Summary: In this article, I have selected 20 of the best fiction books that I think will leave a lasting impression on you. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
TOP 20: Best Fiction Books
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
- The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
- The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş
- Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda
- The Book of Love by Kelly Link
- Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
- All Fours by Miranda July
- Fire Exit by Morgan Talty
- Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
- We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons
- James by Percival Everett
- The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
- The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
- Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake
- Alter Ego by Alex Segura
1. The Goldfinch
- Author: Donna Tartt
- About: A young boy survives a terrorist attack at an art museum, leading to a journey of loss, survival, and art’s transformative power.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, intricate, and reflective.
- Length: Approximately 245,000 words.
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional; explores grief, art, and trauma in a way that lingers long after reading.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high (dense, detailed prose).
- Why read it: It’s a profound exploration of the human condition and the healing power of art.
2. Pachinko
- Author: Min Jin Lee
- About: A multi-generational saga about a Korean family navigating discrimination and survival in Japan, spanning from the 1910s to the 1980s.
- Style of writing: Rich, evocative, and detailed.
- Length: Approximately 180,000 words.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Powerful and heart-wrenching; offers a deep look at identity, resilience, and family.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (long but accessible narrative).
- Why read it: It’s a moving, historically rich tale that explores themes of identity, family, and belonging.
3. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
- Author: Ocean Vuong
- About: A poetic letter from a son to his mother, delving into themes of love, identity, family, and the immigrant experience.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, poetic, and intimate.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Profoundly moving; the writing style is emotionally charged and deeply personal.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (poetic, sometimes abstract language).
- Why read it: It offers an evocative, raw exploration of love, loss, and the immigrant experience.
4. Gideon the Ninth
- Author: Tamsyn Muir
- About: A blend of science fiction and necromancy, following a sword-wielding protagonist in a universe of locked tombs and dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Dark, witty, and complex.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Intriguing with moments of humor and suspense, but also deeply atmospheric.
- Difficulty level: High (complex world-building and dense prose).
- Why read it: It’s a unique and captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, and science fiction with a fresh, strong protagonist.
5. An Ember in the Ashes
- Author: Sabaa Tahir
- About: Set in a brutal, ancient-inspired world, it follows two characters’ intertwined destinies in a struggle against an oppressive empire.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, gripping, and descriptive.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Intense; full of moments that invoke both excitement and despair.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (action-packed, but easy to follow).
- Why read it: It’s a thrilling, action-packed fantasy with strong world-building and powerful characters.
6. The Housemaid
- Author: Frieda McFadden
- About: A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes entangled in a wealthy family’s dark secrets after becoming their maid.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, and direct.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: High intensity; leaves you questioning the characters' motives and actions.
- Difficulty level: Low (easy to read with quick twists).
- Why read it: It’s a page-turning thriller with a gripping plot and unexpected twists.
7. The Coin
- Author: Yasmin Zaher
- About: A novel centered around a Palestinian schoolteacher navigating identity and an unexpected inheritance.
- Style of writing: Poetic, reflective, and thought-provoking.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Emotional and introspective, it speaks to themes of cultural identity and family.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (lyrical but straightforward prose).
- Why read it: It’s an insightful look at identity, heritage, and the personal impact of cultural struggles.
8. The Anthropologists
- Author: Ayşegül Savaş
- About: Follows the intertwined lives of two people trying to understand their place in the world, set against a global backdrop.
- Style of writing: Intellectual, reflective, and deeply human.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking; reflects on loneliness, relationships, and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (requires focus and reflection).
- Why read it: It’s a quiet, reflective novel about connection and self-identity.
9. Ghostroots
- Author: ‘Pemi Aguda
- About: Set in Lagos, this novel blends myth and reality, focusing on personal and cultural history.
- Style of writing: Rich and evocative.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Poignant; it engages with both personal and collective histories, creating a deep emotional resonance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (rich, layered storytelling).
- Why read it: It explores themes of history, mythology, and cultural identity in a uniquely atmospheric way.
10. The Book of Love
- Author: Kelly Link
- About: A collection of quirky and surreal stories revolving around the themes of love and relationships.
- Style of writing: Eccentric, imaginative, and whimsical.
