer insights into the messy, beautiful ways we navigate love, friendship, and self-discovery. If Conversations With Friends sparked your interest, you’ll love diving into these books that explore similar themes.

10 Books Like Conversations With Friends

Below are my top recommendations, each with a quick overview and why they struck a chord with me:

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

Follow Ava, a young Irish expat in Hong Kong, caught in a tangled love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer. Dolans’ sharp wit and piercing insights into modern relationships feel incredibly Rooney-adjacent—full of both humor and heart.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

A mix of heartbreak and hilarity, this classic follows Rachel’s journey through betrayal and self-discovery after uncovering her husband’s infidelity, complete with delicious recipes and sharp humor. I appreciate how Ephron balances raw emotional pain with lighthearted wit—a perfect remedy for when you need a laugh amid the tears.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

This Booker Prize-winning novel explores the lives of twelve interconnected characters, predominantly Black British women, and delves into themes of identity, race, and social change. It’s a rich, layered narrative that offers fresh perspectives on identity and connection—a truly thought-provoking read.

Luster by Raven Leilani

Follow Edie, a young Black woman in New York City, as she navigates love, art, and the complexities of identity while entangled in a complicated relationship with a married man. Leilani’s brutally honest narrative and sly humor remind me so much of Rooney’s style—it’s refreshing, raw, and real.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

This intriguing novel offers a fresh look at marriage and love, following the impulsive union between Cleo, a British painter, and Frank, a wealthy New Yorker. Mellors strikes a perfect balance between raw emotion and humor, exploring how unexpected relationships can reshape our destinies.

Tin Man by Sarah Winman

A tender story of love and friendship that follows Ellis and Michael over the years, exploring the beauty and heartbreak of deep connections. It’s beautifully written, with a gentle narrative that resonates with anyone who values enduring relationships.

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

Smith’s novel explores the complex friendship between two aspiring dancers as they navigate identity, race, and freedom—an exploration of dreams and the ties that bind us. The depth of character and beautiful prose in Swing Time mirror the introspection found in Rooney’s work, making it a captivating, multilayered read.

Ordinary People by Diana Evans

Set in South London, this novel follows two couples as they navigate the realities of commitment, family life, and personal growth with honesty and nuance. It’s a relatable, beautifully written exploration of the highs and lows of love and life that perfectly complements Rooney’s focus on real, messy relationships.

Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

This novel is structured around conversations spanning two decades among women, diving into themes of desire, motherhood, anger, and self-discovery. It’s edgy, intimate, and thought-provoking—exactly what I love about Rooney’s explorations of personal relationships.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Through the lens of a young Black babysitter and her affluent white employer, this novel tackles issues of race, privilege, and identity with wit and warmth. Reid’s narrative is both entertaining and deeply insightful, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with the social commentary found in Rooney’s work.

Final Thoughts

These 10 books capture the essence of what I love about Conversations With Friends—the complexity of relationships, the search for identity, and that raw, unfiltered exploration of modern life. Whether you’re drawn to stories of love, introspection, or the unpredictable dynamics of friendship, there’s something here that’s sure to resonate with you.

What do you think about this list of books like Conversations With Friends?

Have you read any of these, or do you have others to add to the list? Conversations With Friends and its themes bring out so many fascinating stories about human connection, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on books that resonated with you. Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!