My choice of "good read" authors:
Tracey Chevalier - especially Girl with a Pearl Earring
Deborah Moggach - especially Stolen
Lee Langley - especially Changes of Address
Nick Horny - especially About a Boy
David Nicholls - especially One Day
Anne Tyler - especially Saint Maybe
I know there are mixed opinions about Hilary Mantel. Historical books don't really appeal to me but I found her book Eight Months on Ghazzah Street a gripping thriller (inspired by her own experience of living in Saudi Arabia)