Contemporary Fiction
Contemporary Fiction is set in modern times and deals with current themes, social issues, and everyday experiences of ordinary people.
Lessons in Chemistry
In the 1960s, brilliant chemist Elizabeth Zott challenges sexist norms in academia and television when she becomes the host of a cooking show that teaches women about science and independence. Blending humor, feminism, and heart, Lessons in Chemistry celebrates intellect, defiance, and the transformative power of belief—in yourself and in change.
Birnam Wood
This gripping eco-thriller pits a guerrilla gardening collective against a billionaire tech mogul with sinister motives in rural New Zealand. As the idealistic Birnam Wood group trespasses to plant crops, they clash with corporate greed and political intrigue. Tensions escalate into a high-stakes battle between environmental activism and capitalist exploitation. Eleanor Catton, Booker Prize-winning author of The Luminaries, returns with a taut, intelligent novel exploring surveillance, ideology, and moral compromise in the age of climate crisis. Birnam Wood is both a literary page-turner and a sharp critique of modern power structures.
Exit West
by Mohsin Hamid
In Exit West, Mohsin Hamid blends magical realism with a poignant refugee narrative. The novel follows Nadia and Saeed, a young couple whose city is falling into civil war. As their relationship deepens, they discover mysterious doors that transport people to other parts of the world. Using these portals, they journey through countries and cultures, confronting displacement, identity, and transformation. Hamid’s lyrical prose and minimalist style give the story a dreamlike quality. Exit West is both timely and timeless—a moving exploration of love, migration, and the human longing for safety, connection, and a place to call home.
Less Than Zero
In Bret Easton Ellis's novel 'Less Than Zero,' we are plunged into the glittering yet dark world of 1980s Los Angeles, where excess, apathy, and moral decay reign supreme. The story follows Clay, a college student returning home for the holidays, as he navigates a hedonistic landscape of drugs, parties, and shallow relationships. Through Clay's eyes, we witness the emptiness and disillusionment that define the lives of the wealthy and privileged youth. Ellis's stark, unflinching prose lays bare the superficiality and alienation of this society, making 'Less Than Zero' a chilling exploration of the emptiness at the heart of materialism.
Funny Story
by Emily Henry
In Funny Story, Emily Henry crafts a heartfelt romantic comedy centered on Daphne, who is unexpectedly dumped by her fiancé for his childhood friend. Stranded in a small town, Daphne reluctantly moves in with her ex-fiancé’s ex, Miles. Together, they navigate their shared heartbreak, concocting a plan to deceive their exes with staged social media posts. As their fake relationship unfolds, genuine feelings emerge, leading to a journey of self-discovery and unexpected love. Henry's narrative blends humor and emotional depth, exploring vulnerability and the complexities of modern relationships.
The Satanic Verses
Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses is a complex, controversial novel blending magical realism with political and religious commentary. The story follows two Indian actors who survive a terrorist attack and undergo surreal transformations—one angelic, the other demonic. Through dream sequences and allegories, the novel explores themes of identity, migration, faith, and blasphemy. Loosely inspired by Islamic history and mythology, it sparked global debates on freedom of expression and religious sensitivity. Rich in symbolism and linguistic play, it remains a provocative and significant literary work.
The Bee Sting
by Paul Murray
As climate catastrophe looms, the Barnes family unravels. Dickie retreats to building a doomsday bunker, Imelda clings to social status, and their children—Cass and PJ—grapple with guilt, love, and survival in an unraveling Ireland. Spanning perspectives and timelines, The Bee Sting is a sweeping, darkly comic novel about family secrets, economic collapse, and existential dread. Paul Murray’s masterful storytelling blends tragedy and absurdity, exploring how people face (or flee from) inevitable change. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, it’s a richly layered, emotionally resonant story that captures both the intimacy of personal loss and the scope of global anxiety.
