20 Best Fiction Books You Cannot Put Down
Fiction novels and books are one of the most enjoyed genres amongst book lovers. Fiction writers have a knack of creating a world beyond our wildest dreams that encapsulates our imagination for hours on end. From Harry Potter to A Game of Thrones, these books have found love around the world and have amassed legions of fans in their midst. Here are our top picks of the best fiction books that will make it near impossible for you to put down once you start reading them.
Our Top Recommendations
A List of 20 Best Fiction Books for Every Book Lover
1984 by George Orwell
Set in an imaginative future of the year 1984, Orwell’s novel unleashes a unique plot according to which no one is safe or free. The theme revolves around the risks of government overreach, totalitarianism, and a poor stiff’s journey to find individualism. Ranked as one of the most terrifying novels of all time,1984 discusses the prescience of modern life and a thorough version of hell. The book has also been adapted for cinema, radio, television, and theatre.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Exceptionally conceived and executed, this popular pick for best fiction novels is about the dystopian times. The Handmaid’s Tale is a story about Offred, a handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. The book is set in a near future where Offred is placed in the household of a commander, Fred Waterford and has only one function to attend to, breeding. If she refuses to do so, she will be hanged. However, this devastating world does not make her lose hope and desire as she keeps recalling her pre-revolution life in flashbacks.
Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Paying Guests is set in 1922 in London where Spinster Frances alongside her mother, Mrs. Wray mourns the death of her brothers in the Great War. Obliged to take in the lodgers, Mrs. Wray and Frances move into the genteel Camberwell Villa. With the arrival of Lilian and Leonard Barber, a modern young couple of the ‘clerk class’, the house is transformed in unexpected ways. Little do the Wrays know how deeply their new tenants are about to alter Frances’ life.
A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The book highlights a world on fire and split and accounts the story of French Doctor Manette who was a political prisoner in Bastille for eighteen years. The aging Manette is finally released to reunite with his daughter in England. There the lives of two men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disrespectful but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Manette and are drawn to the bloodstained streets of Paris and the reign of terror.
Beloved by Toni Morison
Escaping the world of slavery, Sethe fled to Ohio, a free state. The story records Sethe’s world of love changing into violence and death. She holds close the memories of her home, the beautiful farm and its harsh reality where hideous things happened. The ghost of her baby who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved, haunts her new home. The baby who died in the arms of her own mother returns to claim retribution.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
If you appreciate science fiction, our list of best fiction books will get you through with this book called the Brave New World. It is a science-fiction novel largely set in the futuristic World State. The future holds genetically modified citizens and intelligence-based social hierarchy. The book anticipates the utopian society that includes scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulations, and classical conditioning.
Lord Of The Flies by William Golding
Lord of the Flies is a novel that revolves around the disastrous attempts of governing oneself. At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on a desert island and the only survivors are a group of schoolboys who wait at the beach to be rescued. To enjoy their newfound freedom, they inhabit the land to do anything in their will and wish. But as the night approaches, their dreams are haunted by the image of a terrifying beast. As their delicate sense of order fades, their behavior starts to transform into murderous and savage actions.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Describing the definitive tale of the American culture, The Great Gatsby is a novel that revolves around the character of Jay Gatsby, a fabulously wealthy New Yorker. As more and more people lose themselves in the lure of money, the enigmatic host of the most extravagant parties, Gatsby, remains unaffected and in love. The story unravels the chaste dream against the corrupting influences of wealth.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Talking of the best fiction novels, this fantasy tale is every fiction reader’s love. Harry Potter has redefined fiction for an entire generation. J.K. Rowling achieved the impossible when she created the magical world of Hogwarts which got every child and adult interested in reading like never before. The series revolves around Harry who is an orphan but soon learns he is no ordinary kid. He is a wizard and after the age of 11, must attend the magical school meant for wizards – Hogwarts.
Here friendships are forged for life and while everything seems magical, Harry must learn a terrible secret as to what killed his parents and what threat awaits him. Harry along with Ron and Hermione embarks on a life altering journey of courage, sacrifice and love. This series of books is often touted as the best fiction books for children, and a great starter book to inculcate the habit of reading in middle school children.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire is a collection of five novels written by the legendary George R.R. Martin who is yet to complete the series with two more books in the making. The books have been adapted as the favourite TV show “A Game of Thrones”. The story revolves around the powerful houses of Westeros – the Starks, Baratheons, Lannisters and Targaryens for the ultimate seat of power – The Iron Throne. The show captures betrayal and politics like never seen before.
