About the Best Fiction Books of All Time

Fiction Books

Are you in search of the best fiction books? Well, whether you are a fiction book enthusiast or someone who is trying to read some top books, this post is for you. Here is a rundown of the most loved fiction novels of all time.

These books are hand-picked for those who want to read something unique. Without any doubt, you will get a book that matches your particular theme as we have covered a variety of genres of fiction books. Just go through the list and pick the one that grabs your attention.

The Vacation

Written by John Marrs

It is one of the most incredible books you will ever read! The book features eight people who are based in a backpacker hostel at Venice Beach, Los Angeles hostel. The common thing about these strangers was that each of them wanted to run away from their past. They wanted to have a new identity and for that, they made a fresh start. But soon, they realized that it was not as easy as they had thought. They understand that if you cannot lay the past to rest, it will come back to you in such a time when you have never expected it. You may think that eight characters would be hard to understand. Well, it is not because the chapters are very short. This book is terrific, brilliantly written and hard to put down.

She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor #1)

Written by Shelley Parker-Chan

Featuring a unique story, this historical fantasy is one of the best fiction books which will surely hook your eyes. The book showcases the rise of the Ming Dynasty in 14th century China. There, in a village, a fortune teller foresees the future of two children. The boy was destined to rise and the girl was destined to be unremembered. Both of these children were siblings and one day, they became orphans. Zhu Chongba succumbs to despair and he leaves the world. Her sister takes his identity to enter a monastery. The characters of the story are great and the book is well-written. If you are ready to read an evocative and high fantasy with complex characters, then this book is perfect for you.

The Brothers Karamazov

Written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

An incredible murder mystery, a courtroom drama, a series of triangular love affairs and a dose of humor are what you are going to read in this book. The main characters are Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons- Dmitri, Ivan and Alyosha. The author of the book has showcased Russian life in the golden age along with the tragic twisting instances. The book features a dense work of philosophy and is worth a read. This is a true masterpiece and a beautiful work of literature. So, are you willing to dive into a big, fat Russian novel?

The Exhibitionist

Written by Charlotte Mendelson

The story showcases infuriating moments, a super dysfunctional family and a narcissistic main character. But still this extraordinary fifth novel from the author is one of the top read books. Ray Hanrahan is an egoist man who happens to be a famous artist. He was preparing for an exhibition of his art. He was fully confident that this exhibition would skyrocket his reputation. Now coming to his family, he has three children– Leah, Patrick and Jess. His selfless wife Lucia is an artist too. However, she puts her profession aside and boasts of her roles as a wife and mother. This lady is hiding some secrets and she has to make a choice when the exhibition approaches. Uncover more about this toxic family with a touch of comedy drama. Not to mention, this book is wonderfully written.

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead

Written by Emily R. Austin

The title of the book might have captured your eyes. Isn’t it? Well, this book has been written from a unique perspective. Further, the story in this novel is worth reading. The reason being, it will make you think about your life. Also, you will understand that all of us are actually sailing in the same boat. The book talks about Gilda, who was in her twenties. She was lesbian and she had a problem of over thinking about death. She wanted to free herself from the burden she was carrying in her mind. So she counts on free therapy at a local Catholic church. The funny thing is Father Jeff thought that she came over for a job interview for the profile of receptionist. Actually the old receptionist, Grace, has recently died. Now Gilda was a new receptionist and she began impersonating Grace via email as her old friend was trying to contact her through the church inbox. The next scenario focuses on the involvement of police in the suspicious circumstances that revolve around Grace’s death. Grab this book to know what happens next and how Gilda reacts.

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

Written by David Mitchell

The up-selling point of David Mitchell is that his stories are intricately plotted. That said, this epic-historical ghost story is surely a masterpiece. The plot is absolutely enthralling, and in this book, Jacob de Zoet, who is a Dutch junior clerk, lands in Dejima. He wanted to make good money so that he could marry his wealthy fiancée. However, upon his arrival, he falls in love with a Japanese midwife, Aibagawa Orito. This woman was the disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor. The book features serious contemporary literature with a sound plot. Clearly, you can’t miss reading this truly amazing book.