The Wedding People
In The Wedding People, Alison Espach tells the story of Phoebe Stone, a woman in the throes of a personal crisis who checks into the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, hoping to escape her past. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in the chaos of a wedding party. Through unexpected friendships and experiences, Phoebe learns to embrace life’s complexities. Espach's novel blends humor and emotional depth, exploring themes of self-discovery, renewal, and the unpredictability of human connections.
A Man Called Ove
Behind a curmudgeon's cranky exterior lies a story of heartbreaking loss and unexpected friendship. After the death of his beloved wife, Ove has nearly given up on life until his boisterous new neighbors inadvertently interrupt his plans. Through humor and poignancy, the novel explores grief, love, and the profound impact we can have on others.
An Equal Music
by Vikram Seth
Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music is a lyrical novel centered on Michael, a violinist haunted by the memory of Julia, a former lover and pianist. When they reunite after a decade, their rekindled connection is shadowed by personal and professional complexities, including Julia’s progressive hearing loss. The book explores the emotional intensity of music, the ache of lost opportunities, and the balance between art and love. With poetic prose and musical precision, it is a poignant meditation on creativity and longing.
Luster
In her bold and provocative debut, Raven Leilani tells the story of Edie, a young Black woman navigating art, sex, and identity in New York City. When Edie enters into an open relationship with an older white man and becomes entangled with his family, she’s thrust into a web of power dynamics and emotional complexity. Luster is a raw and sharply observed novel about millennial disillusionment, racial tension, and precarious womanhood. Leilani’s prose is electric—darkly funny, intimate, and piercing. The novel captures the chaos of early adulthood and the search for meaning in a world of instability and inequity.
Great Big Beautiful Life
by Emily Henry
In Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry tells the story of Alice Scott, a writer tasked with penning the biography of the elusive heiress Margaret Ives. As Alice delves into Margaret's past, she uncovers secrets that challenge her perceptions and force her to confront her own life choices. The novel explores themes of identity, legacy, and the complexities of human relationships. Henry's engaging prose and well-drawn characters create a compelling narrative about self-discovery and the stories we tell ourselves.
Convenience Store Woman
In Sayaka Murata's 'Convenience Store Woman,' we delve into the life of Keiko Furukura, a woman who finds solace and purpose working at a convenience store in Tokyo. This quirky and thought-provoking novel explores themes of societal pressures, conformity, and the struggle for individuality. Keiko's unconventional lifestyle challenges the norms of Japanese society, making readers reflect on the absurdity of societal expectations. Murata skillfully weaves a narrative that is both darkly humorous and deeply insightful, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. 'Convenience Store Woman' is a captivating read that forces us to question what it truly means to be happy and successful in a world that often demands conformity.
Sacred Games
Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra is a sprawling, multi-layered novel that blends crime thriller with political and philosophical themes. Set in Mumbai, it follows Sartaj Singh, a weary Sikh police inspector, who becomes entangled in a decades-long mystery after receiving a cryptic tip from notorious gangster Ganesh Gaitonde. As the narrative unfolds, it interweaves personal histories, underworld violence, religious tension, espionage, and the legacy of colonialism. Written in rich, lyrical prose and incorporating multiple languages and cultural references, Sacred Games offers a gritty yet deeply introspective portrait of modern India, questioning fate, morality, and the nature of power.
The Library at Mount Char
Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts. After all, she was a normal American herself once. That was a long time ago, of course. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father. In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God. Now, Father is missing—perhaps even dead—and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation.
Hello Beautiful
Inspired by Little Women, this tender family saga follows William Waters, a lonely college basketball player, and the four closely bonded Padavano sisters. As William is pulled into their vibrant, chaotic world, buried traumas threaten to upend everything. Spanning decades, Hello Beautiful explores love, loss, mental illness, and the ties that both bind and break us. Ann Napolitano crafts a deeply emotional story about forgiveness and self-discovery, illuminating how family—whether biological or chosen—shapes our sense of self and belonging. It’s a heartfelt portrait of resilience and the enduring need for connection.
