From riveting thrillers to inspiring true experiences, these greatest books of all time have won the hearts of millions of avid readers and literary critics. so much so that some have never sold out since their first publication.
how do you choose the next book to read?
There is no shortage of books to read, and for many, that overabundance can turn into a chaotic scramble to find the next book to read. Here are three tips to point you in the right direction, whether you’re looking for books like Harry Potter or want a faster way to choose a book.
You are reading: Best fiction books of all time
find your gender
Most people know what kind of book they like. even if you already know what genre speaks to you, it can be fun to expand your horizons. maybe it calls you dystopian fiction or a fun bubbly romance you can enjoy over the holidays.
consider your reading preferences
tone and style can also be deciding factors. Some people love to read books with rich, suggestive language, while others prefer light, easy-to-read writing. find a book or series of books that fits your needs if page count is important.
independent vs series
some of the most read books are series, like the lord of the rings, where several books are divided into installments to complete the story. In each book, the author can introduce new characters and plots. stand-alone novels, on the other hand, are self-contained, which means that the entire story ends up in a single book.
what are the best fiction books of all time?
From novels by great American authors to books that broke boundaries and had a cultural impact, these are the seven best fiction books of all time that you should read:
ulysses by james joyce
ulysses is a timeless classic that needs no introduction. The book takes place in a single day (June 16, 1904) and follows the thoughts and musings of Mr. leopold bloom and his encounters with other inhabitants of dublin.
although not an easy book to read, ulysses’s 18 chapters (structured like homer’s odyssey) and joyce’s complexity in discussing religion, adultery, and nationalism have made this 1920 book a masterpiece and the best 20th century novel.
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so much so that every June 16 people celebrate and commemorate joyce’s book.
the catcher in the rye by jd salinger
The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age story told through the eyes of cynical 16-year-old Holden Caulfield. Holden spends three days wandering around Manhattan, trying to distance himself from his superficial classmates and the consequences of his expulsion from school.
seeks human closeness throughout his journey as he struggles against adulthood, conformity, and commercialism. In a world full of fakes, Holden longs to preserve innocence in the world and be the “catcher in the rye,” especially for his sister Phoebe.
the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald
fitzgerald’s the great gatsby focuses on jay gatsby and his story as a mysteriously wealthy man.
Now that he settles on Long Island, he tries to risk everything he has to win back his love, Daisy Buchanan.
This book tells the story of a group of “haves” and “have nots” as they struggle with the American dream. fitzgerald portrays jay’s struggles to chase the past and change the future within the landscape of the postwar American economic boom.
1984 by george orwell
1984 takes place in the future tense of 1984 when the totalitarian government watches over everyone and directs all activities. Winston, the main character, works for the government, rewriting history to match the superstate’s wishes.
Although the “future” of 1984 has passed, the themes of this book still resonate more than 70 years later. Threats of violation of freedom of expression, constant surveillance and condemnation of free thought remain omnipresent in today’s society.
the handmaid’s tale by margaret atwood
margaret atwood weaves a timeless and dark vision of oppressive government and heinous human rights violations. The main character, Offred, is a servant in the Republic of Gilead, a society where women are oppressed and valued only for their reproductive abilities.
to kill a mockingbird by harper lee
To Kill a Mockingbird, a Pulitzer Prize winner, takes a closer look at racism, inequality, and segregation. The story revolves around Atticus Finch, a compassionate and just lawyer, and his two daughters (Scout and Jem) and their journey to understand the injustices of the world.
don quixote by miguel de cervantes
After reading many chivalric novels, the book’s protagonist, Alonso Quijano, embarks on a quest to revive chivalry. Longing to be like his literary heroes, Quijano eventually loses touch with reality, mistaking windmills for giants and women of the night for princesses.
This book was written in 1605 and is considered one of the foundational works of modern Western literature.
what are the best non-fiction books of all time?
From compelling war stories to inspiring real-life experiences, you’ll find plenty of great non-fiction books as captivating as any other genre.
in cold blood by truman capote
true crime at its finest. Truman Capote takes you to Holcomb, Kansas, and the brutal murder of an entire family. When Capote finds out about the quadruple murder, he heads to Kansas to investigate. Capote documents his discoveries, interviews, and the psyche of killers Perry Smith and Richard Hickock like a novel.
on writing: memoirs of stephen king’s craft
stephen king wrote many much loved fiction books like him, the shining, and the stand. his memoir, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, takes a different approach. king mentions how writing has helped him through difficult times.
astrophysics for people in a hurry by neil degrasse tyson
Science is constantly in the headlines, but sometimes those topics are difficult to understand. Neil Degrasse Tyson, America’s leading astrophysicist, wrote astrophysics for people in a hurry to fill the information gap.