- Length: Approximately 70,000 words.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Surreal yet deeply emotional; explores unexpected connections and the magic of love.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (requires an open mind to its oddities).
- Why read it: It’s an inventive and deeply emotional take on love, blending fantasy with real-world relationships.
11. Martyr!
- Author: Kaveh Akbar
- About: A novel about a man obsessed with death who connects with a terminally ill artist.
- Style of writing: Poetic and experimental.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Reflective, often dark but deeply moving.
- Difficulty level: High (poetic and abstract).
- Why read it: For its philosophical exploration of life, death, and artistic expression.
12. All Fours
- Author: Miranda July
- About: A transformative love affair experienced by a 45-year-old artist who is trying to find meaning in life.
- Style of writing: Quirky, offbeat, and intimate.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Heartfelt and awkwardly charming, full of emotional vulnerability.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (requires patience with its quirky tone).
- Why read it: It’s a humorous and tender exploration of love, identity, and personal transformation.
13. Fire Exit
- Author: Morgan Talty
- About: A father watches over his daughter as they struggle with a past he can’t escape.
- Style of writing: Dark, reflective, and minimalistic.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Powerful and emotionally charged; explores loss and redemption.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (slow-paced and introspective).
- Why read it: It’s an evocative story about family, trauma, and the search for healing.
14. Beautyland
- Author: Marie-Helene Bertino
- About: A novel where a girl in Philadelphia communicates with aliens via fax, leading to bizarre and humorous experiences.
- Style of writing: Whimsical, surreal, and absurd.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Light-hearted yet thought-provoking; explores isolation and connection in an unconventional way.
- Difficulty level: Low to moderate (quirky but accessible).
- Why read it: It’s an imaginative and quirky take on love, loneliness, and communication.
15. We Were the Universe
- Author: Kimberly King Parsons
- About: A woman’s retreat triggers memories of her late sister, leading to a personal awakening.
- Style of writing: Poetic, emotional, and contemplative.
- Length: Approximately 70,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Deeply reflective and emotional, dealing with grief and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (contemplative and introspective).
- Why read it: It’s a moving exploration of grief, identity, and the bonds of family.
16. James
- Author: Percival Everett
- About: A reimagining of Huck Finn, giving depth to the character Jim, challenging race and identity themes.
- Style of writing: Thought-provoking, satirical, and witty.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Intellectual and emotionally charged; challenges perceptions of race and history.
- Difficulty level: High (requires understanding of cultural and social themes).
- Why read it: It’s a powerful commentary on race, identity, and American history.
17. The Lightning Bottles
- Author: Marissa Stapley
- About: A novel with emotional depth and a musical backdrop, exploring relationships and self-discovery.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and evocative.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Heartfelt and resonant; offers emotional catharsis.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (accessible yet emotionally rich).
- Why read it: It explores themes of personal transformation and the power of music in connecting people.
18. The Last One
- Author: Rachel Howzell Hall
- About: A thrilling novel with a strong female protagonist caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, fast-paced, and action-packed.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Exciting, tense, and adrenaline-pumping.
- Difficulty level: Low (easy-to-follow suspense).
- Why read it: It’s a gripping, action-packed thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
19. Echoes of Us
- Author: Joy Jordan-Lake
- About: A historical fiction piece focusing on the complexities of family and love.
- Style of writing: Elegant, reflective, and historical.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Thoughtful and evocative, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (rich, historical narrative).
- Why read it: For its insightful exploration of love, family, and identity in a historical context.
20. Alter Ego
- Author: Alex Segura
- About: A blend of crime and mystery in the comic book world, following the life of a troubled comic book artist.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, gritty, and noir-inspired.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Gripping and immersive, with moments of tension and reflection.
- Difficulty level: Low (easy, quick read with action-driven plot).
- Why read it: It’s a compelling crime novel with a fresh take on the comic book world and noir storytelling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I think fiction has a unique way of drawing us into different worlds and emotions, and the top three picks—The Goldfinch, Pachinko, and On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous—really stand out. The Goldfinch takes us on a journey of art and loss, Pachinko tells an unforgettable story of family and resilience, and On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous explores love and identity in a deeply poetic way. All three novels offer powerful, emotional experiences that will stay with you long after the last page. I truly believe these are must-reads for anyone who loves fiction.
