Here we share our best list of the most exciting literary fiction of 2023, the best literary books of 2023, and our all-time literary must-reads.
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| Best literary fiction books to read so far - MGara Coin |
As we find ourselves immersed in another year of captivating stories, it's the perfect time to reflect on the literary gems that have already graced our bookshelves. From thought-provoking narratives to beautifully crafted prose, the first half of this year has given us a treasure trove of remarkable literary fiction. Here's a roundup of some of the best literary fiction books to read so far:
The best literary fiction books Must Read
1. Trust
by Hernan Diaz
Trust is a historical fiction novel set in 1920s New York City. It tells the story of Benjamin Rask, a wealthy financier who hires a ghostwriter to tell his life story. However, the ghostwriter soon discovers that Rask is not who he seems to be.
Trust is a complex and engrossing novel that explores themes of deception, power, and the nature of truth. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and historical fiction alike.
2. The Ministry for the Future
by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Ministry for the Future is a science fiction novel that tells the story of a group of people who come together to fight climate change. The novel is set in the near future and follows the group as they travel the world, trying to convince governments and corporations to take action on climate change.
The Ministry for the Future is a hopeful novel that shows that it is still possible to save the planet. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet.
Buy The Ministry for the Future on Amazon >>
3. The Secret History
by Donna Tartt
The Secret History is a mystery novel set at a prestigious college in New England. It tells the story of a group of students who form a secret society and commit a murder.
The Secret History is a dark and suspenseful novel that explores themes of obsession, friendship, and betrayal. It is a must-read for fans of mystery and psychological thrillers.
Buy The Secret History on Amazon >>
4. The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day is a historical fiction novel set in England during World War II. It tells the story of Stevens, a butler who is devoted to his job and his employer. However, Stevens begins to question his life and his values as he witnesses the changes that are taking place in the world around him.
The Remains of the Day is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of class, duty, and regret. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction.
Buy The Remains of the Day on Amazon >>
5. Normal People
by Sally Rooney
Normal People is a romance novel that tells the story of Marianne and Connell, two Irish teenagers who are from different social classes. The novel follows the couple as they navigate their relationship through college and beyond.
Normal People is a beautifully written and honest novel that explores themes of love, loss, and class. It is a must-read for fans of romance novels and literary fiction alike.
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6. Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng
Everything I Never Told You is a family drama novel that tells the story of the Lee family, a Chinese-American family living in Ohio. The novel follows the family as they deal with the death of their teenage daughter, Lydia.
Everything I Never Told You is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of family secrets, grief, and identity. It is a must-read for fans of family drama novels and literary fiction alike.
Buy Everything I Never Told You on Amazon >>
7. The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel set in Nazi Germany. It tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who is sent to live with foster parents. Liesel learns to read and steals books, which she shares with her foster father.
The Book Thief is a beautifully written and moving novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of books. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Book Thief on Amazon >>
8. The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a fantasy novel that tells the story of a man who returns to his childhood home after the death of his neighbor. The man begins to remember strange and disturbing events that happened to him when he was a boy.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a beautifully written and haunting novel that explores themes of childhood, memory, and the power of stories. It is a must-read for fans of Neil Gaiman and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Ocean at the End of the Lane on Amazon >>
9. The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner is a coming-of-age novel set in Afghanistan. It tells the story of Amir, a young boy who is friends with Hassan, a Hazara boy. Amir betrays Hassan, but he later tries to redeem himself.
The Kite Runner is a beautifully written and heartbreaking novel that explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and coming-of-age novels alike.
Buy The Kite Runner on Amazon >>
10. Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee
Pachinko is a historical fiction novel set in Korea and Japan. It tells the story of a Korean family who immigrates to Japan in search of a better life. The novel spans four generations and follows the family as they face discrimination and prejudice.
Pachinko is a beautifully written and engrossing novel that explores themes of family, identity, and culture. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction alike.
