The Best Contemporary Fiction Authors to Listen to Now | Audible.ca
The Best Contemporary Fiction Authors to Listen to Now
Discover top contemporary fiction authors with this curated list of dynamic voices in modern day fiction. From Haruki Murakami to Eden Robinsin there’s a writer on this list for every taste.
Contemporary authors have produced some of the best books of all time. Often poignant, or full of social commentary, these works of fiction can range in genre and theme. Whether science fiction, drama, mystery, or something else altogether, these great works of fiction showcase amazing authors with a talent for contemporary storytelling. We've compiled a list of some of the most exciting and impressive contemporary authors of the 21st and 20th centuries to dive into for your next listen.
One of the most interesting and revered contemporary authors, Haruki Murakami is a cult favourite among literature lovers. He is an award-winning author from Japan that has garnered praise and a devoted following for his works of fiction, from short stories to novels, as well as nonfiction essays. Murakami's style is unique and thought-provoking, often mixing sombre topics with an unusual sense of humour and addressing themes of identity, loneliness and Japanese culture. His works have been translated into over 50 different languages, including English, from their original Japanese.
His latest collection of short stories, First Person Singular is written in the familiar style of Murakami's first-person narrators. The stories explore philosophical themes, with focuses on youth, music and memory. The audiobook is narrated by Japanese actor Kotaro Watanabe, who brings an authentic, grounded voice to the memoir-style stories. Contemporary fiction enthusiasts will love diving into these short, emotion-packed audio tales.
Donna Tartt is an American author whose three novels have been praised and loved by critics and audiences alike. In The Goldfinch, Tartt masterfully delivers stories of drama and intrigue, with captivating characters that will pull in listeners of all ages. Her stories are as deep as they are vivid, and her storytelling skills have made her a favourite contemporary author across Canada and the United States.
Her first novel was published when she was only 29 and was so well received it set a high bar for works to come. Her following two titles did not disappoint, and The Goldfinch, arguably her best novel to date, was a Pulitzer Prize winner. The audiobook adaptation is narrated by David Pittu who expertly transitions between characters, adopting impressive accents, tones and intonations to distinguish individuals and bring the story to life for listeners.
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has made waves in the world of contemporary fiction. Her novels are powerful, emotive, and have a strong feminist message. She has gained a strong following of fans and received critical acclaim for both her writing style and powerful topics. She expertly navigates sexual politics and equality issues from a place of personal experience, weaving history as a woman from Nigeria with a larger understanding of women's roles in society more generally.
We Should All Be Feminists looks at what feminism means in contemporary society, from the way it has changed over time, to the misrepresentations the term has taken on. Any title by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an excellent addition to any library of contemporary works. This audiobook adaptation is narrated by Adichie herself and her passion, knowledge and personality shine through.
Canada's own Gil Adamson is a must on any list of top contemporary authors. She is a winner of the Books in Canada First Novel Award for her debut novel The Outlander. Adamson was born in Toronto and pulls on many Canadian themes and settings for her works, painting a partly historical, partly fiction world. The Outlander is focused on a 19-year-old young woman on the run from the law, and is an exciting, enticing and truly gripping listen.
The audiobook is narrated by Sabryn Rock who brings all the tension, emotion and excitement this story needs to come to life in the minds of the listener. Audiences won't be able to pause this fast-paced tale of outlaws and outlanders.
Patrick DeWitt was born on Vancouver Island and is another prominent Canadian contemporary author. DeWitt has several acclaimed works, most notably his second novel The Sisters Brothers, which was shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize. It was also shortlisted for several other awards, both Canadian and international, and set DeWitt on a path to become one of the most well-known contemporary fiction authors in Canada.
French Exit was released in 2018 and is a darkly comedic and satirical story of a mother and son who flee New York for Paris. Debauchery, scandal and ruin follow in a hilariously told story that is as dramatic as it is humorous. DeWitt is a master at writing strong engaging characters listeners will love, even as they are thoroughly unlikeable. Narrator Laurence Bouvard brings the story to life in this audiobook adaptation, bringing a new voice to each character for a distinct and unique listening experience.
