Modern & Literary Fiction Books
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
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...
View full detailsThe Color Purple by Alice Walker
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...
View full detailsThe Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
*THE PERFECT UP-LIT SUMMER READ, RECOMMENDED BY THOUSANDS OF READERS*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & WINNER OF THE RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB'One...
View full detailsWhat Abigail Did That Summer (Rivers of London Novella) by Ben Aaronovitch
The new Rivers of London novella, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch. Ghost hunter, fox whisperer, troublemaker. It is...
View full detailsOne August Night by Victoria Hislop
Excellent as ever. Victoria Hislop at her best.' Reader review'Within a few pages I was back in Greece and almost feeling the sun on my face.' Read...
View full detailsMother Mother by Annie Macmanus
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...
View full detailsCommon Ground by Naomi Ishiguro
*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...
View full detailsThree Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O'Flanagan
Sunday Times bestseller April 2022Irish Times bestseller March 2022At the first wedding, there's a shockThe second wedding is unexpected By the thi...
View full detailsWhile Paris Slept by Ruth Druart
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...
View full detailsAmerican Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
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...
View full detailsShould I Tell You? by Jill Mansell
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...
View full detailsDiary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous
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...
View full detailsA Burning by Megha Majumdar
Immaculately constructed, acidly observed and gripping from start to finish, A Burning is a brilliant debut.' The Guardian 'Megha Majumdar's A Burn...
View full detailsThe Lost Chapter by Caroline Bishop
The sparkling new novel from Caroline Bishop, author of The Other Daughter. Perfect for fans of Tracy Rees, Elizabeth Noble and Rachel Hore. ******...
View full detailsSpace Hopper by Helen Fisher
Nostalgic' The Independent'Heart-warming' Platinum 'Uplifting' Cosmopolitan 'Beautiful' Stylist 'Quirky' Best If you could go back in time to find ...
View full detailsKim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY SELLING SOUTH KOREAN SENSATION THAT HAS GOT THE WHOLE WORLD TALKING'A ground-breaking work of feminist fiction.' Stylist Who...
View full detailsHome by Penny Parkes
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...
View full detailsAnatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
THE WORD-OF-MOUTH SENSATIONTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA RICHARD & JUDY BOOKCLUB SELECTIONNOW A NUMBER ONE NETFLIX SERIES'Timely and compelling'...
View full detailsIt Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Don't miss IT STARTS WITH US, the sequel to IT ENDS WITH US. Coming October 2022! Pre-order your copy now. ________________________________________...
View full detailsPoint of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
Perfectly poetic. A beautiful follow-up to Slammed' Tarryn Fisher'Brilliant and entertaining as Slammed. Point of Retreat is absolute poetry' Jamie...
View full detailsSlammed by Colleen Hoover
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends With Us. SOMETIMES TWO PEOPLE HAVE TO FALL APART TO REALISE HOW MUCH THEY BELONG TOGETHER....
View full detailsThe Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide
The Sunday Times and New York Times BestsellerA couple in their thirties live in a small rented cottage in a quiet part of Tokyo. They work at home...
View full detailsThe Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
The phenomenal number one bestseller and a major BBC TV series. Winner of the Specsavers National Book Award and Waterstones Book of the Year. A Ri...
View full detailsUtopia Avenue by David Mitchell
A stand-out triumph' - The Sunday TimesThe Number One bestselling novel by the author of CLOUD ATLAS, 'one of the most brilliantly inventive writer...
View full detailsSmall Great Things by Jodi Picoult
A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB 2017 PICK A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe best books make you see differently. This is one of ...
View full detailsRules of Civility by Amor Towles
Rules Of Civility by Amor Towles is the unforgettable debut by the million-copy bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway...
View full detailsBlack Widows by Cate Quinn
Blake Nelson had three perfect wives. Until one of them killed him. 'An exquisite murder mystery' CHRISTINA DALCHER'Atmospheric and addictive' THE ...
