The term started with Greek plays and is like a divine intervention, the exact translation is god from a machine because they would hoist this holy apparition up to appear behind the actors. It has come to mean most anytime something unexpected happens that is generally good to the best of my recollection.
If anyone has specific books of fiction they like, please PM me. I am always looking for something new to read but generally I do not do long series unless they are a series of books by Raymond Chandler, Patricia Highsmith, etc. Best if they are stand alone and not the middle of a series for book clubs sake lol. Some of my favorites include things like The Goldfinch by Donna Tarrt, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I have read a lot of Thomas Pynchon, Cormac McCarthy, Don Delillo, Michael Chabon, David Foster Wallace, etc.