Pasha Malla has a unique, dynamic style that makes him a top contemporary author. Described as a combination of Douglas Adams and David Lynch, he is producing exciting modern tales of 21st-century life in all its weird, wonderful and - sometimes dark - glory. He is a masterful writer that weaves dark humour and satire with truths, engaging characters, and impressive writing.
Kill the Mall winds its way through nighttime escapades in a modern mall, which turns quickly from entraining to dark and potentially dangerous. Anand Rajaram brings the engaging characters to life, narrating the audiobook in an enthusiastic and clear tone that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Miriam Toews is one of the best Canadian contemporary authors. She pulls on her own personal experiences, as well as strong Canadian themes and settings to tell rich stories, moving, and feature complex and flawed characters. She is a master of handling subjects such as depression, repression and self-identity, all of which she explores in many of her works. She has written several acclaimed novels, from her first book Summer of my Amazing Luck to A Complicated Kindness, All My Puny Sorrows, and her 2021 release Fight Night.
Toews carries an Order of Manitoba and has been awarded the Governor General's Award for Fiction and the Writers' Trust Engel/Findley Award. Her latest title Fight Night is another example of how well Toews navigates the generational relationships between women. This familial connection is amplified by the fact that the audiobook is narrated by Toews and her daughter, Georgia Toews.
Zadie Smith is an English author who was born in London. Her debut novel, White Teeth took the world by storm and quickly became a bestseller. She is a powerful and outspoken contemporary author that uses realism and postmodernism to bring her stories to life. Her works focus on race, cultural identity, race politics and religion. She uses witty dialogue, eccentric characters and sharp comedy to address these issues, making them both accessible to the listener while also challenging them.
Her body of work has won her the Women's Prize for Fiction and she holds a position as a Creative Writing professor in New York City. Her work is both admired and revered for its style and importance, bringing forward a voice often quieted. The audiobook version of White Teeth features a cast of voice actors Lenny Henry, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Ray Panthaki, and Arya Sagar who each take on their respective characters with skill and emotion.
Martha Baillie is a Toronto-born Canadian writer and poet. She is a recognized author, with her novel The Incident Report having been nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and her 2006 work The Shape I Gave You was listed as a national bestseller. Baillie's poetic background lends itself beautifully to her fiction writing and she has a wonderful mastery of words that make her novels and stories rich and enticing.
The Search for Heinrich Schlögel is an excellent example of how Baillie mixes fiction and fantasy. The story is rooted in Canadiana, with much of the subject matter referencing Canadian places and themes - such as Baffin Island - yet has a fantastic and mysterious twist, as this seemingly benign adventure seems to involve slips in time, and inexplicable experiences. Nicky Guadagni narrates the story beautifully, with a tone that is rich with poetic lilt and the dramatic depth necessary to paint the scenery and bring the mystery of this enticing tale to life.
Anakana Schofield is an Irish-Canadian author who should not be missed out of any collection of top contemporary authors. Her debut novel Malarky won the 2012 Amazon.ca First Novel Award and the 2013 Debut-Litzer Prize for Fiction. Schofield writes women's literature with strong emotions. Her main character has a 'cannot-be-sunk' mentality that is both passionate and strong. Paired with a storyline full of challenges, Schofield's Malarky is a story full of longing and deep-seated sorrow.
The audible adaptation of this title is self-narrated by Schofield herself, which brings a level of authenticity to the writing that can only be felt when an author reads their work. Her voice is dynamic and impassioned, which makes for an amazing listen any contemporary lit lover can dive into.
Richard Wagamese was an Ojibwe author from Ontario, Canada. He is best known for his novel Indian Horse, which was the 2013 winner of the Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. The story was also later released in a film adaptation by the same name in 2017. He has a strong body of work, from his writings as a journalist to poems, children's publications, novels, and five non-fiction books, including two memoirs.
