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Modern & Literary Fiction Books

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    Old Baggage by Lissa Evans

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    As featured on BBC Radio 4 Good Reads 'A timely, bittersweet comic novel' Guardian ____________________What do you do next, after you've changed th...

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    A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

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    'A deliciously dark tale of ambition, seduction and literary theft . . . an ingeniously conceived novel that confirms Boyne as one of the most assu...

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    Scattered All Over the Earth by Yoko Tawada

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    *From the author of The Last Children of Tokyo*A mind-expanding, cheerfully dystopian novel about friendship, difference and what it means to belon...

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    Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

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    Tsukiko is in her late 30s and living alone when one night she happens to meet one of her former high school teachers, 'Sensei', in a bar. He is at...

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    The Topeka School by Ben Lerner

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    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...

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    Pew by Catherine Lacey

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    'I consumed it. It is the electric charge we need' Daisy Johnson, author of Everything UnderOne Sunday morning, a mysterious silent figure is found...

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    The Heavens by Sandra Newman

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    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...

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    The Mission House by Carys Davies

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    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...

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    My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

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    **Shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize 2022**A Book of the Year in the Observer, the Daily Telegraph, the Irish Times, the Guardian, the White...

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    At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop

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    WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2021A GUARDIAN and THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR'This slight book is an extraordinarily powerful exploration ...

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    Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami

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    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...

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    The Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos

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    In the small town of Crozon in Brittany, a library houses manuscripts that were rejected for publication: the faded dreams of aspiring writers. Vis...

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    The Secret River by Kate Grenville

    Only 15 left!

    SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2006 COMMONWEALTH WRITERS' PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE IMPAC DUBLIN PRIZEA BBC2 BIG JUBILEE BETWEEN ...

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    Ham On Rye by Charles Bukowski

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    INTRODUCTION BY RODDY DOYLE'He brought everyone down to earth, even the angels' LEONARD COHENCharles Bukowski is one of the greatest authors of the...

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    I Love Dick by Chris Kraus

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    When Chris Kraus, an unsuccessful artist pushing 40, spends an evening with a rogue academic named Dick, she falls madly and inexplicably in love, ...

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    The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Barrington Stoke Edition by Robert Louis Stevenson

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    Stevenson's classic story of split personalities lurking beneath the prim and proper morals of Victorian society. Now available in an accessible fo...

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    A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

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    WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTIONNEW YORK TIMES TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2010Jennifer Egan's spellbinding novel circles the lives of Bennie Salazar, ...

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    A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

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    THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER AND MODERN CLASSIC: NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES 'A phenomenon, a prodigy, a marvel' Evening Standard ONE OF THE BBC'S 100...

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    The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante

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    Find The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions (UK) Ltd at Books2Door! ; 464 pages; Published: 17/09/2015

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    Those Who Leave And Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante

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    Find Those Who Leave And Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions at Books2Door! ; 424 pages; Published: 18/09/2014

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    The Story Of A New Name: Book 2 by Elena Ferrante

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    Find The Story Of A New Name: Book 2 by Elena Ferrante from publishers Europa Editions at Books2Door! ; 480 pages; Published: 19/09/2013

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    Quicksilver by Dean Koontz

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    #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...

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    My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women

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    Powerful, profound and deeply moving, new fiction by Afghan women writers will expand your mind and elevate your heart ELIF SHAFAK"[An] arresting c...

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    Anything Could Happen by Lucy Diamond

    Only 7 left!

    '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...

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    Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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    A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICKTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER (JUNE 2021)'A sexy, modern love story' Reese Witherspoon'I absolutely loved...

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    The Lewis Man: (The Lewis Trilogy Book 2) by Peter May

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    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...

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    All I Want for Christmas by Joanna Bolouri

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    The sparkling Christmas romance to pick you up this year... 'A hilarious and heartwarming festive treat' Heidi Swain'So funny, sweet, warm and fu...