Each chapter is a short, concise look at a topic to help you understand the basics. these little tidbits can fit into any time slot in a busy day and can open the door to further learning and deeper understanding.
a brief history of almost everything by bill bryson
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Science can be downright scary for some and boring for others. In a short history of just about everything, Bill Bryson presents the subject in an engaging, accessible, and entertaining way.
behind the beautiful forever: life, death and hope in a mumbai underground city by katherine boo
katherine boo is a new yorker pulitzer prize-winning writer and former reporter and editor of the washington post.
boo visited the annawadi slums every day for four years, doing research for this book. she writes without batting an eyelid about the daily lives of people living in the slums. this book highlights the struggles of individuals and their response to the demands of everyday life.
what are the best romance novels of all time?
When life gets tough, the best place to turn may be the soothing respite of a good romance novel. And these six all-time romance novels can give you that heartfelt, relaxing feeling whenever you want.
pride and prejudice jane austen
Any list of the best romance novels of all time wouldn’t be complete without Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, even if it was published over 200 years ago.
This book follows the lives of the Bennett sisters and the turbulent relationship between the independent and opinionated Elizabeth Bennett and the wealthy, aristocratic but snobbish Fitzwilliam Darcy.
romeo and juliet by william shakespeare
romeo and juliet, a romantic tragedy, follows the lives of star-crossed lovers caught between their warring families. shakespeare portrays love in unfortunate circumstances by exploring the ideologies of fate, time, light, and darkness.
nicholas sparks notebook
This modern classic will have you reaching for tissue paper. The book follows the love story of Noah and Allie, who were torn apart by war and disapproval. After 14 years, Allie shows up at her door and romance breaks out.
audrey niffenegger’s time traveler’s wife
Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, audrey niffenegger’s offbeat love story will grip you and keep you spellbound until the unexpected ending. Henry Detamble is a librarian who inadvertently travels through time, and Clare Abshire is an artist who serves as his anchor.
jane eyre by charlotte brontë
jane is not your typical victorian lady. she is outspoken, artistic, and witty. She also defies society’s expectations and lives life on her terms. these traits were striking for a Victorian woman, but today they are abundantly identifiable. this classic is timeless and spans generations, feeling perennially fresh despite being published in 1847.
blank vision by nora roberts
mackensie “mac” elliot is a wedding photographer who runs a wedding services business with her best friends. Mach meets an acquaintance named Carter, who then begins a causal relationship with him. Having never felt the familial love from her, Mac is now terrified of losing the burgeoning love between her and Carter.
mac has never felt family love. As romantic love begins to blossom with Carter, Mac is terrified of losing what she never had.
what are the best fantasy books of all time?
Fantasy books consistently appear on lists of the best novels of all time. the plot usually involves magical elements or is set in a fictional universe.
a song of ice and fire by george r.r. martin
george r.r. Martin’s series is an epic installment with three main storylines: an ongoing war between families for control of the continent of Westeros, the rise of supernatural creatures north of Westeros, and the ambition of the daughter of the last king to reclaim Westeros. The series was so popular that it became an HBO show named after the first book, Game of Thrones.
harry potter by j.k. paddle
This series is one of the best-selling books of all time, selling over 500 million copies worldwide. The 7-book series follows Harry Potter (the main protagonist) and his adventures of self-discovery, friendship, acceptance, and of course his quest to defeat Lord Voldemort.
the lord of the rings by j.r.r. tolkien
The Lord of the Rings was initially intended to be a book, but was later released as a trilogy. The series follows Frodo and his companions to end the oppressive reign of Sauron. The Lord of the Rings presents the struggle between good and evil in Middle Earth.
his philip pullman dark materials
His Dark Materials is a coming-of-age series that follows two boys in parallel universes. It serves as a version of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which turns the original on its head. Pullman seeks to praise humanity for what Milton saw as its greatest flaw, original sin. has generated controversy over the critical tone of Christianity represented.
stephen king’s dark tower
stephen king’s dark tower is inspired by the lord of the rings, clint eastwood and king arthur.
The series consists of seven books, but has numerous links to King’s other works. The series centers on Roland Deschain, the ultimate gunslinger in a post-apocalyptic world reminiscent of the American Old West with traces of magic. roland searches for the dark tower, the nexus point of all universes.
what are the best suspense books of all time?
thrillers offer an exciting and suspenseful reading experience. they are often combined with a compelling hook, unexpected twists and a tense atmosphere that keeps us wanting more.
time to kill by john grisham
Grisham’s first novel tells the story of a lawyer representing a black man accused of murdering his daughter’s rapists. Unsurprisingly, racial tensions rise in the small southern town of Clanton, Mississippi. Grisham allows us to see both the direct discrimination faced in the South and the inherent institutionalized racism. This novel forces us to question if and when taking justice into our own hands is justified.
and then there was none by agatha christie
Mystery queen Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel And Then There Were None is based on the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme. The story revolves around ten strangers who are invited to an island off the coast of England, and one of them is a murderer.
the talented mr. ripley by patricia highsmith
This book is the first in a series. Tom Ripley is a con man living in New York City and surviving no matter what. Tom is sent to Italy to complete an unusual task: bring back Dickie Greenleaf. Mr. Ripley meets wealthy, cultured Dickie Greenleaf and falls in love with that world. affection becomes obsession and beyond. Tom Ripley’s desire to start over with the new life he longed for comes at a price. he is the talented mr. ripley willing and able to pay that price?
