Books Like Was It Good For You?

Oh, if you loved the quirky humor and food-centric chaos of 'Does This Taste Funny?', you're in for a treat! Books like 'Sweetbitter' by Stephanie Danler dive into the messy, sensory world of restaurants, though it’s more poetic and less slapstick. Then there’s 'Kitchen Confidential' by Anthony Bourdain—raw, unfiltered, and hilarious, but with a darker edge. For fiction with a similar vibe, 'The Rosie Project' mixes awkward humor and heart, just swap kitchens for genetics labs. Don’t overlook 'Waiter Rant' by Steve Dublanica either; it’s like the memoir version of your book—full of behind-the-scenes chaos and customer absurdities. Or try 'Blood, Bones & Butter' by Gabrielle Hamilton for a lyrical yet gritty take on food life. Honestly, the world of foodie lit is vast, but these picks should scratch that itch for humor mixed with culinary madness.

If you loved the raw, unfiltered introspection of 'I Regret Almost Everything,' you might find kindred spirits in books that blend humor with existential dread. 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig is a fantastic pick—it explores alternate lives with a mix of whimsy and deep regret, much like the original. Then there's 'A Man Called Ove' by Fredrik Backman, where grumpy old Ove's regrets are peeled back layer by layer with heartwarming (and heartbreaking) precision. Both books have that bittersweet tang of life’s what-ifs but leave you feeling oddly hopeful by the end. For something darker, 'No Longer Human' by Osamu Dazai is a classic dive into self-loathing and regret, though it lacks the humor. On the lighter side, 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' balances cringe-worthy regrets with gradual healing. I’d also throw in 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry'—it’s quieter but packs a punch about missed chances and second acts. Honestly, regret is such a universal theme that you could wander this genre forever and still find new gems.

If you enjoyed the sharp wit and dark humor of 'What's in It for Me?', you might find 'The Sellout' by Paul Beatty equally biting and satirical. Both books tackle societal norms with a protagonist who’s unapologetically self-serving, though Beatty’s work leans more into racial satire. Another great pick is 'Thank You for Smoking' by Christopher Buckley—its morally flexible protagonist and razor-sharp dialogue feel like they’re cut from the same cloth. For something with a lighter touch but similar themes of self-interest, 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella has that same irreverent charm, though it’s more comedic than cynical. And if you’re into protagonists who navigate life with a 'me-first' attitude, 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis takes it to an extreme, blending horror with satire. Each of these has that same unflinching look at human nature, just through different lenses.

Reading Martha Wainwright's 'Stories I Might Regret Telling You' felt like flipping through someone’s raw, unfiltered diary—equal parts vulnerable and witty. If you loved that candid, memoir-style honesty, you’d probably adore Glennon Doyle’s 'Untamed'. It’s got that same fearless energy, where the author tears down societal expectations and embraces messy truths. Doyle’s voice is like a late-night chat with your most insightful friend, blending personal stories with broader life lessons. Another gem in this vein is 'Educated' by Tara Westover. While it’s more about survival and self-invention, the emotional resonance is similar. Westover’s journey from isolation to academia is jaw-dropping, and her prose makes you feel every heartache and triumph. For music lovers, Carrie Brownstein’s 'Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl' offers another artist’s perspective—less polished, more punk-rock in its delivery, but just as gripping.

I picked up 'I Don't Wish You Well' and found myself fascinated by the slow burn of family bitterness and quiet cruelty — that very tone is what pushed me to hunt down similar novels for late-night reading binges. If you liked the way 'I Don't Wish You Well' mixes intimate domestic detail with a steadily rising sense of menace, try 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' for its claustrophobic family secrets and eerie, meme-like narrator; 'Sharp Objects' for a small town drenched in trauma and a protagonist who’s both sympathetic and damaged; and 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' if you're into darkly comic sibling loyalty that flips between affection and horror. For inheritance-related poisonings of familial love, 'The Family Upstairs' scratches that itch with layers of past sins bubbling to the surface. If you want something that leans more into psychological twist territory, 'Then She Was Gone' offers grief and obsession with an unspooling mystery that keeps you guessing. Each of these books echoes different facets of the original — the unreliable intimacies, the slow reveal of ugly truths, and characters who make choices that feel both inevitable and shocking. I still think about the way those last chapters land, and these picks gave me that same guilty, page-gnawing satisfaction.

