Next Read Club

Books Like Americanah

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has a particular pull. A Nigerian woman moves to America for college and grapples with race, identity, and love across two continents.

What tends to stick with readers is its thought-provoking, emotional and sharp feel. Funny and clear-eyed about things most novels tiptoe around. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. Americanah is a long, easy-paced read (reading level: easy to follow), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

Cover of Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The book you loved

Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

7 books you might enjoy

  1. Cover of Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    1.

    Half of a Yellow Sun

    Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    If it was the thought-provoking and emotional side of Americanah you loved, Half of a Yellow Sun delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. It's a more demanding read than Americanah.

    Long · Slow pace · Moderate

    Explore this book →Books like Half of a Yellow Sun
  2. Cover of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

    2.

    The Shadow of the Wind

    Carlos Ruiz Zafon

    The Shadow of the Wind sits on the same fiction shelf as Americanah, with a different approach. A love letter to books and libraries wrapped in a genuine mystery. The pace is quicker than Americanah's.

    Long · Fast pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like The Shadow of the Wind
  3. Cover of Normal People by Sally Rooney

    3.

    Normal People

    Sally Rooney

    If it was the emotional side of Americanah you loved, Normal People delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. It runs a bit longer than Americanah.

    Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Normal People
  4. Cover of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    4.

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee

    Like Americanah, To Kill a Mockingbird is thought-provoking and emotional. Both carry the #book-club tag. It runs a bit longer than Americanah.

    Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like To Kill a Mockingbird
  5. Cover of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

    5.

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

    Mark Haddon

    If it was the thought-provoking and emotional side of Americanah you loved, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
  6. Cover of Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

    6.

    Conversations with Friends

    Sally Rooney

    Like Americanah, Conversations with Friends is thought-provoking and emotional. Both carry the #book-club tag. It runs a bit longer than Americanah.

    Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Conversations with Friends
  7. Cover of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

    7.

    Never Let Me Go

    Kazuo Ishiguro

    Never Let Me Go shares Americanah's thought-provoking and emotional appeal. Both carry the #book-club tag. It runs a bit longer than Americanah.

    Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Never Let Me Go

How to choose

  • Short on time? The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a quick read.
  • Want it easier? Normal People is the gentlest read here.
  • Want something faster-paced? Try The Shadow of the Wind.

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