If you liked Marian Keyes’ The Brightest Star in the Sky…

Alexander McCall Smith: 44 Scotland Street
With characteristic warmth and wit, Alexander McCall Smith introduces the disparate occupants of this bohemian corner of Edinburgh. Pat, now on her second gap year joins the philandering, rugby loving Bruce while downstairs lives pretentious Irene whose 5-year-old is in therapy after setting fire to his father’s copy of The Guardian. It’s a masterful and thoroughly entertaining portrait of society.

Alaa Al Aswany: The Yacoubian Building
Set in downtown Cairo, Alaa Al Aswany’s bestselling novel offers a truly marvellous compendium of characters as he relates the hopes and despair of the occupants of the decaying art deco glory of Yacoubian Building.