As the books progress, more magical elements are introduced making it a fantasy galore that you just cannot put down. From the Great Wall in the North to Dragonstone in the South, the world of Westeros will mesmerize you with every page. You can also read additional books around the story which have been released over the years including Fire and Blood and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
A tale of love and war – isn’t that a great recipe to write the best fiction books ever! A Town Like Alice is a story about Jean Pagel, a young Englishwoman who lived in Malaya during the time of Japanese invasion. Jean is captured by the Japanese to join other prisoners and march for miles through the jungle. Her courage and spirit enable her to lead the pack and save the lives of many. Her travels lead her to an Australian prisoner, Joe Harman who helps them steal food. A few years after the war, Jean tries to track Joe in Australia where she invests her substantial financial inheritance to generate economic prosperity in a small outback community to turn it into ‘A Town Like Alice’.
Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy that unravels magic and otherworldliness. Sauron, the Dark Load, has managed to gather all the Rings of Power with which he intends to rule the Middle-Earth. His purpose of domination will only be fulfilled when he finds that One Ring, the ring that rules them all. The ring falls into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins who passes it on to his young cousin Frodo. Frodo must entrust the ring in his care and journey through the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord to destroy the ring and foil the evil plans of Sauron.
Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen
Weaving a witty satire about life in the eighteenth century England, Pride and Prejudice is a romance and clash story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. The story starts with the first encounter of Elizabeth and Darcy where Darcy comes across as an arrogant and obnoxious man who not only acts like a snob but also refuses to ask Elizabeth for a dance. As life puts them against each other time and again, Darcy begins to fall for Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence while Elizabeth starts to wonder if her pride has prejudiced her opinion of Darcy. One of the best fiction books, this novel is bound to make a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Americanah is a story of love and expectation set in today’s globalized world. It revolves around Infemelu and Obinze who fell in love with each other as teenagers. However, they get separated during the time when Nigeria was under military dictatorship and inhabitants had to flee the country. The self-assured Ifemelu departed for America where she suffered defeats and triumphs. Obinze had hoped to join her but post 9/11 America denied letting him in. His fate leads him into a dangerous and undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria and reignite their passion.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
The Vegetarian is an extreme and bizarre tale about Yeong Hye and her husband who lived in South Korea. Constant nightmares about human cruelty made Yeong take the decision of becoming a vegetarian. In South Korea, where vegetarian is an unheard term and societal mores are strictly followed, Yeong’s choice becomes a rather shocking act of subversion that leads to devastating consequences in her personal and familial life.
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 56 intriguing stories of the ruthless and self-disciplined detective, Holmes who takes up numerous intellectual challenges. The stories showcase how Holmes solves mysteries and discovers murderers, thieves, and criminals while identifying social injustices. With elements of suspense, thrill, and social awareness, this book surely deserves a place for the best fiction books out there.
Anne Of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
The novel starts with Anne Shirley arriving at the snug white farmhouse called the Green Gables to be with the Cuthberts, who are expecting to greet an orphaned boy. To their shock, a skinny red-haired girl turns up instead. In an instance, Anne is sure that she wants to stay and charms her way into Cuthbert’s affection through her high spirit, vivid imagination, and constant chatter.
Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Caroll
Alice in Wonderland revolves around a young girl named Alice who falls into a rabbit hole while following a white rabbit wearing a coat and gloves. She discovers herself in a fantasy world far away from home where all things are peculiar. What makes it one of the best fiction books – the tale plays with logic making it a hit among both kids and adults.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Are you someone who is bewitched by the idea of friendships? This emotional writing is worth its salt when it comes to the best fiction books. Set in the history of Afghanistan, The Kite Runner is a novel based on love, family and friendships. The story accounts the unlikely relationship between a rich Kabul merchant’s son, Amir and his servant’s son, Hassan. Their bond is torn when Amir decides to abandon him amidst the increasing ethnic, religious and political tensions, wrenching them far apart. However, their bond is so strong that Amir journeys back to the distant world to undo his wrong past and regain the only true friendship he has ever had.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Set in the deep American South between the wars, The Color Purple is a novel based on a young black girl, Celie who was born into poverty and segregation. She lived a life of misery wherein she was raped repeatedly by a man she called father, separated from her beloved sister, alienated from her two children and trapped in an ugly marriage. Celie discovered a ray of power, hope, and joy after meeting the glamorous Shug Avery, singer and magic maker who took charge of her own destiny.
