The Best Fiction Books

Actor and comic chooses five books on comedy. One choice is The Comedy Bible, which explains that every comedian is either saying, "It is hard to…" or, "I love being…" - and you need to fill in the blanks.

Bestselling British historian and author Alison Weir plunges us deep into the world of walled-up skeletons, Vikings, poisoning, intrigue, witchcraft and rebellion. This is the best of historical novels – books that never compromise on painstaking research.

The bestselling author of the Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella, chooses her own favourite books from the Chick Lit genre. Have a romp with these angst-ridden women searching for the perfect man (and the perfect pair of high-heels).

One of Italy's greatest living authors, Dacia Maraini, nominates her choices for the best works of Italian literature.

Bilingual author and translator with his pick of the five must-reads by - and about - Nabokov. Says a revisionist biography of the writer is due, which comes to terms with the Jewish influence on his work

British novelist James Miller recommends his choice of the best apocalyptic novels

Susan Abulhawa, author of Mornings in Jenin, chooses five books about Palestine by Palestinian writers. She says what she sees among the young people in Palestine is humbling, 'they have such remarkable spirit'

Australia is a highly urban place and yet the imagination of its writers goes to remote places and times, says Australian novelist Nicholas Jose. He picks the best Australian novels.

Jane Eyre, 1984 and Anne Frank's diary all make it onto novelist Amanda Craig's list of books that changed the world. On Black Beauty's underrated importance: 'People forget that William Wilberforce, who abolished the slave trade, also founded the RSPCA.'

Novelist Simon Mawer picks his favourite books on forgiveness.