The Office of Historical Corrections

Written by Danielle Evans

Featuring an excellent collection of six short stories, this book is sure to offer you a wide scene of life and race in America. The dialogues in the book are pretty witty and the stories come with a twist. The author portrays her particular moments and relationships in the life of the character. She talks about big issues, including history. This novella is jaw-dropping and showcases a nuanced reflection of the world we are living in. With the emotional ride, this book is sure to be added to your book collection. The themes included in this book are- grief, jealousy, love, girlhood, political, personal as well as cultural and racial complexities. For those who love reading thought-provoking scenes, this book with a multi-layered short stories collection is ideal for you.

Single Bald Female

Written by Laura Price

Next on our list is an exceptionally remarkable book ‘Single Bald Female. Jessica Jackson has a career, a loving boyfriend and a flat in London. Her life gets turned upside down when she gets diagnosed with breast cancer. At the age of thirty-one, this girl moves to and fro between her career and chemotherapy. Soon she realized that her beloved was not exactly what she thought of. Amidst that, she sees her friends’ updates on Facebook about weddings and baby scans. She did not want to be left behind, so she registered on an online dating site. In the meantime, she meets twenty-seven years old Annabel. This girl herself was suffering from incurable cancer, but she was living her life to the fullest. She helps Jess and teaches her to make every minute count. The story is very poignant, but you will also witness great friendship.

Detransition, Baby

Written by Torrey Peters

The book talks about the three women: Reese, a transwoman; Katrina, a biological woman and Amy/Ames, a male who transitioned from a female. The tale revolves around these three characters, especially Katrina’s pregnancy. Next is Reese, who longs for a child, but she knows that she can’t spawn a baby. Ames took a turn and he transitioned back to manhood. The lives of these three people are intertwined. Not to mention, this novel features love, frustration, flaws and a bit of humor as well. This book is indeed unique, and everyone must read it at least once. Clearly, this one is one of the best fiction books 2021 year ever has.

Train Dreams

Written by Denis Johnson

Featuring the story of a day laborer, this book is sure to make you ponder on history. The story talks about the beginning of the twentieth century in the American West. Robert Grainier, a laborer, is a pretty simple man. He was happy with his wife and infant daughter, but he faced the loss of family. This man was poor and he had to struggle to get along with this world. As you continue reading this book, you will unveil the strange as well as shocking personal defeats of this man. Further, you will notice how radical changes modified the country during his lifetime. This is one of the Great American novels, which is worth a read.

Where the Wild Ladies Are

Written by Aoko Matsuda

Looking for a collection of different stories in the same book? If yes then this one’s for you. ‘Where the Wild Ladies Are’ has 17 incredible stories that are sure to wow you. The best thing about this book is that it features stories that focus on women ghosts. But this is not at all a scary book. In fact, from whimsical to funny, you are surely going to enjoy reading this book. You will learn the rich history of ghosts and other mysterious creatures. That being said, the book retells the old stories in a modern version. This is what makes it a unique fiction book. The male character in the book is Mr. Tei and he is the one who will see the talents and recruits the one, whether that individual is dead or alive. He hires them to join his mysterious company. Isn’t it interesting?

Invisible

Written by Danielle Steel

The title of the book itself says a little about the story. The main character is Antonia Adams, whose mother is a young model and her father is an aristocrat. Their loveless marriage had a deep impact on this girl as she was neglected by them. Her mother walked out and then her father disregarded this little girl when she was only seven years old. She had a tough childhood with nannies and maids. She decides to become invisible, meaning she hides to keep herself safe from danger. As a result she draws little attention to herself. Soon she found some peace in movies and books. One day she happens to watch an unforgettable movie, which ignites a passion in her. So now she wants to become a screenwriter and for that she does a job at a Hollywood studio. There she met a prominent filmmaker, and it turned out that he wanted her to be a star in the movie. The girl had to make a choice to keep herself safe. Grab this book to know what Antonia will do.

Nightbitch

Written by Rachel Yoder

This book is something that everyone should read as it features the most original story. The tale begins with a mother whose name is unknown but in the end, she calls herself Nightbitch. This lady is an artist and has a child. She also has a husband who often remains away from his home. He has to travel due to his work. As a result, this mother is left alone with her son. Just like other new mommies, she also feels isolated. Though her husband calls her, she feels unappreciated. Moreover, she thinks that there is no one with whom she can share her feelings. One day she experiences something different. Her body was sprouting hair and she started growing a tail. She turns different. Now, would you call her a mother, a wife or a Nightbitch? The story is sure to make you understand modern motherhood. It is not only funny, surreal and weird, but it is also a gut-wrenching exam of new mommies. It will be a great read. Highly recommended.

