One recent horror book that stands out is 'My Heart Is a Chainsaw' by Stephen Graham Jones. It's a unique take on the slasher genre. There's also 'Ring Shout' by P. Djèlí Clark which has elements of Lovecraftian horror but with a different cultural perspective. These books are bringing new life to the horror fiction genre.
Some recent horror fiction books worth mentioning are 'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones. It has a great blend of Native American folklore and horror. Also, 'The Last House on Needless Street' by Catriona Ward, which has a very complex and mind - bending plot that keeps you guessing until the end.
A recent great horror fiction book is 'The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires' by Grady Hendrix. It combines the horror of vampires with a group of southern women's fight against them. Another one is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It has a really spooky atmosphere set in a decaying mansion.
Many top recent fiction books focus on strong character development. For example, in 'Where the Crawdads Sing', the main character Kya is so vividly portrayed that readers can almost feel her isolation and her connection to the natural world. Another characteristic is the exploration of relevant social issues. 'The Nightingale' deals with the theme of war and women's role in it during World War II. These books also often have engaging plots. In 'The Great Alone', the family's struggle to survive in the Alaskan wilderness keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
Some of the top recent science fiction books include 'The Three-Body Problem' by Cixin Liu. It presents a complex and fascinating view of the universe, with alien civilizations and scientific concepts. Another is 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir. It's a story about an astronaut on a desperate mission to save Earth. And 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is also very popular. Its world - building and exploration of politics, ecology, and technology in a far - future setting are remarkable.
Some of the best 2020 fiction books include 'The City We Became' by N.K. Jemisin. It's a unique urban fantasy that personifies New York City. 'Unscripted' by Claire Kann is also a good one. It focuses on the life of a plus - size actress trying to make it in Hollywood. 'The Prophets' by Robert Jones Jr. is a powerful novel that explores love and slavery on a plantation. It's beautifully written and deeply moving.
One popular 2023 fiction book is 'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus. It's a story that combines feminism and science in a really engaging way. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a chemist in a male - dominated field, and her journey is both inspiring and full of humor.
One recent good fiction book is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. It tells a captivating story of a girl growing up alone in the marshes. Another is 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig, which explores different life choices through a magical library concept. Also, 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney is great as it delves into the complex relationship between two young people.
Well, if you're new to horror fiction, 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a must - read. It builds a sense of dread through its psychological horror. Then there's 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. The idea of a cursed burial ground is truly terrifying. Also, 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is quite good. It plays on the fear of the unknown in a very effective way.
One of the top recent fiction books is 'The Testaments', which is a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale'. It continues the story of Gilead, exploring it from different perspectives. Margaret Atwood's writing is as powerful as ever in this book. 'Normal People' is another great pick. It's a love story that follows two Irish teenagers as they grow up and navigate their relationship through different social classes and personal insecurities.
Some of the top selling literary fiction books in recent years include 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. It has a captivating story set in the marshes that has drawn in a large number of readers. Another one could be 'The Great Gatsby' which, although published long ago, still sells well due to its profound exploration of the American Dream and the Jazz Age society.
Well, 'The Overstory' by Richard Powers is a recent and remarkable historical fiction. It combines the history of trees and human history in a very engaging way. Another is 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi, which spans generations of an African family, showing different historical periods. And 'There There' by Tommy Orange, which looks at the modern Native American experience in a historical context.