11. The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library is a fantasy novel about a woman named Nora Seed who is stuck in a rut. She feels like she has made all the wrong choices in her life and that she has no future. One night, Nora finds herself in a library where she can try out different lives. She learns that she could have been a famous author, a successful businesswoman, or even a world-renowned violinist. However, Nora soon realizes that there is no one perfect life for her. She has to choose the life that is right for her, even if it's not the most exciting or glamorous life.
The Midnight Library is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel about the importance of finding your purpose in life. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost or unfulfilled.
Buy The Midnight Library on Amazon >>
12. Circe
by Madeline Miller
Circe is a retelling of the myth of Circe, the witch of the Odyssey. It tells the story of Circe's childhood on the island of Aiaia, where she was raised by her father, the sun god Helios. Circe is a powerful sorceress, but she is also lonely and isolated. She longs for companionship, but she is afraid of being hurt. When Odysseus and his crew arrive on Aiaia, Circe is drawn to him. However, she knows that he is dangerous. She uses her magic to turn his men into pigs, but she eventually falls in love with him.
Circe is a beautifully written novel about the power of love, the importance of family, and the search for belonging. It is a must-read for fans of mythology and literary fiction alike.
13. The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J. Klune
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a fantasy novel about a man named Linus Baker who is sent to an orphanage for magical children. Linus is a by-the-books kind of guy, and he is not sure what to expect from the orphanage. However, he soon realizes that the children are not as strange as he thought they were. They are just like any other children, except they have magical powers. Linus learns to love the children and he eventually becomes their surrogate father.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heartwarming and heartwarming novel about the power of love and acceptance. It is a must-read for fans of fantasy and feel-good stories alike.
Buy The House in the Cerulean Sea on Amazon >>
14. Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary is a science fiction novel about a man who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He soon realizes that he is on a mission to save humanity from an alien threat. The man must use his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to solve the mystery of the spaceship and complete the mission.
Project Hail Mary is a fast-paced and exciting novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. It is a must-read for fans of science fiction and mystery alike.
Buy Project Hail Mary on Amazon >>
15. A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life is a literary fiction novel about four friends: Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB. The novel follows the friends as they navigate their lives through college, adulthood, and beyond. However, Jude's past comes back to haunt him, and he struggles to cope with the trauma he has experienced.
A Little Life is a dark and disturbing novel, but it is also a beautiful and moving novel about the power of friendship and the importance of love. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction.
Buy A Little Life on Amazon >>
16. The Heart's Invisible Furies
by John Boyne
The Heart's Invisible Furies is a historical fiction novel about a man named Christopher John Francis Boone who is diagnosed with autism at the age of five. Christopher is a brilliant mathematician, but he struggles to understand the world around him. He is also very literal-minded and he has a hard time understanding social cues.
The Heart's Invisible Furies is a heartwarming and funny novel about a man who is determined to find his place in the world. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Heart's Invisible Furies on Amazon >>
17. The Woman in the Window
by A.J. Finn
The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller novel about a woman named Anna Fox who is agoraphobic. Anna spends her days drinking wine and watching the neighbors from her window. One day, she sees a crime happen across the street, but no one believes her.
The Woman in the Window is a suspenseful and twisty novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. It is a must-read for fans of thrillers and mystery alike.
Buy The Woman in the Window on Amazon >>
18. The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
The Testaments is a sequel to Margaret Atwood's classic novel The Handmaid's Tale. It tells the story of three women who live in Gilead, a dystopian society where women are subjugated by men. The women must fight for their freedom and for the future of their children.
The Testaments is a powerful and thought-provoking novel about the dangers of totalitarianism. It is a must-read for fans of The Handmaid's Tale and dystopian fiction alike.
Buy The Testaments on Amazon >>
19. The Book of Negroes
by Lawrence Hill
The Book of Negroes is a historical fiction novel about a woman named Aminata Diallo who is taken from her home in Africa and sold into slavery. Aminata is forced to travel to North America, where she experiences the horrors of slavery firsthand. However, she also finds love and hope in the most unexpected places.
The Book of Negroes is a powerful and moving novel about the resilience of the human spirit. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and slavery narratives alike.
