81 books like Wired Hard

By Toby Neal,

Here are 81 books that Wired Hard fans have personally recommended if you like Wired Hard. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Demon Copperhead

Catherine Astl Author Of Oliver's Crossing: A Novel of Cades Cove

From my list on Smoky Mountain history.

Why am I passionate about this?

My father’s side of our family is from North Carolina, and I’ve always felt the magic of these mountains, especially within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I yearned to understand how the people lived and raised children, created an entire community, lived off the land, and handled sickness, despair, and celebrations. I wanted to bring their stories to life and honor and preserve their unique history. We can all learn something from these brave men and women who staked out the land, built, grew, and hunted everything they needed, and created a community full of family, resilience, and perseverance. I proudly honor their stories within my historical fiction novels.

Catherine's book list on Smoky Mountain history

Catherine Astl Why did Catherine love this book?

I wanted a totally different perspective of Appalachia, and this book delivers on that completely. I love the heartwarming and sometimes tragic stories of pioneering people who settled in these mountains in the 1800s. But this tale shoved me right into modern-day Appalachia, with its poverty, drug abuse, and violence.

This book definitely made me think about life’s choices; how would I have handled such obstacles as the characters faced? What options did they really have, and did they truly make the best choices? Whether I agreed, disagreed, yelled at these characters, or cried with them, it was a very well-written and immersive reading experience.

Afterward, I closed the book and thought about my own life’s decisions.

By Barbara Kingsolver,

Why should I read it?

69 authors picked Demon Copperhead as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Demon's story begins with his traumatic birth to a single mother in a single-wide trailer, looking 'like a little blue prizefighter.' For the life ahead of him he would need all of that fighting spirit, along with buckets of charm, a quick wit, and some unexpected talents, legal and otherwise.

In the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, poverty isn't an idea, it's as natural as the grass grows. For a generation growing up in this world, at the heart of the modern opioid crisis, addiction isn't an abstraction, it's neighbours, parents, and friends. 'Family' could mean love, or reluctant foster…


Book cover of Save Yourself

Sarah P. Blanchard Author Of Drawn from Life

From my list on the strength of the human spirit.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been drawn to the natural world—not just its beauty but also its dirt, the earthiness and vitality of it. I prefer the company of animals to humans and the questions of curious children to the bland certainty of adults. I’ve worked as a teacher, news reporter, horse trainer, volunteer firefighter, and website designer. I try to pull bits of all these experiences together into my writing while also exploring the characters who fascinate me: flawed, compassionate protagonists who believe they must battle their demons alone and complex antagonists who think they have nothing to lose. There’s nothing so satisfying as a high-stakes challenge with an unpredictable outcome.

Sarah's book list on the strength of the human spirit

Sarah P. Blanchard Why did Sarah love this book?

I love learning about flawed characters who must make hard choices, and this book dropped me immediately into the lives of several.

Braffet raises dark themes of guilt, sorrow, and the power of community shaming to a high art in this gripping suspense story. Here’s a worthy struggle, indeed: How to rebuild your life as an outcast when the destruction isn’t your fault and the burden shouldn’t be yours to bear. I found myself liking and caring about these very flawed characters in spite of the bad choices they make. The writing is thoughtful and nuanced until suddenly, it isn’t.

The ending is NOT predictable.

By Kelly Braffet,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Save Yourself as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Tiny

Sarah P. Blanchard Author Of Drawn from Life

From my list on the strength of the human spirit.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been drawn to the natural world—not just its beauty but also its dirt, the earthiness and vitality of it. I prefer the company of animals to humans and the questions of curious children to the bland certainty of adults. I’ve worked as a teacher, news reporter, horse trainer, volunteer firefighter, and website designer. I try to pull bits of all these experiences together into my writing while also exploring the characters who fascinate me: flawed, compassionate protagonists who believe they must battle their demons alone and complex antagonists who think they have nothing to lose. There’s nothing so satisfying as a high-stakes challenge with an unpredictable outcome.

Sarah's book list on the strength of the human spirit

Sarah P. Blanchard Why did Sarah love this book?

This book snuck up on me. It’s a lovely story of hope and the strength of the human spirit, featuring three ordinary people living their lives who are suddenly tied together by the tragedy of an accidental death.

I love Hooper’s descriptions of their attempts to muddle through pain and loss, seeking reconciliation and a path forward. This book finds a more upbeat ending than the others on my list, as forgiveness, hope, empathy, and the possibility of a new life come shining through. I love the writer’s obvious compassion for all her characters.

By Kim Hooper,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tiny as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Ordinary Human Failings

Sarah P. Blanchard Author Of Drawn from Life

From my list on the strength of the human spirit.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been drawn to the natural world—not just its beauty but also its dirt, the earthiness and vitality of it. I prefer the company of animals to humans and the questions of curious children to the bland certainty of adults. I’ve worked as a teacher, news reporter, horse trainer, volunteer firefighter, and website designer. I try to pull bits of all these experiences together into my writing while also exploring the characters who fascinate me: flawed, compassionate protagonists who believe they must battle their demons alone and complex antagonists who think they have nothing to lose. There’s nothing so satisfying as a high-stakes challenge with an unpredictable outcome.

