Favorite Fiction: Modern Classics
The Shortlist Volume 1
Introducing The Book Reporter and the first volume of The Shortlist, a roundup of my favorite books, organized by theme / genre. The lists will be concise and the summaries will be brief. I hope The Shortlist will help you find your next book.
(For more in-depth reviews, I’ll be writing some Book Reports, starting next week!).
This week, I’m sharing the unforgettable fiction books that (I think) belong on every bookshelf. Most are long, but you won’t want them to end.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Inspired by Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, Kingsolver offers social commentary about the foster system, abuse and addiction. It’s heartbreaking and heavy, but uplifting too (you will root for the protagonist, Damon). Just so so good.
You May Also Love: The Goldfinch
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
An American classic about friendship, faith and fate, with the most lovable main character, Owen Meany, who will make you smile, laugh and cry, a lot.
You May Also Love: The World According to Garp
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Set in South India, this is an epic multi-generational saga about a family cursed by drowning. Verghese delivers a page-turner of serious length through masterful storytelling.
You May Also Love: The Namesake
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Historical fiction meets coming-of-age, this Pulitzer Prize winner is about an intersex person and the generations of family secrets that form their identity.
You May Also Love: Fall on Your Knees
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
Centered around a boy born at the stroke of midnight when India gained its independence from Great Britain, this family saga is allergorical, political, witty, and at times (literally and figuratively) magical.
You May Also Love: Victory City
The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’s debut novel about a young woman and her daughter living at a home for unwed mothers is moving and beautifully written, with elements of a modern fairy tale.
You May Also Love: The Dutch House
I’ve linked to Bookshop.org throughout, which supports independent bookstores and gives a higher percent of sales to authors. But if you can’t break your Amazon habit yet, you can find links below.
Amazon / Kindle Links: Demon Copperhead — A Prayer for Owen Meany — The Covenant of Water — Middlesex — Midnight’s Children — The Patron Saint of Liars
More Shortlist posts