Looking for the best fiction books of all time? You’re in the right place!
Why include a list of the best fiction books of all time on a blog that’s mostly devoted to nonfiction book recommendations?
Partly because there’s more to life than reading instruction manuals.
But mostly because devouring the best nonfiction AND fiction books is what keeps reading enjoyable and exciting. And keeping reading enjoyable and exciting is vital to reading more overall; it’s the secret to a voracious, sustainable and life-long passion for books.
The most impressive people I know always have at least one nonfiction and one fiction book going at the same time. That way, whether it’s an hour in bed, or 5 minutes in a line, they always have something perfect for their time, mood and appetite.
If you don’t normally read fiction books – give them a chance. You’ll learn as much (if not more) about being human from the best novels and poems than from hundreds of their nonfiction counterparts.
And if you already love fiction? Then you’re in the right place. I hope you find something below that touches and lightens your soul.
Here’s the list of the 100 best fiction books of all time…
(P.s., If you enjoy this list, don’t forget to check out my lists of the best fantasy books of all time and best sci-fi books of all time.)
The 100 Best Fiction Books Of All Time
Why these best fiction books and not others? The best fiction books of all time below are the top picks from my long list of hundreds of books, ranked by a combination of Goodreads rating, number of Goodreads reviews and first publication date. The aim is to surface what’s most loved, what’s most popular and what’s proven timelessly relevant.
NOTE:To maximize diversity on the list, I’ve limited each book series to only one entry where multiple books from that series (e.g., The Lord of The Rings) would have appeared on this list.
Think something’s missing? Leave a comment or email me and I’ll add it to the next round of updates. I honestly love hearing from you so please, do get in touch!
Books 1-10: The Top 10 Best Fiction Books of All Time
Here are the top 10 best fiction books from my database…
Books 11-100: More Great Fiction Books to Read
Here are the next 90 books on my list of best fiction books of all time…
Enjoyed this list of the best fiction books of all time? You might also like…
More Best Books of All Time (by Type)
These are some lists of overall best books to read...
More Best Nonfiction Books (by Topic)
These are some lists of best nonfiction books to read...
More Best Fiction Books (by Genre)
These are some lists of best fiction books to read...
I founded TAoL to discover and share the best wisdom on how to live long and prosper. Before that I studied Psychology, Philosophy & Physiology at Oxford and consulted at McKinsey. Still curious? Learn more or take my FREE productivity quiz.