If you loved 'Every Wrong You Right' for its raw, introspective characters and morally grey choices, you might dive into 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig. Both explore the weight of decisions and alternate paths, though Haig’s book leans more philosophical with a magical realism twist. Another gem is 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue'—it’s got that same lyrical prose and existential dread, but with a centuries-spanning love story. For something grittier, 'Vicious' by V.E. Schwab nails the complex rivalries and blurred lines between heroism and villainy. Honestly, I binged all three back-to-back after finishing 'Every Wrong You Right,' and each left me staring at the ceiling questioning my life choices.

If you loved 'Goodbye Vitamin' for its bittersweet humor and tender exploration of family, memory, and growing up, you’d probably adore 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette' by Maria Semple. Both books have this quirky, heartfelt tone where the protagonist navigates life’s messiness with a mix of wit and vulnerability. 'Goodbye Vitamin' leans more into the emotional weight of caring for an aging parent, while 'Bernadette' tackles creative burnout and motherhood, but they share that same sharp, observational humor. Another great pick is 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' by Gail Honeyman. It’s got that same blend of loneliness and warmth, with a protagonist who’s socially awkward yet deeply relatable. The way Eleanor’s past unravels mirrors Ruth’s journey in 'Goodbye Vitamin'—both are about healing, just in different ways. And if you’re into epistolary style, 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry' by Gabrielle Zevin has that cozy, bookish charm with a side of grief and redemption.

If you're looking for books that explore the complexities of emotional abuse and trauma with the same raw honesty as 'Was It Even Abuse,' I'd highly recommend 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel van der Kolk. It delves into how trauma reshapes both the mind and body, offering a scientific yet deeply compassionate perspective. Another great pick is 'Why Does He Do That?' by Lundy Bancroft, which breaks down the mindset of abusive individuals in a way that’s both eye-opening and validating for survivors. For something more narrative-driven, 'Educated' by Tara Westover is a memoir that mirrors the confusion and gradual awakening many survivors experience. It’s not explicitly about abuse, but the themes of gaslighting and reclaiming autonomy are powerfully resonant. 'The Gift of Fear' by Gavin de Becker is another unconventional choice—it focuses on intuition and safety, but its insights into manipulative behavior are incredibly relevant.

If you loved the tender, slow-burn romance in 'We Could Be So Good', you might adore 'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston. Both books have that irresistible mix of emotional depth and witty banter, plus they explore love in unconventional settings—one in a newsroom, the other in politics. McQuiston’s writing has a similar warmth, and the way the characters’ relationship grows feels just as organic. Another gem is 'The Charm Offensive' by Alison Cochrun. It’s got that same blend of humor and heart, with a reality TV backdrop that adds a fun twist. The protagonist’s personal growth and the gentle way love unfolds remind me so much of the vibe in 'We Could Be So Good'. For something quieter but equally moving, 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune wraps you in a cozy, hopeful hug—it’s less about romantic tension and more about found family, but the emotional resonance is just as strong.

If you enjoyed 'For Your Own Good' for its dark, psychological exploration of human nature and toxic relationships, you might dive into 'My Dark Vanessa' by Kate Elizabeth Russell. It’s a hauntingly beautiful yet unsettling read that delves into manipulation and power dynamics, much like how 'For Your Own Good' peels back the layers of societal expectations. Both books leave you questioning morality long after the last page. Another gripping pick is 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver. It’s a masterclass in tension and unreliable narration, with a mother’s perspective on her son’s violent actions. The themes of control, guilt, and the blurred lines between love and destruction resonate deeply with 'For Your Own Good'. I couldn’t put either of them down—they’re the kind of stories that cling to your thoughts for weeks.