Contemporary fiction titles are those which focus on the present or near past. Stories rooted in the current cultural, social, and political landscape which feature characters we can all recognise.
Contemporary Fiction Books
Penguin Putnam Inc Cherish Farrah
Book Synopsis
£18.89
Penguin Putnam Inc Darling Girl
Book Synopsis
£17.84
Penguin Books Ltd Nowhere Like Home
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Penguin Putnam Inc The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Putnam Inc Good Rich People
Book Synopsis
£14.39
Penguin Putnam Inc The Great Gatz
Book Synopsis
£11.99
Penguin Putnam Inc A Ten Beach Road Christmas
Book SynopsisCelebrate the holidays with the ladies of Ten Beach Road in two heartwarming novellas that capture the joy of the season - and the magic of friendship.
£7.59
Penguin Putnam Inc Courage in the Storm
Book Synopsis
£8.09
Random House USA Inc The Best Short Stories 2021
Book SynopsisTwenty prizewinning stories selected from the thousands published in magazines over the previous year—continuing the O. Henry Prize's century-long tradition of literary excellence. Widely regarded as the nation's most prestigious awards for short fiction. —The Atlantic Monthly.Now entering its second century, the prestigious annual story anthology has a new title, a new look, and a new guest editor. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has brought her own refreshing perspective to the prize, selecting stories by an engaging mix of celebrated names and young emerging voices. The winning stories are accompanied by an introduction by Adichie, observations from the winning writers on what inspired them, and an extensive resource list of magazines that publish short fiction.Featured in this collection: Daphne Palasi Andreades • David Means • Sindya Bhanoo • Crystal Wilkinson • Alice Jolly • David
£12.59
Random House USA Inc Thistlefoot
Book SynopsisIn the tradition of modern fairy tales like Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver comes an immersive fantasy saga, a debut novel about estranged siblings who are reunited after receiving a mysterious inheritance.“A wonderfully imaginative, wholly enchanting novel of witness, survival, memory, and family that reads like a fairy tale godfathered by Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton in a wild America alive with wonders and devils alike. Thistlefoot shimmers with magic and mayhem and a thrilling emotional momentum.” —Libba Bray, bestselling author of The DivinersThe Yaga siblings—Bellatine, a young woodworker, and Isaac, a wayfaring street performer and con artist—have been estranged since childhood, separated both by resentment and by wide miles of American highway. But when they learn that they are to receive an inheritance, the siblings agree to meet—only
£12.59
Penguin Putnam Inc Murder She Wrote Debonair in Death
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Penguin Putnam Inc Im So Not Over You
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Putnam Inc My Fair Señor
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.29
Random House USA Inc Child of Light
Book Synopsis
£14.39
Random House USA Inc When the Moon Turns Blue
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Penguin Young Readers I Am Temple Grandin
Book SynopsisI hope this book inspires you to overcome challenges and make a positive difference in the world, —Prominent autistic American scientist and animal behaviorist Temple Grandin, 30th hero in this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 9.This book spotlights female scientist Temple Grandin, whose experience being on the autism spectrum has informed her advocacy and her work as an animal behaviorist. Temple Grandin''s pride in being different and how it shaped her world is celebrated in this biography. This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.Included in each book are: • A timeline of key events in the hero’s history • Photos that bring the story more fully to life • Comi
£13.49
Penguin Putnam Inc What Napoleon Could Not Do
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Publishing Group The Last Animal
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Putnam Inc Dog Friendly
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Penguin Putnam Inc Tending Roses
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Penguin Putnam Inc The First Ladies
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Penguin Putnam Inc The Cuban Heiress
Book Synopsis
£19.49
Penguin Putnam Inc The Cuban Heiress
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Publishing Group The House on Biscayne Bay
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Random House USA Inc Mother of Strangers
Book SynopsisA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR from NPR • Set in Jaffa in between 1947 and 1951, this “fable-like historical novel of young love ... darkly humorous and touching” (Oprah Daily) is based on a true story during the beginning of the destruction of Palestine and displacement of its people.Based on the true story of two Jaffa teenagers, Mother of Strangers follows the daily lives of Subhi, a fifteen-year-old mechanic, and Shams, the thirteen-year-old student he hopes to marry one day. In this prosperous and cosmopolitan port city, with its bustling markets, cinemas, and cafés on the hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, we meet many other unforgettable characters as well, including Khawaja Michael, the elegant and successful owner of orange groves above the harbor; Mr. Hassan, the tailor who makes Subhi’s treasured English suit, which he hopes will change his life; and the very mischievous and outrageous Uncl
