Fiction Books that Spark Ideas

As an artist, I never know what will spark my inspiration for a new painting, artwork or creative project. Sometimes it’s a colour palette from nature, other times it’s a story that lingers in my mind long after I’ve turned the last page. Books have a way of opening doors to new ideas, emotions, and perspectives—and that’s why I love reading as much as I love painting.

The novels below are not only incredible reads, but they also explore themes that resonate deeply with creativity: time, identity, resilience, and human connection. Whether you’re looking for your next book club pick or a story to curl up with during the holidays, these eight titles are worth adding to your list. This past year I've really enjoyed reading science fiction and time traveling novels, along with my usual does of fiction and historical fiction. Some of these books are older but were new to me this year. 

1. The Lady Astronaut Series (2012-2025) by Mary Robinette Kowal

An alternate universe where a meteor accelerates the space program and women travel to space sooner than in our reality. Mary Robinette Kowal’s award-winning series follows Elma York, a brilliant mathematician and pilot, as she battles gender barriers to become one of the first female astronauts. This series blends hard science fiction with historical fiction, social commentary, celebrating perseverance and progress in the face of climate catastrophe.

2. 11/22/63 (2011) by Stephen King

I always thought that Stephen King wrote only horror novels, until I found this gem of a novel. Stephen King’s science fiction masterpiece takes readers on a journey through time as Jake Epping, a high school teacher, discovers a portal to 1958. Twists and turns occur because he past doesn’t want to be changed, and every change has consequences. This gripping novel combines suspense, romance, and a profound meditation on fate. Not to much horror included in this book. I couldn't put it down!

3. The Poppy Fields (2025) by Nikki Erlick

From the author of The Measure (which I also really enjoyed) comes a creepy but captivating story set in a remote California desert, where an experimental facility promises relief from heartbreak through deep sleep. Four strangers and a dog embark on a cross-country journey to reach this controversial sanctuary, confronting loss, ethics, and the meaning of true recovery.

4. The Favorites (2025) by Layne Fargo

I've long enjoyed competitive figurative skating, especially the drama of the winter Olympics. This novel is set in the high-stakes world of elite figure skating, this novel explores obsession, rivalry, and the cost of becoming “the favourite.” Told through alternating narratives and documentary-style interviews, Layne Fargo’s story exposes the dark side of ambition, fame and figure skating.

5. The Stolen Queen (2025) by Fiona Davis

Historical fiction is always fun, and anything involving ancient Egypt is appealing. Fiona Davis delivers a dual-timeline narrative spanning 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York. Archaeologist Charlotte Cross uncovers a tomb linked to a forgotten female pharaoh, only to face tragedy and secrets that resurface decades later at the Met Gala. This novel weaves art, archaeology, and feminism into a suspenseful tale of love and legacy.

6. Heft (2012) by Liz Moore

This moving novel features Arthur Opp, a 550-pound recluse, and Kel Keller, a teenage baseball hopeful. Their lives intersect through Charlene, Kel’s troubled mother and Arthur’s former student. Through alternating perspectives, Liz Moore explores isolation, shame, and the transformative power of unexpected connections. It's tender, revealing and heartbreaking...in a really good way. 

7. The Unseen World (2016) by Liz Moore

I read anything I could find my Liz Moore this year. This novel is a haunting blend of mystery and coming-of-age, following Ada Sibelius, raised by her brilliant father in a Boston computer lab. When he succumbs to Alzheimer’s, Ada uncovers secrets hidden in encrypted files—truths that challenge her understanding of identity, memory, and love.

8. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot (2021) by Marianne Cronin

In a Glasgow hospital, 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot form an extraordinary friendship. Together, they create 100 paintings—one for each year of their combined lives—while sharing stories of joy, heartbreak, and hope. This sweet debut novel reminds us that even in life’s final chapters, there’s room for beauty, connection and friendship.

9. An Inside Job (2025) by Daniel Silva

I've read all the books that I could find by Daniel Silva and even got to hear him lecture in person this year. Daniel Silva’s latest thriller released this year brings back Gabriel Allon—legendary spy turned art restorer (how can an artist resist that combination?)—for a high-stakes mystery involving a stolen Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece. What begins as a peaceful life in Venice (one of the cities that has inspired me - see my Italy series) quickly spirals into danger when Gabriel discovers a murdered woman and uncovers Vatican corruption tied to the missing painting. The chase spans London’s art world, the French Riviera, and culminates in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.

10. Revolutionary Road (1961) by Richard Yates

Written in 1961, this classic novel captivated me. The poignant story explores the disillusionment of suburban life in postwar America. It follows Frank and April Wheeler, a young couple living in a Connecticut suburb who appear to have an ideal life but secretly feel trapped by conformity and mediocrity. Yates delivers a powerful critique of the American Dream, exposing themes of isolation, failed ambition, and the fragility of human relationships.

11.  Death of the Author (2025) by Nnedi Okorafor

This genre-blending, metafictional novel that combines science fiction, autofiction, and cultural commentary. It follows Zelunjo “Zelu” Onyenezi-Onyedele, a disabled Nigerian-American writer whose life spirals after being fired from her teaching job and rejected by publishers. At her sister’s wedding, Zelu begins writing Rusted Robots, a speculative novel set in a posthuman world dominated by sentient robots and AI. This book-within-a-book becomes a runaway success, catapulting Zelu into literary stardom—but fame brings chaos: family tensions, cultural expectations, ableism, and the commodification of her art. The narrative alternates between Zelu’s real-life struggles and excerpts from Rusted Robots, where a robot scholar named Ankara seeks meaning through storytelling in a world without humans. 

12. These Summer Storms by Sarah Maclean 

This family drama is set on a private Rhode Island island. After their father’s death, the wealthy but fractured Storm siblings must spend a week together to claim their inheritance, confronting old secrets and rivalries. Alice Storm faces grief, family tension, and unexpected attraction to Jack Dean, her father’s enigmatic right-hand man. Themes include family dysfunction, identity, and love against a stormy summer backdrop.

Why These Books Belong on Your Shelf

Each of these novels invites readers to reflect on time—whether through alternate histories, speculative futures, or the fleeting nature of human life. They remind us that love, ambition, and resilience shape our stories, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. For me, they provide a respite from constant visual work. The books also spark ideas for themes and emotion in my paintings, stories and artwork. Inspiration can come from anywhere—and often, it starts with a great story.

What's next on my book shelf?

I'm ready to return to the art world, in both real life and in fiction! Here are 3 novels about artists that I can't wait to read next:

1. Villa E by Jane Alison

Set on the French Riviera in 1965, this novel explores the rivalry between modernist architect Le Corbusier and designer Eileen Gray over the iconic Villa E-1027. 

2. Woo Woo by Ella Baxter

A supposed satirical look at the contemporary art scene, following an artist on the brink of a major exhibition—and a personal breakdown. 

3. Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru

This novel explores the underbelly of the art world through the story of a failed contemporary artist navigating betrayal, ambition, and survival. 

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