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Modern & Literary Fiction Books

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    The Confession by Jessie Burton

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    A Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, The Confession is an absorbing tale of secrets and self-discovery from Jessie Burton,...

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    The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

    Only 18 left!

    The New York Times bestselling novel, from the author of Station Eleven. 'A perfect post-lockdown read' - Sunday Times'Elegant, haunting' - The Tim...

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    All That Glitters by Danielle Steel

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    From New York to London to St Tropez, All That Glitters by the world's favourite storyteller, Danielle Steel, is the story of a young woman finding...

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    Daylight by David Baldacci

    Only 6 left!

    Daylight is the gripping follow up to Long Road to Mercy and A Minute to Midnight featuring Special Agent Atlee Pine, from one of the world's most ...

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    Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci

    Only 9 left!

    Number one bestseller Long Road to Mercy is the heart-pounding first novel in the FBI Special Agent Atlee Pine series by bestselling author David B...

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    Turn a Blind Eye by Jeffrey Archer

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    In the third instalment in the life of Detective William Warwick, following on from Hidden in Plain Sight, international bestseller Jeffrey Archer ...

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    Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

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    The Sunday Times No.1 BestsellerNothing Ventured is the incredible and thrilling novel by the master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clif...

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    The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley

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    From the Sunday Times number one bestselling author Lucinda Riley, The Missing Sister is the seventh instalment in the multimillion selling epic se...

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    The Sun Sister by Lucinda Riley

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    From the frenetic atmosphere of Manhattan to the magnificent wide-open plains of Africa, The Sun Sister is the sixth epic tale in the Seven Sisters...

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    The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley

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    From the Scottish Highlands and Spain, to South America and New York, The Moon Sister is the fifth epic story in the Seven Sisters series by the in...

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    The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley

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    Journey to the dusty plains of Central Australia in The Pearl Sister, the fourth book in the number one bestselling Seven Sisters series by Lucinda...

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    I Follow You by Peter James

    Only 3 left!

    From the number one bestselling author, Peter James, comes I Follow You, a nerve-shredding standalone thriller. To the outside world, suave, charmi...

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    The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

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    The enthralling Sunday Times bestselling gothic novel from the author of LABYRINTH and THE BURNING CHAMBERSThe clock strikes twelve. Beneath the wi...

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    Ridley Road: Now a Major BBC Drama by Jo Bloom

    Only 4 left!

    NOW A MAJOR BBC ONE DRAMA starring Rory Kinnear, Tamzin Outhwaite, Tracy-Ann ObermanA TALE OF LOVE AND MORALITY SET IN THE DARK SIDE OF THE SWINGIN...

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    Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

    Only 8 left!

    SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTIONTHE BOOK EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT'Just read it. It's unforgettable'India Knight, The Sunday Times'It ...

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    The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

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    NOW A MAJOR GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING NETFLIX SERIES'Superb' Time Out 'Mesmerizing' Newsweek'Gripping' Financial Times'Sheer entertainment. It is a book...

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    Betty: The International Bestseller by Tiffany McDaniel

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    A coming-of-age story filled with magic in language and plot: beautiful and devastating'Observer, Books of the Year'I felt consumed by this book. I...

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    The Hummingbird: 'Magnificent' (Guardian) by Sandro Veronesi

    Only 12 left!

    A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE GUARDIAN: 'DEEPLY PLEASURABLE'A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE SPECTATOR: 'WHAT A JOY''Magnificent' Guardian'A towering achive...

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    Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

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    The book of the summer ... Kept me rapt until the final page' THE TIMES'A sharp, smart, witty modern love story. I loved it' David Nicholls, author...

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    The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

    Only 5 left!

    LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020 THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'A literary love child of Jonathan Franzen and Anne Tyler ... outst...

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    The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books 1) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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    THE MODERN CLASSIC: OVER 20 MILLION COPIES SOLDA Sunday Times bestseller and a Richard & Judy book club pick'The real deal: one gorgeous read' ...

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    The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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    THE ICONIC CLASSIC, WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZEONE OF THE BBC '100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD''A lush celebration of all that it means to be a b...

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    The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

    Only 11 left!

    A writer the world should be reading right now.' IndependentWho would you be, if you hadn't turned out to be the person you are now?Dawn is a death...

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    A Keeper: The Sunday Times Bestseller by Graham Norton

    Only 13 left!

    Atmospheric, creepy and impossible to put down.' the TIMES'A compelling and moving story, expertly told, that will draw you in and keep you in its ...

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    The Gift by Alan Titchmarsh

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    A powerfully life-affirming story of the wonder of nature, the ties of family, and the healing power of love from bestselling novelist and national...

