Books That Capture Diane Keaton’s Spirit: Quirky, Independent, Authentic
Like so many people, I’ve always adored Diane Keaton—not just for her films, but for who she was. The hats. The humor. The unapologetic weirdness. She was proof that you don’t need to fit a mold to shine—you just need to show up fully as you. That’s what I loved most about her, and it’s also what I love most about books.
So today, I wanted to share a few novels that remind me of Diane’s spirit—quirky, independent, and completely authentic.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
If Diane ever played Eleanor, I think she would’ve nailed it. Eleanor is awkward, blunt, and endearing—someone who lives life on her own terms, even when she doesn’t quite fit in. Watching her slowly open her heart feels like watching one of Diane’s characters learn to love again. It’s a story that’s both funny and deeply moving, much like Diane herself.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Elizabeth Zott could’ve been one of Diane’s most memorable roles. She’s a 1960s chemist who refuses to conform to society’s expectations of women, which feels like something Diane would wholeheartedly approve of. Elizabeth’s dry humor and quiet determination remind me of Diane’s strength—she didn’t demand attention, she commanded it just by being herself.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
This one has that soft, slightly melancholy charm that Diane brought to her later films. It’s about a grumpy bookseller whose life unexpectedly expands through love, literature, and found family. It’s tender and a little offbeat—the kind of story that reminds you that people can surprise you, even (and especially) when you think you’ve got them figured out.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Olive is complicated, blunt, and full of contradictions—which makes her feel so real. I can easily imagine Diane playing her: a woman who doesn’t sugarcoat life but still feels things deeply beneath the surface. This book captures what Diane did so beautifully on screen—the honesty of aging, the courage of introspection, and the beauty in imperfection.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Diane loved architecture and home design, so The Dutch House feels like a perfect fit. It’s a novel about memory, family, and the places that shape us. It’s reflective and bittersweet, like one of Diane’s quieter moments on screen. There’s a tenderness to it—a love of nostalgia and the passage of time—that I think she would’ve connected with deeply.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
This novel is delightfully chaotic—in the best way. A failed bank robbery leads to a group of strangers trapped in an apartment, and what unfolds is part comedy, part therapy session. It’s messy and human and unexpectedly profound. Honestly, it feels like a Diane Keaton movie waiting to happen: full of eccentric personalities who end up finding grace in the absurdity.
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
A coming-of-age story about a young woman who’s constantly searching for belonging. She makes mistakes, she leaves people behind, she learns. I can see shades of Diane in April’s independence and resilience—both women who keep reinventing themselves, never fully settling, but always seeking truth.
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
If you loved Diane in Something’s Gotta Give, this one’s for you. Martha, the narrator, is whip-smart, self-aware, and both hilarious and heartbreaking. The tone is dry, honest, and achingly human—just like Diane’s best roles. It’s one of those books that makes you laugh out loud one minute and tear up the next.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
A sweeping story about family, love, and the complicated ways we hurt and heal each other. The emotional core of this book feels like The Family Stone or Because I Said So—movies that balanced chaos with tenderness, humor with heart. I can imagine Diane reading this one slowly, dog-earing pages, nodding to herself in recognition.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
This might be the most Diane-esque book of the bunch. It’s sharp, funny, and full of unexpected heart. It asks big questions about love, timing, and what happens when smart, independent women let themselves be vulnerable. It’s modern and witty—but underneath it all, it’s sincere. That’s pure Diane.