A Leopard-Skin Hat
by Anne Serre
Anne Serre's "A Leopard-Skin Hat," translated by Mark Hutchinson, is a deeply moving and elegantly crafted novel that was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025. It tells the story of an intense and complicated friendship between "the Narrator" and his childhood friend, Fanny, who battles severe psychological disorders. Written in the aftermath of the author's younger sister's suicide, the book serves as a poignant memorial to a tragically foreshortened life. Through a series of short, evocative scenes, Serre paints a portrait of Fanny's struggles and the Narrator's enduring, often anguished, attachment to her. The novel explores themes of mental illness, the unknowability of others, and the enduring nature of love and memory, even in the face of profound loss. It's a testament to the quiet power of human connection and a beautiful farewell.
Homeland Elegies
by Ayad Akhtar
In 'Homeland Elegies' by Ayad Akhtar, readers are taken on a profound journey through the complexities of identity, belonging, and the American Dream. The novel blurs the lines between fact and fiction as it follows the life of a Pakistani-American man navigating issues of race, politics, and cultural divides. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and social commentary, the author delves into the tensions of being a Muslim in America post-9/11, offering a raw and thought-provoking exploration of societal issues. Akhtar's lyrical prose and deep introspection make 'Homeland Elegies' a poignant and timely reflection on the modern American experience.
The Emperor of Gladness
by Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong's The Emperor of Gladness is a poignant novel that follows Hai, a 19-year-old Vietnamese American grappling with trauma and addiction. After a chance encounter with Grazina, an elderly woman with dementia, Hai finds unexpected companionship and purpose. Set in East Gladness, Connecticut, the story explores themes of identity, resilience, and the healing power of human connection. Vuong's lyrical prose delves into the complexities of marginalized lives, offering a heartfelt narrative about finding hope and meaning amidst adversity.
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing follows Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family and left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina. As she grows up isolated from the community, Kya becomes a naturalist and author, finding solace in the wilderness. When a local man is found dead, Kya becomes the prime suspect, and the ensuing investigation reveals long-held secrets. The novel intertwines a coming-of-age story with a murder mystery, exploring themes of loneliness, resilience, and the human connection to nature.
Yellowface
by R. F. Kuang
After her friend dies in a freak accident, struggling writer June Hayward steals her unpublished manuscript—and her identity. As June rides a wave of fame under false pretenses, guilt, appropriation, and race explode in this razor-sharp satire of the publishing industry. Yellowface is a provocative, page-turning novel that skewers cultural gatekeeping, tokenism, and ambition, blending suspense with biting social commentary.
Small Boat
Vincent Delecroix's "Small Boat" is a powerful and unsettling novel, longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025. It's a fictionalized account inspired by a real-life tragedy in November 2021 when a dinghy carrying migrants capsized in the Channel, resulting in 27 deaths. The novel is narrated by a French coastguard operator who received calls from the sinking boat. Accused of negligence, she staunchly refuses to shoulder sole blame, arguing that responsibility extends far beyond her actions to wider societal indifference, systemic failures, and the crises driving migration. Delecroix masterfully explores themes of individual complicity, collective apathy, and the complex ethical dilemmas of modern society, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about their own role as "spectators" to such tragedies.
Shalimar the Clown
Salman Rushdie’s Shalimar the Clown is a political and personal tragedy that spans continents and generations. The novel begins with the assassination of a former U.S. ambassador in Los Angeles, then unravels the story of Shalimar, a Kashmiri performer whose love turns into violent vengeance. As it traces the rise of extremism and loss of cultural harmony in Kashmir, the book explores themes of betrayal, identity, terrorism, and the global consequences of personal choices. Blending lyrical prose with geopolitical insight, it’s a haunting meditation on love and war.
American Dirt
American Dirt follows Lydia Quixano Pérez, a bookstore owner in Acapulco, who is forced to flee Mexico with her son after a drug cartel targets her family. Their harrowing journey north to the United States is fraught with danger and uncertainty. The novel delves into the migrant experience, highlighting the desperation and resilience of those seeking safety and a better life. While the book has sparked controversy over its portrayal of Mexican culture, it has also been praised for bringing attention to the plight of migrants.