Please or to access all these features

What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

I bet this sounds really silly, but I'm looking for recommendations for great contemporary English novels

29 replies

ElectraOnAzaleaPath · 27/04/2014 21:00

I read a lot and have come to the realisation that 90% of the books I read are by overseas writers. Specifically, I love America/Canadian fiction but have also enjoyed Irish, South African, South American and even Japanese novels. Favourite authors include Armistead Maupin, John Updike, Kathleen Winter, Margaret Attwood, Nadine Gordimer and J M Coetzee.

Apart from Wolf Hall, I haven't read a novel by an English author for over 2 years. Where do I start? I thought about just buying the Costa shortlist, but I fear that's a road to disappointment. Previously I have enjoyed David Lodge, Zadie Smith and Jeanette Winterson as well as being a longstanding fan of Hilary Mantel but am happy to give anything a go.

OP posts:
DuchessofMalfi · 27/04/2014 22:11

A S Byatt, or Margaret Drabble? Julian Barnes, Jim Crace, Susan Hill, Elizabeth Jane Howard (died earlier this year) .... for a start :)

SkaterGrrrrl · 27/04/2014 21:06

David Mitchell!

Roseformeplease · 27/04/2014 21:03

Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and her new one, can't remember the name.

Just read Apple Tree Yard and was gripped.

Also enjoyed The Shock of the Fall and The Universe Versus Alex Woods.

Scarletohello · 27/04/2014 21:02

Appletree Yard