KEY POINTS:
"All good literature is dark," said the woman from the bookshop. We'd asked her to recommend some titles for our book club to tackle over the course of the year.
Following her advice we left clutching copies of Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin, the story
of a kid on a killing spree, and Joan Didion's memoir of grief, The Year Of Magical Thinking. The former I loathed so much that had there been a gun to hand I'd have probably used it; the latter is filled with wisdom.
So, dark literature may be worthy but it's not always enjoyable, and is it what you feel like reading vegged out in a deckchair at the bach?
Probably not. For summery holidays, when your nose is far from the grindstone, you need a different kind of book altogether.
But it's a fine balance between books that make you want to climb into bed, throwing the duvet over your head, and books that are the literary equivalent of pappy white bread.
The books you take to the bach should be something you can sink your teeth into. After all, this is an opportunity to discover new writers you can continue to enjoy in the years to come, to find treasures you'll spend months recommending to all your friends. It's when you actually have the time to read.
Fortunately, the woman from the bookshop was wrong - good does not necessarily mean miserable. There are plenty of authors writing brilliantly and thoughtfully on topics that engage you without making you suicidal.
This is the pile I recommend you have beside your deckchair this summer.
Roopa Farooki
Who is she? Born in Pakistan and raised in London, Farooki worked in advertising before trying her hand at fiction. Her writing is gently humorous - she's a kind of Anglo-Asian version of Roddy Doyle.
What's she written? Her first novel, Bitter Sweets (Macmillan, $29.99), is a sharply observed, cross-cultural tale that spans three generations. At the story's centre is beautiful, clever Shona Karim who elopes with the unsuitable man of her dreams and ends up living above a sweet shop in south London. Farooki weaves the stories of Shona's parents and sons seamlessly into the main narrative. It's an addictive read about families, love and deception.
What's next? Apparently Farooki has already written her second novel and it's due out in 2008. She's now hard at work on her third so if you like her, you shouldn't have to wait too long between fixes.
Paul Torday
Who is he? He's English but has spent years working in industry in the Middle East. He turned to writing three years ago and his first book was an instant hit despite its unpromising title.
What's he written? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Orion, $27.99) is the rather wicked and very funny story of scientist Dr Alfred Jones who is asked to look into the possibility of introducing salmon to the Yemen.
It's a mad project that's destined to fail but the political pressure is on. Told through diary entries, letters and emails, this is a rather whimsical satire and Torday has great fun poking the borax at British politicians.
What's next? In February Torday's next book, The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce, hits the shelves. Haven't read it yet but it looks promising.
Diane Setterfield
Who is she? A British academic who has previously written about 19th and 20th century French literature.
What else has she written? Her debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale (Orion $27.99), was definitely my book of 2007.
It's the gothic and suspenseful tale of reclusive novelist Vida Winter who decides to tell her dramatic life story before she dies.
Full of mysterious twins, moors, bleak houses and strange families, it is satisfyingly Bronte-esque. This book also has a great website (visit www.thethirteenthtale.com).
What's next? She's working on her second novel but it took her several years to complete the first one so we may have to wait a while.
Lucie Whitehouse
Who is she? A literary agent turned novelist. Her writing is very reminiscent of Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
What has she written? Her first novel, The House At Midnight (Bloomsbury, $37.99), is out this week.
It's the classic tale of a group of young people who, on the face of it, have an idyllic life but there are dark secrets to be uncovered. The story begins with Lucas Heathfied inheriting a beautiful manor house and his group of glamorous friends joining him to spend weekends there.
But there is something chilling about the house and, as it reveals its secrets, the atmosphere grows ever more brooding and menacing.
This is the sort of book you'll gulp down in a couple of sittings.
What's next? Let's hope Whitehouse isn't too busy fostering the careers of other writers to produce a second novel.
Ron McLarty
Who is he? A New York actor (he's been in Sex & The City and Law & Order) and playwright who dreamed of becoming a novelist for 30 years.
What's he written? Two very readable novels. His first, The Memory of Running, is about Smithy Ide, an overweight and friendless man who, traumatised by the loss of his entire family, ends up cycling across America.
The plot has potential to be hackneyed but in fact this is a sweet, sad and funny book. McLarty's more recent release, Traveller (Sphere, $38.99), suffers a bit in comparison.
But the story of ageing actor Jono Riley, who returns to his home town and unravels an ancient mystery, perfectly captures a sense of childhood nostalgia and adult disappointment.
What's next? His third novel Art In America is due out later in 2008.
- Detours, HoS