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    The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

    Only 16 left!

    *THE PERFECT UP-LIT SUMMER READ, RECOMMENDED BY THOUSANDS OF READERS*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & WINNER OF THE RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB'One...

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    What Abigail Did That Summer (Rivers of London Novella) by Ben Aaronovitch

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    The new Rivers of London novella, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch. Ghost hunter, fox whisperer, troublemaker. It is...

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    Two Women by Martina Cole

    Only 2 left!

    Two Women. They'll never forget what they've done. Special edition of the iconic bestseller to celebrate 30 years of Martina Cole's strong women. '...

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    Secrets in the Dark by Ceril Campbell

    Only 3 left!

    The ultimate glamorous, escapist blockbuster - perfect for fans of Melanie Blake, Jackie Collins and Shirley Conran's Lace. 'Just the kind of glamo...

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    House Swap by Olivia Beirne

    Only 4 left!

    It's like a warm hug! *****' REAL READER 'This is the kind of book I'd love to read over and over again! *****' REAL READER 'I devoured it in one d...

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    I Know What You've Done by Dorothy Koomson

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    The very definition of a page-turner, it's suburban noir at its finest' HARRIET TYCEDo you have any idea what the people you know are capable of? B...

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    Mother Mother by Annie Macmanus

    Only 8 left!

    THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER, JUNE 2021'Annie Macmanus is writer whose understanding and capturing of human nature comes as easily to her as...

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    Common Ground by Naomi Ishiguro

    Only 9 left!

    *An Evening Standard Must Read, Grazia Best Book of 2021 and Independent Debut Not to Miss*'Beautifully written, this is a book of real hope and co...

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    Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O'Flanagan

    Only 3 left!

    Sunday Times bestseller April 2022Irish Times bestseller March 2022At the first wedding, there's a shockThe second wedding is unexpected By the thi...

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    While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart

    Only 5 left!

    On a platform in occupied Paris, a mother whispers goodbye. It is the end. But also the beginning... 'What a book... Emotional and heartrending...a...

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    The Memory Box by Kathryn Hughes

    Only 12 left!

    UTTERLY UNPUTDOWNABLE' Jenny AshcroftSome love stories last a lifetime... 'Wow, wow, wow!!! The BEST BOOK I have read all year. A gorgeous story wh...

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    American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

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    Heartstopping... doesn't let up... you will urge them on, fists clenched' The TimesAn extraordinary story of the lengths a mother will go to to sav...

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    Mother's Boy by Patrick Gale

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    One of the joys of Gale's writing is how even the smallest of characters can appear fully formed, due to a charming wickedness alongside deeper obs...

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    The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc

    Only 7 left!

    ENJOY THIS WARM HUG OF A READ FROM BELOVED NATIONAL TREASURE AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR MEL GIEDROYC'I enjoyed it HUGELY. A real treat' MA...

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    Should I Tell You? by Jill Mansell

    Only 8 left!

    From the queen of feelgood fiction, an uplifting new novel of friendship, families and finding love . . . 'What a gorgeous book! Jill has a great g...

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    Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous

    in stock

    Hurt people hurt people. Say there was a novel in which Holden Caulfield was an alcoholic and Lolita was a photographer's assistant and, somehow, t...

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    A Burning by Megha Majumdar

    Only 3 left!

    Immaculately constructed, acidly observed and gripping from start to finish, A Burning is a brilliant debut.' The Guardian 'Megha Majumdar's A Burn...

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    The Lost Chapter by Caroline Bishop

    Only 6 left!

    The sparkling new novel from Caroline Bishop, author of The Other Daughter. Perfect for fans of Tracy Rees, Elizabeth Noble and Rachel Hore. ******...

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    Space Hopper by Helen Fisher

    Only 2 left!

    Nostalgic' The Independent'Heart-warming' Platinum 'Uplifting' Cosmopolitan 'Beautiful' Stylist 'Quirky' Best If you could go back in time to find ...

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    Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

    in stock

    THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY SELLING SOUTH KOREAN SENSATION THAT HAS GOT THE WHOLE WORLD TALKING'A ground-breaking work of feminist fiction.' Stylist Who...

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    Home by Penny Parkes

    Only 2 left!

    Moving, hopeful and heartfelt... an ideal book group read' AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird A gripping and heartfelt story about overcoming the p...

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    Here and Now by Santa Montefiore

    Only 15 left!

    THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR 'Peopled with wonderful characters, it's funny, sad, poignant and heart-warming, a tough...

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    Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

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    THE WORD-OF-MOUTH SENSATIONTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA RICHARD & JUDY BOOKCLUB SELECTIONNOW A NUMBER ONE NETFLIX SERIES'Timely and compelling'...

