Call it What You Want

The Dart League King

Keith Lee Morris

Morris's previous novel explores small-town dynamics and complex male characters, similar to his story collection. The book follows a dart league night that becomes a pivotal moment for several interconnected characters. It delves into themes of masculinity, disappointment, and unexpected connections. The narrative style mirrors the nuanced character studies found in Call it What You Want.

All the Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr

A novel exploring human resilience and unexpected connections during challenging times. Doerr's narrative style shares Morris's ability to reveal profound emotional landscapes. The story follows characters navigating personal transformations amid historical upheaval. Each character is rendered with remarkable compassion and nuanced understanding.

Tenth of December

George Saunders

A short story collection known for its blend of humor, sadness, and profound human insight. Saunders, like Morris, creates characters caught in absurd yet deeply meaningful situations. The stories navigate the space between comedy and tragedy with remarkable precision. Each narrative reveals unexpected depths of human experience and emotional complexity.

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden

Denis Johnson

Johnson's final story collection, published posthumously, continues his exploration of marginalized characters. The stories share Morris's interest in men navigating life's uncertain terrains. Each narrative reveals unexpected moments of beauty and vulnerability. The collection demonstrates remarkable emotional depth and narrative complexity.

Jesus' Son

Denis Johnson

A collection of linked short stories about a young drug addict navigating life's margins. Johnson's work shares Morris's keen eye for characters struggling between adolescence and meaningful adulthood. The stories are raw, compassionate, and explore human vulnerability with stark realism. Each vignette reveals profound emotional landscapes beneath seemingly mundane experiences.

Interpreter of Maladies

Jhumpa Lahiri

A Pulitzer Prize-winning story collection examining human connections and emotional landscapes. Lahiri's stories, like Morris's, reveal profound truths through subtle, nuanced character studies. Each narrative explores moments of personal transformation and cultural complexity. The writing is compassionate and deeply observant of human behavior.

A Man Called Ove

Fredrik Backman

A novel exploring masculinity, personal transformation, and unexpected connections. Backman's narrative shares Morris's ability to blend humor with profound emotional depth. The story follows a seemingly grumpy man's journey toward human connection. Characters are rendered with remarkable compassion and subtle humor.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Junot Díaz

A novel exploring masculinity, family history, and personal transformation. Díaz's narrative style shares Morris's ability to blend humor with profound emotional depth. The book follows a young man's struggles with identity and cultural expectations. Complex characters navigate personal challenges with remarkable vulnerability and resilience.

Normal People

Sally Rooney

A novel exploring intimate personal connections and individual growth. Rooney's characters, like Morris's, navigate complex emotional landscapes with remarkable sensitivity. The story follows two individuals' interconnected personal journeys. Each character is rendered with deep psychological complexity and nuanced understanding.

Castle Freeman Jr.'s Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart

Castle Freeman Jr.

A collection of stories set in rural Vermont that captures similar themes of male introspection and quiet desperation. Freeman's characters, like Morris's, are complex men wrestling with personal limitations and unexpected moments of grace. The prose is understated yet deeply revealing about human nature. Each story peels back layers of rural masculinity with remarkable sensitivity.

The Midnight Library

Matt Haig

A novel exploring life's potential paths and personal transformation. Haig's narrative shares Morris's interest in characters navigating uncertain emotional territories. The story follows a woman experiencing multiple potential life trajectories. Each scenario reveals profound insights about choice, regret, and human potential.

The Age of Miracles

Karen Thompson Walker

A novel exploring liminal spaces between childhood and adulthood, similar to Morris's thematic interests. The story follows a young girl experiencing both personal and planetary transformations. Walker's narrative balances realistic character development with subtle surreal elements. The book captures the uncertainty and emotional complexity of transitional life stages.