Sarah's book list on the strength of the human spirit

Sarah P. Blanchard Why did Sarah love this book?

I chose this book first for the sheer beauty of the writing and second, for the cautionary spotlight it places on the destructive power of the media.

Set in London in 1990, this is the story of an Irish immigrant family tied by blood but not by intimacy. Their tragedies are exaggerated for gain by the ambition of a sketchy tabloid reporter who exploits the vulnerabilities of these flawed characters. I love how Nolan uses her exquisitely beautiful prose to describe tragic events and dark secrets. Everything is infused with sharp psychological insights and a keen eye for the intricate details of the worlds her characters inhabit.

Yes, it’s dark. But there’s hope, healing, and growth here, as well. 

By Megan Nolan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ordinary Human Failings as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024*

*SHORTLISTED FOR FICTION - 2023 NERO BOOK AWARDS*

After the death of a young girl, the finger of suspicion is pointing at one reclusive family...

'Ambitious and original' DAVID NICHOLLS

'Gripping... A triumph' SUNDAY TIMES

It's 1990 in London and, after the death of a young girl on an estate, the finger of suspicion is pointing at one reclusive Irish family: the Greens.

At their heart sits Carmel: beautiful, other-worldly, and once destined for a future beyond her circumstances until life - and love - got in her way. Now, as the…


Book cover of Hula: A Romance of Hawaii

Eric Redman Author Of Bones Of Hilo

From my list on under-appreciated about Hawai'i.

Why am I passionate about this?

In the early 1980s, I fell in love with the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, its people – including my wife’s Native Hawaiian relatives – and its history. My wife and I owned a home on the South Kohala Coast of the Big Island for twenty years, where I assembled a library of Hawaiian history and began reading all things Hawaiian, including detective fiction. Every year, Hawaiʻi inspires so many books, fiction and non-fiction, well-publicized or obscure, that it’s fun to mention some that Hawaiʻi lovers and residents may have missed.  

Eric's book list on under-appreciated about Hawai'i

Eric Redman Why did Eric love this book?

In this unusual novel, still in print after a century, Hula is a bewitching teenager raised on a Maui cattle ranch and proficient on horseback, among other talents. 

She attracts male attention, some acceptable by standards of the time (today she seems awfully young for her older suitors), and some markedly inappropriate even then. Drama ensues against a period-piece Maui backdrop: almost no cars on the island, few roads, and day-long steamer trips along the coast for sea travel from one town to another. 

The literary style and point of view, with the author hopping from one character’s head to another, often in a single paragraph, can at once surprise and delight modern readers. Armine von Tempski, who grew up on Maui, set other novels there, but Hula, her first, remains uniquely intriguing – especially for Maui lovers!  

By Armine Von Tempski,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hula as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

1928. Maui writer Armine von Tempski, who died almost a half-century ago, is one of Hawaii's enduring literary legends. She spent her childhood years on the family ranch in Haleakala with her Polish-American father and English mother. Her books reveal the daily life and customs on Hawaii with a colorful prose that captures the beauty of the spectacular tropics. The novel tells the colorful, sensual tale of Hula Calhoun, the daughter of a Hawaiian Planter, sidesteps the dissolute influence of her father through the guidance of her Uncle Edwin, who prefers a more natural existence to the society life of…


Book cover of The Unhoneymooners

Jessica Cunsolo Author Of Best Vacation Ever

From my list on fun summer reads for lazy days by the pool.

Why am I passionate about this?

There’s nothing better than sitting down at the pool to read a fun, engaging story that transports you into another world and keeps you entertained. I’ve always loved reading to escape, and when I started writing and posting my stories for free online at 17 years old, I discovered my true calling. My first story amassed 140 million reads with millions of comments, where people shared how much fun they had reading the story and how it helped them escape from their lives. Since then, I’ve continued writing stories I’m passionate about and sharing them with people who love a good, fun, romance.

Jessica's book list on fun summer reads for lazy days by the pool

Jessica Cunsolo Why did Jessica love this book?

When I think of the perfect, fun, poolside read, this book is the first to pop into my head.

The Unhoneymooners follows Olive, who ends up having to fake date a man she hates while on their fake honeymoon in Hawaii. I love those tropes (fake relationships, enemies to lovers, forced proximity) but on top of that, this book is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

I was giggling in the pool the entire time I read this, and the light, fast-paced, engaging vibe makes this book the perfect poolside read.

By Christina Lauren,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Unhoneymooners as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews * Publishers Weekly * Library Journal

Named a “Must-Read” by TODAY, Us Weekly, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, Southern Living, Book Riot, Woman’s Day, The Toronto Star, and more!

For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime—maybe even love—in this romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling authors of Roomies.

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is…


Book cover of Simmer Down

Skye McDonald Author Of The Not So Nice Girl

From my list on making you laugh, cry, and swoon.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a woman. Laughing, crying, and swooning are all things I know intimately—sometimes heart-achingly. I’m living my life with my heart open, learning to be unashamedly me. That means I love, sometimes recklessly. That meant I hurt, sometimes more than anyone could know. And that means I swoon, not only for romance but also for the beauty of this “wild and precious life.” My recommended novels take you through all the feels. My own novels use my roots in Nashville, TN. Family and music are key. But more than that, my books are about learning to love yourself. I’ve learned personally that that’s the true happily ever after.