£13.49
Alfred A. Knopf The Disappeared
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group The Titanic Survivors Book Club
Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER ?From the author of The Perfume Thief, aremarkable tale about the life-changing power of books and second chances, following the Titanic librarian who opens a bookshop in Paris where he meets a secret society of survivors.Deeply moving and rich with vivid detail . . .Timothy Schaffert is an exquisite storyteller.?Lara Prescott, New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets We KeptFor weeks after the sinking of the Titanic, Yorick spots his own name among the list of those lost at sea. As an apprentice librarian for the White Star Line, his job was to curate the ship?s second-class library. But the day the Titanic set sail he was left stranded at the dock.After the ship?s sinking, Yorick takes this twist of fate as a sign to follow his lifelong dream of owning a bookshop in Paris. Soon after, he receives an invitation to a secret society of survivors where he encounters other ticket holders who didn?t board the ship. Haunted by their good fortune, they decide to form a book society, where they can grapple with their own anxieties through heated discussions of The Awakening or The Picture of Dorian Gray. Of this ragtag group, Yorick finds himself particularly drawn to the glamorous Zinnia and the mysterious Haze, and a tangled triangle of love and friendship forms among them. Yet with the Great War on the horizon and the unexpected death of one of their own, the surviving book club members are left wondering what fate might have in store.Elegant and elegiac, The Titanic Survivors Book Club is a dazzling ode to love, chance, and the transformativepower of books to bring people together.
£13.49
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group The Best Short Stories 2023
Book SynopsisThe prestigious annual story anthology includes prize-winning stories by Jamil Jan Kochai, David Ryan, Kirstin Valdez Quade, Lisa Taddeo, Ling Ma, Catherine Lacey, and Cristina Rivera Garza.“[A] standout collection . . . . Dazzling performances from some of today’s most exciting writers. . . . This is one of the best fiction anthologies in years.” —Publishers Weekly starred review Continuing a century-long tradition of cutting-edge literary excellence, this year's edition contains twenty prizewinning stories chosen from the thousands published in magazines over the previous year. Guest editor Lauren Groff has brought her own refreshing perspective to the prize, selecting stories by an engaging mix of celebrated names and emerging voices and including several stories in translation. The winning stories are accompanied by an introduction by Groff, observations from the winning writers on what inspired them, and an extensi
£13.49
Random House USA Inc Victim
Book SynopsisMOST ANTICIPATED: WASHINGTON POST, TIME,& MORE ?There?s a fine line between bending the truth and telling bold-faced lies, and Javier Perez is willing to cross it. Victim is a fearless satire about a hustler from the Bronx who sees through the veneer of diversity initiatives and decides to cash in on the odd currency of identity. A crowning achievement. ?New York Times Book Review ?You will burn through Victim and find your hands scalded when you are done…Pitch perfect. ?Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies DreamingJavier Perez is a hustler from a family of hustlers. He learns from an early age how to play the game to his own advantage, how his background?murdered drug dealer dad, single cash-strapped mom, best friend serving time for gang activity?can be a key to doors he didn?t even know existed. This kind of story, molded in the right way, is just what college admissions committees are looking for, and a full academic scholarship to a prestigious university brings Javi one step closer to his dream of becoming a famous writer.As a college student, Javi embellishes his life story until there?s not even a kernel of truth left. The only real connection to his past is the occasional letter he trades with his childhood best friend, Gio, who doesn?t seem to care about Javi?s newfound awareness of white privilege or the school-to-prison pipeline. Soon after Javi graduates, a viral essay transforms him from a writer on the rise to a journalist at a legendary magazine where the editors applaud his ?unique perspective.? But Gio more than anyone knows who Javi really is, and sees through his game. Once Gio?s released from prison and Javi offers to cut him in on the deal, will he play along with Javi?s charade, or will it all come crumbling down?A satirical sendup of tear-jerking trauma plots with a tender portrait of friendship at its core, Victim asks what real diversity looks like and how far one man is willing to go to make his story hit the right notes.
