The 12 Best Jane Austen Books

Putting together a list of the best Jane Austen books might appear a simple task. Who doesn’t know such classics as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion?

Jane Austen was born in the late 18th century. She’s one of the most popular and celebrated writers of all time, and her works are cited as some of the finest examples of British literature.

Jane Austen Portrait — Jane Austen

It’s regrettable to know that many of her works were originally published anonymously and brought her little success during her lifetime. Yet, in the decades following her death, they should influence the literary landscape like no other.

Jane Austen’s books are beautifully written, tell timeless stories and come with casts of unforgettable characters. They feature an array of themes, such as love, class difference, societal expectations, wealth and poverty, the value of family, but most of all, the role of women in society.

Her stories center on the domestic life of the landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. What made her works stand out and so influential, was that they were told from a female perspective. This was something unheard of in a, until now, male dominated world.

These female characters broke established traditions and remained beloved and celebrated to this day. While they are under strict social constraints, they showcase strength, wit, cleverness, bravery, and humor. They differ greatly from the meek and mild-mannered woman that were so common in literature at the time.

While Jane Austen is most known for her six major novels, I gave this list of the best Jane Austen books a wider focus and also include some of her lesser known works.

If you’re looking for more classic literature recommendations, I urge you to check out my list of the best books by Charles Dickens and the best Hemingway books.

Love and Friendship

Cover of Love and Friendship by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Love and Friendship

What better way to open this list of the best Jane Austen books than with one of her earliest works?

Love and Friendship was supposedly written when Jane Austen was still only a teenager, no older than fourteen, and to amuse her family.

It’s a satirical take on the romance novels so popular at the time.

The story’s told via a series of letters. They are exchanged between our two main characters. One is Laura, the other is her friend’s daughter, Marianne. In these letters, Laura tells Marianne about failing in love, but as a cautionary tale about the dangers of romance.

While it’s clearly an early work and not one of the best Jane Austen books, it’s still an interesting read for fans of Jane Austen. It’s always interesting to read the earlier works of popular writers and see their often humble beginnings.

Even more interesting, however, is that even this very early work already shows Jane Austen’s disdain for many romantic clichés.

Lady Susan

Cover of Lady Susan by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Lady Susan

Lady Susan is another early work by Jane Austen.

It’s a novella which tells a darkly funny story, and is once again written as a series of letters between different characters.

It centers on the charming Susan Vernon, a beautiful widow in her thirties. She enjoys nothing more than to toy with men for her own entertainment. She’s known to get what she wants and uses her manipulative ways to seduce every man she meets.

After the death of her first husband, she’s in financial troubles and sets out to marry off her teenage daughter, Fredrica, and to find a better man for herself.

Eventually, Lady Susan captures the hearts of two men, the married Mr. Manwaring, and her sister-in-law’s brother, Reginald. Things get complicated, however, when Fredrica, too, falls for Reginald.

Lady Susan is rather rough when compared to Jane Austen’s later works. While it’s far from one of the best Jane Austen books, we can already see her satirical humor and her female characters who stray from the norm.

Yet, these aren’t the only elements shown here that should come to define her later works. Lady Susan shows her talent at creating humorous plots, love struck characters and male antagonists who are both hilarious and annoying.

The Beautiful Cassandra

Cover of The Beautiful Cassandra by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – The Beautiful Cassandra

The Beautiful Cassandra is a miniature novel comprising only twelve chapters. It was written as a dedication to her older sister, Cassandra.

It’s a parody of the melodramatic, sentimental and picaresque novels of the time.

The story centers on a young, mischievous woman named Cassandra, who sets off into the world to make her fortune.

The plot follows her as she sets out on a visit to London to have a perfect day. There she commits a series of slightly criminal but joyful acts, including stealing from shops and spying on the locals.

In the end, The Beautiful Cassandra is a short and lighthearted little tale.

Once again, this is an earlier work written during Jane Austen’s youth, but once more we can see many of her later elements at play here. It showcases the irony that should so define her work, a gift for parody, a sense for the absurd, but most of all, her growing talent as a writer.

The Beautiful Cassandra might not be an outstanding work, but I still think this miniature novel is an interesting addition to this list of the best Jane Austen books.

Sanditon

Cover of Sanditon by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Sandition

With Sanditon we’re moving away from Jane Austen’s juvenilia and move right to her last, but ultimately unfinished, novel. Jane Austen passed away at only forty-one-years old and finished only eleven chapters of Sanditon.

The story follows Mr. Parker. He has aspirations of developing the small fictional sea side town of Sanditon into a bustling seaside resort and a playground for those who want to be seen.

For this, he enlists the help of the wealthy widow, Lady Dunham.

While Sanditon was, unfortunately, never finished, it still features many of the elements so common in the best Jane Austen books. It features a colorful cast of characters, is full of social criticism, witty humor and pokes fun at society’s obsession with the next new thing.

Sanditon still makes for an interesting read for those who are interested in the works of Jane Austen and who are interested in reading more than her six major novels.

The Watsons

Cover of The Watsons by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – The Watsons

The Watsons is a novel Jane Austen supposedly began in 1803, but abandoned in the following year and never revised. It was only her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh who eventually published it as part of a biography titled A Memoir of Jane Austen.

It tells the story of Emma Watson, the daughter of a widowed clergyman. She’s been well educated and raised by her wealthy aunt.

Her life’s good, but when her aunt remarries, Emma is forced to return to her home. She now has to live with her father, brother and sisters.

From now on, it’s Emma’s task to find husbands for her unrefined and reckless sisters.

While The Watsons is yet another unfinished novel, I still included it in this list of the best Jane Austen books. It features many elements that make it worth reading, especially a strong female lead, class division, the contrast between poverty and wealth. It’s definitely worth reading for fans of Jane Austen’s books.

Northanger Abby

Cover of Northanger Abby by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Northanger Abby

Northanger Abby was the first of Jane Austen’s six major novels. It was, however, the last of them to be ever published.

Northanger Abby is lighter than most of her other later novels. It’s fun, lively, but also full of drama. It’s seen as a satire of the gothic genre, so popular at the time and a coming-of-age story.

The novel’s story follows the naïve, seventeen-year-old Catherine Moreland, who thinks herself a heroine in training. She loves and is addicted to romantic, gothic novels.

She’s one of ten children, but the only one of her siblings invited on a trip to Bath along the Allen family. There she meets Henry Tilney, a young clergyman, and falls in love with him.

When Henry and his sister invite her to their family estate, Northanger Abby, she’s delighted to leave her dull home behind. Once there, her imagination runs wild, and she imagines herself in the center of one of the stories she loves so much. For she suspects that the old gothic mansion hides a nefarious secret.

Catherine is essentially a young woman who depends on fairy tales and novels to make sense of the world around her. While one can tell that Jane Austen’s fond of her, she doesn’t shy away from mocking her, making fun of her and laughing at her. She even addresses the reader to give satirical contemplations about the events at play.

As mentioned before, the gothic novel was extremely popular during Jane Austen’s times. These novels were full of dewy-eyed and slightly dim heroines who relied on man. It was these clichés that always filled Jane Austen with contempt and Northanger Abby was her own way of digging into the genre and poking fun at it.

Overall, Northanger Abby might be the weakest of Jane Austen’s major novels, but it’s still a delight to read and not a bad book. Especially for its humor and satirical elements.

Sense and Sensibility

Cover of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility was the first of Jane Austen’s six major novels to be published.

While it was initially published anonymously, it has become a beloved classic and is now considered one of the best Jane Austen books.

The novel tells the coming-of-age story of the Dashwood sisters, Marianne and Elinor, and their search for love. However, it’s also a portrayal of deep sisterly love and solidarity.

The two sisters couldn’t be more different. Elinor, the older, relies on her head and is the responsible and sensible one. Marianne, on the other hand, relies on hear heart, and is of an emotional and impulsive character.

When their father dies, they fall into poverty, have to move out of the family home and are now forced to live in a small cottage.

Before long, they both fall in love, however both relationships are doomed to fail because of their respective characters. Elinor falls for a man who’s promised to another woman while Marianne falls for an unfitting suitor who eventually leaves her behind.

These failed romantic experiences force the sisters to reexamine their perspective. Marianne has to learn not to chase fairytale love while Elinor has to lead her guard down and learn to trust into her feelings.

Sense and Sensibility is a tale that explores the problems of how to handle one’s feelings in a society that values status above everything else and is governed by strict rules. It also shows the weight on women’s shoulders so common during the time of its writing and the hardship they go through to find a good husband to support their families.

Sense and Sensibility isn’t as refined in certain aspects and lacks the focus of other, later Jane Austen novels. Yet, one can tell that it’s here Jane Austen figured out her literary skills and started on her path of mastery.

That doesn’t mean Sense and Sensibility isn’t worth reading. It’s still a fantastic novel and amongst the best Jane Austen books.

Jane Austen’s Letters

Cover of Jane Austen's Letters by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Jane Austen’s Letters

Our next entry on this list of the best Jane Austen books isn’t a novel. Instead, it’s a collection of her letters which can be seen as an intimate biography. While many biographies on Jane Austen’s life exist, this collection of letters stands out in a variety of ways.

It sheds light on Jane Austen as a person, her family and her life. The letters are organized chronologically and full of researched annotations.

In these letters, we’re shown her witty and memorable tone of voice, but also get to know her deeper thoughts and ideas.

Jane Austen’s Letters is the perfect book for those who want to learn more about her as a writer and connect on a deeper level.

It’s always an interesting experience to read biographies, but this one’s much more personal than those of other writers and akin to works such as A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Woolf.

Jane Austen’s Letters is a delight for fans of Jane Austen but also for those who enjoy reading the biographies of writers.

Mansfield Park

Cover of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park is Jane Austen’s third published novel. It’s her most controversial book and one that differs from the other best Jane Austen books.

It’s, overall, characterized by more mature themes. Mansfield Park’s focus isn’t on love, but on greed and recklessness. Yet, it’s still considered amongst the best coming-of-age stories of all time.

Mansfield Park centers on Fanny Price. At ten years old, she’s sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, the Bertram’s, at their country estate, Mansfield Park.

Because of her impoverished upbringing, she’s mistreated not only by her uncle and aunt but also by three of her four cousins. It’s only the fourth, Edmund, who treats her kindly and who she eventually falls in love with.

Before long, however, the Crawford siblings, the sophisticated Henry and the vivacious Mary, move near the estate. While Henry flirts with two of Edmund’s sisters, Edmund himself starts a relationship with Mary. These events soon cause emotional upheaval for the Bertram family.

Mansfield Park stands out most for its heroine, Fanny, who differs from her other female protagonist. While they are usually witty, bright, desirable and know what they want, Fanny’s quite different. She stays in the shadows and quietly observes life. She’s of timid character, is silent, introverted and mouthy, but adheres to her own strict moral code. However, she’s much better at reading the people around her.

While this makes her a far more complex character and woman, many critics and even Jane Austen’s mother deemed her as too insipid.

Mansfield Park is, overall, a more serious and moral book, and one could even say a much darker book than the rest of her novels. It explores and questions what truly holds value. Is it money itself, or is it what we can do with it? Is it charm or is it goodness?

Emma

Cover of Emma by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Emma

Emma is Jane Austen’s fourth published novel and another timeless coming-of-age story. For it, Jane Austen set out to create a character that no one but herself would very much like.

It’s by many critics considered a comedy of manners.

The titular character is Emma Woodhouse. She’s a spoiled young woman from the high society of Highbury. Not only is she beautiful and charming, she also thinks she knows what’s best for everyone around her. She’s also rich and has the freedom not to get married and promptly declares she never will.

Emma shows no interest in the romantic attraction given her, and instead believes herself a natural matchmaker. While she wants and believes she’s of help, she’s much too insensitive and causes chaos and misunderstandings.

Blinded by her desire to continue her matchmaking, she soon becomes entangled in a net of complicated relationships. When she makes an unforgiveable error, however, she risks even her own chance of true happiness.

This eventually forces Emma to look at herself and her own emotions. Before long, she has to realize just how naïve she is and what love means. Things get even more complicated for her when she develops feelings for her neighbor, Mr. Knightly.

The reason Emma deserves such a high place on the list of the best Jane Austen books is because of its heroine. While she starts out as an infuriating and unlikeable character, she eventually turns into one of Jane Austen’s most endearing and loveable. This is all because of Jane Austen’s skills in showcasing her thoughts and inner workings.

Overall, Emma’s adventures are nothing short of entertaining and Jane Austen wastes no time to poke fun at this unlikely heroin.

Pride and Prejudice

Cover of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s most popular novel. Almost everyone, no matter if fan or not, has heard of it. It’s by many regarded as the best of all the Jane Austen books.

It’s a heartwarming, historical romance that is still enjoyed two centuries after it was written. Its popularity never waned. The book always remained in print and serves massively popular amongst modern readers.

Following countless adaptions for the big screen, the book has also been adapted in another, more bizarre way, a work titled Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Our heroine is Elizabeth Bennet, or Lizzy, one of five daughters living in the Longbourn estate with their parents. Lizzy is headstrong, cynical, and witty and should become one of the most famous and beloved female characters of all time.

The novel’s plot revolves around the troubles of the five Bennett sisters and the pressure of the marriage market. Their future’s uncertain since their home is bequeathed to the closest male heir.

Things change when Mr. Bingly, a young, rich and eligible bachelor, arrives in the neighborhood. Jane, the oldest and most faultless of the Bennett sisters, soon begins a relationship with him.

Accompanying Mr. Bingly is the young, aloof and proud Mr. Darcy who’s immediately attracted to Lizzy. While Lizzy’s captivated by him, she’s also repulsed by his behavior.

Pride and Prejudice is essentially a story of enemies who become lovers. We follow them as they each have their pride humbled, overcome their prejudices, and finally fall in love.

Yet, the novel is also the story of the Bennett family. For not all is well, and eventually, Lydia Bennett’s behavior threatens the family’s reputation.

Pride and Prejudice comes with a biting sense of humor and features a cast of unforgettable characters. There’s, of course, our protagonist, Lizzy, but also Mr. Collins and the rest of the Bennett family. They have become one of literatures most believed family.

While many see Pride and Prejudice as a funny and witty romance novel, it has much more to offer. It showcases the social rules of the time and how to unravel them. It also explores the tensions between truths acknowledged by society and authentic human feelings.

Pride and Prejudice is without a doubt amongst the very best Jane Austen books, and by many, considered her best.

Persuasion

Cover of Persuasion by Jane Austen — Jane Austen – Persuasion

Persuasion was Jane Austen’s final novel and was only published posthumously by her brother Henry.

It features another one of Jane Austen’s most beloved heroines, Anne Elliot.

Over the course of her life, Jane Austen came to express deep concerns over how society pressures and persuades young women, and this novel is a testament of these thoughts.

While Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s most popular novel, Persuasion might be her most finely crafted one. Pride and Prejudice is witty, fun and entertaining. Persuasion, on the other hand, is a deeper, quieter and more realistic and mature novel. It’s a melancholic, almost lyrical story.

The novel’s plot centers on Anne Elliot, a twenty-year-old English woman. When Anne’s wealthy family falls from grace and experiences financial troubles, they are forced to rent out their home to Admiral Croft and his wife, Sophia.

As fate wants it, eight years ago, Anne was engaged to Sophia’s brother, Captain Fredrick Wentworth. Back then, Fredrick was nothing but a lowly naval officer, and Anne’s friend persuaded her to call off the engagement.

Fredrick, however, has become a wealthy man and is now famous for his war-time accomplishments. Meanwhile, Anne is a faded beauty, still unmarried and considered an old maid by the younger woman around her.

When Fredrick returns, Anne realizes she’s still in love with him and regrets ending their relationship. Yet Fredrick hasn’t quite forgiven her.

Persuasion is essentially a will-they-will-they-not type of plot. Anne suffers, and we as readers suffer with her, for Jane Austen shows no mercy and often toys with the reader’s expectations. After a series of plot twists and complications that drive them first further apart, they eventually reunite.

Persuasion is a novel that explores the strength of love and of second chances.

