The Modern Fiction Book List
Unexpected Literature and Its Brilliance
The Fiction shelves of a bookshop can carry the widest variety of work from the ancient to the new and everything in between. The benefit of this can be superb books literally falling into your lap. Because you aren’t entirely sure what you’re looking at, the pages within often hold unexpected wonders as a person perusing said book spines might spy stories hinting at ghosts sat next to perfect crimes, fantasies or masterpieces of fiction in ways they never otherwise would. These novels that defy classification offer a reader a certain security in the freedom of their searching.
The following are ten relatively new books all of which I own that have done just this — surprised due to their exceptional quality. I recommend them all. Enjoy.
Richard.
Memoirs of a Geisha / Arthur Golden
If you enjoyed the movie you’ll love the book and vice-versa.
Rosamund Lupton is an author who has fast built up a following. There’s no surprise why after reading this.
The Night Circus / Erin Morgenstern
The cover says it all, enchanting. One of my personal favourite books and proof that a writer’s imagination can still craft wonders.
Dark Matter / Michelle Paver
This could have gone in a ghost or horror category, but it’s so well based in reality that I felt it best here. You’ll never see sunlight slipping away the same again.
Across The Nightingale Floor / Lian Hearn
The Orient, assassins, tradition, what more could you want? Most of all, a beautifully crafted tale.
The Virgin Suicides / Jeffrey Eugenides
This book put a spell on me just as had the Sofia Coppola movie. Not to everyone’s taste, but well worth the read.
I’m Not Scared / Niccolo Ammaniti
I felt this. ’Nuff said. Distinctly Mediterranean and a great read.
The Vengeance of Rome / Michael Moorcock
This is the fourth book in the Pyatt Quartet. The only series of books that I’ve ever read, reached the last page, and thought ‘Jesus!’ he had me all the way.
The Dream Life of Sukhanov / Olga Grushin
‘Dream Life’ explains this better in two words than I could in a page. Very Russian. Very surreal. Always superb.
Milan Kundera / Unbearable Lightness of Being
Of love and lovers. A fantastic book and a great way to finish off this list.
I hope you enjoyed the choices and get chance to read at least one of these fine works of literature. I shall add to these posts with more categories if people find them enjoyable. The beauty of books is that these lists can be almost endless and provoke greater agreements and disagreements than any other form of recommendations.
All images courtesy of Goodreads.com
Thank you for reading
Richard
Richard M. Ankers
Author of The Eternals Series
Into Eternity (Very Soon!)
PS. Author’s Note: The image at the start of this post is taken from Pixabay.com. Apparently, that scene is in Italy. Isn’t it wonderful?