His works celebrate and illustrate Ojibwe and First Nations’ ways of life, from his essays about his early years, to characters in Indian Horse and other novels. Wagamese's novel Ragged Company follows four chronically homeless characters through an unbelievable story of friendships and struggle. The audiobook adaptation is narrated by a full cast for an immersive audio experience that brings Wagamese's world to life.
Tracey Lindberg is a Canadian contemporary writer from British Columbia. She is Cree-Métis and a member of the As'in'i'wa'chi Ni'yaw Nation Rocky Mountain Cree and is an Indigenous Rights activist. A strong academic writer, she transitioned into fiction with her debut novel Birdie, whose main character is a Cree woman.
Birdie is a story of reconciliation and is steeped in Cree traditions and knowledge. Lindberg brings some of her real-life experiences and passion for indigenous rights to this powerful work of fiction. Both informative and moving, it and Lindberg's work more generally, is a vital piece of any library of Canadian Contemporary authors.
Katherena Vermette is another stand-out voice in the world of contemporary fiction. Like Lindberg, she is a strong indigenous rights activist and is known for vocalizing her dissatisfaction with the Canadian government's treatment of indigenous people. She is a Metis descendant from Winnipeg, and her writing expresses both her activist leanings and Metis heritage.
Her first novel, The Break has won countless awards and accolades. Vermette expertly weaves a story of multiple characters who each share the narrative with their compelling stories. The Break is beautifully written, and this beauty is not lost in the narration by Michaela Washburn. Washburn performs the audiobook with the gravity and clarity it needs, while still maintaining a warm tone that invites the listener into Vermette's world.
Waubgeshig is a Wasauksing First Nation writer from Parry Sound, Ontario. Originally a journalist and short story writer, Wabgeshig's first major publication was a collection of short stories titled Midnight Sweatlodge. He has also published two novels, including his most popular title, Moon of the Crusted Snow. This novel, like much of his work, draws on First Nation heritage and culture to weave a compelling and gripping story of survival and strength.
Rice is an important addition to any library of contemporary authors for his strength in storytelling as much as his distinctive First Nation voice. His stories offer a glimpse into a world not as often highlighted in popular culture, but powerful and loud all the same. In Moon of the Crusted Snow, he pairs allegory with fiction to heighten the impact of the story. The audiobook adaptation is narrated by Billy Merasty, who handles the story expertly. Between the narration and the story itself, Moon of the Crusted Snow is a singable, cannot-pause audio experience that is a masterpiece of contemporary fiction.
Eden Robinson is a master of magical realism and an impressive contemporary author. She is an expert at combining realistic characters and storylines with elements of Haisla and Heiltsuk culture and lore to create magical stories. Her characters are sympathetic and usually flawed, facing trials and tribulations that both challenge and strengthen them. She is one of the forerunners of Canadian Indigenous contemporary writing.
The latest series by Robinson, Son of a Trickster carries on in her themes of Haisla culture and mythical and/or spiritual trends. She paints an important and full picture of life for a teenage Haisla boy, as well as characters that are both on and off a reservation. A story of familial bonds and learned negative cycles, Son of a Trickster showcases Robinson's impressive ability to be both hilarious and heavy, mythical and deeply real, all at the same time.
Another up and coming contemporary master is Tłı̨chǫ First Nation writer Richard Van Camp. Hailing from the North West Territories, he offers a strong First Nation Canadian voice in the world of contemporary fiction. His roots are based on oral storytelling traditions and tropes, meaning his stories and novels translate exceptionally well to audiobook adaptations.
The Lesser Blessed, offers a fresh take on First Nation life with humour and levity, despite its rather heavy subject matter. It is narrated by award-winning Kris Koscheski, who has voiced some 400 different audiobooks. Koscheski takes on the style with an open, Ernest nature that is perfect for the oral-tradition-inspired story. An engaging and touching story, listeners will fall in love with The Lesser Blessed and Richard Van Camp.
