Summary: In this article, I have handpicked 20 of the best books similar to One Day that explore love, fate, and the passage of time. Here are my top 3 picks:
- Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to One Day
- Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- Us by David Nicholls
- Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
- Another Day by David Levithan
- You Are Here by David Nicholls
- The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
- The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
1. Sweet Sorrow
- Author: David Nicholls
- About: A coming-of-age story about a teenager falling in love for the first time during a summer theater production, all while dealing with family and life changes.
- Style of Writing: Warm, introspective, and emotionally driven with a touch of humor.
- Length: Approximately 98,000 words
- Year Written: 2019
- Emotional Impact: Leaves a lasting impression on the power of first love and personal growth.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate – relatable, with some reflective themes.
- Why Read It: Perfect for fans of One Day, it captures the feeling of discovering yourself through relationships.
2. One Day in December
- Author: Josie Silver
- About: The story of a woman who locks eyes with a man on a bus, and years later, they keep missing each other despite the strong connection.
- Style of Writing: Heartfelt, with a lot of focus on characters and their emotional journeys.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words
- Year Written: 2018
- Emotional Impact: Very emotional, focusing on missed opportunities and love that endures despite time.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – a cozy, romantic read.
- Why Read It: It’s a heartwarming, albeit sometimes heartbreaking, story about fate and love.
3. Me Before You
- Author: Jojo Moyes
- About: The story of Louisa, a caregiver, and Will, a man left paralyzed after an accident. Their relationship challenges her views on life and love.
- Style of Writing: Emotional, engaging, and often humorous with serious undertones.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Deeply emotional, often heartbreaking, it leaves a lasting impression on the choices we make in life.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – straightforward, but emotionally intense.
- Why Read It: For a powerful and transformative story about love, sacrifice, and what makes life worth living.
4. The Time Traveler’s Wife
- Author: Audrey Niffenegger
- About: A man with a time travel disorder falls in love with a woman who must cope with his unpredictable absences.
- Style of Writing: Literary, complex, and immersive with dual timelines.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words
- Year Written: 2003
- Emotional Impact: Strong emotional impact, dealing with love, loss, and time’s effects on relationships.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – requires focus due to the complex structure.
- Why Read It: A unique and touching exploration of love that transcends time.
5. Us
- Author: David Nicholls
- About: A man and his wife embark on a European tour to save their marriage after facing unexpected life changes.
- Style of Writing: Witty, introspective, and poignant, with light humor mixed with emotional depth.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: It’s a reflection on love, marriage, and the passage of time. It’s deeply moving and resonant.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate – very readable.
- Why Read It: Perfect for those who appreciate a thoughtful exploration of marriage and life transitions.
6. Life After Life
- Author: David Levithan
- About: A sequel to Every Day, told from the perspective of Rhiannon, a girl in love with a soul that inhabits a different body every day.
- Style of Writing: Thoughtful, emotionally-driven, with a focus on personal reflection.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: A deep dive into identity, love, and the struggle for connection.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – relatable and reflective.
- Why Read It: For readers interested in the power of love that transcends identity and appearance.
7. Another Day
- Author: David Levithan
- About: A sequel to Every Day, told from the perspective of Rhiannon, a girl in love with a soul that inhabits a different body every day.
- Style of Writing: Thoughtful, emotionally-driven, with a focus on personal reflection.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: A deep dive into identity, love, and the struggle for connection.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – relatable and reflective.
- Why Read It: For readers interested in the power of love that transcends identity and appearance.
8. You Are Here
- Author: David Nicholls
- About: A man and a woman meet on a hiking trip through northern England, embarking on an unexpected romantic journey.
- Style of Writing: Light, humorous, and emotionally subtle.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year Written: 2024
- Emotional Impact: Uplifting and introspective, with a focus on life’s unexpected turns.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – a light read with moments of deeper reflection.
- Why Read It: For a charming story about rediscovering love and life through travel.
9. The Rosie Project
- Author: Graeme Simsion
- About: A socially awkward genetics professor embarks on a quest to find the perfect wife, leading to unexpected love.
- Style of Writing: Quirky, humorous, and heartwarming.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Light-hearted with an emotional punch about love and self-acceptance.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – an enjoyable, quick read.
- Why Read It: A charming, funny, and heartwarming take on finding love in unexpected ways.
