Light but heavy reads?

[SheShines]

My reading tastes are very mixed. However, I'm after something light, with a plot, possibly thought provoking, without being vacuous.
This is a tougher ask than it sounds!

Side bar -^^ why is it that Marian Keyes writes a novel and it is chick-lit, whereas David Nicholls novels are simply fiction?

The sort of thing I have enjoyed:
This Charming Man - Marian Keyes
Sweet Sorrow - David Nicholls
Can You Keep A Secret - Sophie Kinsella
The Cows - Dawn O Porter
A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby
The Commitments - Roddy Doyle
Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty
Just My Luck - Adele Parks

There are lots more, but I'm after lighter reads with an edge.

Not what I'm after:
Bridget Jones
Anything Shopaholic

Warning - I have a Masters in Lit, so I have read a lot of the classics. My average is 200 books a year, though I don't usually read light books so maybe not as difficult as it sounds?

I have literally just finished Holly Millers The sight of you- amazing read

Have you read much Jodi Picoult? I've enjoyed a few of her books recently.
Diane Chamberlain might also fill your requirements
I'm a massive reader so there's not much I've not tried not a huge sci fi fan though (university reading lists destroyed that)

How about one of Celeste Ng's books?

Lisa Jewell? I'm reading Invisible Girl atm and it is enjoyably gripping.
Writers and Lovers by Lily King is another recent read I liked.
If you haven't read Grown Ups by MK yet then I would recommend it.

Try Mhairi McFarlane for 'chic lit' with an edge

Barbara Kingsolver - the poisonwood bible

Lionel Shriver - so much for that

Hannah Tinti - the good thief

Robert Goolrick - a reliable wife

Geraldine Brooks - year of Wonders

Hillary Jordan - mudbound

Joseph O'Connor - star of the sea

William Boyd - restless

Kate Atkinson - any of her books

Michael Frayn - spies

Nathan Filer - the shock of the fall

Richard Hughes - a high wind in Jamaica

Hilary Mantel - beyond black

If you liked the commitments then I think you'd like the van trilogy

Very funny but with pathos too

I'm a massive fan of Wodehouse for light humor

The Hearts Invisible Furies- John Boyne. Had me laughing so hard one page and sobbing on the next. Really fantastic

Definitely Hilary Mantel 'Beyond Black'

Thank you for your suggestions.

I haven't read The Sight Of You, I'll give it a look.

I have read a few Jodi Picoult in the past, I'll go back through my lists and books to see which ones I haven't read and give them a go.

Ditto Diane Chamberlain again, I'll take a look.

Celeste Ng - I have read the two that I know of, if she has written others I'll read them.

Mhairi McFarlane - I haven't read the most recent one, that will be first on my tbr list.

Cariad I have a personal embargo on Lionel Shriver I've tried, I really have & I have read some of your list, I'll take a look at the others.

I have read all of the adult every Roddy Doyle books, I'm a proper fan.

The Hearts Invisible Furies was so good that I bought the audiobook too.

Yes! I read Beyond Black when it first came out, I remember liking it.

Are there any other novels set in recent times that anyone recommends?

Liane Moriarty or Kristen Hannah
Lucy Clarke as a bit of a wild card

Johnathan Harvey would fit the bill, I really enjoy his books.

I notice that all the examples of books you have enjoyed are by British authors with the exception of Liane Moriarty.
If you are happy to try books by American authors these might be to your taste
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Clare Lombardo
or Love After Love by Ingrid Persuad set in Trinidad and New York

Not a novel but Dear Reader by Catherine Rentzenbrink. Few hours to read, excellent book especially if you love to read.

Have read and enjoyed all of @Blackcountryexile recommendations! Also William Boyd, he has plenty to choose from. Others I’ve read recently that sprung to mind -Taylor Jenkins Reid Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn
And I loved The Eighth Life but it’s a monster of a book at 1000 pages! About a Georgian family through the 20th century, hey day and collapse of the USSR and beyond.

I loved all of Barbara Trapido's novels as well as the Cazalet books by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Also like all the St Mary's books which are not my usual thing at all

I'm yet to read a bad book by Liane Moriarty. They're all a similar style and would fit the bill.

Have you read the crawdads? That probably ticks the box too.

I’ve just read all of Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters over the past month and don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a series of books so much.
In fact just about to start a thread as to whether to read her other books or what others who have read them would recommend.

books.google.com/books/about/The_Less_You_Know_The_Sounder_You_Sleep.html?id=GOluDQAAQBAJ

This is based on a true story so not fiction. It's heavy in terms of the subject matter but light in terms of ease of reading.

Have you read The Secret Life of Bees?

The Silent Patient.

I was also going to suggest Barbara Kingsolver — start with The Bean Trees and its sequel Pigs in Heaven, also Prodigal Summer and Animal Dreams. Seconding Barbara Trapido — start with Brother of the More Famous Jack and its sequel The Travelling Hornplayer.

Have you read much Irish fiction? The inevitable Sally Rooney? Deirdre Madden. Anne Enright? Kevin Barry’s short stories or Night Boat to Tangier.

I love The Spies by Michael Frayn.

The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox

The Road Home by Rose Tremain

I quite enjoy Rhys Bowen books.

rhysbowen.com/in-farleigh-field/