£13.49
Penguin Putnam Inc Unleashed
Book Synopsis
£18.74
Penguin Putnam Inc Dixon Descending
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Penguin Publishing Group The Ghost Women
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£22.94
Penguin Books Ltd The Society
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.29
Penguin Books Ltd The Faculty Lounge
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Penguin Random House Group Francines Spectacular Crash and Burn
Book Synopsis
£21.00
Penguin Putnam Inc The Lemon
Book Synopsis
£17.84
Random House Publishing Group Back to the Garden
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Random House Publishing Group Late Bloomers
Book SynopsisAn Indian American family is turned upside down when the parents split up thirty-six years into their arranged marriage in this “heartwarming journey of self-discovery” (Southern Living).“Touching . . . both funny and moving—a family drama the entire family can enjoy.”—Reader’s DigestI have a soft spot for underdogs. And late bloomers. You’ve told me a lot of things about yourself, so let me tell you something about me. After thirty-six years of a dutiful but unhappy arranged marriage, recently divorced Suresh and Lata Raman find themselves starting new paths in life. Suresh is trying to navigate the world of online dating on a website that caters to Indians and is striking out at every turn—until he meets a mysterious, devastatingly attractive younger woman who seems to be smitten with him. Lata is enjoying her newfound
£13.49
Random House Worlds To Shape a Dragons Breath
Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE NEBULA AND LODESTAR AWARDS • FINALIST FOR THE ASTOUNDING, LOCUS, AND BRITISH FANTASY NEWCOMER AWARDS • “My favorite book of the year . . . a coming-of-age story that is cozy and hair-raising in equal measure.”—Charlie Jane Anders, The Washington Post“I tore through it, caught up in an enthusiasm for dragons that I hadn’t experienced since I was a teenager obsessed with Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea and Anne McCaffrey’s Pern.”—NPRA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, PopSugar, Chicago Public Library, Polygon, She Reads, AutostraddleThe remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the s
£14.39
Random House USA Inc These Violet Delights
£13.49
Random House USA Inc Such Pretty Flowers
Book SynopsisRECOMMENDED BY GILLIAN FLYNN ON THE TODAY SHOW • “A lush, seductive Southern Gothic that’s deliciously queer . . . K. L. Cerra’s gift for gorgeous, gruesome atmosphere had me spellbound.”—Layne Fargo, author of They Never Learn A woman investigating her brother’s apparent suicide finds herself falling for her prime suspect—his darkly mysterious girlfriend—in this “creepy, compelling, and utterly original” (Karen Dionne) thriller.“Get it out of me.” It was the last message Holly received from her brother, Dane, before he was found cleaved open in the lavish Savannah townhouse of his girlfriend, Maura. Police ruled his death a suicide sparked by psychosis, but Holly can’t shake the idea that something else must have happened—something involving another message he sent earlier that night about a “game” Maura want
£13.49
Penguin Putnam Inc Distant Thunder
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Penguin Putnam Inc Near Miss
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Penguin Putnam Inc This Disaster Loves You
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Penguin Publishing Group First Comes Summer
Book Synopsis
£14.39
Penguin Putnam Inc The Lady Waiting
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Penguin Random House Group The Lady Waiting
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Penguin Putnam Inc Something About Her
Book Synopsis
£17.00
