14 Books Like Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Have you ever been so engrossed in a book that you felt like you were living inside its pages, completely immersed in its world and characters?
If you’re nodding along enthusiastically, then you’re likely familiar with the enchanting storytelling of Gabrielle Zevin. Whether it’s her heartwarming tales of love and loss or her thought-provoking explorations of life’s big questions, Zevin has a knack for captivating readers and leaving them craving more.
And what better example there is than “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow?”
But what do you do when you need similar reads like the ones above?
You read this blog because here we’ll journey through a curated selection of books that share the same charm, wit, and emotional depth that make Gabrielle Zevin’s stories so irresistible.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a new reading adventure that feels like reuniting with an old friend, then let’s dive in!
Books Like Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
1. The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
This novel is set in 1987 and revolves around 14-year-old Billy Marvin, whose life changes when he and his friends plot to steal a copy of Playboy from the local store.
Their plan, however, takes an unexpected turn when Billy meets Mary Zelinsky, a computer whiz who could out-code all of them. Together, they embark on creating a video game, leading to an adventure filled with nostalgia, young love, and the thrill of creating something new.
Major Similarities:
Both books center around the themes of friendship, love, and the art of creating video games. They capture the essence of youth and the transformative power of technology, delving into how these elements shape the characters’ lives and relationships.
The Impossible Fortress, like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, explores the intersection of personal growth and creativity within the context of the burgeoning digital age.
2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
“Ready Player One” transports readers to a dystopian future where humanity escapes the desolation of the real world through the OASIS, a vast virtual reality universe. The protagonist, Wade Watts, embarks on a quest to find an Easter egg hidden within the OASIS by its creator, which promises immense fortune and control of the virtual realm.
This journey is fraught with challenges, alliances, and the exploration of identity within the confines of a digital world.
Major Similarities:
Both novels immerse readers in richly detailed virtual worlds, highlighting the impact of gaming and virtual reality on society and individual lives. They explore themes of escape, the quest for meaning, and the blurring lines between reality and the digital world.
The characters in both stories are driven by their passion for games, leading to profound personal and relational developments.
3. Lexicon by Max Barry
“Lexicon” is a thrilling novel that combines elements of science fiction with linguistic prowess, where words have the power to control minds. The story follows Emily Ruff, a street hustler with a talent for persuasion, who is recruited by an exclusive organization of ‘poets.’
As she delves deeper into this world, the power of language and its implications on free will and control become apparent, leading to a high-stakes confrontation.
Major Similarities:
Though not centered around video games, “Lexicon” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” share a fascination with the power of creativity and the impact of technological or intellectual advancements on society.
Both novels explore complex relationships and the moral ambiguities of manipulating others through their respective mediums—video games in one and language in the other.
4. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
This novel follows April May, who stumbles upon a mysterious sculpture in New York City, making her an overnight celebrity through a viral video. As more sculptures appear worldwide, April becomes embroiled in a mystery that challenges her understanding of identity, fame, and humanity’s place in the universe.
The story navigates the perils of social media fame and the human connection in the digital age.
Major Similarities:
“An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” both delve into the themes of creativity, the impact of technology on personal relationships, and the quest for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
They explore how digital platforms can shape identities and relationships, offering a critique of contemporary society’s obsession with technology and fame.
5. Sourdough by Robin Sloan
“Sourdough” is a delightful tale of Lois Clary, a software engineer who inherits a sourdough starter with unusual qualities. As she learns to bake, her life takes a turn towards the unconventional, leading her into a world of secret markets, experimental cuisine, and the intersection of food and technology.
The novel is a celebration of creativity, transformation, and finding one’s passion in the most unexpected places.
Major Similarities:
While “Sourdough” focuses on the art of baking rather than video game development, both it and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” highlight the journey of self-discovery through creative endeavors.
They share themes of innovation, the blending of technology with art, and the profound impact these pursuits have on the protagonist’s life and relationships.
6. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
This novel introduces us to Clay Jannon, who lands a job at a mysterious bookstore with very few customers and an extensive array of seemingly obscure books. As Clay digs deeper, he discovers that the store is a front for a secret organization obsessed with uncovering eternal life.
The blend of ancient books, cutting-edge technology, and a quest that bridges the two worlds makes for a compelling read.
Major Similarities:
“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” both celebrate the intersection of technology and traditional forms of creativity, in this case, literature versus video games.
They share a sense of adventure and mystery, along with the theme of deep friendships formed through shared intellectual quests.
7. Neuromancer by William Gibson
“Neuromancer” is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, introducing readers to a world where data thieves, cybernetic enhancements, and vast digital landscapes are the norm.
