Definitely 'Feminist Fiction: A Guide to the Genre' which is a great resource that helps readers understand the landscape of feminist fiction. 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' by Zora Neale Hurston is a very influential fiction feminist book. It shows the journey of a black woman in search of self - discovery and love. Also, 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood is important as it looks at the story of a female criminal from a feminist perspective, challenging the way society views and treats women.
I think 'The Second Sex' by Simone de Beauvoir is very influential. Although it's more of a philosophical exploration, it has had a huge impact on feminist thought and inspired a lot of fiction works. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is also a key one. It shows the psychological oppression of women in a patriarchal society in a very vivid way. And 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf is influential as it portrays the inner thoughts and experiences of a woman in a complex social setting.
I think 'Red Clocks' was quite influential. Its portrayal of a world with limited reproductive rights for women sparked a lot of discussions. It made people think about how easily women's rights could be eroded and the importance of fighting for them.
One of the most influential is 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini. Although it's set in Afghanistan, it portrays the strength and resilience of women in a highly patriarchal and war - torn society. 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen can also be considered. Elizabeth Bennet is a strong female character who challenges the social norms and expectations of her time regarding marriage. And 'The Female Man' by Joanna Russ is a science - fiction work that explores different versions of femininity and gender relations.
Well, 'The Great Gatsby' is among the most influential fiction books. F. Scott Fitzgerald's work explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding is very influential too. It shows how quickly civilization can break down when people are left to their own devices. And don't forget 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has not only been a global phenomenon but also influenced a whole generation's view on magic, friendship, and good vs. evil.
One of the most influential is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. Although it mainly focuses on the Holocaust, it also has elements of feminism. The female characters in it show great resilience and strength in the face of extreme adversity. Another is 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel. It's a memoir that delves into the relationship between the author and her father, while also exploring lesbian feminism and the role of women in society.
I think 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee can be considered in this regard. Although not directly about motherhood in the obvious sense, Scout's relationship with her father is also influenced by the absence of her mother. It makes us think about how a mother's role could have been and how Scout's view of the world is shaped in part by this lack, which is an interesting take on motherhood in a fictional context.
Well, 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells is really important. It was one of the first to depict an alien invasion, which has influenced countless science fiction works since. 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is also a big one. His ideas about psychohistory and the long - term development of civilizations are very thought - provoking. And then there's 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card, which looks at military strategy and the nature of leadership in a sci - fi context.
I think 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall is quite influential. It was one of the first major works to deal with lesbianism. 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg also had an impact as it was part of the Beat Generation and had LGBTQ undertones. 'Angels in America' by Tony Kushner is a very important play with LGBTQ themes that has had a big influence on the representation of the community in theater.
The top 10 most influential fiction books are likely to include 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Its themes of the American Dream, wealth, and love are still relevant today. 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien is also very influential. It created a whole new world of fantasy that has inspired countless other works in the genre. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, with its complex exploration of obsession and the human struggle against nature, is another influential work.
I think 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is quite influential in historical fiction. It predicted many aspects of modern society based on the trends of its time. 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is also important. It tells the story of African - American women in the early 20th century, shining a light on their struggles. And 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez, while set in a fictional town, reflects on the history of Latin America in many ways.
'Leaving Las Vegas' by John O'Brien. It's a powerful and tragic story of a man who has given up on life and uses alcohol as his way to numb the pain. It was so impactful that it was made into a movie as well.