Buy The Book of Negroes on Amazon >>
20. The Interestings
by Meg Wolitzer
The Interestings is a novel about a group of friends who meet at a summer arts program in the 1970s. The friends are all talented and ambitious, and they believe that they are destined for greatness. However, as they grow older, they realize that life is not always as easy as they thought it would be.
The Interestings is a heartwarming and funny novel about friendship, ambition, and the choices we make in life. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and coming-of-age stories alike
Buy The Interestings on Amazon >>
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21. The Tenth of December
by George Saunders
The Tenth of December is a collection of short stories by George Saunders. The stories are all about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and they explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The Tenth of December is a funny, moving, and thought-provoking collection of stories that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Buy The Tenth of December on Amazon >>
22. Lincoln in the Bardo
by George Saunders
Lincoln in the Bardo is a novel by George Saunders. It tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's grief in the days following the death of his son, Willie. The novel is set in a bardo, a limbo-like state between life and death. Lincoln and Willie meet other ghosts in the bardo, and they all try to come to terms with their grief.
Lincoln in the Bardo is a beautiful and moving novel about grief, loss, and the power of love. It is a must-read for fans of George Saunders and literary fiction alike.
Buy Lincoln in the Bardo on Amazon >>
23. Less
by Andrew Sean Greer
Less is a novel by Andrew Sean Greer. It tells the story of Arthur Less, a middle-aged novelist who is invited to attend a literary festival in Italy. Less decides to go to the festival, even though he doesn't want to be there. He meets a variety of interesting people along the way, and he begins to question his life choices.
Less is a funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking novel about identity, love, and the meaning of life. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and coming-of-age stories alike.
24. The Sellout
by Paul Beatty
The Sellout is a novel by Paul Beatty. It tells the story of a black man who returns to his hometown in California after living in New York City for many years. The man decides to resegregate his town, and he enters a black man into a "whites only" beauty pageant.
The Sellout is a funny, satirical novel about race, racism, and the absurdity of white supremacy. It is a must-read for fans of Paul Beatty and literary fiction alike.
25. Exit West
by Mohsin Hamid
Exit West is a novel by Mohsin Hamid. It tells the story of a group of people who flee their war-torn country through a magical portal. The people travel to different parts of the world, and they try to build new lives for themselves.
Exit West is a beautiful and moving novel about the refugee crisis. It is a must-read for fans of Mohsin Hamid and literary fiction alike.
26. The Sympathizer
by Viet Thanh Nguyen
The Sympathizer is a novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen. It tells the story of a communist spy who works for the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War. The spy is a double agent, and he is also a Vietnamese-American.
The Sympathizer is a powerful and thought-provoking novel about the Vietnam War and the refugee experience. It is a must-read for fans of Viet Thanh
Buy The Sympathizer on Amazon >>
27. The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead
The Underground Railroad is a novel by Colson Whitehead. It tells the story of Cora, a slave who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and travels north on the Underground Railroad. The novel is a fictionalized account of the Underground Railroad, and it explores themes of race, slavery, and freedom.
The Underground Railroad is a powerful and moving novel that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It is a must-read for fans of Colson Whitehead and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Underground Railroad on Amazon >>
28. Beloved
by Toni Morrison
Beloved is a novel by Toni Morrison. It tells the story of Sethe, a former slave who kills her daughter rather than let her be returned to slavery. The novel is set in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it explores themes of slavery, racism, and the legacy of trauma.
Beloved is a powerful and moving novel that won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It is a must-read for fans of Toni Morrison and literary fiction alike.
29. White Teeth
by Zadie Smith
White Teeth is a novel by Zadie Smith. It tells the story of two families in London: the Joneses, who are black, and the Iqbals, who are Pakistani. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and the immigrant experience.
White Teeth is a funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking novel that won the Whitbread First Novel Award in 2000. It is a must-read for fans of Zadie Smith and literary fiction alike.
30. Atonement
by Ian McEwan
Atonement is a novel by Ian McEwan. It tells the story of Briony Tallis, a young girl who makes a false accusation that has devastating consequences. The novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of words.
