My Top 10 Favourite Literary Fiction Books

[@catreadsabunch]

*opens Goodreads and adds every book* 😂❤️😊

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Helene! I think you're onto something with literary fiction. It does tend to deal with family dynamics. I also think of literary fiction as having something distinguished about the quality of writing. Also, you've made me want to reread The World According to Garp. I read it about 5 years ago, and I'm not sure it was the right time for me to read it. I liked it, but it hasn't stayed with me. I should give it another shot!

[@sumikatti]

Yes..I feel literary fiction is almost always about either family dynamics or about an outsider in the society ..sometimes they can have one or two artsy friends to argue with...or abusive ones like in the book A Little Life.

[@bighardbooks770]

I just asked her about ^ John Irving lol!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Loved this group! I'm so eager to read Lauren Groff's new novel. And I still really need to get to reading Idaho. Big ❤️for A Spool of Blue Thread and A Little Life.

[@kriw5658]

White Oleander is my favorite book. Just found your channel and now I know I can trust your taste and recommendation!! How exciting!

[@victorkirima1050]

Your book reviews are among the most exceptional on this platform. Good work!

[@JojoJojo-bd6dz]

I love that you upload this video today, im going away and i needed some book recommendations for my kindle!

[@lexicon50505]

loved the video. A Little Life is also one of my absolute favourites. Devastating! Great list.

[@doowopshopgal]

Your videos are remarkable they make me want to read everything. I wish I had so much more time, because time does run out.

[@kathybolton2240]

What a great video, Helene! I also enjoy Anne Tyler and John Irving. Will be adding several titles that you have mentioned.

[@slavcinko]

i like you post a video almost every day lately ☺️

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

That's why I watch your channel Helene. I read Literary fiction, crime fic & some non fiction. I don't read fantasy

[@nikkivenable3700]

Same!!!

[@threexladi]

I read literary fiction, true crime. No fantasy.

[@staceylynnash]

I thought I was the only one!,

[@sumikatti]

I need to get to A Spool of Blue Thread. I read Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Tyler because of your recommendation way back...and absolutely loved it. And I should read more by John Irving too. I have also Delphine de Vigan's book on my tbr (the English title Nothing Holds Back the Night) and I am quite sure I will like it, if not love it. I hope you'll read it soon and tell us your thoughts on it.

[@ginathomas237]

Excellent choices! I think you’re onto something as far as defining literary fiction - deeply exploring the relationships of characters is a vital element in this genre. Of all the titles you’ve mentioned I feel most compelled to read Commonwealth-because it’s a reread for you-and My Absolute Darling-because I love coming of age stories.🤓

[@linsrabbits]

I loved this video Helene, thank you, lovely selections. I loved Fates and Furies and The Unseen World too, and there's many of your other favourites that I want to try.

[@sandramiksawrites]

Amazing video as always! I want to read all of these!!! 😍

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

Thankyou again Helene , some more good books 📚 love ❤️ your channel!

[@tracyvanalphen8824]

I have just found your channel, and I don't know why it has taken me so long. I was watching April from Getting Hygge With It, and she recommended it, and I am thrilled that she did. I have My Beautiful Darling on my shelves. I haven't read it yet, but I believe it is fantastic - at least, I know my husband enjoyed it.

[@SunriseFireberry]

I know your channel for many things: eg. you, your Danish accent, your oft-tastes in LitFic, your tastes in classics, & great Zeus.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

TimeAndChance Oh yeah, the great Zeus! Please don’t tell him that 🙊

[@SunriseFireberry]

If there were a poll in the booktube community as to which pet was most popular, I'd figure Zeus would do well. Then Z shouldn't get swellheaded: there's plenty of competition. :-)

[@paulelliott3220]

This is a curious genre that I don't quite understand Literary suggests that it's well written made up stuff - but then you usually don't find books published that aren't (although perhaps that should be you shouldn't It feels like what I'd understand as a novel ... John Irving - Garp, Hotel New Hampshire and Cider House Rules are all fantastic Joseph Heller - Catch 22 Mordecai Richler - Joshua Then and Now James Lee Burke - Feast Day For Fools Willy Vlautin - Lean on Pete Cool list

[@amelian9677]

I have been looking for some literary fiction recommendations 😊 Yay!

[@nikkivenable3700]

Your cover of Commonwealth is so beautiful.....my American cover pales in comparison. I have the majority of these books BECAUSE of you!! Your channel has been so influential over my reading life and I’m rarely disappointed by what you recommend.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

nikki venable Thank you! What a compliment 🙂

[@bighardbooks770]

My fav John Irving's are Window for One Year and Till I Find You (both in Amsterdam)!

[@priscillareads]

Can I ask what is that collection of books on your right shoulder? The bottom left side of the screen for me. Those are some gorgeous spines.