This is told from the perspective of one of her best heroines, Anne. She’s older and much more mature than Jane Austen’s other heroines. She’s used to disappointment, full of regret, and nostalgia, but develops tremendously over the course of the novel.

The novel also harshly criticizes society, and how easily young woman are swayed and persuaded by what’s expected of them. This makes Persuasion not only a work of fiction but also a commentary on social history.

All these elements make Persuasion the most satisfying of Jane Austen’s novels and one of the best Jane Austen books.

15 Fantastic Urban Fantasy Books Anyone Should Read

Urban fantasy books have become some of the most widely read books of the twenty-first century.

There’s a good reason for it. Urban fantasy is one of the most exciting, fascinating, and unique genres in modern literature.

While it usually involves fantastical plot, it’s vastly different from standard fantasy. Urban fantasy’s not set in a typical fantasy world, instead it plays out in our modern, real life world or one similar to it.

It’s a dynamic and diverse genre that often combines a variety of well-known tropes with new and unique ideas.

Urban fantasy books are filled with fantastical and mythological creatures like werewolves, vampires, witches, fairies, goblins and many others. Yet, many urban fantasy writers add their own touch to these elements. They distort them or mix them up in new and exciting ways. This makes urban fantasy books a delight to read for those who are looking for unique stories.

For this list, I selected a variety of different urban fantasy books. While some are standalone titles, others might be part of a longer series. All of them, however, are very worth reading.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, I urge you to check out my list of fantasy books like Lord of the Rings or my list of dystopian books.

Borderland edited by Terri Windling

Cover of The Essential Bordertown by Terri Windling — Terri Windling – Borderland

Borderland is said to have started the urban fantasy trend.

Published back in 1986, it’s an anthology of short stories who all take place in Bordertown. It’s a chaotic, dystopian city which divides the human world from the mythical ‘Elflands.’

Things aren’t what they seem in Bordertown. Neither magic nor human engineering works as it should, and their unpredictable combination often proves fatal.

The town itself is inhabited by a cast of wonderful and strange characters. We get to know youthful outcasts and runaways, magical magicians and even so-called half-residents, descendants from the union of humans and elves.

All of them struggle to make sense of the world around them. Yet it’s a world that defies comprehension.

Borderland is a classic amongst urban fantasy books. While it caters primarily towards teenage readers, it comprises a variety of serious themes: disenfranchised youth culture, race relations, class conflict, generation gaps and much more.

Borderland is a great way to start off this list and any fan of urban fantasy books should read it.

War of the Oaks by Emma Bull

Cover of War for the Oaks by Emma Bull — Emma Bull – War for the Oaks

War of the Oaks was first published in 1987 and it defined the modern urban fantasy genre in a similar note to the aforementioned Borderland.

It tells the story of a young musician Eddi McCandry. Her life takes a turn for the worse when her band breaks up and her boyfriend dumps her.

Things, however, are bound to get even weirder. One night, as she’s walking home through downtown Minneapolis, she’s drafted into an invisible war between two factions of the fairy folk. From this point onward, she’s about to struggle for her survival in this strange new world. All the while, she’s also trying to put together a new rock band.

War of the Oaks is a novel that’s written in lyrical fashion but also in a style that’s rather rough. It’s a book that’s as fantastic as it’s down to Earth. It tells a story of genuine love, loyalty, devotion, and, of course, real musicians.

War of the Oaks is another of the classic urban fantasy books, and any fan of the genre should check it out.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Cover of Moon Called by Patricia Briggs — Patricia Briggs – Moon Called

Patricia Briggs is one of the biggest names in urban fantasy and one of the most innovate writers the genre offers.

Moon Called is the first in the Mercy Thompson series comprising twelve novels.

The book includes a variety of fantastical elements and features a lot of mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, fairies, but also witches, shapeshifters and many others.

It tells the story of Mercy Thompson, a skilled mechanic who’s a shapeshifter, a so-called walker, who can turn into a coyote at will.

She and other mythological creatures live in their home of the so-called Tri-Cities. Everything seems to be all right and life’s harmonious. Yet, trouble’s been brewing below the surface for a long time.

Our story starts when a teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work. Before long, it’s revealed that he not only turned into a werewolf recently but also escaped from a laboratory.

Mercy asks Adam Hauptman, the alpha of the local werewolf pack, for help. This act of kindness, however, has dire consequences, for Mercy soon learns that what happened to the boy wasn’t an isolated incident. From now on, she must set out to save those who are dear to her.

Urban fantasy’s a genre full of badass heroines, but Mercy Thompson proves to be one of the best ones. While Moon Called is an urban fantasy book that comes with a lot of familiar elements, Patricia Briggs is able to warp and change them into an entirely new and innovative story.

Moon Called is definitely one of the best urban fantasy books out there and a fantastic start to a brilliant series.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Cover of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr — Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely is another well-known urban fantasy novel. It’s once again the first in another, longer series of urban fantasy books.

It’s set in a world in which faeries live hidden amongst humans. They have terrible power and are of a cruel nature, especially against non-faerie folk.

Aislinn Foy is a teenager with a special power. She’s a so-called Sighted, which means she’s able to see faeries. For most of her life, however, she’d been afraid of them and chosen to ignore them.

This changes when the faerie Summer King Keenan believes she may be his new Summer Queen. Yet, at the same time, Aislinn got feelings for her best friend Seth. Before long, things get out of control and, even worse, dangerous.

What’s most interesting about the novel, however, is the intertwining of 18th century fairytales and folklore with the modern day expectations of teenagers.

While the book can be teeny and hormone fueled, it makes up for it by being a fantastic read.

Fated by Benedict Jacka

Cover of Fated by Benedict Jacka — Benedict Jacka – Fated

Fated is the first novel in the Alex Versus series, set in Camden London, which comprises fourteen urban fantasy books.

Our protagonist Alex Verus runs a magic shop, but of course not an ordinary one. Instead of selling wands, cards and magic sets, he sells mysterious artifacts, some of which hold incredible power.

Yet, Alex himself is not an ordinary person either. He’s a mage with the power to see into the future. His life, however, is mundane, and he spends his days simply running his store.

All that changes when his apprentice Lune comes into the store with a mysterious crimson glass cube. Alex knows right away that his life’s about to change. While he doesn’t know why and how, he knows he’s in danger and there’s no way of avoiding it.

Fated is a fantastic urban fantasy book and a great introduction to one of urban fantasy’s best series.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Cover of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill — Chloe Neill – Some Girls Bite

In this urban fantasy book, we get to know Caroline Evelyn Merit. She was a normal twenty-eight-year-old graduate student.

One day, however, she’s attacked by a rogue vampire. Before he can finish the deed, he was scared away by another vampire, allowing Merit to survive the Caroline to survive the encounter. This other vampire is Ethan Sullivan, the head of Cadogan House.

From this day onward, however, she’s a vampire herself and now has to handle her new life. This includes hiding her identity from her roommate, getting together with the other vampires of Cadogan House, but also coping with her attraction to Ethan. Yet, he’s not merely her master, but he’s also got feelings for her of his own.

While Some Girls Bite might sound similar to other urban fantasy books, it’s worth reading. It features an interesting, female narrative, and outlines the many problems our protagonist faces in her new identity in our normal, modern day world.

Broken Elements by Mia Marshall

Cover of Broken Elements by Mai Marshall — Mia Marshall – Broken Elements

Broken Elements is the first of three books in the Elements series. It’s a mixture of urban fantasy and murder mystery.

Aidan Brook is an elemental. This means she’s got the power to manipulate water with her mind. When her powers fail her one night, however, the consequences prove fatal.

Unable to cope with what she’s done, she tries to flee her old life and what she’s done. While she’s trying desperately to forget the past, the grisly murder of an old friend draws her back to the scene of her crimes, Lake Tahoe.

Before long, the FBI, too, is on her case and her quiet life ends. Even worse, a deadly killer soon sets his sights on her. Aidan now has to relearn her powers to survive. Yet, can she use them for good, or will she bring even more death?

With a great, tragic protagonist, lots of magical elements and a murder mystery, this book has it all for fans of urban fantasy books and innovative stories.

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

Cover of Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey — Richard Kadrey – Sandman Slim

Sandman Slim is the first entry in the Sandman Slim series comprising over ten books.

The book centers on a trope as old as time, the battle between heaven and hell. Yet, this series of urban fantasy books twists this idea, makes it fresh and tells its story uniquely.

We get to know a man named James Stark, who’s known as Sandman Slim. He spent his teenage years as a magician, but before long, his powers were noticed by a demon. This demon took Sandman Slim to hell itself, and for eleven years, he was forced to perform a sideshow to entertain Satan’s minions.

When he’s finally able to escape, he sets out for revenge. He now hunts down the devil, who took him to hell and the mysterious group surrounding him.

Before long, however, he realizes there’s more to all this, and the truth is much more terrifying than he could’ve ever thought. For he soon finds himself dragged into a battle that’s been going on for much, much longer, that between heaven and hell.

Sandman Slim’s a fantastic series featuring a great antihero protagonist. It showcases that the path to retribution and revenge is never an easy one and there are often powers beyond our understanding which might influence and mess with us.

Simply a fantastic novel and part of a fantastic series of urban fantasy books.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Cover of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman — Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere

Before he wrote American Gods, Neil Gaiman was already a titan of urban fantasy. It’s thanks to Neverwhere, which enthralled millions and was adapted not only into a radio play but also a TV series.

Under the streets of London lies a place that its citizens would never have dreamed of. It’s a city of monsters, saints, murderers, angels, knights in armor and pale girls in black velvet. It’s essentially a city of people who’ve fallen between the cracks.

We get to know Richard Mayhew, a young businessman who recently moved to London and who’s soon going to find out more about the other London. When he helps an injured girl named Door on the street one night, he’s catapulted into this other chaotic, magical place known as London Below.

After losing everything, he now travels London Below to make sense of it all and to find his way back to the normal world, London Above.

Neverwhere is an urban fantasy classic. It showcases Neil Gaiman’s imagination and his talent as a writer. It’s an absolutely fantastic novel with a lot of interesting ideas that doesn’t need to hide behind Gaiman’s other, more popular works.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Cover of Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris — Charlaine Harris – Dead Until Dark

Dead Until Dark is the first entry in the Sookie Stackhouse series of urban fantasy books. It has proven to be one of the most popular and well known urban fantasy series and served as the inspiration for the show True Blood.

It follows a young woman, Sookie, who lives a seemingly normal life. Yet, there’s more to her than meets the eye. Sookie’s got telepathic abilities. Instead of taking them for normal, however, she thinks she’s going crazy.

In the world of Dead Until Dark, the existence of vampires is common knowledge. They are of a serious and reserved character, which always proves to create fun interactions with the quirky Sookie. These are especially prevalent when she’s interacting with her boyfriend Bill, who’s, of course, a vampire.

The novel’s plot truly gets going when a series of murders happens and vampires get blamed for them. Yet, Sookie and Bill aren’t so sure that’s the truth and set out to solve them.

Dead Until Dark is an interesting and unique mixture of small-town southern America and dark, macabre vampires. It comes with a cast of fantastic characters and an intriguing premise in the form of a murder mystery. It’s a mystery which serves to be far more complicated than originally thought.

While Twilight and other series in the romance vampire subgenre might be more popular, the Sookie Stackhouse series is considered one of the finest entries.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Cover of Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews — Ilona Andrews – Magic Bites

Ilona Andrews is another popular and prolific urban fantasy writer. Magic Bites is where it all began. It’s the first in the massively popular Kate Daniels series comprising ten novels and several novellas.

Magic Bites is set in a world which fell victim to a magical apocalypse. One day, magic appeared. Rogue mages rose to power because of their spells, and monsters appeared.

This appearance of magic changed everything and made everything unpredictable. Soon technology started to fail. Guns didn’t fire, cars didn’t start and many other devices didn’t work as intended. Even worse, should either magic or technology work, the other will ultimately fail.

In this unpredictable, dystopian world, we get to know Kate Daniels. She lives in the city of Atlanta amongst vampires, were-creatures, necromancers and many other fantastical creatures. She herself is a sword-wielding mercenary who earns a living cleaning up magical problems.

When her guardian’s murdered, she sets out for answers and revenge. Soon enough, she finds herself involved in a power struggle between two opposing factions. As tensions rise, she becomes pressured by both sides and, before long, things get out of hand.

The most interesting element of Magic Bites has to be the unpredictability of not only magic, but also technology. It allows for quite a few strangely comedic moments, but also for the breaking of established rules.

Magic Bites is a fantastic debut novel of one of urban fantasy’s most popular writers. It’s a great novel with an interesting setting and most of all, a fun read.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Cover of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare — Cassandra Clare – City of Bones

Cassandra Clare is another massive name in the urban fantasy genre and her novel City of Bones helped bring the genre to mainstream attention.

City of Bones is the first of six books in The Mortal Instruments series. It received international acclaim in the young adult urban fantasy genre and was even adapted into a TV series.

Clary Fray is a normal, fifteen-year-old teenager. Her life changes when she witnesses a terrible murder committed by three tattooed teenagers carrying bizarre weapons. Before she can call the police, however, the victim’s body disappears without leaving behind a trace.

The perpetrators are Shadowhunters. They are powerful warriors sent to defeat evil demons that roam the earth.

After a series of increasingly bizarre events, Clary slowly finds herself pulled towards the Shadowhunters’ world. When her mother’s kidnapped, she’s got to team up with no other than the Shadowhunters to find out who’s taken her. Before long, she learns the truth about the Shadowhunters, their world and also the things her mother hid from her.

Now Clary, who used to be just a normal teenager, finds herself amid a supernatural battle between good and evil.

City of Bones is a fantastic young adult urban fantasy novel, one I highly recommend to any fan of urban fantasy books.

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch

Cover of Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch — Ben Aaronovitch – Midnight Riot

Midnight Riot is the first book in the Rivers of London series.

One has to wonder what makes London such a perfect setting for urban fantasy books. It’s a complex city with a rich history and a multicultural population.

Aaronovitch uses all these elements and another staple of urban fantasy, the police, to tell a fantastically, innovative story of magical mysteries. All this is spiced up with a healthy dosage of wry humor.

The novel introduces us to Peter Grant, a rookie cop. He’s assigned to the Case Progression Unit and his primary task is to fill out paperwork. Yet, Peter has a supernatural ability, he can see ghosts. When Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale recognizes these powers, Peter gets sent to magical training and is moved to a different unit.

From here on out, he works with Nightingale to solve various magical cases in London. The direst one, however, is a series of violent attacks that always end with the perpetrator’s face falling off.

Before long, Peter finds himself in over his head and has to solve an age long dispute. He’s now in a new world, an underworld populated by gods, goddesses and a dark entity with an evil plan.

Midnight Riot is a fantastic start to one of urban fantasy’s most beloved series. While the book can be a bit too packed with plot points and events, it more than makes up for it by its fantastic characters. It’s overall a witty and highly enjoyable read.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Cover of Storm Front by Jim Butcher — Jim Butcher – Storm Front

Storm Front is the first book in the massively popular urban fantasy series The Dresden Files. It’s a series that changed the face of modern urban fantasy forever.

Storm Front tells the story of Harry Dresden, a paranormal investigator and wizard. He’s the best at what he does, especially since he’s the only one at what he does. This makes him a person of high demand at the Chicago Police Department, for which he solves paranormal crimes.

Whenever cases are beyond what the police can handle, they call Harry. His newest case concerns a missing amateur magician and two dead civilians whose hearts have been ripped out. Strapped for cash, he takes the job, but soon finds himself in too deep.

While he tries to figure out what’s going on, the Chicago P.D. soon suspects no other than him. He’s now got to find the missing magician and expose his role in the grisly case.

Yet, behind it all lingers another, more dangerous and dark entity.

Storm Front is an absolutely fantastic novel and the start of a fantastic series of urban fantasy books.

Harry Dresden is a great protagonist, but what makes the book such a delight is the combination of private detective work and the unique, paranormal mysteries at play.

