What are some great contemporary short novels?

One great contemporary short story is 'Cat Person' by Kristen Roupenian. It explores modern relationships and the power dynamics within them in a very relatable way.

Some great contemporary novels include 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. This novel is a heart - wrenching exploration of friendship, trauma, and the human condition. It's a long and intense read but very rewarding. 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood is another great one. It's a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, with a focus on the next generation and their fight for change. Also, 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a very creative novel that combines historical events with a unique narrative style, blurring the lines between life and death.

Some well - known ones could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful exploration of racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which depicts a dystopian future with extreme government control. And 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, a coming - of - age story that has resonated with generations.

Some great contemporary fiction short stories include 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' by Raymond Carver. His minimalist style is very effective in portraying the mundanity and complexity of love. 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut is another one. It's a satirical take on equality and the suppression of individuality in society. Also, 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin makes readers question the cost of a utopian society.

One great contemporary romance novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's about two coworkers who constantly bicker but end up falling in love. Another is 'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston. It features a relationship between the son of the US president and a British prince. 'Beach Read' by Emily Henry is also popular. It tells the story of two writers with different genres who find love while staying at neighboring beach houses.

Some excellent contemporary science fiction short stories include 'Ava's Demon' by Michelle Czajkowski. It features a complex and interesting world with a strong female lead. 'Saga' by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples is also very popular. It combines science fiction elements with family drama in a space - faring setting. And 'Ms. Marvel' which has some science - fiction elements in its story about a young Muslim girl with superpowers.

For beginners, I'd recommend 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. Although Poe is from an earlier era, this short story has a contemporary feel in its exploration of madness. 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes is also great. It's a touching story about a man with an intellectual disability that's easy to follow. 'The Hitchhiker' by Roald Dahl is a short and exciting read that can introduce beginners to the world of contemporary short novels.

Some novels in the list are characterized by their unique narrative styles. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez has a magical realist style. It blends the real and the magical seamlessly, like the story of the Buendía family living through generations with strange and wonderful events. Another aspect is that contemporary novels can be very thought - provoking. 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut makes readers think about war, time and free will.

Jhumpa Lahiri is an author of great contemporary short stories. Her works often deal with themes of immigration, cultural identity, and family. For example, in her collection 'Interpreter of Maladies', she tells stories that are both poignant and insightful.

Some of the notable contemporary short story writers include George Saunders, Alice Munro, and Jhumpa Lahiri. Their works are highly regarded for their depth and creativity.