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    Original price £8.99 - Original price £8.99
    Original price £8.99
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    £8.99 - £8.99
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Creative, formula-bending, genre-defying, character-focused, and most importantly, a literary exploration of the human condition—contemporary & modern literary fiction is arguably the most experimental genre within literature.

The landscape of literary fiction is constantly being revolutionised by literary fiction authors; that are known to constantly push the boundaries of genre fiction and blur the lines of distinction between literary fiction and other genres of literature.

Given the creative ambiguity of contemporary literary fiction; the genre witnesses a dazzling lineup of highly acclaimed debuts and fresh progressive voices each year. From trailblazing memoirs to the cultural history of humanity—no other genre captures the exactness of our collective life experience more creatively than literary fiction.

The list of bestselling literary fiction is an exciting mix of very distinct literary techniques and contrasting voices. Precisely why, we at Books2Door bring you and a carefully curated collection of the best literary fiction books of all time whilst also helping you gain an acute understanding of what qualifies as modern & literary fiction.

Formula-bending, genre-defying, and experimental

Modern and Contemporary Literary Fiction or experimental fiction is possibly the literature’s most rebellious genre. It doesn’t follow any literary formulas, nor does it adhere to any rules. In that, literary fiction authors are free to build an unpredictable narrative. Anything can transpire; exciting or unnerving. In literary fiction, any established literary theme can be turned on its head. For instance, literary fiction authors have challenged the good-triumphs-over-evil theme; so common otherwise in genre fiction books.

George Orwell’s social satire Nineteen Eighty-Four is one example. A book best categorised as dystopian literature; (remember the recently trending hashtag #makeorwellfictionagain ?) Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four not only challenged the good vs evil theme but also blurred the lines of distinction between genre fiction and classic literary fiction.

Employees creative storytelling

Considering literary fiction doesn’t adhere to any rules of genre or sub-genre; every literary fiction author is free to be creative and create his own rules. This makes the storyline an adventure, that can take its readers by surprise.

Devoid of any rules, the literary fiction writer is free to break convention and employ his creativity. This practice has birthed some extraordinary literary works. For example, Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife where Niffenegger’s uses dual narrators from the first person point of view, in the present tense.

Thought-provoking and introspective

Like we said earlier, no other genre captures the exactness of the human condition and our collective life experience more creatively than literary fiction. Whilst most genres are designed to entertain the readers, literary fiction is meant to do more than that. Literary fiction seeks to make sense of the world. It is meant to be thought-provoking, and introspective and is meant to push the reader to think critically of the human condition.

Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, for instance, explores the mind of a depressed, anxious, and neurotic young woman. Whilst the book has a coming-of-age plot line; it is the inner dialogue of this character that truly makes it a memorable book. This strong character study is what makes literary fiction a character-focused and introspective genre.

Explores the human condition

Stories in literary fiction do not shy away from dealing with difficult subjects and the realities of the human condition with artistic honesty. Literary fiction, therefore, is not always designed to help the reader escape. It can make the reader uncomfortable and push them to think about issues.

Literary fiction however is not non-fiction; so it doesn’t just report the truth. Instead, it relies on creative techniques and artsy symbolism to convey a deeper meaning. Literary fiction relies on metaphors and creative storytelling to convey meaningful messages. As a result, the takeaway from these stories is more than just the story, the takeaway is the experience, the message, and at times the characters.

Literary fiction is character-driven

Whilst genre fiction is focused on the story, plotlines, and on being an engaging read; literary fiction is more stressed on the characters or on conveying a meaningful message or idea. At times, it is focused on both. The characters in literary fiction can have layers, the depth of a character's actions and psyche are explored to forward the plot. Literary fiction doesn’t just show a character’s story, it shows how their actions and circumstances change the character.

Literary fiction can be as absurd and ambiguous as life itself

Literary fiction is experimental in nature much like absurd art, which means it doesn’t have to have a happy ending or an ending at all. Art movements like absurdism, dadaism and surrealism, are all, artsy cousins of experimental prose.

Literary fiction gives writers the liberty to let a story end abruptly or for the entire plot to be absurd. Stories in this genre don’t necessarily have to resolve but they have to have meaning. The meaning however is left to the reader’s interpretation.

Literary fiction is good for the reader

Because literary fiction pushes boundaries, employs a unique perspective, searches for meaning, and is designed for intellectual and emotional stimulus--it is much like the art you see hanging in galleries and the movies that bring meaningful conversations alive. Just like artsy movies and art itself, the creative genius of literary fiction is largely open to criticism. Some of the best contemporary literary fiction books have won critical acclaim and awards but missed out on winning the masses.

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