The Dresden Files is one of the most popular and well-beloved urban fantasy series of all time and for a good reason. I highly recommend any fan of the genre to check it out.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Cover of American Gods by Neil Gaiman — Neil Gaiman – American Gods

One can’t talk about urban fantasy without mentioning the name Neil Gaiman and his novel American Gods.

While his novel Neverwhere mentioned before on this list was popular, American Gods is what changed everything. It’s one of the most popular and well-known urban fantasy books, if not the most popular. It’s by many called one of the best novels of the twenty-first century.

First published in 2001, it became an enormous success, won multiple awards and was turned into a successful TV series.

Shadow Moon’s an ex-con who’s locked behind bars for three years. He bids his time for all he wants is to get back to his wife Lauren and start a new life.

Yet, days before his release, his wife and best friend die in a car accident. Even worse, he finds out the two of them had an affair. He’s devastated, but upon his release reluctantly accepts an offer by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday to become his bodyguard.

Mr. Wednesday, however, isn’t who he’s supposed to be. He turns out to be Odin, the Norse God of War. He’s on a mission around America to recruit the other Old Gods and form an army to battle against the New Gods.

The New Gods are the modern gods, the gods of progress that have begun to dominate modern society and filled the gap left behind after the fall of the Old Gods. They represent such things as media, technology and commercialism.

Yet, soon enough, Shadow Moon questions his new employer. Why this battle? Something strange is going on and the more mysteries he unearths, the more he finds himself in over his head. Yet, what can a single man do when he’s surrounded by divine beings?

American Gods is nothing short of masterpiece and amongst the greatest urban fantasy books ever written. It’s a novel I highly recommend not only for fans of the genre but for all readers out there.

The Best 28 Dystopian Books Anyone Should Read

Dystopian literature is a genre of speculative fiction that has become massively popular over the last decade and a half. It’s no surprise dystopian books are enjoyed by a massive fan base.

While dystopian books were popular in the 19th and 20th century, their popularity has grown significantly in recent years. Our very own world seems on the verge of change because of a multitude of factors. There’s war, climate change, economic chaos, the pandemic, energy shortages and much, much more.

The most fascinating aspect and what always brings readers back to dystopian books is their setting. They always draw from our own world and mirror its elements, such as, amongst others, our society, politics, religion, and technology, and distort them. They essentially present us with a world similar to our own in which one or more of these elements have gone horribly wrong.

While some dystopian books explore apocalyptic events and their aftermath others, many focus on such issues as the decile of society, social issues, dehumanization, injustice and inequality.

Many writers have written about dystopian versions of our future. There’s such classical writers like George Orwell and H. G. Wells, but also contemporary writers such as Suzanne Collins or Kazuo Ishiguro.

What makes dystopian literature such an interesting genre might be the fact that these books show us that, however bad things are, they could be much, much worse.

The best dystopian books, however, are those that serve as cautionary tales and comment on the problems of our very own society, and where they could lead us.

On this list, I included both classics and newer books, and also a few young adult books. All of them, however, are worth reading.

If you’re a fan of general science-fiction, you might also want to check out my list of the best science-fiction books and my list of books like Dune.

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Cover of Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman — Malorie Blackman – Noughts & Crosses

Noughts & Crosses is the first dystopian book in an award-winning novel series. It’s garnered widespread popularity and was adapted for TV in recent years.

The novel depicts a fictional 21th-century dystopian Britain split by race. In this world, white Noughts are treated as an inferior race while black Crosses are born into privilege and perceived as superior.

The novel’s plot follows two friends, Sephy and Callum. While Sephy’s a Cross and the daughter of a powerful politician, Callum is a Nought, poor, and merely exists to serve Crosses.

Against all odds, however, the two of them chose each other and their love.

It’s a powerful story that reverses traditional racial stereotypes. It’s a story of friendship and love, but a love that threatens the very fabric of society.

Noughts & Crosses is an interesting dystopian book and gives as an entirely new, and uncomfortable look at the very real racial problems in our society. It’s very worth reading.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Cover of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick — Philip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

Philip K. Dick’s science-fiction masterpiece that inspired the movie Blade Runner.

It presents us with a post-apocalyptic setting and the resulting dystopian society. Following a nuclear war, the ‘World War Terminus’ huge parts of the world are uninhabitable because of radiation poisoning.

Because of this, real animals have become scarce. Instead, artificial creatures have been created to resemble those made of flesh, including humanoids.

The plot revolves around Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, who’s tasked with killing six Nexus 6 model androids who escaped from Mars.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is an action-packed novel full of vivid and imaginative world-building. We witness a devastated world, a futuristic setting, strange psychological tests to identify androids and social status determined by the number of natural animals one owns.

The major theme of the novel, however, isn’t one about society. Instead, the novel talks about the nature of AI, the future it could lead us to, and what makes us truly human.

It’s a fantastic novel, one I highly recommend to any fan of science-fiction, cyberpunk, but also dystopian books.

Battle Royal by Koushun Takami

Cover of Battle Royal by Koushun Takami — Koushun Takami – Battle Royal

When Battle Royal was first published in Japan, it proved massively popular and developed a cult following. Because of its fantastic movie adaption, the novel also became a hit with Western audiences.

It’s a Japanese thriller novel set in a fascist Japan and tells the shocking story of the titular Battle Royal program.

Each year, fifty third-year junior high classes are randomly selected. The students of each class are then kidnapped and dropped off at a remote location. They are provided weapons and provision and forced to kill each other until only one of them remains.

The novel’s story centers on the students of Shiroiwa Junior High School. Shuya Nanahara, our narrator, decides not to ‘play the game,’ as he refers to it and instead to protect his friends.

Battle Royal is an action-packed novel that features one of the most disturbing scenarios ever created. It also features a fantastic cast of characters, including Shuya Nanahara, Noriko Nakagawa, Shogo Kawada and, of course, Kazuo Kiriyama.

While the novel was first seen as nothing but pure exploitation and shock-value, its status has now changed. Nowadays, it’s often regarded as the Lord of the Flies of the 21th century and one of the best dystopian books out of Japan.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Cover of The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham — John Wyndham – The Day of the Triffids

This classical dystopian book was written in 1951 and is set in a post-apocalyptic world.

One day, a large part of the world’s population is blinded by a meteor shower. What’s even worse, however, is the rise of a huge, locomotive, venomous plant species known as Triffids that roam the Earth and hunt down humans. The few humans who haven’t been blinded now have to find a way to survive.

The Day of the Triffids is a classical catastrophe novel that inspired countless other, similar novels and terrified an entire generation.

Over the course of the novel, it becomes clear that the Triffids might have been genetically modified. This fear of biological weapons came from a certain rumor popular during the time of its writing. It stated that the Soviet Union was experimenting with manipulating nature to do its bidding.

The most interesting aspect about The Day of the Triffids, however, lies in its antagonists. In a post-apocalyptic world, plants and nature are usually seen as a symbol of restoration and hope. Not so in The Day of the Triffids.

The novel’s major theme is the twisted nature of biological warfare and serves as a cautionary tale about the twisted horrors it might create.

It’s a great novel for fans of dystopian books and classical science-fiction alike.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Cover of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld — Scott Westerfeld – Uglies

Uglies is the first installment in the Uglies series and presents us with a very interesting idea for a dystopia.

The novel’s set in a world of extreme beauty in which everyone whose normal is considered ugly.

It tells the story of a young girl named Tally who’s about to turn sixteen. She can’t wait for it because it means she’ll finally undergo an operation that will turn her from an Ugly into an extremely pretty person, a Pretty. Once she’s pretty, she’ll be able to enter a high-end paradise of endless fun and leisure.

Before long, however, Tally has doubts about this strange system and eventually joins a colony of her fellow Uglies.

Scott Westerfeld’s dystopian book is social criticism at its finest. It showcases our obsession with beauty and attractiveness and our prejudice against those who aren’t.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Cover of Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood — Margaret Atwood – Oryx and Crake

Oryx and Crake is the first novel in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy.

It’s set in a world in which humanity has been destroyed by a plague. We get to know Snowman, who believes himself to be the last human on Earth. He spends his days in this post-apocalyptic world surrounded by Crakers, a humanoid species created by his friend Crake.

He eventually embarks on a journey to find answers through what was once a great city and has now returned to wilderness.

As the book continues, our protagonist reminisces in his past and his role in the apocalypse is slowly revealed.

Back in the day, he and his friend stumbled upon the dark side of the internet. This act of childish curiosity should change their lives forever.

In their adult years, the world’s population is destroyed by a plague and those who survive it are set on creating genetically better humans. It’s Snowman, then known as Jimmy, and his friend Crake, who were at the center of this development.

Oryx and Crake is a dystopian novel that’s quite different from Margaret Atwood’s other dystopian book The Handmaid’s Tale.

It’s a story about the effects of our childhood on our adult years. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic modification.

Oryx and Crake will leave you disturbed by how plausible a scenario it presents. While not the most popular of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian books, it’s still very much worth reading.

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Cover of The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin — Ursula K. Le Guin – The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin is not only a giant of modern literature, but also dystopian literature.

The Dispossessed is part of the fictional universe of the Hainish Cycle, which comprises seven novels, but can be read as a standalone.

The novel features two worlds, Anarres and Urras. Shelk, a brilliant physicist, lives in the utopian world of Anarres. He attempts, however, to reunite Anarres with his home of Urras.

Urras, however, is a civilization full of war, poverty, and, of course, capitalism. He tries to show the people of Urras a better way to live, but soon realizes it might be for the best if Anarres remains its own state.

It’s quite interesting that The Dispossessed is by some called a utopian novel. Its major themes center on the contrast between the freedom of an anarchic society and one that’s constrained by capitalism. Yet, it’s an ambiguous story, one that hides more below its surface than one might originally think.

Nothing much needs to be said about this dystopian novel. It’s written by a master of the genre and should be read by any fan.

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

Cover of Borne by Jeff Vandermeer — Jeff VanderMeer – Borne

Borne is Jeff VanderMeer’s eighth novel and in it, he presents us with a strange, but intriguing version of the future.

The stories set in a nameless city which is left in ruins by ‘the Company,’ a biotech corporation.

Rachel’s a young girl who makes a living scavenging the ruins for products made and left behind by the Company. One day, during a mission, she and her partner discover a strange creature. It’s nothing but a green lump, tangled in grizzly fur. She takes the creature home and names it ‘Borne.’

Soon enough, however, the creature reveals mesmerizing shape-shifting abilities. This event should change her life forever.

Borne’s a novel that’s strange and bizarre. It showcases an ecologically ravaged world and serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of biotechnology.

VanderMeer’s writing is as unconventional as the story, and might take some getting used to, but it’s worthwhile. Borne’s without a doubt amongst the best dystopian books in recent years.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Cover of Animal Farm by George Orwell — George Orwell – Animal Farm

While George Orwell’s known mostly for his other dystopian novel Nineteen Eight-Four, Animal Farm is also massively popular.

Who doesn’t know the line ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’

Animal Farm’s a classic fable with a lasting lesson. It centers on the animals at Manor Farm. Dissatisfied with their human owners, they stage a revolt and drive them out. At first, all seems well, and the animals enjoy their newfound autonomy. Soon enough, however, another sort of tyranny replaces that of the humans, one that might be even worse.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm shows us how revolutions can go wrong and how their outcome might not bring the change people long for so dearly. In this Animal Farm’s case, it’s a clear criticism of the Soviet Union and the totalitarian regime it became.

What’s most interesting, however, and what makes it work so well, is George Orwell’s choice to not use human protagonists, but animals. Each one of them represents a specific subset of the population.

While it’s a short book, and rather on the nose, it’s still amongst the best dystopian books with a lasting message.

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

Cover of The Time Machine by H. G. Wells — H. G. Wells – The Time Machine

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is one of the first true science-fiction novels ever written and one of the first portrayals of time travel in literature.

While it may not be entirely a dystopian novel, it still presents us with a dystopian version of the future.

During the Victorian era, a scientist develops a time machine and travels to the year 802,701 AD. He discovers Earth has become a utopia and humans have evolved into the childlike Eloi. He spends his time with them and learning about the development of humanity.

When his time machine vanishes, he’s forced to travel down into the deep and ominous tunnels below the surface. He soon discovers there’s another race descended from humans, the cannibalistic Morlocks.

The Time Machine’s major theme is that as brilliant and dazzling as a society might appear, it always has a dark underside to it. The novel also establishes many tropes of the time travel genre, especially its unexpected side-effects that have since become a staple of the genre.

It’s a fantastic novel with a great, convoluted and twisted plot. It’s a late Victorian era masterpiece and one of the most popular science-fiction books of all time.

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

Cover of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham — John Wyndham – The Chrysalids

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is an allegorical tale set several thousand years in the future.

It’s another novel set in a post-apocalyptic world, but one dominated by religious fundamentalism. It’s essentially a new technological dark age after the collapse of civilization. However, some humans have developed telepathy.

The story’s set at Labrabor, whose inhabitants believe that ‘normality’ is the key to preserve their world. Anything that goes against it will cause the wrath of God to come down on them. Therefore, they’ve become eugenicists and kill or banish anyone who differs from them. This, of course, includes people with telepathic powers.

The story revolves around David, the son of a devout man and authority figure and his cousin Rosalind. We soon learn that the two of them have telepathic powers. As they grow older, it becomes harder and harder for them to conceal their powers.

Eventually, they face a dilemma. Wait for discovery and risk death, or flee into the ever-changing and dangerous Badlands.

The Chrysalids is a critic of religious fundamentalism. It showcases the persecution, intolerance, social exclusion, and discrimination such a world could bring. It’s yet another book that gives us an eerie prediction of what our real-life society could be headed towards.

The Chrysalids is often considered John Wyndham’s best book. It’s faced-paced and suspenseful, but also thought-provoking. A great read for anyone looking for dystopian books.

The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard

Cover of The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard — J. G. Ballard – The Drowned World

The Drowned World is one of the earliest works of climate fiction, a subset of the dystopian literature genre.

In the year 2145, the world’s changed and wide spread parts of it have become uninhabitable because of global warming. Many of the cities of Europe and America have become submerged and many animals around the globe have mutated.

The Drowned World’s plot centers on Dr. Robert Kearns, whose part of a group of scientists that must survive in an environmentally devastated London. The city’s changed into a primordial jungle populated by giant lizards, dragonflies and other insects. Things only get worse, for Dr. Kearny is soon beset by strange dreams.

The Drowned World is an adventurous novel that takes us on an unlikely journey. Yet, the novel’s more than a mere adventure. It paints a vivid picture of the dangers of global warming and what its changes would do to the human psychology.

What’s most interesting, however, is that the novel was written back in 1962, but it’s more relevant today than ever before. Another great read.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Cover of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins — Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games Trilogy is a vastly popular series of dystopian books and probably the most popular young adult novel series of all time.

It’s a bestseller that’s already regarded as a classic of young adult literature.

The series is set in the totalitarian nation of Panem that was once North America. It comprises a lavish capitol, which rules its surrounding twelve districts with a cruel hand.

Each year, two teenagers, a boy and a girl, are chosen as tributes amongst the population of each district to join the annual Hunger Games.

The titular games are a death battle in an arena with only one winner. This winner earns riches and resources for their district. The entire ordeal, however, is done for the entertainment of those living in the capitol and broadcast live to the entire population.

When her sister gets chosen, Katniss Everdeen of the thirteenth district volunteers to go in her place. She must now train and figure out how to survive in the arena.

This is only the plot of the first novel, however. In the subsequent entries of the series, Katniss and others eventually decide to pick up the fight against the capitol itself.

The Hunger Games Trilogy features a variety of themes. Amongst them are class division, the decadence and disregard of the ruling class, and the power of love even in the direst circumstances. It also harshly criticizes the popular genre of reality TV.

Once more, the dystopia depicted in The Hunger Games doesn’t feel too far off. Following war, new civilizations emerge. Who’s saying it couldn’t be like that of ancient Rome, which served as the inspiration for Panem.