Atonement is a powerful and moving novel that won the Man Booker Prize in 2001. It is a must-read for fans of Ian McEwan and literary fiction alike.
31. Middlemarch
by George Eliot
Middlemarch is a novel by George Eliot. It tells the story of Dorothea Brooke, a young woman who is determined to make a difference in the world. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, and the meaning of life.
Middlemarch is a classic of English literature, and it is considered one of the greatest novels ever written. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and historical fiction alike.
32. The Vegetarian
by Han Kang
The Vegetarian is a novel by Han Kang. It tells the story of Yeong-hye, a woman who suddenly decides to become a vegetarian. Her decision has a profound impact on her family and friends, and it leads to a series of events that are both disturbing and thought-provoking.
The Vegetarian is a powerful and moving novel that explores themes of gender, violence, and the power of the human will. It is a must-read for fans of Han Kang and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Vegetarian on Amazon >>
33. All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
All the Light We Cannot See is a novel by Anthony Doerr. It tells the story of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German boy, who are both trying to survive World War II. The novel is told from alternating perspectives, and it explores themes of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit.
All the Light We Cannot See is a beautiful and moving novel that won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It is a must-read for fans of Anthony Doerr and literary fiction alike.
Buy All the Light We Cannot See on Amazon >>
34. The Nickel Boys
by Colson Whitehead
The Nickel Boys is a novel by Colson Whitehead. It tells the story of Elwood Curtis, a black teenager who is sent to the Nickel Academy, a reform school in Florida. The Nickel Academy is a brutal and dehumanizing place, and Elwood witnesses horrific acts of violence and abuse.
The Nickel Boys is a powerful and moving novel that tells the true story of the abuse that took place at the Nickel Academy. It is a must-read for fans of Colson Whitehead and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Nickel Boys on Amazon >>
35. The Glass Hotel
by Emily St. John Mandel
The Glass Hotel is a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. It tells the story of Vincent, a mysterious financier who disappears after a financial scandal. The novel follows a group of people who are connected to Vincent, and it explores themes of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit.
The Glass Hotel is a beautiful and moving novel that tells a complex and interconnected story. It is a must-read for fans of Emily St. John Mandel and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Glass Hotel on Amazon >>
36. The Martian
by Andy Weir
The Martian is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir. It tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut who is stranded on Mars after his crew is forced to evacuate the planet. Watney must use his ingenuity and engineering skills to survive on Mars until a rescue mission can be launched.
The Martian is a funny, heartwarming, and suspenseful novel that won the 2011 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. It is a must-read for fans of Andy Weir and science fiction alike.
37. The Power
by Naomi Alderman
The Power is a science fiction novel by Naomi Alderman. It tells the story of a world where women suddenly develop the power to electrocute people. The novel explores the implications of this power on gender relations and society as a whole.
The Power is a thought-provoking and provocative novel that won the 2017 Women's Prize for Fiction. It is a must-read for fans of Naomi Alderman and science fiction alike.
38. The Secret Lives of Bees
by Sue Monk Kidd
The Secret Lives of Bees is a novel by Sue Monk Kidd. It tells the story of Lily Owens, a young girl who runs away from her abusive home to live with three black sisters who run a honey farm. The novel explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery.
The Secret Lives of Bees is a heartwarming and inspiring novel that won the 2003 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It is a must-read for fans of Sue Monk Kidd and coming-of-age stories alike.
Buy The Secret Lives of Bees on Amazon >>
39. The Joy Luck Club
by Amy Tan
The Joy Luck Club is a novel by Amy Tan. It tells the story of four Chinese-American families and their relationships with their mothers. The novel explores themes of culture, identity, and family.
The Joy Luck Club is a beautiful and moving novel that won the 1990 National Book Award for Fiction. It is a must-read for fans of Amy Tan and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Joy Luck Club on Amazon >>
40. The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner is a novel by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a young boy growing up in Afghanistan, and his friendship with Hassan, a Hazara boy whom Amir's father treats as a servant. The novel explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
The Kite Runner is a powerful and moving novel that won the 2003 Michael L. Printz Award. It is a must-read for fans of Khaled Hosseini and literary fiction alike.
