What New Literary Fiction Books Are Worth Reading Now?

I think about 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders all the time. The form alone is thought-provoking: it's a historical ghost story about Abraham Lincoln's dead son, told through a cacophony of voices—historical quotes, the spirits in the cemetery, etc. It’s a profound meditation on grief, loss, and the liminal state between life and death. The spirits are stuck because of their own attachments and regrets, and watching them interact with the grieving Lincoln is heartbreaking and oddly funny. It makes you think about what we hold onto that keeps us from moving on, and the universality of sorrow. It's experimental, yes, but incredibly accessible once you get into its rhythm. It’s a book that celebrates the messy, beautiful, tragic chorus of human life. Unforgettable.

I stumbled into literary fiction a few years ago, so maybe my picks are from the deep end? But starting with accessible prose and a strong central idea is smart. 'The Remains of the Day' by Kazuo Ishiguro is my absolute top recommendation. The story is about a butler reflecting on his life, but it's the subtlety that gets you—the quiet tragedy in what he doesn't say. It's a masterpiece of restraint that somehow feels incredibly moving without being melodramatic. The language is clean and approachable, which is perfect. For something with a bit more plot momentum, Ann Patchett's 'Bel Canto' might work. It’s technically about a hostage situation, but it’s really about the strange connections that form between people under extreme pressure. It reads almost like a thriller but with this beautiful, character-focused depth. It was a book club favorite for us because it sparked so much discussion about art and humanity. Some find the ending divisive, but that’s part of the fun. I’d avoid jumping straight into the super dense, classic ‘literary’ tomes. Save 'Ulysses' for later, if ever. Starting with contemporary authors who still prioritize story can make the transition much smoother.

Podcasts are my primary source. 'The Book Review' podcast from the New York Times, 'The TLS Podcast', and 'Backlisted' (which often discusses new books in the context of older ones) give me a sense of a book's staying power. Hearing authors and critics talk about the work, even for a few minutes, conveys its energy and ideas in a way a printed blurb never can. I often borrow the audiobook from the library right after listening to an intriguing interview.