Overall, the Hunger Games are a fantastic young adult series and a fantastic trilogy of dystopian books. This is especially owed to their protagonist Katniss, who serves as a role model for female readers of all ages.

Blindness by José Saramago

Cover of Blindness by José Saramago — José Saramago – Blindness

In 1998, José Saramago won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Blindness was one of the works mentioned by the committee.

The novel’s set in the year 1990. Overnight, a large percentage of the population of an unnamed city wakes up unable to see. The cause for this is never explained.

From this point onward, the city’s inhabitants have to figure out how to handle this new condition. Order soon disintegrates, food runs scarce, and criminals exploit the situation. Before long, surveillance is heightened and quarantines for those suffering from the condition are imposed.

Blindness is a disorienting read which uses its language and writing style to mimic the lives of the city’s inhabitants.

The novel showcases the fragility of human society and serves as a cautionary tale about how quick things could fall apart. More so, it sheds light on the violence and heartlessness that’s already at play in our society. Yet, it also shows the importance of solidarity and compassion in dire situations.

Blindness is José Saramago at his best. The novel features a unique scenario brought to life by fantastic imagery. Clearly another one of the best dystopian books out there.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Cover of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro — Kazuo Ishiguro – Never Let Me Go

One of the most popular novels by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro.

It’s a coming-of-age tale that’s both powerful and exploratory.

The novel brings with a caretaker, Kathy, who’s in her thirties and reminisces about her childhood.

In the 1980s, she attended an English boarding school called Hailsham. The students were well-cared for, but taught nothing about the outside world.

When Kathy and her two friends, Ruth and Tommy, eventually leave the school grounds, they discover what Hailsham really is.

Never Let Me Go was named by Time as the best novel of 2005. It’s a dystopian book about sacrifice, impermanence, and what it means to be human. It focuses on the question of morality in an age of rapidly developing medical technology.

Its relevant themes and its simple yet emotional writing make it a great read for fans of dystopian books.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Cover of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin — Yevgeny Zamyatin – We

We’s a novel that was written in the early years of the Soviet Union and was published in New York in 1923. It’s an early example of a dystopian novel and is said to have inspired both, Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World.

It’s set 1000 years in the future in a utopia. This utopia’s called OneState and comprises a glass-enclosed city of absolute straight lines.

It’s a totalitarian society and everyone’s under constant surveillance. The citizens live their lives devoid of passion, creativity and even emotions. Everyone’s given up on their individuality and instead of names, people are only known by numbers.

One day, D-503, a mathematician who dreams only in numbers, discovers he can do and think differently. It isn’t long before he becomes involved in a resistance group.

The most interesting part about the novel is to witness how our protagonist discovers feelings and relationships with others. It also sheds light on the strange conventions of the totalitarian rule, and, of course, the consequences of going against it.

We’s fantastically written, and its prose helps to establish the novel’s setting and mood. It features abrupt, dry language which helps us to not only identify with the narrator but also the situation he’s in. However, it paints a vivid picture of the bleak world he lives in.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is without a doubt a classic amongst the many dystopian books out there, and a must-read for any fan of the genre.

The Stand by Stephen King

Cover of The Stand by Stephen King — Stephen King – The Stand

The Stand’s probably the greatest novel Stephen King’s ever written.

While the novel’s an absolute doorstopper, it’s often advertised using a few short sentences:

‘First comes the days of the plague. Then come the dreams. Dark dreams that warn of the coming of the dark man.’

At the novel’s outset, a patient infected with a hyper-contagious strain of super-flu escapes a biological testing facility. The resulting epidemic wipes out ninety-nine percent of the world’s population.

Soon enough, normal society collapses, survivors struggle, and warring factions rise. This, however, is all just the beginning.

While Mother Abigail strives to create a peaceful enclave for the survivors, Randall Flagg, the ‘Dark Man’ revels in chaos and violence. Soon enough, those similar to him flock to his side.

Stephen King uses the point of view of various characters to showcase the struggles of survival as they travel to their respective destinations.

The Stand features a variety of fantastic characters. There are Mother Abigail, Larry Underwood, Randall Flagg, and, of course, Donald Elbert, the Trashcan Man.

The Stand’s simply a masterpiece, and one of the greatest dystopian books out there.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Cover of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler — Octavia E. Butler – Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Sower is one of the most iconic dystopian books out there.

It’s a science-fiction classic set in a disintegrating Los Angeles in the 2020s. It’s a grim, terrifying version of the future. Climate catastrophes have led to scarce resources and global anarchy has arisen.

Lauren Olamina tries her best to survive with her family in this devastated world. Yet, she’s also got to deal with a condition known as hyper empathy. It makes her hyper aware of the pain of others. In a city full of drugs, disease, war, water shortages and despaired people, there’s no end to her suffering.

The novel presents us with a world in which a functioning society is a thing of the past. By now, there’s only sorrow left. Yet, it also shows us the hope people cling to even in the direst situations.

While the novels told from a youthful narrative voice, the novel’s story itself is deep and emotionally mature.

The Children of Men by P. D. James

Cover of Children of Men by P. D. James — P. D. James – The Children of Men

Originally written in 1992, the novel has become widely popular, more so after its movie adaption in the mid-2000s.

It’s a fantastic, dystopian thriller in which humanity has become infertile. No children have been born in twenty-five years and the last generation has reached adulthood.

Civilization’s slowly falling apart and despair and suicide are commonplace. This deterioration has gone so far that members of this last generation are even allowed to get away with murder.

In this world, we meet the Oxford historian Theodor Faron. He’s given up all hope. This changes when he meets Julian. He and his group of revolutionaries hold the key to the survival of humanity.

The Children of Men is a story about morality, tyranny, but also hope. It also focuses on another problem, that of depopulation.

The most interesting aspect about The Children of Men is the scenario it depicts. While most dystopias or apocalyptic novels rely on war, catastrophe, a pandemic or even aliens and monsters, it depicts an end of the world that’s far more conventional, yet frighteningly possible.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Cover of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury — Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451

Published back in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 is another classic amongst the many dystopian books out there.

It’s interesting to note that the book was inspired by the Red Scare of the 1940s in which America was under the thump of anti-communist hysteria.

The novel, however, is set in the distant future in which books are banned and intellectual thought is illegal. For this reason, firemen are tasked with the burning of books so the totalitarian regime can control what the members of society learn.

This society mostly comprises people of short attention spans who are constantly bombarded by brainless media.

Our protagonist, Guy Montag, works as a fireman. Things change when he meets a neighbor with a different opinion on the value of books. He soon steals books from the burnings and slowly questions not only his occupation, but society itself.

Fahrenheit 451 is a shockingly interesting book. While it’s unlikely, that books will ever be banned completely, it’s a cautionary tale on where censorship might lead us. Another interesting aspect is the presentation of brainless media consumption and mundane life without critical thinking, which is a theme that seems more relevant today than ever before.

While Fahrenheit 451 was an important book at the time of its writing, it feels even more relevant today because of the rise of Big Data.

It’s definitely a classic and one well worth reading.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Cover of The Giver by Lois Lowry — Lois Lowry – The Giver

The Giver’s an award-winning young adult classic and a coming-of-age story.

It’s set in a society devoid of social problems. It’s a perfect world without fear, war, or pain. Yet, it’s also one without choices. It’s a mundane paradise and essentially a colorless world.

The novel’s plot revolves around the twelve-year-old Jonas who’s chosen as a Receiver by The Giver. This means he has to memorize his community’s history. While he learns about the past, he soon realizes his society isn’t the perfect utopia he was taught. It’s the Giver who only holds the memories of true pain, but also the true pleasures of life.

It’s interesting to note that the book was both widely taught, but also banned for various reasons. These include introducing youth to suicide, sexual awakening and the loss of innocence.

The dominant theme of the book, however, is knowledge. What happens when only a select few can have it? Other themes include the dilemma of growing up and the struggle between individual freedom and security.

The Giver’s widely regarded a classic amongst dystopian books and has inspired many others.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Cover of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess — Anthony Burgess – A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange is regarded a classic and widely popular, especially because of its fantastic movie adaption by Stanley Kubrick.

It presents us with a dystopian, violent and nightmarish version of the future. In this world, youthful dissatisfaction with society is on the rise and has caused a spike in violence.

The novel’s plot revolves around the fifteen-year-old Alex, the leader of an ultra-violent gang. He and his crew commit all sorts of violent deeds as a form to rebel against society. Those acts include not only robbery but also rape and murder.

Eventually, Alex is arrested, and put into a reeducation program. There, he’s forced to undergo therapy to quell his violent urges and to be ‘corrected.’

One of the most interesting aspects about A Clockwork Orange is ‘Nadsat,’ the youthful slang Alex and his friends use. It’s not merely a specific vocabulary, but an entirely made-up language which borrows heavily from both Russian and Shakespeare.

The novel’s biggest themes are those of freedom, free will, psychological manipulation, and, of course, the alienation of youths in a society that doesn’t care about them.

A Clockwork Orange has proven to be highly influential and gave birth to a variety of phrases such as droogs and ultraviolence.

While it can be a rather brutal and violent novel, it’s another fantastic dystopian book.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Cover of The Power by Naomi Alderman — Naomi Alderman – The Power

The Power is another dystopian novel full of social criticism and features an interesting reversal about patriarchal powers.

Five thousand years in the future, society is dominated by women. A male author decides to write a piece of historical fiction detailing how things changed and how women came into power.

One day, in the 21th century, teenage girls across the world discovered that they had what should become known as ‘The Power.’ It refers to an electric charge which allows them to cause horrible pain and even death. They soon learn how to awaken this power in older woman as well. This strange power changes the entire world, and soon men are no longer in charge. As a new order forms, the question remains if things will be better from now on.

As we read on, the novel interesting intertwines the stories of various women from different parts of the world. This allows us to see various scenarios about how the balance of power was shifted.

The Power is essentially a ‘what-if’ scenario. Its major themes are that of power, how it corrupts us, and how it’s abused. It also serves as a cautionary tale about going too far to right a wrong.

It’s a clever, disturbing and, at times, darkly humorous novel. Yet, it’s not a comfortable read. There’s no utopia here, no equality. Instead the book shows only one thing: it’s not men nor women, it’s humans.

The Power is another fantastic dystopian book, one that puts its focus on woman’s oppression, but also systematic inequality.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Cover of Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel — Emily St. John Mandel – Station Eleven

Station Eleven is a fantastic dystopian novel about the enduring power of art.

After a famous actor dies on stage, a deadly flu epidemic wipes out most of civilization and changes the world forever.

The novel centers on a young woman who’s part of a traveling theater group. They visit small communities who’ve survived and perform for them King Lear. Yet, more troubles to come.

The most interesting aspect about Station Eleven is the way it’s told. It moves back and forth in time to show us normalcy before the epidemic started and the altered world that exists twenty years later. To do this, it showcases the lives of various characters. They include the aforementioned dead actor, his wife, a paparazzi who tries to save him, his close friend and a young aspiring actress who witnessed it.

This entire story, however, is held together by the theme of theater.

Station Eleven is a novel full of imagination and world-building. We witness what people remember, what remains of the old world and what changed. This approach gives it almost the feeling of a nonfiction account.

The novel’s dominant theme is the enduring power of art, but also the power of relationships between people and how they help us get through everything, even the end of the world. It also explores what it means to be human in a world that’s lost everything.

It’s not an easy novel to read and its theme of theater might not be for everyone. What it does, however, is show us what extreme conditions can do to human beings. It’s, however, one of the best dystopian books out there.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Cover of The Road by Cormac McCarthy — Cormac McCarthy – The Road

The Road is another vastly popular dystopian novel and one of the bleakest ever written.

It’s considered a contemporary classic and won McCarthy the Pulitzer Prize.

The Road is set in a post-apocalyptic America. It’s a world devoid of life where no hope remains. The few strugglers still alive scavenge and fight for the little resources left.

In this world, a father and son travel hoping to reach the coast to make a better life for themselves. They are looking for an end to their suffering and a better life, one that lies at the end of ‘the road.’

What’s interesting to note about The Road is we never learn what caused the end of the world. Yet, as in all good fiction, we don’t need to know what happened to witness its effects.

The Road is a bleak, melancholic and dark novel, one that’s utterly depressing, but ultimately shows how good conquers evil.

When reading The Road, one has to wonder how one would act in a situation such as this. Would we be compassionate or would we give into our individuality, competitiveness and our darkest urges?

The Road is a highly memorable read, especially because of Cormac McCarthy’s beautiful prose and unconventional style. It’s a modern classic and amongst the best dystopian books ever written.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Cover of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood — Margaret Atwood – The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale is by many regarded a classic of feminist dystopian literature. While it was published in 1985, it remains relevant today and feels even more so given the current political climate.

The novel’s set in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian, religious state which was formerly the United States. It emerged following a nuclear war, which left large parts of the population infertile.

In this world, women are subordinate to men, have no rights, no control over their bodies and are forbidden from reading. They are wives, mothers or handmaids.

Handmaids is the term for the few fertile women who remain and who are forced to breed.

One of them is Offred. She’s sent to the house of The Commander and his wife. Her sole reason for existing is now to bear the Commander’s child. Month after month, she prays to become pregnant, yet things slowly escalate.

The Handmaid’s Tale’s written in Margaret Atwood’s typical, unconventional style. It also features alternating storylines to present us with all parts of this nightmarish but complex universe.

It’s a scenario that’s disgustingly possible, especially given what’s currently happening in certain parts of the world. The world of The Handmaid’s Tale’s a hellish version of America which might nowadays not be too far off.

The Handmaid’s Tale is without a doubt one of the greatest dystopian books ever written and a fascinating look at not only a dystopian society but also gender discrimination.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

Cover of 1984 by George Orwell — George Orwell – 1984

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four simply can’t be missed on a list like this.

Who doesn’t know about Big Brother or the famous, contradictory statement ‘War is Peace.’

The novel’s set in a totalitarian future. Earth is divided into three continental-sized nations who are perpetually at war with one another.

The story’s set in the totalitarian nation of Oceania in a province that was formerly known as Great Britain. Everything and everyone’s slave to this tyrannical regime led by The Party. Surveillance and censorship run rampant and free thinking is known as ‘thoughtcrime.’

Our protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth and rewrites history to fit the needs of the party. Yet, he’s not fond of the totalitarian world he lives in. It’s one of demand and absolute obedience and every aspect of his life is under the watchful eye of Big Brother, the symbolic, omnipotent head of the Party.

Before long, however, he’s contacted by his superior, an Inner Party official named O’Brian. He tells Winston he’s part of an underground resistance group known as the Brotherhood.

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a chilling portrayal of the dangers of manipulation, surveillance and censorship until the truth doesn’t matter or doesn’t even exist anymore.

It features a variety of terrifyingly interesting ideas. There’s, of course, the massive propaganda, but also concepts such as the rewriting of history, the changing of language, government-controlled media and even the indoctrination of children to survey their own parents.

Nineteen Eighty-Four shines with its meticulous and scary world-building. It can be considered one of the most terrifying, bleak and depressing novels ever written. It’s a story in which there’s no hope, no victory, only servitude and eventually, everyone will one day love Big Brother.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Cover of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley — Aldous Huxley – Brave New World

Brave New World is another one of the most famous dystopian books ever written and my all-time favorite.

The novel describes a scenario that’s strangely realistic and frankly said, frightening. It was inspired by the utopian novels of H. G. Wells, but has been twisted into a caricature of them.

It’s set in the year 2540 in a technologically advanced future and an idealistic utopian society.

Humans aren’t born anymore, but are genetically engineered and bred in artificial wombs. They go through childhood indoctrination before they are assigned to a specific cast. This cast is predetermined by their genetic make-up and level of intelligence.

In this society, wars and conflict are a thing of the past and everyone’s happy. Yet, intellectual pursuit has given way to complacency. There are no long-lasting relationships. Should anyone feel doubt, be unhappy or even depressed, it can all be fixed by a drug called Soma.

Our protagonist, Bernhard Marx, is a member of the Alpha cast, yet he grows more and more uncomfortable with society. The plot, however, only truly starts when he visits a savage reservation. There he meets John, a man born naturally who grew up knowing nothing about the real society.

