Books like The best American essays of the century

The best American essays of the century by Joyce Carol Oates reads as varied, insightful. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

Virgin Islands

Gore Vidal · 1997

Both explore american culture & social commentary

67% genome match

Writings from the New Yorker

E. B. White · 1990

Both explore american culture

51% genome match

Glorious American Essay

Phillip Lopate · 2020

Both explore personal reflection & social commentary

62% genome match

Literary Occasions

V. S. Naipaul · 2003

Both explore literary criticism & personal reflection

60% genome match

How to Tell a Story and Other Essays (16 works)

Mark Twain · 1897

Both explore american culture & literary criticism

57% genome match

Pulphead

John Jeremiah Sullivan · 2011

Both explore american culture & personal reflection

56% genome match

Best American Essays 2011

Edwidge Danticat · 2011

Both explore personal reflection

57% genome match

New heaven, new earth

Joyce Carol Oates · 1974

Both explore literary criticism & social commentary

56% genome match

Best American essays 2006

Robert Atwan · 2006

Same nonfiction feel

54% genome match

Existential errands

Norman Mailer · 1972

Both explore american culture

54% genome match

Touchstone anthology of contemporary creative nonfiction

Lex Williford · 2007

Same nonfiction feel

51% genome match

Shooting an Elephant and other essays

George Orwell · 1950

Same nonfiction feel

50% genome match