Buy The Kite Runner on Amazon >>
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41. Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman who must choose between two suitors. The novel explores themes of love, class, and marriage.
Pride and Prejudice is a classic of English literature, and it is considered one of the greatest novels ever written. It is a must-read for fans of Jane Austen and literary fiction alike.
Buy Pride and Prejudice on Amazon >>
42. To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee. It tells the story of Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in the Jim Crow South. The novel explores themes of racism, courage, and the power of the human spirit.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic of American literature, and it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961. It is a must-read for fans of Harper Lee and historical fiction alike.
Buy To Kill a Mockingbird on Amazon >>
43. 1984
by George Orwell
1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell. It tells the story of Winston Smith, a man who works for the Thought Police in a totalitarian state. The novel explores themes of government control, thought control, and the dangers of totalitarianism.
1984 is a classic of dystopian literature, and it has been adapted into several films and television shows. It is a must-read for fans of George Orwell and dystopian fiction alike.
44. The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood. It tells the story of Offred, a woman who is forced to become a Handmaid in a totalitarian theocracy. The novel explores themes of gender, religion, and the dangers of totalitarianism.
The Handmaid's Tale is a modern classic of dystopian literature, and it has been adapted into a popular television series. It is a must-read for fans of Margaret Atwood and dystopian fiction alike.
Buy The Handmaid's Tale on Amazon >>
45. The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. It tells the story of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who must destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. The novel is considered one of the greatest fantasy novels ever written.
The Lord of the Rings is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction and J.R.R. Tolkien alike. It is a classic of the genre, and it has inspired countless other fantasy novels.
Buy The Lord of the Rings on Amazon >>
46. The Harry Potter series
by J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series is a fantasy novel series by J.K. Rowling. It tells the story of Harry Potter, a young wizard who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series is considered one of the greatest children's book series of all time.
The Harry Potter series is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction and J.K. Rowling alike. It is a classic of the genre, and it has inspired countless other fantasy novels.
Buy The Harry Potter series on Amazon >>
47. The Hunger Games trilogy
by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games trilogy is a dystopian novel trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised event in which children must fight to the death. The trilogy is considered a modern classic of dystopian literature.
The Hunger Games trilogy is a must-read for fans of Suzanne Collins and dystopian fiction alike. It has been adapted into a popular film series.
Buy The Hunger Games trilogy on Amazon >>
48. The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind is a fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss. It tells the story of Kvothe, a young man who is training to be a wizard. The novel is considered one of the greatest fantasy novels of the 21st century.
The Name of the Wind is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction and Patrick Rothfuss alike. It is a beautifully written novel with a rich and complex world.
Buy The Name of the Wind on Amazon >>
49. The Stormlight Archive series
by Brandon Sanderson
The Stormlight Archive is a fantasy novel series by Brandon Sanderson. It tells the story of Kaladin Stormblessed, a slave who becomes a soldier in the Knights Radiant, a group of warriors who fight against evil. The series is considered one of the greatest fantasy novels of the 21st century.
The Stormlight Archive is a must-read for fans of fantasy fiction and Brandon Sanderson alike. It is a sprawling epic with a complex world and memorable characters.
Buy The Stormlight Archive series on Amazon >>
50. Dune
by Frank Herbert
Dune is a science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. It tells the story of Paul Atreides, a young man who is destined to lead a war against the Harkonnens, a powerful family who controls the planet Arrakis. The novel is considered one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written.
Dune is a must-read for fans of science fiction and Frank Herbert alike. It is a classic of the genre, and it has inspired countless other science fiction novels.
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The 10 Best Books to Read in August 2023 by MGara Coin
These are just a few of the exceptional literary fiction books that have graced our reading lists in the first half of the year. With their diverse themes and masterful storytelling, these novels are a testament to the enduring power of literature to challenge, inspire, and transport us to new worlds. As we eagerly anticipate what the rest of the year holds, these books remind us of the beauty and impact of great storytelling.