Brave New World might be described as a utopia, but it all comes at a cost. It’s a cold, uncaring world full of numbing drugs and indoctrination. Concepts such as love, care, compassion and even families are a thing of the past.

Brave New World features a variety of themes. The most prominent, however, are the ones of genetically engineering, the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, indoctrination, blind consumerism and the disregard of intellectual pursuit.

Another important theme is that of individual freedom and freedom of expression. We see this especially in the story of John.

Brave New World is probably one of the most disturbing dystopias, given how realistic it appears. Even nowadays, with streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, amongst others, we can consume endlessly and give into the illusion of happiness or at least complacency.

It’s a fantastically well-written novel with interesting characters and without a doubt amongst the greatest dystopian books ever written, if not the greatest.

12 Essential Books by Charles Dickens Any Should Read

Charles Dickens is one of England’s most beloved writers. He’s by many regarded as arguably the greats and most influential novelist of the Victorian era. Thus, many books by Charles Dickens are rightfully declared classics.

Many critics recognize him as a literary genius, but he’s also received praise from many other literary titans. His works were beloved by such writers as Leo Tolstoy, George Orwell, G. K. Chesterton and Tom Wolfe.

Books by Charles Dickens are known for their complex themes. They often focus on such issues as social concerns, labor conditions, poverty, childhood cruelty, but also love and friendship. What he’s most known for, however, are his stark portrays of the underclass in Victorian London, highlighting the wealth gap and the class struggles that so marked it.

It’s interesting to note that Charles Dickens himself grew up in misery and suffered much hardship in the earlier years of his life. When he was no older than twelve, he was forced to work ten hours a day at a factory.

Yet, he should become one of England’s most celebrated and prolific writers. Over the course of his career, he wrote fifteen novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories, and various articles and essays.

Charles Dickens Portrait — Charles Dickens

Even today, books by Charles Dickens remain widely read. His works never went out of print, he remains one of the most-sold writers even today, and a Tale of Two Cities is regarded as one of the bestselling novels of all time.

When Charles Dickens published his second book, The Pickwick Papers, serialized from 1836 to 1837, he rose to fame and became England’s most popular writer and should remain so until his death in 1870.

His influence on the literary landscape was so huge that his name, similar to that of Franz Kafka, became a term. The word ‘Dickensian’ describes works reminiscent of those by Charles Dickens. These works focus on themes such as poor social and working conditions, class struggles and other elements he’s known for.

Ever since I read A Tale of Two Cities more than a decade ago, I’ve been a great fan of books by Charles Dickens.

While most fans of classical literature will, without a doubt, know A Tale of Two Cities, and his other most popular works, I also think many of his lesser-known works are worth reading. If you’re interested in the works of other classical writers, I urge you to check out my lists of the best Mark Twain books and the best Hemingway books.

For this list, however, I want to focus almost entirely on his novels and provide you with a list of the twelve essential books by Charles Dickens.

The Old Curiosity Shop

Cover of The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – The Old Curiosity Shop

The Old Curiosity Shop is one of Charles Dickens’ earlier works, yet it contains one of his most vivid characters.

This book by Charles Dickens revolves around the orphan Nell Trent, who lives and works with her grandfather at the titular shop.

Their troubles begin when her grandfather gambles away what little money they have. This gives one Mr. Quilp the opportunity to take possession of the shop and evict them.

Nell’s good-natured and virtuous and to save herself and her grandfather from Quilp, the two of them embark on a journey that the leads them out of London.

It’s her hope to find a better life for themselves, but throughout the journey, Nell grows progressively weaker. Even worse, Quilp is coming after them.

While many books by Charles Dickens can be rather sentimental, The Old Curiosity Shop took things to a new level. Even Charles Dickens himself described it as a work that glorifies Victorian sentimentality.

It’s interesting to note that the novel was even read by Queen Victoria, who famously described it as ‘very interesting and clever written.’

While not one of Charles Dickens’ most popular or well-known works, The Old Curiosity Shop is definitely worth reading. It’s a fantastic novel that combines beautiful descriptions of landscape and London cityscape with a depiction of how terrible a place Victorian England could be.

Our Mutual Friend

Cover of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Our Mutual Friend

Our Mutual Friend is often regarded as one of the most sophisticated and complex books by Charles Dickens. It’s also the last novel he ever completed.

When a man named John Harmon dies, his fortune passes on to his servants Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, for his estranged son is presumed to be dead.

They take in a woman named Bella Wilfer, who was supposed to marry John Harmon’s son. At the same time, they hire a young man to be their secretary. It’s soon revealed there’s more to this young man and Bella, who’s still set to marry for money, seems to have a strange connection with him.

Our Mutual Friend is a novel with a vast cast of characters and various subplots. It features a group of friends, employees and even estranged family members who all try to manage one man’s fortune. Chaos unfolds.

The novel centers on a mystery of mistaken identities, but also features emotional generosity, violent drama and rich humor. Its central theme, however, is the power of money, how it can corrupt people and what it pushes them to do.

Our Mutual Friend might not be the most well-known or popular of the many books by Charles Dickens, but his many themes and multi-faceted plot make it very worth reading.

Hard Times

Cover of Hard Times by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Hard Times

Hard Times is Charles Dickens’ tenth novel. It’s rather untypical for a novel by him since it’s a short book of only about three-hundred pages. It can be seen as a satire on the harsh social and economic conditions of the time.

Its set in an imaginary town named Coketown. It’s a place consumed by soot and smoke of heavy industrialization and that depends on the exploitation of its many workers.

The novel’s plot concerns one Thomas Gradgrind, a wealthy, retired merchant. He devotes his life to the philosophy of utilitarianism. This leads him to a no-nonsense approach in both education and parenting. He raises his children, Tom and Luisa allowing them no fanciful or imaginative pursuits.

This harsh upbringing leads to them suffering in their later adult life. While Luisa lets her father decide her marriage using statistics, his son Tom has his own ideas about life and falls into delinquency.

Yet, the novel also focuses on the lives of the many workers who don’t profit from the economic boom following the Industrial Revolution. It showcases its readers the reality of worker conditions and makes them acknowledge them.

Hard Times is a novel that focuses heavily on social and moral themes. Utilitarianism was a philosophy that was popular, but Charles Dickens criticizes it heavily. He makes it clear to us that there’s more to human life than reason. There’s heart and imagination as well.

Hard Times is Charles Dickens’ harshest and most on-point critique of British Industrialization and explores the correlations between morality and capitalism. For this reason alone, I believe it’s one of the many books by Charles Dickens definitely worth reading.

Nicholas Nickleby

Cover of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby was Charles Dickens’ third novel.

Once again, it’s a novel that deals heavily with the class struggles of the Victorian era.

While it can be a grim novel, it might, overall, be the most high-spirited out of all the books by Charles Dickens. It also harshly criticizes the Yorkshire schools which many families sent their unwanted children to.

The story begins with the death of Nicholas Nickleby’s father. Following this, his mother and younger sister, Kate, have to give up their comfortable life in Devonshire. They travel to London to get help from their only reality, Ralph Nickleby, Nicholas’ uncle. Ralph, however, is a cold and ruthless man and has no desire to help them. Even worse, he hates Nicholas.

To save his family from financial ruin, he embarks on his own journey and begins work at Dotheboys Hall school in Yorkshire. The board master, Wackford Squeer, however, makes his life a living hell, even after he escapes. It’s here he also befriends Smike, another boy and also a victim of Squeer’s.

Yet, the novel isn’t as bleak as it sounds. When Nicholas and Smike flee from the school, they run into the Crummles traveling trope and join them.

This, however, isn’t all there’s to this novel.

What’s interesting to note is that Charles Dickens paid visits to many of the Yorkshire schools to do research and learn about their harsh conditions. His resentment of these schools, however, might also stem from his time at the Wellington House Academy in Camden Town. He describes it as a terrible experience.

Overall, Nicholas Nickleby is another fantastic book by Charles Dickens. It might be one of his earlier novels, but his literary genius is already visible.

The Pickwick Papers

Cover of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – The Pickwick Papers

The Pickwick Papers is Charles Dickens’ very first novel and second overall book. It’s considered one of the most decisive debuts in English fiction.

It chronicles the comical adventures of an eccentric but good-hearted man named Samuel Pickwick, his servant Sam Weller, and a group of friends known as the ‘Pickwick Club.’ Those friends include Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass and Nathaniel Winkle.

Yet, The Pickwick Papers is not a traditional novel. It’s rather a collection of nineteen loosely linked adventures, episodes and tales.

It follows the Pickwick Club on their various day-trips out of London and around England. During their time, they befriend everyone they meet, become heavily drunk and get entangled in many strange situations. In the end, however, things somehow always work out.

It’s a book that’s as hilarious as it’s sentimental. It establishes many of the elements Charles Dickens should become known for. The Pickwick Papers features many ironic situations, an English setting, a cast of eccentric characters and an examination of upper and lower class tensions.

Overall, The Pickwick Papers is an early example of Charles Dickens’ satirical style and it serves as a perfect introduction to his body of works.

Little Dorrit

Cover of Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Little Dorrit

Little Dorrit is probably the most powerful of Charles Dickens’ major works and also one of his most personal.

When Charles Dickens penned Little Dorrit, he drew from his own childhood experiences. His father, too, was imprisoned for debt and a young Charles Dickens had to fend for himself. One can also assume that the power-hungry businesswoman Mrs. Clennam was modeled after Charles Dickens’ own mother, who he grew to hate.

Little Dorrit is essentially a satirical critic of England’s legal and court system, its bureaucracy and the uselessness of the debtor’s prison.

In the novel itself we encounter Amy Dorrit, the youngest child of her family. She was born and raised in London’s Marshalsea prison because her father was imprisoned for debt.

Eventually, because of an inheritance, her family becomes one of wealth. Amy Dorrit also encounters one Arthur Clennam after he returns from a twenty-year absence to start a new life.

Little Dorrit is a rags-to-riches epic that once more showcases the strict class divide in Victorian era society.

Over the course of the novel, characters prevail, mature and many of the situations they encounter resonated deeply with readers at the time.

Not much needs to be said about Little Dorrit. It’s a masterpiece and one of the most powerful books by Charles Dickens.

A Christmas Carol

Cover of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is the only novella on this list, but one can’t help but include it in a list of the best books by Charles Dickens.

It’s probably the most popular and well-known Christmas story of all time and one of the most famous books by Charles Dickens, if not the most famous.

Not much needs to be said about it. Everyone’s familiar with the unpleasant and grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge who hates the Christmas holiday. When he’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, however, he recognizes the errors of his way, changes and becomes a kind man.

It’s both a beautiful tale of redemption and a critique of Victorian society.

A Christmas Carol is a tale that reminds us to be kind to one another, to help the poor and those in need, especially during the holidays.

A Tale of Two Cities

Cover of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Who doesn’t know this famous opening line?

A Tale of Two Cities is Charles Dickens’ most well-known work of historical fiction and one of the best-selling novels of all time.

Yet, it’s, again, rather uncharacteristic of a book by Charles Dickens. It’s shorter than most of his other works, and his usual humorous and satirical elements are almost entirely missing.

It’s set before and during the French Revolution and set in both London and Paris. While it may not be historically accurate, it’s still a vivid portrait of one of history’s most tumultuous periods.

The novel features one doctor Manette who was wrongfully imprisoned in the Bastille for eighteen years. When he’s released, he sets out to live with his daughter, Lucie. They reunited in Paris and travel back to London to start a new life.

Lucie eventually falls in love with Charles Darnay, a Frenchman who takes a stance against the poor treatment of the lower class. Because of this, the family’s once more trust in danger for the rest of Darnay’s family might not share his ideals. Soon enough, they realize no one’s safe and fear and suspicion are abound.

A Tale of Two Cities is a masterpiece that’s beautiful told from beginning to end. If you want to read Charles Dickens at his best, read A Tale of Two Cities.

Oliver Twist

Cover of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Bleak House

Oliver Twist is the second novel Charles Dickens wrote and the one that cemented his role as a social critic of the era. It’s, by many, seen as his first proper social novel.

The titular character of Oliver Twist is born in a workhouse. As an orphan, he’s sold into apprenticeship for an undertaker. Soon enough, he runs away, travels through London and joins a group of young pickpockets. The groups led by an elderly criminal named Fagin, who draws homeless boys into a life of crime. Yet, Fagin himself is under the thump of the villainous criminal mastermind, Bill Sikes.

While thrown into horrible circumstances, our hero Oliver always remains hopeful and pure while we follow him on his unlikely journey.

Oliver Twist is a novel full of unusual friends, unexpected kindness and larger-than-life villains.

Yet, it can be a dark novel at times and Charles Dickens never describes events through rose-tinted glasses. Its themes heavily concern child labor, domestic violence, the recruitment of children as criminals and the life of street children in the Victorian era. It exposes the terrible treatment of orphans, how poverty forces children into horrible circumstances and the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution.

It’s a novel that’s part pleasure, part education, but always exciting. While I highly recommend it to anyone, it’s especially great for children. It’s also a perfect introduction to books by Charles Dickens.

Bleak House

Cover of Bleak House by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Bleak House

Bleak House is, by many, considered being the greatest of all books by Charles Dickens. At the same time, however, it’s criticized by others for its strange narrative choices, the meandering plot and the many subplots and characters.

It’s a satire of the slow, corrupt process of the law, especially the Court of Chancery, where cases could be dragged out for years. It’s also a heavy critique of the 19th century English society as a whole.

The novel’s plot details the inheritance case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which is so complex it has been drawn out for generations. It’s a larger-than-life court case about who’s inheriting the vast family fortune.

Bleak House features a vastly complicated plot full of twists, ploys, murders, secrets and spies. It’s a fantastical novel that’s at times comical, at others profound.

Over the course of the novel, we’re introduced to a vast cast of characters. We meet, amongst many others, the feisty Esther Summerson, Sir Leicester and Lady Deadlock who live in a stately home in Lincolnshire, and also the poor crossing sweeper Little Joe.

Bleak House also contains many of the elements so common for books by Charles Dickens. It features characters from all parts of society, a vivid description of London, satirical elements, and, of course, social criticism.

While I enjoyed Bleak House immensely, it’s not a novel for everyone. Many fans of books by Charles Dickens might highly enjoy it, but others might find it as bleak as the title suggests.

It can make for some challenging reading. It’s a convoluted and gratuitous satire of the Court of Chancery, which was characterized by its convoluted and gratuitous nature.

Overall, though, Bleak House is a stark contender for Charles Dickens’ greatest novel and everyone should try reading it at least once.

David Copperfield

Cover of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – David Copperfield

David Copperfield is another one of the most-famous books by Charles Dickens. It’s often heralded as his greatest literary triumph and he himself considered it his magnum opus.

It was highly admired by many other writers, including Leo Tolstoy and Franz Kafka. Even Virginia Woolf, who was not a fan of Charles Dickens’ works, praised David Copperfield.

It’s a highly autobiographical novel, as one can note by the initials of the main character. The novel’s essentially a combination of Charles Dickens’ own life and fictional accounts.

Written as a first person narrative, the plot details the trials and tribulations of its titular character from infancy to maturity.

David Copperfield’s father is long dead at the outset of the novel, and he’s still very young when his mother, too, dies. While Charles Dickens blamed his parents for the miseries of his childhood, it’s David’s stepfather, Mr. Murdstone who takes on this role in David Copperfield.

Over the course of the novel, we witness David’s struggles through childhood and adolescence until he starts a successful career as a novelist and gets married.

David Copperfield features a vast cast of characters, but the most memorable among them are the glamorous Steerforth, the unlucky but cheerful Mr. Micawber, Betsey Trotwood, David’s eccentric aunt, the wicked Mr. Murdstone and, of course, the villainous Uriah Heep.

The biggest themes of the novel are personal growth and change, but one can also tell that it’s a work that helped Charles Dickens himself to grow and confront his own life.