Flying Angels

Written by Danielle Steel

Here’s another amazing fiction book from the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Danielle Steel. The best thing about this extraordinary book is that it holds multiple emotions. From friendship, tragedy to love and loss, you are going to get a rollercoaster ride. This is a World War II historical fiction that features six young nurses- Audrey Parker, Lizzie, Alex, Louise, Pru and Emma. On December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, Audrey’s life changed. She and her friend Lizzie see that their country is on the verge of war. These two girls, along with Alex and Louise, were American women, and they were transferred to England. They joined an RAF flight to nurse wounded men. There in England, these women meet Pru and Emma. Soon all these six women became very good friends because they had one goal, which was to work hard during the war and risk their lives every day to help wounded men. The book has a lot of back-story and information which clearly states the reason why all these women left their comfortable lives and counted on the role during dangerous times. Without any doubt, it’s a great read.

The Promise

Written by Lucy Diamond

This is one of the most moving fiction books you will ever read. Behold, it is not a depressing story. The story sets off with the tragic disappearance of a man named Patrick Sheppard. His death leaves his family heartbroken as his wife and three kids lost the head of their family. His wife Zoe along with kids Ethan, Gabe and Bea were trying to cope with the sudden demise of Patrick. Now the thing is that Zoe blames Dan for her husband’s death. Dan was the brother of Patrick and he himself blames his brother’s death because both these brothers argued over something at night and they left separately. His brother, Patrick never came back home. Now moving forward, Dan decided to take care of his family and the properties which Patrick owned. He gets busy working in a frantic school and then he realizes what kind of man his brother was. That being said, Patrick was keeping secrets that were unfolding slowly. The book showcases death and grief, but it is indeed an incredible read.

Dept. of Speculation

Written by Jenny Offill

The story of this novel is very unique, which makes it one of the must-read masterpieces. It focuses on Jenny Offill who lives in Brooklyn. She connects with a man, falls in love and gets married. Soon she becomes a mother. So now this lady has to divide her time as she is a wife, mother and writer. She juggles between her roles where she tries to keep her husband happy, takes care of her child perfectly and at the same time does not compromise on her goal to shine as a writer. The twist comes when her man gets along with another woman. On the other hand, she loves her daughter and it appears that she is in depression as she sees her marriage failing. The story is sensational and at the same time, the tale appears emotional. The book has plenty of short, quirky paragraphs, which will give you enough time to breathe and understand.

I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories

Written by Laura van den Berg

The book is truly a masterpiece as it comes with a variety of themes. It is surreal, funny, terrifying as well as disturbing. But for sure you are going to enjoy reading this book. It features eleven short stories that focus on the female experience. It showcases violence against women, traumas, and much more. Each of the stories is concise, well crafted and has wonderful characters. The crux of each story is that there are dilemmas from which getting away is hard. If you are one who loves to read contemporary short stories, then make sure you do not miss this ultimate book by Laura van den Berg. After reading this book you will certainly agree that it is a powerful collection of short stories.

Absalom, Absalom!

Written by William Faulkner

This is one of the masterpieces but behold; some may find it a difficult read. Despite all this, the book made it and ranked among America’s finest novels. Now coming to the story, Thomas Stupen, a poor white man, is from West Virginia. He gets into arguments with his own family, where his father was an alcoholic. Moreover, their black servant insults him extremely. He left home, visited Haiti and started working as an overseer of a plantation. Soon he finds wealth and marries a lady from a respectable family. Well, his life changes again when he gets to know that her wife and son are of mixed race. You got the crux, right? So, are you counting on this Southern Gothic novel?

Nineteen Eighty-Four

Written by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four, also published in 1984, is one of the most influential fiction books of all time. The book describes a dystopia in which the leaders of the country pass a totalitarian system in order to control their people. Winston Smith is one of the characters who is an open-source developer. He writes a code offline as his internet service provider has installed a system that is regulated by the government. Well there are a lot of things going on in the story. You will notice how the past is changed and rules are changed. Further, one has to believe that two plus two is equal to five. Yeah, you read that right. The book boasts its dystopian genre and it ranks among the most terrifying books. There is no doubt that this book will be an ideal selection for the people who read in this genre. But even if you are not very much into this genre, still you should try reading it. For sure, this book will blow your mind and enhance your perception.

