These are my Top 15 Contemporary Fiction Books based in the United States:

These books explore a diverse range of American individuals and have deepened my understanding of U.S. society. They have also allowed me to analyse the similarities and differences between life in the United States and the United Kingdom.

I would love to know your opinion about this list and these books, along with any recommendations you have, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

1. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver is a haunting and psychologically intense novel that delves into the complexities of motherhood, guilt, and nature versus nurture. Told through a series of letters from Eva, a mother grappling with her son Kevin’s horrific crime, the story unravels the unsettling relationship between them from Kevin’s birth to his eventual act of violence. It's a gripping, emotionally charged narrative that leaves you questioning the roots of evil and the impact of family. Definitely one of the best books I have ever read, that stays with you long after you have read it. 

2. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen explores the lives of the Lambert family, a Midwestern American family grappling with personal and collective challenges. The novel, set in the late 20th century, follows each member of the family as they face deep-seated struggles—ageing, career disappointments, mental health issues, and complex relationships. Franzen successfully slices through intersections of family, society, and individual ambition, highlighting themes of dysfunction, disillusionment, and the search for redemption. The Corrections offers a compelling, sometimes darkly humorous look at modern American life and the complexities of familial bonds.

3. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, the unforgettable Owen is small in stature but vast in impact. Owen Meany has a strikingly high-pitched, almost childlike voice, which gives his words an unmistakable force and urgency. His small size and unusual voice are matched by a sharp intellect and a peculiar sense of destiny. Owen and his best friend, Johnny Wheelwright navigate together the questions of faith, identity, and fate that shape their lives and ultimately lead to a climactic, transformative event.

You may have come across the book The Tin Drum by Günter Grass, it’s interesting how the books share thematic connections, particularly through their unusual protagonists, Oskar Matzerath and Owen Meany, both of whom use physical characteristics to challenge societal norms. Oskar, who chooses to stop growing at three years old, wields his tin drum to disrupt the adult world, while Owen, with his tiny stature and distinct voice, seems predestined to fulfil a greater purpose. 

4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is a deeply moving novel that follows nine-year-old Oskar Schell as he navigates the grief and confusion left in the wake of his father's death in the 9/11 attacks. When Oskar discovers a mysterious key in his father's belongings, he embarks on a quest through New York City to find the lock it opens, encountering an array of characters and stories that expand his understanding of loss, love, and resilience. Foer  weaves Oskar’s journey together with the voices of his grandparents, who themselves carry the scars of another tragedy—the bombing of Dresden during World War II. 

From a very talented family, Jonathan’s brother Joshua Foer wrote the excellent Moonwalking with Einstein, a non-fiction book about memory and participating in a memory competition. Their mother, Esther Safran FoerI wrote I Want You to Know We’re Still Here: My family, the Holocaust and my search for truth, which links bank to another excellent novel by Jonathan called Everything is Illuminated.

5. The Secret History by Donna Tartt follows a group of college students who become involved in a murder within their tight-knit, exclusive circle. Set at a small liberal arts college in Vermont, the story is narrated by Richard Papen, a newcomer who becomes captivated by his enigmatic classmates. As the group’s obsession with ancient Greek culture deepens, their lives spiral out of control, leading to a murder, and its endless consequences.

6. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is an epic, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that spans generations, cultures, and the complex landscape of identity. The story follows Calliope Stephanides, later known as Cal, as the family's past unravels, alongside their own intersex identity. Set against the historical backdrops of Detroit and Greece, the novel includes themes of migration, family secrets, and self-discovery. 

7. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles follows 18-year-old Emmett Watson, recently released from a Nebraska juvenile detention centre, as he sets out to start a new life in California. Along the way, he is joined by two runaway companions, and their journey takes unexpected turns. The novel explores themes of friendship, family, and the search for a fresh start, with a narrative that weaves together different perspectives from the people Emmett encounters. It’s a story about the choices we make and their consequences. A Gentleman in Moscow is another excellent book by Amor Towles.

8. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is a novel that weaves together the lives of five characters across different times and places, from ancient Constantinople to a futuristic society. At its core, the book explores the power of storytelling and its ability to connect people, even through the challenges of time, war, and technology. The characters’ stories converge through a centuries-old manuscript, illustrating the impact of literature and imagination on survival and hope. It is set in several locations in the United States, with one key setting being a small town in Idaho, where the character of Zeno lives. 

9. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist in the 1960s who faces sexism and professional setbacks. Despite these challenges, she becomes the host of a popular cooking show, where she teaches science through recipes. The book explores themes of resilience, gender inequality, and the power of knowledge, all while blending humour and emotional depth. 

10. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders is a novel set in 1862, focusing on the grief of President Abraham Lincoln after the death of his son, Willie. The story takes place in a cemetery where Willie's soul, along with other spirits, is caught in a limbo-like state. The narrative is told through a mix of voices, both human and supernatural, offering reflections on life, death, and the impact of loss. The story explores the themes of mourning, compassion, and the struggle between holding on and letting go.

11. Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld is an alternate history novel that reimagines the life of Hillary Clinton. It explores a version of her life where she never marries Bill Clinton and pursues her own political career. The book touches on themes of ambition, love, and personal identity, while examining the complexities of a woman navigating a male-dominated political landscape. This book offers a fresh perspective on such a well-known figure.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is another novel that follows the life of Alice, a woman who marries a man who eventually becomes the President of the United States. The story explores her personal struggles, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of being in the public eye while grappling with her own values and desires. It is loosely based on Laura and George Bush. 

12. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain tells the story of Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. Set in the 1920s, it focuses on their life in Paris, capturing their relationship and the struggles Hadley faces as Hemingway’s career rises. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of marriage, offering a personal look into the life of a famous writer from the perspective of his wife. McLain weaves historical events with emotional depth, bringing the characters' experiences to life.

13. Rabbit, Run by John Updike follows Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a former high school basketball star, as he struggles with dissatisfaction and a sense of aimlessness in his life. Set in a small town, the novel explores Rabbit's decision to abandon his wife and child in search of freedom, only to find himself trapped by his own choices and the pressures of adulthood. Updike captures the complexity of personal identity, the pressures of family, and the disillusionment of middle-class American life.

This is the first book in his award-winning 'Rabbit' series. Each novel in the series reflects different stages of Rabbit's life, offering a deep and often critical look at American society. The Rabbit series takes place primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the cultural changes of post-World War II America and captures the struggles of middle-class life in a rapidly changing America, marked by shifting values and societal unrest.

14. Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates is a reimagining of the life of Marilyn Monroe. She blends fact with fiction, exploring Monroe’s tumultuous journey from Norma Jeane Baker to global icon, revealing the loneliness, trauma, and exploitation that haunted her behind the glamour. The novel delves into Monroe’s relationships, the pressures of fame, and the vulnerability masked by her public persona. Written in a stream-of-consciousness style, Blonde captures Monroe’s fractured sense of self, offering a complex portrayal that’s both sympathetic and tragic. It’s a powerful meditation on celebrity, identity, and the price of fame.

15. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a novel that follows the lives of two friends, Sam and Sadie, who meet as kids and reconnect when they are at Stanford and Harvard, to create video games together. Their collaboration leads to great success, but also tension, as their shared passion for gaming brings both joy and conflict over decades. The book explores themes of love, friendship, creativity, ambition, and the complexities of relationships, all set against the backdrop of the evolving world of game design.