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    Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann

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    'A masterly achievement, a work of imaginative grandeur and complete artistic control' Ian McEwan'Brilliant and unputdownable' Salman RushdieHe's a...

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    The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate

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    From the million-copy bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes an inspiring novel about one woman's effect on a struggling Dallas neighbour...

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    Our Fathers by Rebecca Wait

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    What kind of man kills his own family?A gripping, tender novel about fathers and sons from the highly acclaimed authorA Guardian crime and thriller...

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    The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C.S. Robertson

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    'A dark, disturbing and highly original thriller' MARK BILLINGHAM'Haunting, twisted and compelling' C.L. TAYLOR'Clever, dark, unusual and full of g...

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    The Lost Storyteller by Amanda Block

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    'A powerful novel about the bond between fathers and daughters, and how stories connect us all. I loved it' Jenny Colgan THE LOST STORYTELLER is th...

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    Killing Eve: Die For Me by Luke Jennings

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    The basis for KILLING EVE, now a major BBC TV series, starring Sandra Oh and Jodie ComerOn the run together, Eve Polastri and the psychopathic Vill...

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    The Judge's List by John Grisham

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    ***THE SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH***'Besides the usual Grisham virtues of an arresting idea, polished plotting and vivid social snapshots, ...

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    The Stranding by Kate Sawyer

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    WINNER OF THE FICTION PRIZE AT THE EAST ANGLIAN BOOK AWARDS 'A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected... transfixing and captivating... full of hope, re...

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    Hot Stew by Fiona Mozley

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    Longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize'Ambitious, clever, brilliant and very funny . . . If Elmet announced the arrival of a bright new voice in Bri...

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    The Getaway by Isabelle Broom

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    Sometimes it takes losing everything to find the person you need . . . Most people travel to Croatia for its endless sunshine, pebbly beaches and...

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    The Herd by Emily Edwards

    Only 16 left!

    THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLERSTYLIST MAGAZINE'S 'FICTION BOOKS YOU CAN'T MISS IN 2022'COSMOPOLITAN'S 'BEST BOOKS OF 2022'WOMAN & HOME 'BEST BOOKS O...

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    The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

    Only 20 left!

    'Joyous and funny, [with] emotional hidden depths.' JILL MANSELLWhat might your family say about you if you weren't in the room....?________Escape ...

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    A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

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    'Here are characters who are real and likeable, even when they are complicated and flawed. Paula Hawkins is a genius'Lisa JewellIT'S THE QUIET ONES...

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    The Echo Chamber by John Boyne

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    'The funniest book I've read in ages. Savage but compelling' Ian Rankin'A fearless romp with big laughs along the way' Graham Norton'Funny, rumbust...

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    Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

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    For fans of BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD, fairy tale and magic are weaved together in sparse language that belies a flooring emotional punch. 'Str...

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    Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

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    SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN THE NEW YORK TIMES AND TIMES BEST...

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    The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

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    THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFROM THE AUTHOR OF RULES OF CIVILITY AND A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW'Deserves a place alongside Kerouac, ...

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    Widespread Panic by James Ellroy

    Only 3 left!

    Freddy is an ex-L.A. cop on the skids. He snuffed a cop killer in cold blood - and it got to him bad. Now he's a sleazoid private eye, a shakedown ...

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    Give Unto Others by Donna Leon

    Only 15 left!

    'Crime writing of the highest order' GUARDIAN'Donna Leon has been giving unto us for all of the thirty years since Death at La Fenice introduced us...

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    Afraid of the Light by Douglas Kennedy

    Only 6 left!

    THE EXPLOSIVE NEW THRILLER FROM INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER, DOUGLAS KENNEDY__________________________'A pulse-racing thriller centred on hot-button d...

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    A Bright Ray of Darkness by Ethan Hawke

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    'Riveting work' Patti Smith'Vivid . . . it communicates a real power' Sunday Times'A wild ride of a book' MetroActor William Harding has been caugh...

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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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