american psycho by bret easton ellis
american psycho explores wall street in the world of the 1980s fueled by unlimited money. The book explores Patrick’s dark satirical situation combined with his spiraling biased view of the world. narrates his daily life to his nocturnal activities as a serial killer. the clash of his everyday life with his declining psychotic episodes is shown throughout this book.
the silence of the lambs by thomas harris
the silence of the lambs is a sequel to harris’s 1981 red dragon. The book follows the story of an FBI agent named Clarice Starling who attempts to interview infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Hoping to get information on another serial killer, she gets into Hannibal’s game.
lost girl by gillian flynn
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sounds like a dating episode: a husband kills his beautiful wife to escape a marriage gone sour. Amy disappears on the morning of her and Nick’s fifth anniversary. The police immediately suspect Nick, and for good reason; she has a lot to hide. what starts out as a seemingly easy disappearance takes wild turns and turns into a shocking conclusion.
what are the best biographies of all time?
Learning the stories of adversity, problems and challenges of others gives us a deeper insight into ourselves and others. here are the six best biographies to inspire you.
the immortal life of henrietta is missing by rebecca skloot
Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack explores race and medical ethics. Before Henrietta Lacks succumbed to aggressive cervical cancer, her doctors obtained her cancer cells without her knowledge or permission from her or her family.
the diary of a young woman by anne frank
A compelling World War II document of the human spirit despite atrocities, Anne Frank’s Diary explores her and her family’s struggle to survive the Holocaust. Hidden in the back of an Amsterdam building for two years, Frank’s diary paints a picture of a young woman who remains hopeful, until the Nazis discover her.
a song for nagasaki by paul glynn
a song for nagasaki recounts the life of japanese radiologist and author takashi nagai. surviving the atomic bombing of nagasaki, he worked tirelessly to help the victims. In 1951, Nagai died of leukemia after a lifetime of working with radiation.
The book shows how one man, while facing the horrors of war, was able to maintain his inner peace and quiet.
leonardo da vinci by walter isaacson
many are familiar with the works of leonardo da vinci, but few know his life. isaacson goes through da vinci’s meticulous notebooks to discover who he was as a person.
isaacson walks through da vinci’s hallmarks and his varied interests in flying machines, weapons, and engineering. This book paints a clear and compelling picture of how these various interests contributed to the creation of one of the most intriguing men in history.
frida: a biography of frida kahlo by hayden herrera
frida was more than an artist; she was a complex woman who lived a remarkable life. In this well-researched book, Herrera details Frida’s marriage, her love affairs, her involvement in the Communist Party, and her inspiration for her impressive art.
alexander hamilton by ron chernow
do you love the hamilton musical? You can thank Ron Chernow. The biography looks at Alexander Hamilton’s struggles, accomplishments, and rise as one of America’s founding fathers. It’s also a story of the birth of America.
what are the best science fiction books of all time?
Science fiction or science fiction combines imaginative and futuristic concepts to get you hooked. Although the setting and characters are out of this world, the genre remains familiar as it depicts many themes such as good versus evil and an oppressive government. .
frank herbert dune
frank herbert’s dune addresses many issues of current global consciousness: the environment, nuclear deterrence, gender roles, and state-sponsored genocide. although it was adapted many times for film and television, the book remains the latest version of the story.
andy weir’s martian
this andy weir novel ditches the usual science fiction length and focuses on one man’s ingenuity and resilience.
the martian chronicles watney’s efforts to survive on mars and return to his home on earth. The novel is told mainly in Watney’s log entries and some sections of NASA specialists fighting to rescue him.
the war of the worlds by h.g. wells
The War of the Worlds was serialized in a magazine in 1897 and printed as a novel in 1898. The book delves into an unidentified narrator living through a Martian invasion. the book dives into allegories of imperialism, colonialism and racism; drawing parallels with the experiences of the world at that time. in 1938, a radio reading of the novel caused a panic when people didn’t realize it was fiction.
mary shelley’s frankenstein
The book explores Victor Frankenstein and his discovery of generating an artificial creature. being made of human remains, the “monster” that communicated with the townspeople inspired only terror. the novel poses the question: what really makes a monster?
the fifth season of n.k. jemisin
Lauded for its world-building, the fifth season is the first in a trilogy of award-winning books from No. k. jemisín this novel examines the balance between integrity and survival in an unjust society. extinction-level events called seasons occur frequently in an alternate world called quiescence. Orogenes, a powerful but oppressed race, are the only means to control these seismic events. Jemisin weaves its history through three orogenic narratives.
the expanse series by james s.a. corey
The expansion series consists of nine novels set in a future in which humanity has colonized much of the solar system. Initially developed as an online or board game, Ty Franck decided to use great depth to write the novels together with Daniel Abraham. the series became a t.v. program for the syfy network and then picked up by amazon prime video.
conclusion
Books are deeply personal and every avid reader has their list of the best books of all time. But no matter what genre he’s a fan of or would like to be a part of, there are sure to be some great books on this list that appeal to him.
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