In the last few days, we’ve been pelted with breaking news. It’s everywhere – on our phones, on our feeds, on every homepage. And while we’re living through a deeply unsettling moment, it’s also when art can become a form of escape.
Stories have always offered a way to give our minds a break from the constant stream of updates and commentary that don’t always add much to our lives.
Staying informed matters, of course – but you don’t need to read every alert or every thread. With that in mind, if you’re also looking for a pause from the endless headlines, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite fiction books.
Some are award-winners, others have simply captured readers’ hearts – and as any avid reader knows, that’s often the toughest crowd to impress. Whichever you choose, we can guarantee it will take you on a magnificent journey.
1. Dream State by Eric Puchner
Eric Puchner’s Dream State is a mesmerising dive into the boundaries between memory, imagination, and reality. Puchner, an acclaimed American novelist and short story writer, weaves rich characterisation with a lyrical, almost dreamlike prose style that lingers long after the final page. Published in 2026, the novel follows several interconnected characters as they navigate personal loss, shifting perceptions, and the blurred line between dreams and waking life.
Price: £17.09
Where to buy: Guardian Bookshop
2. What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
From one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary novelists, Ian McEwan, What We Can Know explores the nature of truth, memory, and human understanding. McEwan, a Booker Prize nominee and author of classics such as Atonement, delivers a story that combines intellectual depth with his signature clarity and precision. The book focuses on a central character wrestling with ethical dilemmas and conflicting perspectives, questioning how much we can ever truly know about ourselves or others.
Price: £11.00
Where to buy: Amazon
3. My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman strikes gold again with My Friends, an instant Sunday Times bestseller and the winner of the Goodreads Choice Awards Fiction 2025. Known for his warm, witty, and often bittersweet storytelling (A Man Called Ove), Backman delivers a heartfelt exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the everyday moments that shape our lives. The novel follows a group of long-time friends as they navigate change, challenges, and unexpected events, highlighting how small acts of kindness and shared experiences define their relationships.
Price: £19.00
Where to buy: Amazon
4. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is a sparkling exploration of love, relationships, and the chaos of single/married life. The author is known for her engaging, character-driven narratives and brings both wit and heart to this story of romantic mishaps and wedding day mayhem. The plot follows multiple characters preparing for weddings, exploring their personal dilemmas, family tensions, and romantic entanglements as events unfold with both fabulous humour.
Price: £16.97
Where to buy: Amazon
5. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent showcases Virginia Evans at her finest, delivering a story rich in intrigue and human connection. Evans, acclaimed for her precise storytelling and strong characterisation, explores themes of communication, secrecy, and the ways lives intertwine in unexpected ways. The novel tracks the overlapping stories of several individuals connected through letters, journalism, and secrets, showing how their choices reverberate across different lives.
Price: £13.59
Where to buy: Amazon
6. James by Percival Everett
Percival Everett’s James is a must-read literary triumph, cementing his status as one of contemporary literature’s sharpest voices. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Everett delivers a bold, inventive story that examines identity, society, and personal transformation with his signature wit and intellectual depth. The novel centres on James, a man navigating systemic challenges and personal growth, as Everett examines the intersections of race, society, and self-realisation in modern America.
Price: £19.23
Where to buy: Amazon
7. Funny Story by Emily Henry
Emily Henry is a modern master of romantic comedy, and Funny Story is proof. With her trademark blend of warmth, humour, and insight, Henry tells a story that’s as laugh-out-loud funny as it is emotionally satisfying. The plot follows the evolving relationships and personal journeys of its characters, exploring themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery through humorous and heartfelt situations.
Price: £9.00
Where to buy: Amazon
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