My definitive list of the best fiction books ever written. I intend to reveal more of my favorite novels (as well other categories such as video games, board games, and TV shows) as my audience grows.
Most of these books here will be speculative fiction (meaning it involves elements that do not exist in the past/present or in reality). I already live in the real world, so I generally want to explore other/alternate universes. While I do read some non-fiction (primarily history), I will keep this list limited to fiction only. I’m already comparing apples to oranges with such a broad umbrella. I don’t want to compare apples to skyscrapers too.
- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski – No book has ever immersed me like this one. It’s a unique experience, one that requires a physical copy and can never work in another medium. Truly genius.
- Dune by Frank Herbert – I almost universally hate/dislike third person omniscient POV. Dune is one of the few exceptions. The amount of world building, character personality, and plot packed into ~500 pages is astounding.
- IT by Stephen King – Maybe it’s because I grew up on epic fantasy, but the size of this book is a plus for me. Horror has much wider potential for world building than is being used, and it’s one of It’s many, many strengths.
- A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin – You’d think with 1,000 pages there would be some lulls in the story. Not really the case here. The book is addicting from start to finish. Also includes one of fiction’s most memorable and tragic scenes.
- Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes – A heart-wrenching, fascinating tale.
- The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan – This is where the Wheel of Time hits its stride. I’ll vividly remember the climax for the rest of my life.
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin – There’s a reason the TV show was so successful. This book is just that good. Multiple, unique POVs. Easy to read prose. Crazy intricate world that’s fleshed out at a reasonable pace.
- The Forever War by Joe Haldeman – AKA the book that taught me about time dilation. This book touches on so many themes, and does so in such an efficient and engaging manner, that it still remains one of the best in sci-fi.
- Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson – If you want the best high-fantasy action scenes then you want Brandon Sanderson. The whole trilogy, but especially this book, just oozes cool.
- The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada – Similar to House of Leaves in a sense that this was more experience than book. About 80% through this mystery novel, the author breaks the fourth wall to tell the reader they have all the clues needed to solve the case.
11 – 100. Want to see more? Share/Review A Broken Clock Never Boils on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter. Or heck, discuss my picks here. Might just get me to reveal a few more.