David Copperfield features many of Charles Dickens’ usual elements. It talks about class structure, the criminal justice system, child labor and the status of woman in society.

Another core theme, however, is the question if one can leave behind their roots without becoming corrupted by either the past or newfound advantages.

David Copperfield is also a more serious and much more personal book by Charles Dickens. It’s here we can witness his style change from juvenile and humorous to more mature and serious.

What’s interesting to note is that David Copperfield is not a character of special importance. It makes him very different from the usual, larger-than-life protagonists of other novels at the time.

Not much more needs to be said about David Copperfield. It’s one of the best books by Charles Dickens, a masterpiece and simply a joy to read.

Great Expectations

Cover of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens — Charles Dickens – Great Expectations

Great Expectations is yet another coming of age story. It’s the tale of a young boy who sets out to become a gentleman.

It’s one of the most popular books by Charles Dickens and by many considered his finest work.

The novel’s plot follows the orphan Pip. While born into humble beginnings, he sets out to escape the lower class.

In his youth, he often visits the bitter Miss Havisham who was left at the altar. She brings up her beautiful, adopted daughter Estella to hate men. It’s no other than her that Pip falls heavily in love with.

To prove himself to her, he begins to work for a blacksmith, and soon lives in London with the help of a mysterious benefactor.

Yet, his heart gets broken when Estella marries someone else and he has to realize that ‘great expectations’ might not come to play out.

This, however, is merely a part of the novel’s intricate plot.

Great Expectations is the tale of a young man who’s been persecuted and deceived, but whose goodness of heart always remains. It’s this that rescues him from falling into snobbery and delusion.

The novel features a fantastic and memorable cast of characters. There’s, of course, Pip, our protagonist, but also the larger-than-life convict Magwitch, the sinister Miss Havisham, the good-hearted Joe and the beautiful, but cold Estella.

Great Expectations is a romantic, heart-warming tale with quite a few plot twists. It’s probably the finest and most moving of all books by Charles Dickens.

It’s a perfectly crafted novel about love, loss, and class divisions and worthy of the number one spot on this list.

14 Mark Twain Books For Fans of American Literature

Mark Twain is often called the Great American writer and to this day, he remains one of the most important figures of the American literary tradition. Many Mark Twain books are regarded as classics and remain required reading even today.

Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in a small riverside town in Missouri in 1983 and raised in Hannibal. This town should later become the setting for his most famous novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Mark Twain Photo — Mark Twain

Mark Twain is a man who’s known for being controversial, brilliant and witty. He forever changed the landscape of American literature and even other literary titans speak of him in the highest tones.

William Faulkner termed him ‘the father of American literature,’ while Hemingway famously said, ‘All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.’

Yet, Mark Twain wasn’t only famous for his river novels. He’s also known for his essays, his travel writings, his social commentary and his autobiographical writing.

He’s regarded as one of the greatest writers, storytellers and humorists of all time.

Over the course of a life full of travel, he wrote twenty-eight books and over one hundred short stories.

Even today, his social commentary and criticism of American politics and society remains relevant. Many of his quotes remain widely shared, especially in today’s age of social media.

While The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is often the first thing that comes to mind when people hear the name Mark Twain, he’s got much more to offer as a writer. If you’re, however, looking for other recommendations, I’d recommend you checking out my list of the best Hemingway books.

For this article, I put together my very own list of the fourteen best Mark Twain books that have earned their place on every reader’s bookshelf.

Following the Equator

Cover of Following the Equator by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – Following the Equator

Following the Equator is Mark Twain’s last work of travel writing. It’s a global travelogue in which he criticizes imperialism both in the countries he visited, but also at home.

In the early 1890s, Mark Twain’s career had gone sour. Following a series of poor investments and bankruptcy, he embarked on an international speaking tour. This trip, lasting from 1895 to 1896, allowed him to travel the world and visit the various countries of the Victorian British Empire.

He visited Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa and shares the oppression, superstition, racism and ignorance he witnessed.

One can notice that this is one of his later works. Mark Twain seems older and sadder than in his earlier works. His sense of observation and his wit, however, remain as sharp as always.

Following the Equator is a work that comprises loving sketches of the places he visited and is full of lovely prose, humor, irony and plenty of political incorrectness.

While he criticizes many of the foreign cultures and customs he witnesses, he also criticizes the tendency of American society to export their values to ‘lesser’ peoples.

While Following the Equator is one of his lesser known works, it’s still a fantastic piece of travel writing and one of the best Mark Twain books.

The Innocents Abroad

Cover of The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Innocents Abroad

When Mark Twain grew up, he used every chance he got to travel the world. This passion is especially visible in his earlier works, like The Innocents Abroad.

The book became a bestseller during his lifetime and remains one of the most popular travelogues ever written.

The Innocents Abroad showcases Mark Twain’s talent as a travel writer and documents his journey through the Middle East and Europe with plenty of humor. He visits the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican, the Sphinx and many other places. He describes each of them in his typical humorous fashion and shows his wit by pointing out their peculiarities and political incorrectness.

While The Innocents Abroad is regarded as a non-fiction book, the truth might lie somewhere between fact and fiction. One can tell that many of the stories are a bit too fantastical and are clearly enriched by Mark Twain.

What’s most interesting about this work, however, is that it gives us insight into Mark Twain’s younger days. What we see here is a young, witty and idealistic man who’s merely started down the road to become one of literature’s Greats.

The Innocents Abroad is not only one of the most popular travelogues ever written but also one of the best Mark Twain books.

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

Cover of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

While this work’s a short story, it deserves its place on a list of Mark Twain books. It’s without a doubt the most popular amongst the over one-hundred short stories Mark Twain has written over the course of his life and brought him nationwide attention.

Originally published under the title ‘Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog,’ it details a story in which a man’s stuck in a one-sided conversation. His interlocutor’s a man who loves the sound of his own voice, barely lets the narrator get in a single word and tells endless, but ultimately pointless, stories. Eventually, the man wraps it all up with the story of a jumping frog.

While it’s a short story and thus much shorter than the many other works on this list, it remains a perfect example of Mark Twain’s brand of humor.

The Prince and the Pauper

Cover of The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper was Mark Twain’s first attempt at writing historical fiction.

It’s a story set in 1574, and follows two boys born on the same day and of nearly identical appearance.

One is Tom Canty, a pauper who lives in Offal Court of Pudding Lane in London with his abusive and alcoholic father. The other boy’s a price, namely Edward VI of England, son of Henry VIII of England.

The two of them trade places to experience the other’s life. Now the prince is living in poverty and the poor boy lives in fear of discovery. Both are now desperate to make it in the world of the other.

The Prince and the Pauper is as clever and witty as you’d expect from a Mark Twain book.

While it’s regarded as a children’s book, it’s commentary on social inequity and not to judge others by their looks makes it a great read for adults as well.

The Prince and the Pauper is definitely a Mark Twain book that’s worth a look and a must read for fans of his work.

A Tramp Abroad

Cover of A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – A Tramp Abroad

‘A man who keeps company with glaciers, comes to feel tolerably insignificant by and by.’

From this quote, one can tell that A Tramp Abroad is another work of travel literature, but one mixed with many autobiographical elements.

It’s a sequel to The Innocents Abroad, and this time Mark Twain’s referring to himself as a tramp and not as innocent anymore.

The book was inspired by a fifteen months long trip across central Europe and across the Alps from 1878 to 1879.

It highlights his journey through central and southern Europe with a friend named Harris, a character he created for the book. The two of them travel through Germany, the Alps and Italy.

Even from the chapter titles alone, one can tell how humorous a work A Tramp Abroad is.

The chapter titles include “Alp-scaling by Carriage,” “Chillon Has a Nice, Roomy Dungeon,” and “Why Germans Wear Spectacles.”

It’s a highly entertaining travelogue full of social criticism about the Germans, the Swiss, the Americans and the English.

What’s interesting about A Tramp Abroad is that it’s much more introspective than his former travel writings, including many of his personal thoughts.

Overall, A Tramp Abroad is a fantastic book, especially for its commentary and I regard it recommended reading for anyone interesting in travel writings or Mark Twain books.

Life on Mississippi

Cover of Life on Mississippi by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – Life on Mississippi

Early in his life, Mark Twain had aspirations of becoming a steam boat pilot. That’s where his pen name originates from. Mark Twain is originally a term that signifies a depth of two fathoms or twelve feet, which is a safe depth for riverboats.

Life on Mississippi is essentially a memoir and piece of travel literature. In it, he details his younger days as a steam boater on the Mississippi before the Civil War.

It paints a colorful picture of the Mississippi area, including notes on the river and many towns alongside it.

Life on Mississippi also includes a retelling of a trip Mark Twain took from New Orleans to Saint Paul years after the Civil War. In it, he describes the many changes he witnessed along the river.

The book is both a travelogue and a historical account of the Mississippi river.

Overall, it’s a brilliant piece of non-fiction, a great travelogue and another fantastic Mark Twain book.

The Gilded Age

Cover of The Gilded Age by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age was Mark Twain’s first attempt at writing a novel and was co-authored by Charles Dudley Warner.

As the story goes, it was apparently a result of a bet the two of them set with their wives.

It’s a sharp satire that paints a realistic picture of post-Civil War America, American manners and morals. What’s interesting to note is that the title refers to the three decades following the Civil War and essentially coined the term.

The Gilded Age can be seen as a great example of political criticism. It specifically targets the inner workings of Washington, D. C.

It pokes fun at political figures, opportunistic businessmen and the general hysteria at play in the capital. The book especially criticizes the politics and the rampant corruption of the post-war years.

Its cast of characters comprises crooked politicians, plutocrats, pretentious bankers and naïve bystanders.

It’s a lovingly written novel which is accompanied by humorous illustrations depicting both the politicians and speculators that drove American politics.

Yet, the work also serves as a cautionary tale and remains relevant even today. It depicts the influence money has over the American government.

If you’re solely interested in Mark Twain’s part of the novel, stick to the first eleven chapters of the novel. Overall, The Gilded Age is a highly memorable novel and a Mark Twain book that captured an entire period in American history.

The Mysterious Stranger

Cover of The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Mysterious Stranger

The Mysterious Stranger is a work which was only published posthumously by Mark Twain’s biographer and was unfortunately never finished.

It’s regarded as one of Mark Twain’s darkest works and was written after much heartbreak and disappointment in life. It represents a departure from his earlier humorous writings.

The book contains many of Mark Twain’s musings on man’s dual nature and the battle between God and Satan for our lost souls. It’s a contemplation of human nature and a critic of many aspects of organized religion.

The novel’s plot revolves around a group of boys in sixteenth-century Austria. One day, a mysterious stranger shows up in their town. Soon enough, however, it becomes clear that the man might indeed be the devil.

By the end of his life, Mark Twain was a beaten man and concluded that we’re all flawed creatures. The book showcases his cynicism and disillusionment with humanity and that none of his earlier humor and carefreeness remains.

While it’s regarded as one of his lesser works and is much darker than others, it’s still a fantastic Mark Twain book.

The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson

Cover of The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson

The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson is essentially a work on racism in America.

It revolves around two boys who look nearly identical. One’s born into slavery because of his 1/32 black ancestry. The other’s white and born to the master of the house.

The first boy’s frightened mother, a slave, switches the babies to give her son a path towards success and respectability. As a result, the two children live reversed identities. Yet, each one of them grows into their destined roles in society.

The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson, however, also comes with a fantastic support cast that’s as interesting and eccentric as we’re used to from Mark Twain. I especially came to love David Wilson. Every scene he was in was a delight to read.

At first glance, The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson might seem nothing but an entertaining novel, but it’s much more. It’s a witty, clever and expertly woven commentary on slavery and racism.

It brilliantly covers the zeitgeist of white versus black, good versus evil. Yet, it also shows Mark Twain’s darkening outlook on life.

The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson is another fantastic Mark Twain book, one that feels as relevant today as it was during the time it was written.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

Cover of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is a pinnacle work of satire and a fantastic time travel novel.

Mark Twain was supposedly inspired by reading Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. His idea was to mix the notions and habits of the present day with the necessities of the times of King Arthur.

It tells the story of Hank Morgan, an engineer who’s thrown back in time to the year 538 AD and the court of King Arthur. The results, of course, are as disastrous as they are humorous. Soon enough, his shenanigans run rampant at court.

He challenges the great magician Merlin, and using his modern-day inventions and scientific discoveries becomes the prim sorcerer at court.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court essentially showcases the contrast between feudal monarchy and democratic values in the most humorous of ways.

Yet, the book can also be seen as a cautionary tale against our tendencies to romanticize the past, and even questions the ideals that became dominant after the Industrial Revolution.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is another fantastic and funny Mark Twain book, but once again, deeper messages are hidden inside of it. It’s very well worth reading.

The Autobiography of Mark Twain

Cover of The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Autobiography of Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s autobiography is another one of the Mark Twain books only published posthumously. This one, however, by his own express wish.

While Mark Twain had tried to write an autobiography himself, he could never complete it.

In the last years of his life, however, he would dictate to others or talk to a Stenograph. From these notes, an autobiography was eventually created.

Yet, Mark Twain’s autobiography differs widely from those of others. It’s not in chronological order since he talked about whatever came to his mind. It’s a stream-of-consciousness patchwork of memories, anecdotes, tales and his personal philosophy.

During his life, Mark Twain experienced the gold rush, The Civil War, the Reconstruction and its decline and even the onset of the American Indian Wars. He also endured heartbreak, bankruptcy, but also traveled around the globe.

Mark Twain’s autobiography is full of the wit and genius that made him such an endearing writer. Many of the stories detailed in this work are remarkable.

This book, however, also gives us a unique look at the man that was Mark Twain. He shows us his brilliance and his experiences, but also his flaws and his short attention span.

The Autobiography of Mark Twain is a last testament to how exception a writer and human being he was. It’s without a doubt a Mark Twain book anyone interested in the man should read.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Cover of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of the books Mark Twain is most well-known for and one of his most-beloved works.

While its original publication was a commercial failure, it eventually became a bestseller during his lifetime.

The novel contains a bit of everything: treasure hunts, disappearances, true friendship and young love. What it’s most of all, however, is a coming-of-age tale for the ages.

The story’s set in the 1840s. It follows a boy named Tom Sawyer who lives on the shore of the Mississippi river with his Aunt Polly in the town of St. Petersburg.

Tom Sawyer is a troublemaker, a romantic and a dreamer. His mischievous adventures often land him in trouble. He even falls for Becky Thatcher, the new girl in town and daughter of the local judge.

When he confesses to her, however, he gets humiliated and plans to run away from home. He soon befriends another boy, Huckleberry Finn and from then on, their troubles double. This culminates in them witnessing a murder at a graveyard which forces the boys to run away from home.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a must-read for anyone who loves American literature, coming-of-age stories or those depicting underdogs.

It’s even more wry than its sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. What makes it such a delight to read, however, is Mark Twain’s ability to tap into the minds of children and convey them to his readers. He captures both their youthful innocence, but also their general disrespect for all grown-ups.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a fantastic starting place for those who’ve read no Mark Twain books.

Roughing It

Cover of Roughing It by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – Roughing It

Roughing It was inspired by Mark Twain’s experiences as he traveled through the American West and the Pacific Isles.

It takes place during the years 1861 and 1867, when he traveled with a stagecoach with his older brother Orion.

It’s Mark Twain’s second book and the sequel to The Innocent Abroad and a semi-autobiographical memoir full of humorous stories about his own life and the Wild West.

In this book, Mark Twain shares one of his earliest adventures.

A young Mark Twain set out to mine gold in California. For this, he traveled from town to town in Nevada, to California and eventually Hawaii. During that time he mined gold in California, worked as a prospector, a reporter, a mill worker and a lecturer.

To bring forth all these tales, he often consulted his brother’s diary. Yet, he also used those notes for the occasional imaginary tale to entertain his readers.

We learn, amongst other things, of a near-death-experience, of deadly spiders, volcanos and a humorous encounter with Mormons.