The protagonist, Case, is a washed-up computer hacker hired for one last job that thrusts him into a complex web of intrigue. The novel explores themes of artificial intelligence, the nature of consciousness, and the fusion of humanity with technology.
Major Similarities:
Like “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” “Neuromancer” immerses readers in a technologically advanced world where the boundaries between the real and the virtual blur.
Both books delve into the impact of technology on society and individual identity, offering a vision of the future that is both cautionary and enlightening.
8. Reamde by Neal Stephenson
In “Reamde,” Stephenson combines the world of online gaming with a high-stakes thriller narrative. The story revolves around a virus that affects the virtual world of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, leading to unforeseen consequences in the real world.
This globe-trotting adventure explores themes of virtual economies, international terrorism, and the unpredictable ways in which the virtual and real worlds can collide.
Major Similarities:
Both “Reamde” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” explore the vast potential and dangers of virtual worlds.
They highlight how online games can influence real-world actions and relationships, and delve into the complexities of digital versus physical existence.
9. Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in Mexico City, “Signal to Noise” tells the story of Meche, a teenager in the 1980s who discovers she can cast spells using vinyl records.
The narrative alternates between her teenage years and her return to Mexico City as an adult, exploring themes of friendship, love, and the magic of music. The novel is a poignant reflection on growing up and the power of nostalgia.
Major Similarities:
While “Signal to Noise” focuses on music rather than video games, it shares with “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” a deep engagement with the creative process and how it shapes our lives.
Both novels are imbued with a sense of nostalgia and examine the complexities of relationships over time, underscored by a backdrop of technological or magical innovation.
10. The Circle by Dave Eggers
“The Circle” is a dystopian novel that critiques the digital age, focusing on Mae Holland, a young woman who lands a job at The Circle, a powerful tech company.
As she rises within the company, she becomes entangled in its agenda of surveillance and the erosion of privacy.
The novel raises important questions about the role of technology in our lives, the loss of privacy, and the potential for a digital utopia or dystopia.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Circle” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” offer a critical look at the impact of technology on society and individual relationships.
They delve into the ethical dilemmas presented by advances in technology, exploring themes of connectivity, privacy, and the human element within the digital landscape.
11. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
“Alif the Unseen” blends the modern digital world with ancient myths and the supernatural. The story follows Alif, a young hacker living in an unnamed Middle Eastern state, who finds himself on the run from the government after creating a program that can identify a user’s identity online.
This thrilling narrative weaves together elements of fantasy, technology, and political activism, exploring the power of the unseen in both the digital and mystical worlds.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” “Alif the Unseen” explores the impact of technology on society and individual lives, incorporating themes of creativity and resistance.
Both novels feature protagonists who navigate complex social and emotional landscapes, with technology serving as both a tool for liberation and a source of peril.
12. Pattern Recognition by William Gibson
“Pattern Recognition” is a post-cyberpunk novel that follows Cayce Pollard, a marketing consultant with an intuitive sensitivity to logos and a keen ability to forecast trends.
The plot thickens when she’s hired to find the makers of mysterious, fragmentary video clips proliferating on the internet, leading her into an exploration of global marketing, internet culture, and the search for authenticity in a commodified world.
Major Similarities:
Both “Pattern Recognition” and “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” delve into the influence of digital culture and the quest for meaning within it.
Gibson and Zevin explore their characters’ personal growth and relationships against a backdrop of technological and cultural change, highlighting the challenges of connecting in a mediated world.
13. The Nix by Nathan Hill
“The Nix” spans decades and genres, telling the story of Samuel Andresen-Anderson and his estranged mother, Faye. Samuel is a college professor and stalled writer who learns that his mother, whom he thought abandoned him, has committed a bizarre act of political protest.
The novel explores their complicated family history, American culture, and the impact of the past on the present, all while touching on themes of reality versus perception and the role of technology in shaping narratives.
Major Similarities:
Like “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” “The Nix” examines the nuances of human relationships and the impact of technology and media on society.
Both novels are interested in the ways stories are told and understood in a digital age, and how personal and collective histories intersect with the present.
14. Microserfs by Douglas Coupland
“Microserfs” is a novel that follows a group of young Microsoft employees in the 1990s who decide to leave the company and start their own tech venture.
The story is told through the diary entries of one of the employees, capturing the zeitgeist of the early days of the digital revolution.
It’s a tale of friendship, love, and the search for meaning beyond the screen, exploring the lives of its characters as they navigate the challenges of the tech industry and their personal aspirations.
Major Similarities:
“Microserfs” shares with “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” a deep dive into the world of technology and its creators, focusing on the human stories behind the screens.
Both novels highlight the transformative power of creativity in the tech industry, the dynamics of friendship and collaboration, and the personal journeys of characters seeking purpose and connection in a digital age.