10. The 5th Wave
- Author: Rick Yancey
- About: A girl navigates a post-apocalyptic world while dealing with love, survival, and alien invaders.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotionally intense.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: It combines suspense with heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting impact.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – engaging but a bit fast-paced and action-oriented.
- Why Read It: For a unique mix of science fiction, romance, and survival.
11. The Fault in Our Stars
- Author: John Green
- About: A love story between two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group.
- Style of Writing: Heartfelt, witty, and deeply emotional.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Powerful, emotional, and unforgettable. It’s a heartbreaker.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – straightforward but emotionally intense.
- Why Read It: For a moving story about love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.
12. The Rosie Effect
- Author: Graeme Simsion
- About: The sequel to The Rosie Project, following Don and Rosie as they navigate life with new challenges.
- Style of Writing: Funny, warm, and emotionally honest.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: Light-hearted but touching, with moments of personal reflection.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – accessible and humorous.
- Why Read It: For fans of the first book, it’s an enjoyable continuation of Don and Rosie’s story.
13. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
- Author: Jonas Jonasson
- About: A centenarian escapes his nursing home and embarks on an unexpected adventure, encountering quirky characters along the way.
- Style of Writing: Humorous, absurd, and adventurous.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words
- Year Written: 2009
- Emotional Impact: Light and humorous with some deeper themes about life and adventure.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – fun and accessible.
- Why Read It: For a quirky, funny take on the meaning of life and the unexpected turns it can take.
14. The Night Circus
- Author: Erin Morgenstern
- About: A magical competition between two illusionists set within a mysterious circus.
- Style of Writing: Lush, atmospheric, and highly descriptive.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Enchanting and immersive, with a touch of melancholy.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – the prose is beautiful but can be dense.
- Why Read It: For an atmospheric and magical love story that transports you to another world.
15. Attachments
- Author: Rainbow Rowell
- About: Two people fall in love through emails exchanged at work, though they’ve never met in person.
- Style of Writing: Warm, charming, and character-driven.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Sweet and heartwarming, with moments of genuine emotional connection.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – very readable.
- Why Read It: For a feel-good love story set in the digital age, perfect for fans of character-driven romance.
16. The Art of Racing in the Rain
- Author: Garth Stein
- About: The story of a man and his dog, told from the perspective of the dog, exploring loyalty, love, and loss.
- Style of Writing: Reflective, emotional, with a unique narrative voice.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Profound, as it deals with themes of love, loss, and life’s struggles.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – heartfelt and touching.
- Why Read It: For a deep, emotional story about life through the eyes of a loyal dog.
17. The Great Alone
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: A family moves to Alaska in the 1970s, where they face the harsh wilderness and deep emotional struggles.
- Style of Writing: Atmospheric, emotional, and dramatic.
- Length: Approximately 125,000 words
- Year Written: 2018
- Emotional Impact: Deeply emotional, with a lasting impact about survival, love, and trauma.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – the novel has intense, heavy themes.
- Why Read It: For a gripping and emotional story about survival, family, and love in an unforgiving environment.
18. Big Little Lies
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- About: A darkly comedic and suspenseful tale about three women whose lives are intertwined through their children.
- Style of Writing: Witty, engaging, and suspenseful with social commentary.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: Emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, with moments of tension and surprise.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – fun, with layers of depth.
- Why Read It: For a captivating mix of humor, suspense, and emotional complexity.
19. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
- Author: Gail Honeyman
- About: A socially awkward woman’s life changes when she begins to open up to others and deal with her past.
- Style of Writing: Quirky, touching, and humorous with emotional depth.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words
- Year Written: 2017
- Emotional Impact: Profound, heartwarming, and ultimately uplifting.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – engaging with deep emotional layers.
- Why Read It: For a unique, heartwarming story about self-acceptance, love, and healing.
20. The Light We Lost
- Author: Jill Santopolo
- About: A love story about two people who meet in college and whose lives are forever altered by their relationship.
- Style of Writing: Emotional, reflective, and intimate.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words
- Year Written: 2017
- Emotional Impact: Very emotional, with a lasting impact about love, loss, and life decisions.
- Difficulty Level: Easy – a quick, emotional read.
- Why Read It: For a touching exploration of love, choices, and the paths our lives take.
