I’m definitely not a fan of JoJoMoyes but another vote for Kate Atkinson especially Life after Life and A God in Ruins and Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler stories (terrific in audio format).
I’ve also enjoyed Kate Morton and Victoria Hislop novels.
Margaret Atwood is hard to beat whichever genre she’s writing in. The Blind Assassin and The Robber Bride are stand out.
Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead series is beautifully written.
Recently, I’ve also enjoyed books my Madeleine St John, Elizabeth McCracken, Emily St John Mandel, Monique Roffey and Margaret Forster.
Look at Virago for classic and contemporary fiction by women writers- maybe try their 2021 bookclub list. I’m just finished The Wedding by Dorothy West (not on the list) which is an extraordinary novel about colour. How about this list? Just what came up when I was searching for the West novel. An eclectic mix.
www.virago.co.uk/?s=the+wedding
I’m currently on a bit of an Ali Smith binge. Her Seasons Quartet - read them in the order Autumn through Summer - is excellent.
It’s the centenary of Patricia Highsmith’s birth. The Ripley novels are old-fashioned (he’d never get away with it now) but page-turning thrillers.
Check BBC Radio 4s A Good Read. Lot’s of back editions to listen to.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006v8jn/episodes/player
Also, of you are looking for similar writers to those you have enjoyed, take a look at Who Else Writes Like? - you can sign in with a library card.
www.whoelsewriteslike.com/authors
Reading choices are very subjective and not a lot of thrillers in here but I do hope there’s something to inspire you.
I realise, I’ve only nominated woman so to address the balance a little, Anthony Doerr and Richard Powers are just two of many male writers whose books I have enjoyed. Powers is currently Booker shortlisted for his latest, Bewilderment.