While Roughing it is still a bit rough, especially when compared to his later works, it’s here Mark Twain began to hone his craft. Many of the elements that made his later works so endearing can be found here. They’re his witty observation of the most trivial things, the entertaining plot, his humor and his love for traveling.

It’s another earlier Mark Twain book, but one that gives us an interesting picture of his earlier days both in life and as a writer.

Roughing It is by many regarded as essential reading for fans of Mark Twain, American literature and travel literature.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Cover of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain — Mark Twain – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is by many critics called the Great American novel. It’s by many considered the apex of Mark Twain’s writing career and skill. Even Ernest Hemingway praised it in the highest tones and famously said it’s where all American literature began.

It’s a deep-felt portrayal of boyhood, but also a satire of Southern society, particularly their attitude towards race.

In this sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, a 13-year-old boy flees his abusive home. Together with a runaway slave, he sails south on the Mississippi on a rugged draft.

Both of them are trying to break free, Jim from being a slave and Huck from the constraints of society. Throughout their travels, the two of them meet various people and get entangled in comical adventures. They encounter con men, witness fake deaths and even raging family feuds.

What’s most prevalent throughout the work, however, is Huck’s goodness and his disdain for racial prejudice.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an endearing, rich narrative of a boyhood adventure. What makes it such an interesting and enjoyable read, however, is our protagonists struggle to defy society.

Similarly to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it’s regarded as an adventure novel, but it’s also a commentary on the ugly side of society.

It’s all these parts: the humor, the adventure, the youthfulness of Huck, the troubles of Jim and its social commentary that have elevated The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to the place it has today.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel for anyone, not only for fans of Mark Twain books or for American literature. If you haven’t read it yet, I urge you to do so.

The 13 Best Murakami Books Any Fan Should Read

Haruki Murakami is one of the most popular and widely read contemporary Japanese writers and for a good reason. The best Murakami books are read by millions of dedicated fans.

While he’s a Japanese writer, he’s heavily influenced by Western culture. This makes his novels an interesting blend of Wester pop-culture references and Japanese culture.

Haruki Murakami Photo — Haruki Murakami

What he’s most known for are his books of magical realism, which are full of weird, absurd and surrealistic elements. Yet, he often uses those to outline the problems of our contemporary society.

His strange, magical adventures often bring to light deeper themes, such as isolation, finding happiness and identity. Many of his novels center on our urge to explore ourselves and to understand the inner workings of human identity. They are a mixture of surrealistic fantasy and a discussion of human nature.

To do so, Murakami plunges his characters into metaphysical realms, dreamscapes, the unconscious and even the afterlife.

As much as I love Murakami’s works, I can be a bit divided on him. I’ve got a strange relationship with his works. While I enjoy some of his books massively, there are others I truly disliked.

Those are, however, a few outlines and I enjoy most of his works. It’s the strange mixture of easily digestible prose, serious topics and the myriad of strange, surreal and weird elements he employs. It’s a sense of otherworldliness that surrounds his books and that always draws me back to him.

If you’re looking for absurd novels or magical realism, you could do much worse than to pick up his books.

Murakami has written both fiction and non-fiction as well as short story collections. For this list of the best Murakami books, however, I want to focus solely on his fictional novels.

1Q84

Cover of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – 1Q84

1Q84 is probably Murakami’s most widely read book, reaching one million sales after publication.

While the setting might push it into the realm of science-fiction, it’s essentially a romance and mystery novel.

The book focuses on two different characters.

One is Aomame, a woman who works as a fitness instructor and doubles as an assassin who kills male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The other is Tengo, a math teacher and copywriter.

At the outset of the novel, Aomame realizes strange discrepancies in the world around her. She soon realizes she’s entered a parallel world, one she terms 1Q84, the Q representing a question mark.

Meanwhile, Tengo takes on another job as a copywriter. Because of this, however, he becomes entangled not only with the work but also with its unusual writer. Soon, his normal, mundane life changes.

Before long, our two characters’ lives converge.

Like other Murakami books, 1Q84 focuses on a variety of themes, but the most prevalent is that of religious groups, their power and the damage they can cause. 1Q84 focuses on a fictitious religious cult called Sakigake, which is trying to establish a connection with the spirits of the Earth, the Little People.

1Q84 is the single Murakami book I really didn’t enjoy. The story was typical Murakami and all his strange, unusual elements were there, yet the book didn’t work out for me.

The biggest problem was the length and the pacing. At almost a thousand pages, the book felt way too long, became tedious and repetitive. A lot of times, it felt like the plot wasn’t moving forward and instead, certain points were brought up again and again.

I still included the book, however. The first half of the book is fantastic and makes it a great addition to this list of the best Murakami novels. It’s only in the second half where the book becomes progressively weaker. Yet, this is merely my opinion, and I’m sure many Murakami fans will enjoy this book.

Dance Dance Dance

Cover of Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Dance Dance Dance

Dance Dance Dance is the sequel to ‘A Wild Sheep Chase’ featured later on this list and is set four years after the events of said novel.

The book focuses on a lot of themes typical for Murakami: loss, abandonment and supposedly includes some of Murakami’s real-life experiences.

Dance Dance Dance is a deconstruction of the Japanese economy and advanced capitalism. It discusses the contemporary tendency to commodify and sell anything, including relationships, friends, and family.

Our narrator Boku’s more lost in life than ever. He’s unambitious, apathetic and directionless. Even worse, his girlfriend Kiki, an ear model he got to know in ‘A Wild Sheep Chase,’ went missing.

Boku’s quest leads him through the strange, multifaceted culture of modern Japan, but also turns mystical. He’s thrown into a strange world of sexuality and metaphysical dread.

The most notable element of the novel, however, is the mysterious Sheep Man. He’s a strange figure our narrator encounters in a dimly lit hotel room. The Sheep Man’s central to the events taking place, yet he only ever offers Boku cryptic explanations.

Dance Dance Dance can be best described as a suspense novel rich in surrealistic elements.

It is, however, a slowly moving book, and one I often found too slow and a tad bit boring. While I realize the book’s often regarded as one of the best Murakami books out there, it didn’t quite work for me.

South of the Border, West of the Sun

Cover of South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Southt of the Border, West of the Sun

This novel can be best described as a love story full of deep loneliness. While I think it can be a beautiful book, it’s not amongst the best Murakami books.

Our narrator Hajime’s much less likeable than those of Murakami’s other books. While he’s an unpleasant person, however, he’s also interesting. Yet, his decisions, behavior, and feelings of emptiness can be quite alienating to readers.

While most other children had siblings, Hajime grew up as an only child. He spent most of his time with Shimamoto, who was also an only child. Together, the two of them often listened to her father’s record collection. When her family moved away, however, the two of them lost contact.

In the present, Hajime is in his thirties and seems to have found happiness. He’s got a loving wife, two daughters and runs a successful jazz bar.

That’s until Shimamoto reappears at his bar. She’s beautiful, intense and mysterious and suddenly Hajime’s thrown into the past and puts everything he’s got at risk.

While Shimamoto has a secret, she’s unable to escape from, Hajime doesn’t seem to be able to escape her and soon joins her on a mysterious journey.

Yet, their affair doesn’t long, and Hajime has to return to his old life, one he thought he’d escaped from.

While I don’t think South of the Border, West of the Sun, is amongst the best Murakami books, it contains some interesting musings. The most prevalent of those are happiness and loneliness. The book makes you reflect on your own life and makes you wonder if it’s all worth it.

South of the Border, West of the Sun, is a story that begs the question ‘what if’ and showcases how much our childhood influences the rest of our life.

It’s not a bad novel, but again, it didn’t quite work for me. It’s also a book that’s rather atypical for Murakami, and doesn’t feature his usual strange and surrealistic elements.

Hear the Wind Sing

Cover of Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Hear the Wind Sing

Hear the Wind Sing is Murakami’s debut novel. While I enjoyed it a lot, it’s also got its problems.

It’s less a novel that follows a coherent, developing plot, but more a collection of anecdotes that play out when a university student returns to his hometown.

Even though Murakami’s non-traditional narrative and many of his usual themes are already at play here.

Our narrator, Boku, is a man who works here and there, slipping in and out of work to figure out what will bring him the most meaning in life. His best friend is known as The Rat, who follows Boku on many of his journeys. Amongst other things, the two of them develop a deep relationship with a Chinese bartender.

Each of these characters tries to figure out where their youth has gone, what happened to their childish idealism and how they should face the uncertainty of the future with confidence.

While the novel’s plot isn’t too deep, it makes up for it with its quick, light and simple writing style. It also offers us a deeper look at young man who are lost in our modern world.

While it’s far from one of the best Murakami books out there, I enjoyed it and I think it’s definitely worth reading.

Sputnik Sweetheart

Cover of Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Sputnik Sweetheart

Sputnik Sweetheart can be best described as a romantic detective story. It’s a tale about attraction, desire, and self-discover, but also sexuality and the psychology of love and loss.

Our narrator, K, is a teacher who’s deeply in love with his friend Sumire, a free-spirited writer. The two of them spend hours on the phone in which Sumire talks about the big questions of life. Yet, K’s never able to reveal his feelings for her.

Before long, Sumire meets and falls in love with Miu, a woman seventeen years her senior. The two of them soon take off for a vacation in Greece.

When K gets a call from Miu that Sumire disappeared, he sets out for Greece himself to help find her. It’s there he enters Sumire’s world and realizes there’s much more to reality.

Sputnik Sweetheart is definitely one of Murakami’s stranger, more confusing books and it will leave you with more questions than answers.

It’s a novel that focuses heavily on human nature, longing and loneliness. It’s a short, yet subtle and haunting novel that definitely deserves its place on a list of the best Murakami books.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Cover of Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is one of Murakami’s more recent novels.

It’s a novel concerning one Tsukuru Tazaki and tells us about his teenage years and his present-day life. In the 90s, Tuskuru had a group of friends from high school. Each one of them had a name related to a certain color. Only Tsukuru didn’t and thus became regarded as colorless.

Their friendship was deep, but ended when Tsukuru went to college. One day, all of his friends stopped talking to him, making him depressed and suicidal.

In the present day, Tsukuru is thirty-six years old and works as an engineer. Yet, even now, he’s still haunted by the mystery of what happened.

It’s his girlfriend who finally encourages him to reach out to his friends and to find out why they cut contact. Thus, a journey of self-discovery begins in which Tsukuru has to figure out who he really is as a person.

The novel gives us both an inward and outward look at the struggle of growing up and growing as a person. His quest for understanding brings Tsukuru back to his hometown, but also all the way to Finland.

The most prevalent themes in the novel are forgiveness and being true to oneself.

What’s interesting to note is that this novel is entirely realistic and contains none of Murakami’s usual surreal and weird elements.

It’s also less epic than some of Murakami’s other books, but also much more personal. It’s a great novel for Murakami fans and is very well worth reading. The absence of any weird elements, however, makes it hard for me to consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

Pinball, 1973

Cover of Pinball, 1973 by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Pinball, 1973

Pinball, 1973 is Murakami’s second novel and the sequel to Hear the Wind Sing.

The novel explores our narrator’s relationship to a woman named Naoko who committed suicide during his college days.

While it might sound like a dark novel, it turns out to be much more lighthearted, comical and weird. This is mostly attributed to the twins. These two weird women turn up at and being staying at Boku’s apartment and help him deal with loss and loneliness.

The novel’s plot, however, centers on Boku’s quest to find his favorite pinball machine from his days with Naoko, the ‘three flipper starship.’ Yet, this quest isn’t so much about the pinball machine, but more about his reconciliation with Naoko’s memory.

While Pinball, 1973 is still somewhat unrefined, it’s full of Murakami’s usual themes and elements. The characters are quirky and the entire novel and the events taking place have an almost otherworldly feeling about it.

Similarly to Hear the Wind Sing, the book’s more a collection of different episodes in Boku’s and other character’s lives. They are, however, full of musings about life.

It’s an odd little novel, but one I enjoyed a lot and regard as one of the best Murakami novels.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Cover of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is one of Murakami’s most celebrated novels, so it’s well deserving of a spot in the best Murakami novels.

It features a strange mystery that only gets stranger the longer the novel progresses. It’s an almost perfect surrealistic tale which combines quirky characters and alternate realities with suburban Japan.

Our protagonist, Toru Okada, is a man who recently quit his job and has become a house husband. His days are spent cooking, listening to music, chatting up the neighbors and waiting for his wife to return home.

When their cat goes missing, Toru’s sent out on a quest to find it. Soon enough, however, his wife acts strangely. She comes home later and later, drops him strange hints and refuses to have sex with him. Before he realizes it, she seems to have left him and so he embarks on a new search, this time for his wife.

Eventually, he learns his wife’s held in another world which has taken on the form of a labyrinthine, infinite hotel. And so, Toru has to find a way of entering this metaphorical place.

During his search, he comes across many weird characters. The standouts here are the nihilistic teenager May Kasahara and the military Lieutenant Mamiya. While May’s a fantastic character and her interactions with Toru are great, it’s Mamiya’s tale that sets him apart. He used to be a soldier during the Japanese occupation of Manchukuo and witnessed horrible things.

Yet, those are only two of all the characters Toru encounters and each one of them serves to be as weird and quirky as the next.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a novel full of awkward moments, of violence and tension. It features themes of sex, violence, and memories lost and regained. It also deals with Japan’s painful history during World War II. Yet, it also features many of Murakami’s other typical elements.

Overall, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a puzzle, one that only slowly comes together. It’s a detective story, but at the same time, comedy and menace. It’s, however, always weirdly imaginative and surreal.

While I liked the oddness of the plot, and many of the smaller stories, the novel itself felt a bit too unfocused and loosely structured. The mystery of Toru’s quest seemed less central and became almost a backdrop for strange, unrelated tales.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is still very much worth reading, both for fans of Murakami and those interested in surreal novels. While I had my problems with it, it’s hard to not consider it one of the best Murakami books.

Norwegian Wood

Cover of Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood was Murakami’s breakthrough novel and made him famous both in Japan and internationally.

What’s special about Norwegian Wood is that it lacks any of the absurd or weird elements so typical in his books. It’s not a work of magical realism, but one grounded entirely in reality.

The title of the novel is taken from a 1965 Beatles song. When our narrator, Toru Watanabe, listens to this same song, he reminisces about his college days back in the 60s. It’s a time in which the Japanese students rose against the government.

Yet, it’s also the time when his best friend committed suicide and he became infatuated with two women, Naoko and Midori.

Naoko was his former best friend’s girlfriend. She’s coping with her lover’s suicide and suffers from severe mental issues. Soon enough, Naoko tells Toru that she hears her former lover’s voice who’s calling to her from another world.

Midori is the complete opposite. She’s an energetic and friendly young girl, very much in love with life.

The novel centers on Toru’s feelings and his choice between saving Naoko and his desire for Midori.

Yet, Norwegian Wood is more than a simple love story. It’s a tale of growing up and how to deal with loss. It’s a very personal and tender book. We witness Toru walking the streets of Tokyo with Naoko, or spending the evening on a rooftop with Midori.

Overall, Norwegian Wood can be dark, and there’s an almost sinister undertone prevalent throughout the novel. Yet, it also offers hope and a chance to grow up.

The only real problem I had with the book was its heavy focus on sex and sex scenes and its portrayal of mental illness.

Still, it’s a fantastic tear-jerker and regarded as one of the best Murakami books for a reason.

A Wild Sheep Chase

Cover of A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – A Wild Sheep Chase

A Wild Sheep Chase is the third installment of Murakami’s so called ‘Trilogy of the Rat’ after Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 and brings it to a close. It’s by far the best of the trilogy and even outshines its sequel Dance Dance Dance.

While it’s a book, that’s more straightforward compared to his later work, it’s heavy on magical realism.

Our narrator Boku’s now in his thirties and runs a publishing company in Tokyo. When his friend The Rat sends him a photograph of a herd of sheep, he uses it in an advertisement.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the photograph depicts a strange, magical sheep with a star-shaped birthmark. This soon gets him the attention of a powerful political and leader of a giant business syndicate only known as ‘The Boss.’

The man clarifies that Boku’s in trouble and gives him an ultimatum. He’s got to find the sheep or face dire consequences.

