Margaret Drabble would be my pick, but she’s already been mentioned. And of course, Barbara Pym. And of course I adore Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody. 
I strongly dislike the entire genre of what I call SWBs–Suffering Woman Books–think Anita Shreve et al, and also detest Jodi Picoult and Barbara Kingsolver, so no recs there. B-)
Not a fan of Anita Shreeve either. Stopped reading her after the book where for no good reason a little girl drowns.
I would not put Kingsolver into the same bin as Shreeve and Picoult. She is one of my favorites but count Poisonwood Bible (I know many don’t like it) and Animal Dreams among my favorite reads. Not a big fan of Shreeve but like some older Picoult for fluffy beach reads (but have not liked most of her recent books).
I must have read Ladder of Years but can’t remember it. Going to try to find it again.
Everyone has different tastes, but agree with @mom2and. Kingsolver is a different level, literarily, though that doesn’t mean one has to like her. One of my personal favorites, looking forward to her new novel coming out in the fall. My particular favorite is Prodigal Summer.
I just read Anna Quindlen’s new book, “Alternate Side.” I didn’t like it as much as some of her other books but it kept my attention.
I loved alternate side but I think that is because I am such a NYC girl!
Oh, I agree that Kingsolver isn’t in the same bin as Shreve et al. I just don’t like her books.
That’s fair.