Modern & Literary Fiction Books
Frankissstein: A Love Story by Jeanette Winterson
***LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2019*****SHORTLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE 2020****LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2020**'Beware, ...
View full detailsLate in the Day by Tessa Hadley
'Unflinching, intelligent and fascinating' Marian KeyesThe lives of two close-knit couples are irrevocably changed by an untimely death in this Sun...
View full detailsThe Snakes by Sadie Jones
READ THE TENSE TWIST-FILLED RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK FOR SPRING 2020 FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE OUTCAST. Family secrets can be ...
View full detailsClock Dance by Anne Tyler
A bittersweet novel of family and self-discovery from the bestselling, award-winning author of French BraidWilla Drake can count on one hand the de...
View full detailsThere There by Tommy Orange
** Shortlisted for the 2020 International Dublin Literary Award **One of Barack Obama's best books of 2018, the New York Times bestselling novel ab...
View full detailsDouble Blind by Edward St Aubyn
'I was gripped by it' IAN McEWANThree lives collide, not one of them will emerge unchanged - the exhilarating new novel from the author of the Patr...
View full detailsKilling Commendatore by Haruki Murakami
We all live our lives carrying secrets we cannot disclose. ...
View full detailsOrdinary People by Diana Evans
**AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK CLUB** 'Diana is so amazing when it comes to writing about humans and relationships... I don't know anyone who's as...
View full detailsForever and a Day (James Bond 007) by Anthony Horowitz
*THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*A spy is dead. A legend is born. This is how it all began. The explosive James Bond thriller from bestselling a...
View full detailsChina Room by Sunjeev Sahota
A story of forbidden love that echoes across generations - from the prize-winning author of The Year of the Runaways. 'A gorgeous, gripping read'...
View full detailsThe Parisian by Isabella Hammad
'A sublime reading experience: delicate, restrained, surpassingly intelligent, uncommonly poised and truly beautiful' Zadie Smith**WINNER OF THE BE...
View full detailsThe Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
'A modern gothic triumph' Max PorterThe Bass Rock has for centuries watched over the lives that pass under its shadow on the Scottish mainland. And...
View full detailsConviction by Denise Mina
EVERYBODY LOVES A MURDER MYSTERY . . . UNTIL THEY HAVE A STARRING ROLE. *A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK* 'Deni...
View full detailsThe Morning Star by Karl Ove Knausgaard
Nine lives will be changed forever in the exhilarating new novel from the international bestseller. 'Addictive' Daily Telegraph'Knausgaard retain...
View full detailsEileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE***FROM THE AUTHOR OF TIKTOK SENSATION MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION** Trapped between caring for her alcohol...
View full detailsAfter the Silence by Louise O'Neill
'Chillingly good' Elizabeth Day'Her best book to date and that's really saying something' Marian Keyes'A powerfully atmospheric, darkly compelling ...
View full detailsThree Women and a Boat by Anne Youngson
Tender and humorous novel of second chances and life-changing new friendship for fans of Rachel Joyce, Clare Chambers and Barbara Pym'Life-affirmin...
View full detailsThe Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan
Winner of the Guardian First Book Award 2013Shortlisted for the Dublin IMPAC Literary Award 2014Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2013Winner of B...
View full detailsThe Stray Cats of Homs: A powerful, moving novel inspired by a true story by Eva Nour
'An incredible book. Profoundly affecting and deeply soulful. This book will stay with me forever.' Ruth Jones, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling autho...
View full detailsThe Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Now includes an exclusive extract of Clare Pooley's new and brilliantly uplifting novel The People On Platform 5 - available nowTreat yourself to t...
View full detailsA Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom by John Boyne
Some stories are universal. They play out across human history. And time is the river which will flow through them. It starts with a family, a fa...
View full detailsOnce Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
'I was completely spellbound' - Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things'Setterfield is a master storyteller' - Madeline Miller, author of C...
View full detailsExpectation: The most razor-sharp and heartbreaking novel of the year by Anna Hope
THE MUST-READ SUMMER 2020 RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK'If you wished Normal People had tackled female friendship, try Expectation' GRAZIA'Profou...
View full detailsOld Baggage by Lissa Evans
As featured on BBC Radio 4 Good Reads 'A timely, bittersweet comic novel' Guardian ____________________What do you do next, after you've changed th...