Skye's book list on making you laugh, cry, and swoon

Skye McDonald Why did Skye love this book?

Simmer Down is my favorite novel by my friend and co-author/podcaster, Sarah Smith. Smith is a master of the hate-to-love beach read. Her books are spicy, sizzling, and fun. 

Simmer Down is my favorite because of English hottie Callum, the love interest. Nikki, the main character, starts off detesting this grumpy Brit when he becomes competition for her food truck business in Maui. But through a series of laugh-out-loud and ooo-did-she-really-say-that encounters, these two spicy characters realize they’re even better together than they are apart. 

I love this story, and I love how Smith weaves small elements of her life into her novels. Nikki is Filipino-American and grieving the loss of a parent; the food she makes with her mother are traditional Filipino dishes that Smith is an absolute wizard at. The character dynamics make this fun romance an even richer read.

By Sarah Smith,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Simmer Down as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A PopSugar Must-Read for October!

In this finger-licking good rom-com, two is the perfect number of cooks in the kitchen.

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten—or the competition to be so smoking hot.

But Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn’t care how delectable the British food truck owner is—he rudely set up shop next…


Book cover of Hawaiian Fishing Traditions

Dennis Kawaharada Author Of Storied Landscapes: Hawaiian Literature and Place

From my list on understanding Hawaiian culture before visiting.

Why am I passionate about this?

I taught traditional Hawaiian literature to college students and established Kalamakū Press in 1990 to publish Hawaiian folktales, narratives, autobiography, and poetry. I also worked for a decade as a writer for the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), a scientific and cultural non-profit that builds and sails double-hulled voyaging canoes to explore how the Polynesians, without modern navigation instruments, found and settled Hawai‘i. Long before Europeans arrived in Hawai‘i, Polynesians discovered and lived sustainably for centuries on an isolated chain of eight islands. The practices and values of the traditional culture have a lot to teach communities struggling to find their way in an overdeveloped, overpopulated world today. 

Dennis' book list on understanding Hawaiian culture before visiting

Dennis Kawaharada Why did Dennis love this book?

Hawaiian Fishing Traditions celebrates famous Hawaiian fishermen. Fish was the main source of protein. The first story, by Moke Manu, tells of Kū‘ula-kai, who became deified as a god of fishermen because of his power to control fish. He built the first fishpond, in Hāna, Maui, to supply the chief and people with food. His son ‘Ai‘ai, featured in the second story, continued his father’s good work by locating offshore fishing grounds and teaching the people how to catch fish, practice conservation, and distribute the catch with generosity. Also included are the stories of other legendary fishermen and of battles with man-eating sharks. Two articles in the appendix describe the vast array of traditional fishing methods; a third article gives an anthropological account of the worship of shark gods.

By Moke Manu, Dennis Kawaharada (editor),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hawaiian Fishing Traditions as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A celebration of the great fisherman of ancient Hawaii, known for attracting and propagating fish, inventing fishing techniques, and bringing in extraordinary catches.


Book cover of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean

Martha LaGuardia-Kotite Author Of Changing the Rules of Engagement: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Leadership from Women in the Military

From my list on finding inspiration that can change your life.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love adventure—I'm an adventurist. I love escaping—through creative writing and the written word! And, I love the sea—I have served over 30 years in the US Coast Guard at sea and ashore and recently drove Zodiacs in Alaska and Norway for Seabourn Cruise ships. Since publishing my first book, So Others May Live about heroic US Coast Guard rescue swimmers and aircrews  (read by Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher who both told me they loved my book and used it for their roles in film, The Guardian), I have become a TEDx speaker and coach, award-winning author and rose to the senior rank of captain in the USCG. 

Martha's book list on finding inspiration that can change your life

Martha LaGuardia-Kotite Why did Martha love this book?

This is an adventure! Turn the pages of this book to find waves and many kinds of waves: rogue, freak, and giant waves of the ocean and the people who try to surf them. I am a retired US Coast Guard officer and sailed many ships at sea. As a mariner we know of or have seen waves, some of them tossing our ships in the middle of the night as we try to sail home. Any number of ships have vanished in the ocean, quickly, with no time to put out an SOS call for help. This is a great book to learn more while having an adventure reading it from the safety of your chair.

By Susan Casey,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Wave as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The have long been mariners' tales of 100-foot rogue waves - gargantuan monsters that sink super-tankers in the blink of an eye.

But waves that high violate the laws of physics, so science has dismissed them as myth. Until now.

In February 2000 the research ship, RRS Discovery, was trapped by a vortex of mammoth waves in the North Atlantic. Amazingly the ship survived and its state-of-the-art equipment registered waves nearing 100-feet. Something scary is brewing in the planet's waters. And with 72% of earth covered by sea, this is serious business.

Cut to Maui, Hawaii, a surf mecca where…


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