The Sympathizer: A Novel (The Sympathizer #1)

Written by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Behold, this one is exceptional. This book by Viet Thanh Nguyen won the Pulitzer award in 2016. It features dark comedy along with the theme of schizophrenia. It is a spy novel with extreme politics and love. It touches on the key areas of Vietnamese American history. Further, it is more about the difficulty in getting along with a new culture. You will understand America’s role in the Vietnam War. The novel is a bit disturbing at times and on the other hand you will witness some humor. Coming to the main character of the story is a captain who has a French father and a Vietnamese mother. He returned to Vietnam to fight for the Communist cause. The book is interesting and if you are someone who loves to read dark comedy then make sure you grab this book without thinking twice.

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Written by Gabriel García Márquez

This is a hard read but the writing is smooth and has numerous visual images. It is recommended for those who are willing to immerse themselves in each page. The books will also move you with every word and will surely leave you spellbound. There are several themes that require you to read with focus. The story talks about the Buendia family that passes through a lot of marriages, births, wars and deaths. It features the tale of a mythical Colombian town that is prominent for magical realism. Also, you are going to witness pointless civil wars, rigid political hierarchy and rampant exploitation of the tropics. This rich novel has an exciting conversation that keeps the reader engaged. Would you like to explore more about the Buendia family and what exactly happened there during the wars?

Crime and Punishment

Written by Fyodor Dostoevsky

This book is fascinating as it has a lot about crime and punishment. Further, it is about poverty, social class, guilt, conscience, false confessions, wild dreams and many more things. The main character of the book is Raskolnikov, who is the protagonist. He steps out on the streets, wanders around in St. Petersburg and attempts a random murder. He does not regret it. Instead, he thinks of himself as a great man. Soon he begins a dangerous journey that involves a police investigator. In this book, the author showcases how all of us make choices and then how we have to deal with the consequences. The book boasts excellent literature of the highest level and still one can read it easily. Without any doubt, this masterpiece is one of the best fiction books to read.

Breasts and Eggs

Written by Mieko Kawakami

The book features a short story that showcases contemporary womanhood in Japan. In other words, one can say that it portrays the effect of misogyny and poverty on females’ bodies. Well, the three characters of the story are women: Natsu, Makiko and Midoriko. Natsu is a thirty-year-old, Makiko is her older sister and Midoriko is the daughter of Makiko. The tale revolves around Makiko who wants to get a breast enhancement. So she traveled to Tokyo in search of affordable treatment. Now talking about Midoriko, she was hitting puberty and was pretty terrified by seeing the natural changes in her body. She was further horrified and was thinking about why her mother wanted to undergo a bodily change. There are a myriad of different things going on in this story. In a nutshell, this book is topical, unique, and focuses on the issues that are common to all women.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #2)

Written by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This is a short novella that features a series of vignettes. The book is wonderfully written and you will be able to immerse yourself in each page without taking much time. Well, it is also heartwarming and you may even notice some sad moments at the same time. It talks about the different people who wish to time travel and gets back in the past. These people were willing to take advantage of the time-traveling offer of the Cafe Funiculi Funicula, located in a back alley in Tokyo. Now let us talk about the people one by one. The first character is a man who wishes to see his comrade who died twenty-two years ago. The next character is a son who could not attend the funeral of his mother. The third character is someone who knows he is dying soon, so he travels to meet a girl he loves. The last character is a detective who wants to give his wife the birthday gift which he was never able to give her. Isn’t it extremely interesting?

The Confession

Written by Jessie Burton

This one is a beautifully written novel with amazing characterizations. It showcases the secret history of a reclusive novelist. Moreover, it features a rich examination of identity, motherhood, emotions, companionship and betrayal. The book talks about the era of the 1980s when a young woman named Elise Morceau connects with Constance Holden, a successful writer. Elise fell in love with this older woman and moved with her to Los Angeles. Slowly, their relationship fell apart. After three decades, there came Rose Simmons, whose career was going downhill. Also, she was in a stagnant relationship with her boyfriend. She wondered why her mother left her as a baby. This girl has always felt the loss of her mother. Well, she got to know from her father that Elise was in connection with Constance. Now, this girl Rose took a caretaker job for the aging Connie as she wanted to know the reason behind her mother’s disappearance. This is one of the most emotionally engaging fiction books you will ever read that is full of female characters.

Final words

So now you have an ultimate list of best fiction books that have incredible stories. Without any doubt, each of these novels features excellent characterization. Well, no matter which book you choose, the only thing is that you will love reading the epic tales that will broaden your imagination.

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