[@주사빈]

I think those are Vintage Classics collection

[@genxjen9163]

Hi Helene! Have you read “Beach Music” by Pat Conroy? One of my favorite works of literary fiction ever.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Jenny Davidson No, but I’ve read “The Prince of Tides” and it’s one of my favourite books of all time ❤️ So I’ll definitely check out “Beach Music”. Thanks! 🙂

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Not long ago I found "A Little Life" in a Little Free Library and the book is now in a row of TBRs next to my armchair.---I've known of John Irving for many years but have never read one of his books though I very much enjoyed the movie of "The World According to Garp" which starred the late Robin Williams and also Mary Beth Hurt who is one of my all-time favorite actresses.---Same here: I'm not certain of how to define Literary Fiction but I agree that "character driven" is an important part of if not the main part.

[@doowopshopgal]

Do you have a top 10 classics ?

[@helenejeppesen2133]

doowopshopgal I haven’t done one, but I might 🙂

[@chelseag3365]

I also loved A Spool of Blue Thread. It was the first book I read by Anne Tyler and I am looking forward to reading so many more of her books! Edit: The Unseen World is definitely one of my favorite books ever! It was such a thought-provoking read for me, and I am at the beginning of my career as a programmer so I really liked the technology aspects of it. Side note: I am realizing that the covers of my copies of these titles (and others that you and I both own) are not the best versions! I very much prefer the covers you have! :)

[@Nate1975]

I have one question. How do you choose your books and what to read? Do you have a system?

[@bighardbooks770]

I've heard of Idaho, on my TBR ... Do you enjoy reading John Irving?

[@isaherondale1447]

I adored "White oleander" and "A little life", both broke my heart. If you like family dynamics there's one called "Everything here is beautiful" by Mira T. Lee it's about two sisters who see their life changing when one of them starts to develop a schizophrenia.

[@threexladi]

LONDON FIELDS (martin amis). TIGER LILY'S ORCHIDS (ruth rendell). THEM (joyce carol oates). THE POST-BIRTHDAY WORLD (lionel shriver).

[@rq1264]

Fabulous reviews... thanks for the suggestions....

[@Burps___]

I thought A Catcher In The Rye was one of your favorite lit fic books.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Cool One It is! But I consider it a (modern) classic, so that one is for another video 😉

[@Burps___]

Helene Jeppesen Okay. 😊

[@readingwayfarer7798]

This is a wonderful video; I'm so glad you are doing so many videos this month! Have you read A Man Called Ove? I know it's been popular for a while, but I just read it last month.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Reading Wayfarer Yes, I’ve read that one and loved it 🙂 I also loved Britt-Marie Was Here by that author...

[@Usvaa]

Have you read The Lido by Libby Page? It's a feel-good book. I recommend it!

[@LisaK1075]

I own 9/10 of these books but only read A Little Life and White Oleander. Now I’m even more looking forward to getting to these great reads. The only one I don’t own is The Idiot!

[@kaylaalbers1153]

Come baaaaaack 😭😭😭

[@rebeccasrambles]

i would like for you to hold up the books so we can see the author's name.Thanks for the recommendations, now that my library is closed I have to take them a list instead of browsing.

[@henryvierimusic]

Finally a good channel on literary fiction 😍

[@PedroRodriguez-kg4bq]

Is Jonathan franzen literary fiction?

[@stardust5379]

I connect you with cakes, cookies and chocolate. 🍩🍪🍨🍧🍰🎂🍫🍷☕️. 😘

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Mike Stone Oh yeah, that as well 🙂

[@chboskyy]

Great list - I'd add The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer! 😊

[@claywilliams8129]

great recommendations!

[@masteatro]

When you say "literary fiction" do you mean always "contemporary" or it can be also historical fiction?

[@JoachimderZweite]

I could not decipher the title or author of the first book without a web search. I got all the rest. No doubt it is me. As for literary fiction. Fiction needs not explanation. That leaves each of us with the problem of literary.

[@davidrose1838]

UR CUTE! Great LF info my favorite genre thanks helene...

[@Prairielily04]

Commonwealth is a great read!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Did you read Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant?

[@nikkivenable3700]

Jacqueline McMenamin I love that book! So far my favorite book of hers.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Jacqueline McMenamin Yup, and I liked it 🙂

[@moazzamali2920]

Essence of English Intellectual Life.Best book on kindle.

[@tibahs.3956]

An outstanding vidoe 😍

[@Tiles76663]

I love your voice.

[@sandrawilliams4874]

Helene- I miss your channel. Make a short video to let us know you are ok.

[@derekgreen7319]

If stoner isnt on this list it should be. Its a perfect example of an american character study