View full detailsA Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne
'A deliciously dark tale of ambition, seduction and literary theft . . . an ingeniously conceived novel that confirms Boyne as one of the most assu...
View full detailsThe Topeka School by Ben Lerner
Adam Gordon is a senior at Topeka High School, class of '97. His parents are psychologists, his mom a famous author in the field. A renowned debate...
View full detailsPew by Catherine Lacey
'I consumed it. It is the electric charge we need' Daisy Johnson, author of Everything UnderOne Sunday morning, a mysterious silent figure is found...
View full detailsThe Heavens by Sandra Newman
AS THE WORLD BURNS, ONLY A DREAMER CAN SAVE ITNew York, 2000. The United Nations has just planted its flag on Mars, and a Green Party senator is ab...
View full detailsThe Mission House by Carys Davies
Fleeing his demons and the dark undercurrents of life in Britain, Hilary Byrd takes refuge in a south Indian mission house next door to the presbyt...
View full detailsAt Night All Blood is Black by David Diop
WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2021A GUARDIAN and THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR'This slight book is an extraordinarily powerful exploration ...
View full detailsMs Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami
A young boy returns obsessively to a supermarket sandwich counter, entranced by the beauty of the woman who works there. Her aloof demeanour and el...
View full detailsThe Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos
In the small town of Crozon in Brittany, a library houses manuscripts that were rejected for publication: the faded dreams of aspiring writers. Vis...
View full detailsThe Secret River by Kate Grenville
SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2006 COMMONWEALTH WRITERS' PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE IMPAC DUBLIN PRIZEA BBC2 BIG JUBILEE BETWEEN ...
View full detailsHam On Rye by Charles Bukowski
INTRODUCTION BY RODDY DOYLE'He brought everyone down to earth, even the angels' LEONARD COHENCharles Bukowski is one of the greatest authors of the...
View full detailsI Love Dick by Chris Kraus
When Chris Kraus, an unsuccessful artist pushing 40, spends an evening with a rogue academic named Dick, she falls madly and inexplicably in love, ...
View full detailsThe Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Barrington Stoke Edition by Robert Louis Stevenson
Stevenson's classic story of split personalities lurking beneath the prim and proper morals of Victorian society. Now available in an accessible fo...
View full detailsA Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTIONNEW YORK TIMES TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2010Jennifer Egan's spellbinding novel circles the lives of Bennie Salazar, ...
View full detailsThe Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante
Find The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions (UK) Ltd at Books2Door! ; 464 pages; Published: 17/09/2015
Those Who Leave And Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante
Find Those Who Leave And Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions at Books2Door! ; 424 pages; Published: 18/09/2014
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Find My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions at Books2Door! ; 336 pages; Published: 11/10/2012
Quicksilver by Dean Koontz
#1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz takes a surprising and exhilarating road trip with a man in pursuit of his strange pas...
View full detailsMy Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women
Powerful, profound and deeply moving, new fiction by Afghan women writers will expand your mind and elevate your heart ELIF SHAFAK"[An] arresting c...
View full detailsAnything Could Happen by Lucy Diamond
'The book we all need - full of escapism, romance, hope and kindness' Milly Johnson'Gloriously romantic' Sun'I couldn't put it down' Jill MansellY...
View full detailsSeven Days in June by Tia Williams
A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICKTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER (JUNE 2021)'A sexy, modern love story' Reese Witherspoon'I absolutely loved...
View full detailsThe Lewis Man: (The Lewis Trilogy Book 2) by Peter May
THE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE ENZO FILES AND THE CHINA THRILLERSAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'One of t...
View full detailsAll I Want for Christmas by Joanna Bolouri
The sparkling Christmas romance to pick you up this year... 'A hilarious and heartwarming festive treat' Heidi Swain'So funny, sweet, warm and fu...
View full detailsTyll by Daniel Kehlmann
'A masterly achievement, a work of imaginative grandeur and complete artistic control' Ian McEwan'Brilliant and unputdownable' Salman RushdieHe's a...
View full detailsBeyond Summer by Lisa Wingate
From the million-copy bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes an uplifting novel where unexpected challenges and new friendships reveal wh...
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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