View full detailsThe Summer That Changed Us by Cathy Bramley
The new feel good read about three women searching for friendship in a sparkling seaside town, from your favourite storyteller Cathy Bramley'An emo...
View full detailsQueenie by Candice Carty-Williams
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERBOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE...
View full detailsThe Idea of You by Robinne Lee
THE SCORCHING HOT RICHARD & JUDY LOVE AFFAIR THAT WILL LEAVE YOU OBSESSED!'IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK THIS YEAR, MAKE IT THIS' 5***** reader rev...
View full detailsA Cornish Summer by Catherine Alliott
ESCAPE TO THE CORNISH COAST IN THIS DELIGHTFULLY HEARTWARMING SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER'THE PERFECT SUMMER READ' Sophie Kinsella__________Flo...
View full detailsAnxious People by Fredrik Backman
The funny, touching and unpredictable No. 1 New York Times bestseller, now a major Netflix TV series'A brilliant and comforting read' MATT HAIG'Fun...
View full detailsBecause of You by Dawn French
The moving and life-affirming bestseller, perfect for anyone who loves unforgettable storiesLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION AND A RICH...
View full detailsStill Me by Jojo Moyes
THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER from the author of THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER, now a major motion picture'Immensely readable and enjoyable' ...
View full detailsGrown Ups by Marian Keyes
Hilarious and painfully relatable, Grown Ups is the perfect escape into someone else's wonderfully messy family . . . 'Magnificently messy lives, b...
View full detailsAfter You by Jojo Moyes
THE SEQUEL TO THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON ME BEFORE YOU The beautiful love story that will make you both laugh and cry, from the autho...
View full detailsThe Farmhouse of Second Chances by Helen Rolfe
A heartwarming story about family, forgiveness and the importance of kindness' FIONA HARPER on The Kindness Club on Mapleberry Lane'Comforting and ...
View full detailsBuild Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith
Fantastic' The Sunday Times 'Marvellous... Hugely impressive' Guardian'Beautiful, brilliant, powerful' Madeline Miller, bestselling author of Circe...
View full detailsThe Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Winner of the Blogger's Book Prize, 2021 Shortlisted for the People's Book Prize, 2021Winner of Best Literary Fiction and Best Multicultural Fictio...
View full detailsThe Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
THE PERFECT CURL-UP READ FOR CAT LOVERS'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'A book about kindness and...
View full detailsGrey Bees by Andrey Kurkov
Ukraine's most famous novelist dramatises the conflict raging in his country through the adventures of a mild-mannered beekeeper. From the author o...
View full detailsTin Man by Sarah Winman
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 COSTA NOVEL AWARDFrom the internationally bestselling author of WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT comes a heartbreaking celebration of...
View full detailsStardust by Neil Gaiman
A FAIRY TALE FOR EVERYONE. 'Beyond all the borders that divide us, there is a place of infinite possibilities and pure magic. I think of Neil Gaima...
View full detailsAmerican Gods by Neil Gaiman
AN ACCLAIMED, EMMY-NOMINATED TV SERIES ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEOWINNER OF THE HUGO, LOCUS AND BRAM STOKER AWARDS'To give him his full title: Neil Gaima...
View full detailsThe Island by Victoria Hislop
***A beautiful 10th anniversary paperback edition that includes a new essay by Victoria Hislop on the impact of this million-copy bestseller.***'A ...
View full detailsSharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Some scars never heal . . . An addictive thriller from the author of the mega bestseller GONE GIRL. When two girls are abducted and killed in Misso...
View full detailsBefore We Say Goodbye by Louise Candlish
Sometimes second chances are the most dangerous of all. FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE'A master of her craft' Rosamund Lupto...
View full detailsThe Chocolate Lovers' Diet by Carole Matthews
THE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSSurvival tips for times of stress:1. Take deep breaths2. Count to ...
View full detailsCreative, 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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