Books like Tell it to the bees

Tell it to the bees by Fiona Shaw reads as poignant, intimate. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

The paying guests

Sarah Waters · 2014

Both explore secrets & forbidden love

60% genome match

The last nude

Ellis Avery · 2011

Both explore forbidden love

63% genome match

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Malinda Lo · 2021

Both explore forbidden love & community

58% genome match

My policeman

Bethan Roberts · 2012

Both explore forbidden love

68% genome match

Pulp

Robin Talley · 2018

Both explore forbidden love

55% genome match

Swimming in the Dark

Tomasz Jedrowski · 2020

Both explore forbidden love

69% genome match

Alias Grace

Margaret Atwood · 1996

Same historical feel

48% genome match

Den ärliga bedragaren

Tove Jansson · 1982

Adjacent in the genome

55% genome match

I Can't Think Straight

Shamim Sarif · 2008

Both explore forbidden love

52% genome match

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier · 1938

Both explore secrets

47% genome match

Small Things Like These

Claire Keegan

Both explore community & secrets

64% genome match

Norwegian Wood

村上春樹 · 1987

Same romance feel

61% genome match