Best Contemporary British & Irish Literature Books of 2025

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Penguin Books is a heartwarming story of an eccentric loner who learns to open her heart and let others in. Eleanor struggles with social skills and lives a life of isolation, but everything changes when she meets Raymond, an IT guy from her office. Together with Sammy, an elderly gentleman they rescued, they form an unlikely friendship that helps each of them heal from their past traumas. This book is beautifully written, funny, and uplifting, with a deadpan humor that is both heartbreaking and charming. A must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming story of friendship and human connection.

The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher is a heart-wrenching, emotionally gripping family life fiction book that tells the story of Lara, a woman who finds a mysterious letter that reveals dark secrets from the past that threaten to destroy her family. The book alternates between the viewpoints of Lara and Maggie, who is married to Massimo's brother and knows all of his darkest secrets. The truth will come at a devastating price for this family held together by lies. Kerry Fisher's writing is pacey and the plot is thoroughly enjoyable. This book is highly recommended for anyone who loves family dramas with unexpected twists.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce is a heartwarming novel of hope and transformation. Harold Fry is a retired man living a mundane life in an English village until he receives a letter from a woman he hasn't heard from in twenty years, sparking an urgent quest to walk six hundred miles to her hospice. The novel is charming, humorous, and offers profound insights into the human heart. It is a celebration of the everyday things and the possibility of redemption. Overall, it is an utterly irresistible story that will leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired.

Three Wishes is the first novel from Liane Moriarty, the bestselling author of Nine Perfect Strangers and Big Little Lies. It follows the lives of triplets - Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle - as they navigate their tumultuous thirty-third year. Despite their differences, the sisters share a bond that is unbreakable. Moriarty's writing is wise, witty, and hilarious, making this a charming and heartwarming read. The book offers an honest look at sibling rivalry, secrets, revelations, and relationships. Three Wishes is a bighearted valentine to sisters, and a rich and enticing birthday cake of a book.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes is a heartwarming novel about a single mother, Jess, and her chaotic family. With a vanished husband, a bullied stepson, and a math prodigy daughter, Jess's life is already complicated. However, things take an unexpected turn when an obnoxious tech millionaire named Ed offers to help them. Despite the initial tension between them, Ed's act of kindness brings the dysfunctional family together. This women's domestic life fiction book is a perfect blend of humor, sadness, and hope, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Pride and Prejudice, a novel of manners by Jane Austen, follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates issues of morality, education, and marriage in the British Regency society. Austen's memorable characters and themes have made this book one of the most popular novels in English literature, with over 20 million copies sold. The book's enduring popularity has resulted in numerous adaptations and imitations. This classic literature and fiction book is a must-read for all book lovers.

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers, The Last Anniversary is a gripping novel about a family secret, a first love, and a mystery that takes place on one extraordinary night. Sophie inherits her ex-boyfriend's aunt's house on Scribbly Gum Island, home of the famously unsolved Munro Baby mystery, and begins a new life as part of an unconventional family. As Sophie's life becomes increasingly complicated, she learns that sometimes you have to stop waiting around and come up with your own fairy tale ending. Moriarty's sharp wit and lovable characters make this a must-read for fans of women's domestic life fiction.

Paradise, the breakthrough work of Abdulrazak Gurnah, is a poignant coming-of-age story set in pre-colonial East Africa. Yusuf, a young African boy, is sold by his father to repay a debt and thrown into the complexities of urban life. Through Yusuf's eyes, Gurnah depicts the universal trials of adolescence, communities at war, and trading safaris gone awry. The novel is a tragic love story and a tale of the corruption of African tradition by European colonialism. Gurnah's lush, seductive language and masterful interweaving of Yusuf's story with the larger historical forces transforming the continent make this a powerful and evocative portrait of Africa on the brink of change.

Lost Horizon by James Hilton is a classic novel that tells the story of a small group of English and American residents who crash-landed in the Tibetan Himalayas and discovered a hidden utopia called Shangri-La. Originally published in 1933, the book gained immense popularity after Frank Capra's film adaptation in 1937. This Harper Perennial edition features a bonus essay by Kenneth C. Davis. The novel's imaginative plot and themes of revolution, adventure, and emotion make it a must-read for fans of classic literature.

Sarum: The Novel of England is a captivating family saga that chronicles the turbulent history of England through the intertwined fates of five families. This epic novel is a profound human drama that offers a fascinating glimpse into the future. Bursting with action and encyclopedic in historic detail, it is a superbly crafted work of storytelling. Edward Rutherfurd's vividly imagined vision of history is written with genuine delight, and his storytelling skills are substantial. Sarum is a masterpiece that will appeal to discerning readers who love family sagas and historical fiction.