'Station Eleven' is also up there. It's not your typical post - apocalyptic story. Instead of focusing on just the horror of the situation, it looks at how people still find meaning in their lives. It has a unique structure that keeps you engaged, and the characters are very relatable, making it a great read in the 2014 US fiction landscape.
Some of the top 2020 fiction books include 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' by V.E. Schwab. It's about a girl who makes a Faustian bargain and lives for centuries. Then there's 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia, which is a spooky and atmospheric novel set in a decaying mansion in the Mexican countryside. And 'The Pull of the Stars' by Emma Donoghue, which takes place during the 1918 flu pandemic and shows the strength of women in difficult times.
Among the top 100 is 'The Earthsea Cycle' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It focuses on a world of islands and the magic that exists within it. 'The Prydain Chronicles' by Lloyd Alexander is another. It has a young hero on a journey to save his land. 'The Belgariad' by David Eddings is also in the top 100. It's an epic fantasy with a group of heroes on a quest to save the world.
In 2023, 'Birnam Wood' by Eleanor Catton was highly regarded. It's a complex novel that involves environmentalism, politics, and a group of idealistic young people. It has a great plot that keeps you guessing. 'Victory City' by Salman Rushdie is also on the list. Rushdie's storytelling skills are on full display as he weaves a tale of a city's rise and fall in medieval India.
A great choice is 'Pride and Prejudice'. Jane Austen's work is a timeless classic. It's a story of love, misunderstandings, and social class in 19th - century England. The Audible version allows you to enjoy the elegant language while you're on the go.
One top historical fiction book is 'The Kite Runner'. It shows the history of Afghanistan from a personal perspective, covering events from the pre - Taliban era to the chaos that followed. Another is 'The Red Tent', which is set in biblical times and tells the story of Dinah in a very engaging way. 'Cold Mountain' is also a great historical fiction work. It's about a Confederate soldier's journey back home during the American Civil War.
Some of the top 10 speculative fiction books are 'The Stand' by Stephen King. It's a post - apocalyptic epic with a large cast of characters. 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury is another classic. It's about a future society where books are burned. 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline is also a great one. It's set in a future where people escape into a virtual world full of 80s pop - culture references and a big treasure hunt.
Well, 'Station Eleven' was a great 2014 fiction book. It had a unique take on a post - apocalyptic world. Also, 'The Miniaturist' was quite good. The setting in Amsterdam and the mystery around the miniaturist made it a really interesting read. 'The Rosie Project' was also popular for its light - hearted and humorous take on love and relationships.
In 2018, 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones was highly regarded. It was a powerful story about a young African - American couple dealing with the husband's wrongful imprisonment. The book really showed the impact on their relationship and on their individual lives.
I think 'The Sense of an Ending' by Julian Barnes was a top pick in 2011 fiction. It's a short but profound novel that delves into the nature of memory and how our past actions can come back to haunt us. The main character is forced to re - evaluate his memories and the events of his youth, and Barnes writes in a very thought - provoking way.
The book 'The Sympathizer' was highly rated in 2016 fiction. It's a Pulitzer - winning novel that tells the story of a communist double agent during the Vietnam War. It's known for its complex narrative and deep exploration of identity, loyalty, and the after - effects of war.