John Lanchester, Patmeena Sabit and Guardian readers discuss the titles they have read over the last month. Join the conversation in the comments
I find it hard to read contemporary fiction while I’m in the middle of writing a novel, so I use the time after finishing as an opportunity to catch up. I hugely enjoyed two British novels, Drayton and Mackenzie by Alexander Starritt, about friendship and business, and The New Life by Tom Crewe, about gay life in the 1890s. European fiction: Eurotrash by Christian Kracht is a funny novel about going on a road trip with a deranged parent; Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico is about the horrible life of digital nomads; Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk is an unclassifiable, riveting sort-of mystery.
Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester is published by Faber (£20). To support the Guardian order your copy from guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
I am currently reading Tom’s Crossing by Mark Danielewski, author of House of Leaves. This novel is a 1,200-page modern western. I am astounded in every chapter by the depth of the characterisation and the calm, measured attention to detail. The main characters of Kalin and Landry (and their horses) feel as real as any person you would meet on the street. Though the length of the novel may seem daunting to some, I assure you that once you dive in, you will not be able to put it down. I cannot recommend it enough.
