Contemporary English writers for improving English

21 October 2025

Readers-friendly

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

Reading books is a great way to improve your English. Whether you are preparing for exams or want to improve your speaking and listening skills, reading will help you expand your vocabulary, master new language structures, discover complex expressions, and gain a deeper understanding of the language. Finding suitable books for beginners can be difficult. That's why today we're not only going to talk about the benefits of reading such literature, but also offer a selection of interesting contemporary English novels that are ideal for language learners.

Why you should read contemporary literature

Today, English is the language of international communication, science, business, and culture. Whereas students used to focus mainly on classical works, now more and more teachers advise them to turn to contemporary literature. Why is that? First, contemporary English authors use up-to-date vocabulary that corresponds to the living language of the 21st century. Secondly, such books reflect contemporary issues, ways of thinking and cultural realities that will be familiar even to a beginner student. Finally, the novels of the new generation of authors are characterised by dynamic plots that motivate readers to finish the work and improve their language skills at the same time. Dynamic plots are extremely important if you want to encourage a wide audience to read, as the modern style and speed of information absorption require it.

What topics does contemporary English prose cover?

Contemporary English literature covers a wide range of topics that reflect life in the 21st century. These include the problems of multiculturalism, intergenerational relationships, the challenges of globalisation, and personal dramas. English writers of the 21st century often address issues of identity, human rights, social inequality, and technological change.

For those learning English, this is an invaluable opportunity to familiarise themselves with current topics in the context of authentic language. After all, books not only provide new words, but also form a cultural background that helps to better understand native speakers.

An overview of popular authors and books

In Dinternal Education's catalogue of contemporary literature, you can find a selection of relevant works that are suitable for both reading pleasure and improving your English.

Transcription by Kate Atkinson.

Meet Juliet Armstrong, an 18-year-old girl who was recruited by the British counterintelligence service MI5 in 1940. Her task was to spy on fascist sympathisers in Great Britain. This work was difficult and fraught with anxiety. After the war, Juliet hoped to leave the past behind and start a new life. However, ten years later, when she is already working as a producer at the BBC, the past suddenly reminds her of itself. Encounters with people from her past expose Juliet to new dangers. The time of reckoning arrives, and she begins to understand that every action has consequences.

The Shining — Stephen King.

The Shining is a true gem of horror literature, one of Stephen King's best novels. Winter is approaching, snowstorms isolate them from the outside world, and the hotel seems to come alive with a life of its own. It should be deserted. So who is this mysterious woman in room 217? Who are these mysterious figures in masks scurrying around in the lift? And why do the bushes, trimmed in the shape of animals, seem so alive? Somewhere within the walls of the hotel lurks an ominous force that also begins to reveal its ‘glow’...

The Stranger — Harlan Coben.

Adam Price lives the perfect life: a strong family, a luxurious home, a successful career. But one evening, he learns a shocking secret about his wife. The worst thing is that losing faith in his perfect life is not his biggest problem. Adam finds himself caught up in a dangerous conspiracy. One wrong move in an attempt to stop it, and lives will not just be ruined, they will be destroyed.

The Plated Prisoner Series: Gild by Raven Kennedy.

She was saved by King Midas. He pulled her out of the slums, gave her food and shelter, but put her on a pedestal. She is his most precious trophy, his property. Therefore, no one can enter or leave. Except him. Suddenly, war comes to the kingdom and Orea's world is shattered. Everything she knew about Midas may be a lie. Trust is destroyed. Love is challenged. Even if it is gilded, Orea feels like she is in a cage. She will have to rethink the story of King Midas.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reed.

Daisy is a rock'n'roll hurricane, a brilliant songwriter and an uncontrollable drug addict, a wild soul who has conquered the heights of fame. Camilla is the band leader's wife, a strong-willed woman who kept the band from falling apart despite the magnetic connection between her husband and Daisy. Karen is an unflappable keyboardist, independent and courageous, who challenged a world that wasn't ready to accept her. And alongside them are the men: the Dunn brothers, whose ambitions and arguments fuelled conflicts; the guitarist, seething with dissatisfaction at playing second fiddle; the drummer, who drowned his problems in alcohol on a yacht; and the bassist, who dreamed of family life in the midst of a frantic world tour. They were sparks of creativity that, when they collided, risked burning everything around them.

‘If He Had Been With Me’ — Laura Nowlin.

Autumn and Finn were once best friends, almost one and the same. But something went wrong — either the world changed, or they did. Now they avoid each other. Autumn has her beloved Jamie and loyal friends, while Finn has become a school star that everyone adores.

However, every time their eyes meet, Autumn feels a wave of emotions and cannot shake the thought that things could have been different. That they could have been together. But August will bring changes that will turn their lives upside down. And over time, Autumn will be forced to think about what her life could have been like if she and Finn hadn't gone their separate ways...

A variety of publications allow you to choose literature according to your level and preferences and combine business with pleasure, namely, learning with leisure.

The level of complexity of modern texts

The question often arises: are novels by contemporary authors too difficult for learning English? The answer depends on your level of preparation.

Beginner level (A2–B1): it is better to start with adapted versions of modern novels or books that use simple language and lots of dialogue.
Intermediate level (B1–B2): you can read original novels, especially those that describe modern life and everyday life, as their language is close to colloquial speech. You can also consider teen novels.
Advanced level (C1 and above): any works with more complex language and deeper themes are suitable.

The complexity of the texts should be selected individually, based on your own level. You can also read books that you previously enjoyed in their original language.

Reading English novels is more than just entertainment. It is an effective tool for learning the language. First, reading helps build passive vocabulary: even if you don't translate a word right away, it sticks in your memory because of the context. Second, contemporary literature helps you better understand grammatical structures in a natural environment.

In addition, reading increases motivation: when you realise that you can understand a novel by a famous British author in the original language, it creates a sense of achievement and motivates you to move forward. This approach also allows you to better feel the rhythm of the language, intonation and even humour, which greatly facilitates communication with native speakers. Overall, reading novels by 21st-century English writers improves your understanding of current grammar and contemporary culture and allows you to perceive English as it is in real life.