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Looking for the best fiction books of all time?
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Why These Best Fiction Books Matter
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 Ever Written (by Rank)
Why these best fiction books and not others? To stay objective, I rank all my book recommendations by what’s most loved (Goodreads rating), what’s most popular (Goodreads review count) and what’s proven timelessly relevant (first publication date).
This isn’t a whimsical list. It’s a data-driven, crowdsourced collection of the best fiction books ever published as decided by book lovers just like you. (Note: To maximise diversity, I only include the top ranking book from any series in a list.)
And if you think something's missing? I LOVE book recommendations so if there are any other best fiction books that you think deserve mentioning, email me and I’ll be sure to include them in the next round of updates.
Until then, enjoy this ultimate list of the 100 best fiction books of all time...
Books 1-10: The Top 10 Best Fiction Books of All Time
The top 10 best fiction books of all time are...
1.
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (
FREE Summary)
Pride and Prejudice is THE unforgettable, ever-popular and genre-defining love-story story of the 19th century. It's over 200 years old and still as fresh, charming and unputdownable as the day it was first published - by best-selling author, Jane Austin.
Published 1813 // 279 pages // Rated 4.3 over 3,727,600 reviews
on Goodreads
2.
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (
FREE Summary)
The king of all adventure and slow-burning revenge stories. The Count of Monte Christo may not be a quick read, but fantastic characters, a gripping plot and masterful twists make it an obvious contender for one of the best books of all time - by master novelist, Alexandre Dumas.
Published 1844 // 1,276 pages // Rated 4.3 over 840,800 reviews
on Goodreads
3.
The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings, #3) - J.R.R. Tolkien (
FREE Summary)
The final instalment in the greatest, genre-defining, high-fantasy trilogy of all time. The Return of the King is a thrilling climax to the journey begun in The Fellowship of the Ring and set in the world of The Hobbit - by writer, poet and best-selling author, J.R.R. Tolkein.
Published 1955 // 404 pages // Rated 4.6 over 790,600 reviews
on Goodreads
6.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again - J.R.R. Tolkien (
FREE Summary)
A timeless classic and the fantasy novel that both introduced us to hobbits AND set the standard for all things dwarf, elf, troll, orc and dragon-related ever since. It's no surprise to see The Hobbit among the best fantasy books of all time - by writer, poet and best-selling author, J.R.R. Tolkein.
Published 1937 // 366 pages // Rated 4.3 over 3,471,500 reviews
on Goodreads
7.
Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell (
FREE Summary)
An epic coming of age and historical romance novel, Gone With the Wind paints a stunning portrait of the hardships endured and created by the young daughter of a wealthy plantation owner as she fights for survival against the chaos of pre-, during- and post-civil war Georgia - by novelist and journalist, Margaret Mitchell.
Published 1936 // 1,037 pages // Rated 4.3 over 1,159,800 reviews
on Goodreads
8.
The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (
FREE Summary)
Widely acclaimed as one of the best books of all time, The Brothers Karimazov is a masterwork of philosophy and theology that explores the nature of faith, doubt and reason in a fast-changing world, through the lives, mishaps and thoughts of its unforgettable cast of characters - by novelist and philosopher Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Published 1879 // 796 pages // Rated 4.4 over 286,300 reviews
on Goodreads
Books 11-100: The Best Fiction Books to Read Next
Here are the next best fiction books from my database...
12.
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë
Published 1847 // 507 pages // Rated 4.1 over 1,894,700 reviews
on Goodreads
18.
Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
Published 1938 // 449 pages // Rated 4.2 over 556,200 reviews
on Goodreads
20.
1984 - George Orwell
Published 1949 // 237 pages // Rated 4.2 over 3,954,500 reviews
on Goodreads
44.
Emma - Jane Austen
Published 1815 // 474 pages // Rated 4.0 over 783,800 reviews
on Goodreads
49.
The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Published 1869 // 667 pages // Rated 4.2 over 158,400 reviews
on Goodreads
53.
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Published 1990 // 491 pages // Rated 4.3 over 650,300 reviews
on Goodreads
58.
Roots - Alex Haley
The Saga of an American Family
Published 1976 // 729 pages // Rated 4.4 over 155,800 reviews
on Goodreads
68.
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Published 1897 // 488 pages // Rated 4.0 over 1,112,900 reviews
on Goodreads
73.
2001 - Arthur C. Clarke
A Space Odyssey
Published 1968 // 297 pages // Rated 4.2 over 290,600 reviews
on Goodreads
74.
Batman - Alan Moore
The Killing Joke
Published 1988 // 50 pages // Rated 4.4 over 197,700 reviews
on Goodreads
92.
Kindred - Octavia E. Butler
Published 1979 // 287 pages // Rated 4.3 over 152,700 reviews
on Goodreads
94.
Batman - Frank Miller
Year One
Published 1987 // 144 pages // Rated 4.2 over 232,000 reviews
on Goodreads
The 100 Best Fiction Books (by Publication Date)
One of my favourite ways to work through a reading list (both fiction and non-fiction) is chronologically.
It’s amazing to trace the development of and flow of influences in a genre or subject.
So – for the nerds out there like me – here’s a bonus list of the 100 best fiction books of all time above, organised from earliest to latest publication date…
3.
Emma - Jane Austen
Published 1815 // 474 pages // Rated 4.0 over 783,800 reviews
on Goodreads
9.
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë
Published 1847 // 507 pages // Rated 4.1 over 1,894,700 reviews
on Goodreads
17.
The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Published 1869 // 667 pages // Rated 4.2 over 158,400 reviews
on Goodreads
22.
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Published 1897 // 488 pages // Rated 4.0 over 1,112,900 reviews
on Goodreads
30.
Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
Published 1938 // 449 pages // Rated 4.2 over 556,200 reviews
on Goodreads
36.
1984 - George Orwell
Published 1949 // 237 pages // Rated 4.2 over 3,954,500 reviews
on Goodreads
54.
2001 - Arthur C. Clarke
A Space Odyssey
Published 1968 // 297 pages // Rated 4.2 over 290,600 reviews
on Goodreads
60.
Roots - Alex Haley
The Saga of an American Family
Published 1976 // 729 pages // Rated 4.4 over 155,800 reviews
on Goodreads
64.
Kindred - Octavia E. Butler
Published 1979 // 287 pages // Rated 4.3 over 152,700 reviews
on Goodreads
76.
Batman - Frank Miller
Year One
Published 1987 // 144 pages // Rated 4.2 over 232,000 reviews
on Goodreads
79.
Batman - Alan Moore
The Killing Joke
Published 1988 // 50 pages // Rated 4.4 over 197,700 reviews
on Goodreads
86.
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Published 1990 // 491 pages // Rated 4.3 over 650,300 reviews
on Goodreads
More Book Recommendations
Enjoyed this list of the best fiction books of all time?
You'll also like TAoL's other book recommendations...
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...
Or, you can read all my book recommendations.
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