Rising Stars

First published in 2011 or later, a prize win or shortlist, a place on a critics', readers' or booksellers' list, and a weighted hit rate of 15% or more. How the tiers work

Rising Stars are recent novels that prizes and readers have already taken up. If you want something current that the lists agree is good, start with Normal People or Hamnet, both easy to get into.

Demon Copperhead and James are bigger and tougher, and worth it. Days Without End is told in a very distinctive voice that takes a while to settle into. It’s too early to say which of these will last.