And so, our narrator sets out to the rural areas of Hokkaido to find not only the sheep but also his friend who seems to be entangled in the events at play.

From here on out the book serves to only get stranger.

What starts out as a detective novel in which one man takes on an all-powerful syndicate soon develops into a beautiful and sad tale of trauma and things lost.

A Wild Sheep Chase features many themes, such as Japanese culture and identity in post-WWII Japan, Japanese religious tradition and sexuality. At the center, however, is the conflict between individual will and the all-encompassing, impersonal power of the state.

While it features Murakami’s typical surrealist elements, it serves to be easily comprehensible, accessible and readable. Even though it’s one of his earlier works, I consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

After Dark

Cover of After Dark by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – After Dark

After Dark is one of the more cozy Murakami novels out there.

We get to know Mari, a young woman who spends her nights at a Denny’s. One night, she encounters a young man who insists he knows his older sister. This event sets in motion Mari’s odyssey through the sleeping city.

It’s a tale set in a single night, but which sheds light on the lives of a diverse cast of Tokyo residents. It’s in this setting that fantasy and reality collide.

The book features some of Murakami’s usual surreal and strange elements, but they didn’t feel as central to the plot as in others.

After Dark’s plot, too, isn’t as gripping or extensive as that of other Murakami novels, but I found its atmosphere much richer. There’s just something about the night, those who populate it, and how they spend their time during these late hours.

At the center of the novel, however, is a deep feeling of loneliness. While we all share the world together, and we all interact and affect each other’s lives, we’re all isolated.

It’s an enchanting little novel, one I truly came to love and regard as one of the best Murakami books out there.

Kafka on the Shore

Cover of Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Kafka on the Shore

Kafka on the Shore is Murakami at his best, but also his most confusing.

It’s a novel that blends pop-culture references, cats, magical realism, sexuality and Japanese religious tradition into an utterly stunning and mind-boggling journey.

The novel revolves around two characters.

One is Kafka Tamura, a fifteen-year-old boy who escapes from his father’s home to avoid an oedipal curse. After leaving, he sets out to find his long-lost mother and sister. His journey eventually leads him to a private library on the island of Shikoku. There he meets the beautiful, but odd Miss Saeki, who might or might not be his mother and the even odder Oshima.

The other character is Nakata, a strange and illiterate old man. What makes Nakata special is his ability to talk to cats. Because of this, he’s become a cat locator. His story beings when he’s hired by the mysterious Johnnie Walker to find a lost cat. As it turns out however, Johnnie Walker is a cat killer and Nakata is forced to leave Tokyo. He ends up traveling with a truck driver, Noshino, who grows fond of the old man. Eventually, their journey, too, leads them to Shikoku.

It’s there that the two narratives converge.

Kafka on the Shore features a variety of strange characters and even stranger events. While some of these might be comical, the book’s a serious tale. It’s one heavy with musings on both reality and the metaphysical world.

It’s a complex work, heavily layered with symbolism. Murakami himself once said, it’s a book full of riddles and their solution is unique for each reader.

While the book focuses heavily on spirituality and religion, it’s essentially a coming-of-age tale of a fifteen-year-old boy and his journey to become an independent adult.

Kafka on the Shore is without Murakami’s weirdest book and it will leave you utterly confused after your first read-through. Yet, it’s nothing short of a magical realism masterpiece, one that’s without a doubt one of the best Murakami books out there, if not the best.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Cover of Hard-Boild Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami — Haruki Murakami – Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is hands-down my favorite Murakami novel, even surpassing Kafka on the Shore.

It’s notable Murakami’s only pure science-fiction novel and features two seemingly unrelated narratives that couldn’t be more different.

The first focuses on a man who’s a ‘Calcutec.’ This means he’s a human data processor who specializes in using his subconscious mind for encryptions. His job is to shuffle and encrypt data so the agents of an organization known as The Factory can’t steal it. Before long, he finds himself at the center of an underground information war.

The second narrative is much stranger and set in a small town in a fantasy world. This town’s surrounded by a massive, impenetrable wall. Even more mysterious, all inhabitants seem to have lost their shadow and its only exit is protected by a fearsome gatekeeper.

After the narrator arrives in this town, his memories taken away, his shadow’s cut off from him and he gets assigned a job at the town’s library. From here on out, he tries to get back his shadow and to escape this strange town.

The most notable element of the town, however, are the many unicorns who live nearby.

These two plots are both as strange as they sound and are extremely unique to one another.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is an absolutely fantastic book which blew me away when I first read it.

It’s populated by a cast of characters as interesting as they are weird. While our narrator’s a human data processor, he’s far from the weirdest addition. We encounter deranged scientists, psychotic thugs, mysterious librarians and even subterranean monsters.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, however, also features deeper elements. Its themes, such as fulfillment, choices, as well as internal and external pressure and a good chunk of existential musings.

Yet, the most prevalent theme is without a doubt the relationship between conscious and subconscious mind. It’s this relationship that also inspired, at least in part, my short story The Special Dish.

It’s an extremely interesting book, my favorite and without a doubt one of the best Murakami books. I highly recommend it to any fan of Murakami, but also to those who like unique mysteries and science-fiction.

19 Books Like Dune Any Science-Fiction Fan Should Read

Frank Herbert’s Dune, originally published in 1965, has become a cornerstone of science-fiction. It quickly became a fan-favorite and many science-fiction readers are looking for more books like Dune.

It’s an epic story that has been adapted for TV and movies several times.

Dune is by many seen as the greatest science-fiction novel ever written. Even today, it remains one of the most important and influential science-fiction novels ever written.

Cover of Dune by Frank Herbert — Frank Herbert – Dune

It’s set in the distant future, in a time when a huge interplanetary empire rules over various planetary fiefdoms.

Our protagonists are the member of House Atreides which is assigned fief ruler of the planet Arrakis. Arrakis is known as Dune for its inhospitable climate and shifting sands.

Yet, there’s much more to the planet. It’s the only source in the universe for the melange, or spice, a drug that not only extends life and enhances mental abilities, but is also necessary for space navigation.

Before long, however, the Emperor conspires with the House Harkonnen. They are the former stewards of Arrakis and an enemy of House Atreides.

Dune is a rich novel full of different cultures, alien ecology and political intrigue. Yet, there are more of these. It focuses heavily on climate change and environmental issues, but also features religious symbolism and physical musings.

It’s a fantastic novel of ambitious scope that will stay with you long after you finished it.

Altogether, the original Dune saga comprises six novels by Frank Herbert himself and more than a dozen written by his son Kevin J. Anderson

For this article, I’ve put together a long list of books like Dune you’re sure to enjoy. If you’re looking for more science-fiction recommendations, be sure to check out my list of the best science-fiction novels.

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie

Anne Leckie – Ancillary Justice

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie is a space opera set in a massive galactic empire.

It tells the story of an AI who controls the massive spaceship Justice Toren, but is also linked to thousands of human soldiers.

When the Toren Justice is destroyed, a fragment of the AI lives on in a single human body going by the name Breq. Breq now sets out on a quest for both finding answers and vengeance.

Ancillary Justice is a mystery that’s slowly unraveled. It’s a story full of political intrigue, philosophical discussions and centers heavily on artificial intelligence. The best part, however, is the layered plot and its massive payoff.

Another point to note is that Ancillary Justice was the first novel to win the Hugo, the Nebula and the Arthur C. Clarke award.

It’s a brilliant book for those who are looking for books like Dune. It’s smart, fun, inventive and features a cast of fantastic characters.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

N. K. Jemisin – The Fifth Season

After its release The Fifth Season won the Hugo award for best novel, so you know it’s going to be good. Even more so when you learn all three books in the trilogy won the Hugo award.

Simply said, it’s a masterpiece which tells a similar tale to Frank Herbert’s renowned classic.

It’s set in an alternate, far-future earth set on a single, Pangea-like continent which is caught in a cycle of catastrophe and wracked by natural disasters. The titular ‘fifth season’ is what the inhabitants call the recurring periods of catastrophic climate change.

The opening of the book starts when a powerful ‘orogene,’ a human who can manipulate Earth’s crust, causes massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and tears the land in two.

Orogones are a race of magical users who are enslaved and oppressed. Each of our narrators is a member of this race and as their stories slowly become entwined, the complexity of the overall plot becomes clear.

The Fifth Season is a novel that centers on both a very personal, family narrative and world-spanning, cataclysmic action. Political and magical power go hand-in-hand, yet a lot is hidden under the surface.

The Fifth Season is a fantastic fusion of science-fiction and fantasy, and it more than deserves its place on this list, especially for its fantastic storytelling.

Similar to Dune, it features both theological and supernatural elements akin to those of the Bene Gesserit. It’s a book that stands out for its meticulous world-building and deep character development.

It’s again only the first book in a series and followed by two sequels, The Obelisk Gate and the Stone Key. Both two are worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons – Hyperion

Hyperion can be called the Canterbury Tales of science-fiction.

It’s another novel set in the far-future, the 29th century. This masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who likes books like Dune.

Taken inspiration from the way the Canterbury Tales, it comprises six novellas.

They center on several pilgrims who meet on board a ship on their way to a world called Hyperion. This world is not connected to others via a farcaster portal and beyond the reach of the galactic law. When war rages, these seven pilgrims set out on their final voyage in search of answers.

These pilgrims are the Priest, the Soldier, the Poet, the Scholar, the Detective, and the Consul. On the way, each of them tells their story about how they came to take this journey.

All those stories, however, slowly reveal a larger plot little by little.

Dan Simmons uses these stories to paint a rich picture of his universe. It’s a vast place, one populated by desert planets, ocean planets and replicas of Earth.

Hyperion is a novel that features religion, war, family strife, political intrigue and artificial intelligence.

Once more, it’s only the first in Dan Simmons’ fictional universe and is followed up by three other books in his ‘Hyperion Cantos.’ All of them are equally worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Jaran by Kate Elliott

Kate Elliott – Jaran

Kate Elliot’s novel is set in an interstellar future in which the vast Chapalii Empire governs conquered planets. One of them is earth.

Similar to Dune, the novel focuses on a protagonist caught in the middle of interstellar politics, war, and intrigue. Her name is Tess Soerensen, and she’s the sister of the former leader of Earth’s rebellion against the alien invaders.

While the rebellion was a loss, however, the rebellion’s leader was given a dukedom and granted nobility.

Tess, however, leaves her home for the planet Rhui. There she meets the jaran, the natives who live as nomads and who’ve long forgotten their heritage. Before long, Tess is intrigued by their ways and comes to share an emotional connection with their charismatic leader, Ilya.

Soon enough, Tess finds herself between tradition and advancement, extinction and survival.

The most interesting thing about Jaran, however, is that it uses many established tropes, but changes them up and moves them into new directions.

Jaran is a book highly recommended for those who like books like Dune.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin – The Left Hand of Darkness

The Left Hand of Darkness is one of the earliest and finest examples of feminist science-fiction.

It centers on a Terran named Genly Ai who’s takes to negotiate with the planet Gethen to join a vast interstellar confederation. The inhabitants of Gethen, however, are ambisexual and their culture clashes with those of the confederacy.

It’s essentially a novel which focuses on and explores an alien culture through the eyes of a visitor.

The novel again focuses on extreme climate conditions. At one point, our main character, Gently Ai, has to travel across an ice sheet for 80 days, almost losing his life. Another similarity to Dune is the focus on religion and prophetic elements.

What The Left Hand of Darkness is best known for, however, is its study of gender.

It’s a fascinating, and thought-provoking read and one I highly recommend not only for those looking for books like Dune, but for any fan of science-fiction.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

James S. A. Corey – Levianthan Wakes

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in The Expense novel series which comprises nine novels.

Humanity has colonized the solar system, which is divided between three warring factions.

The novel itself explores two major plot points.

The first centers on James Holden, who’s working on the ice hauling ship ‘Canterbury.’ His life changes when the Canterbury responds to a distress signal. The crew stumbles upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli where they find a secret they never wanted to know and who someone’s willing to kill for.

The other centers on detective Miller, who’s looking for a lost girl. Before long, this search leads him to the Scopuli. He soon realizes this girl might be the key to everything.

These two mysteries are, of course, connected, and the clearer this connection becomes, the more the intrigue grows.

As the novel continues, our main characters are slowly brought together from different points in the solar system. Both Miller and Holden must now hold their own not only against the Earth government but also the Outer Planet revolutionaries and secretive corporations.

In the end, the stakes are high, and our heroes know that what they are after could save or destroy humanity. For out in the belts, a single ship can change the fate of the universe.

Leviathan Wakes is a fantastic book, one much closer to home than other books like Dune. It’s very worth reading, especially for its mystery elements and the fantastic narrative.

The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett

Leigh Brackett – The Long Tomorrow

The Long Tomorrow is one of the few novels on this list preceding Frank Herbert’s Dune.

It was written back in 1955 and tells the story of two boys.

In a post-apocalyptic world, science and civilization are feared. Yet, our protagonists long for something greater than their simple, agrarian life.

Together they set out, travel through a war-torn land and discover a lot about themselves, but also the basis for the beliefs that have spread.

The Long Tomorrow is an interesting and well-written book with a great premise. What makes it especially worth reading is that it precedes most of the other novels on the list.

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Roger Zelanzny – Lord of Light

Lord of Light is an interesting blend between science-fiction and mythology.

It might sound similar to Dune at first hand, but it’s also vastly different.

While Dune creates its own mythology from scratch, Lord of Light blends Hindu and Buddhist beliefs into a fantastic interstellar adventure.

While Earth is long dead, this novel is set on a post-Earth colony. There, a group of man has gained control of technology, become immortal and now rule their world as the Hindu pantheon.

Opposing them is Mahasamatma, once known as Siddhartha, who’s known as the Lord of Light.

Yet, where Lord of Light stands out, the most is in terms of political intrigue. Like in Dune, it’s one of the major themes of the novel. Yet, it also heavily focuses on the themes of colonialism and spirituality.

Overall, a book very worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

Gene Wolf – The Book of the New Sun

This novel follows Severian, who’s a member of the torturer guild.

His life changes when he falls in love with one of the condemned, a young noblewoman. First, he’s delaying her torture before he eventually helps her commit suicide to save her from her dire fate.

This act leads to his exile from the guild to a distant metropolis.

This exile is the beginning of a heartbreaking adventure full of political intrigues not too different from that of Paul Atreides in Dune.

Yet, things get much more interesting when he comes into possession of a strange gem. It soon becomes clear that a variety of people seem determined to get their hand on it.

Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer is a masterpiece of science-fantasy and a great pick for fans of books like Dune.

The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley

Kameron Hurley – The Stars are Legion

The Stars are Legion comes with a very interesting and unique setting.

While many other books like Dune are heavily inspired by Frank Herbert’s epic, the Stars are Legion is entirely different when compared to Dune. What it stands out for, however, is its epic scale, prose, characters and storytelling.

It’s set in a collapsing mass of world-ships at the edge of the universe called Legion.

Wars about control of legion are an ever-present reality, but so far there’s been no resolution.

As world-ships die, people get desperate and different factions try to uncover the secret of the central ship around which all others orbit.

At the center of these events is Zan, an amnesiac girl who’s trying to regain control of one world-ship and leave Legion. While she’s far from the only one with this goal, she, similar to Paul Atreides in Dune, seems to be the key.

She bands together with a group of other cast-offs and starts a war that only she can hope to win. Before long, Zan will learn that she carries what could destroy all of Legion or lead to its salvation.

The Stars are Legion is a fantastically well-written novel that tackles contemporary problems such as politics, gender identity and using people as mere tools to gain power.

The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

Cover of The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov — Isaac Asimov – The Foundation Trilogy

The Foundation Trilogy is yet another work centering on a vast galactic empire.

Yet, Asimov’s story is different, as it portrays the collapse of an empire. What’s interesting, however, is that this collapse can’t be averted. Instead, its effects on humanity can only be dampened as much as possible.

The story of The Foundation Trilogy centers on the efforts to preserve the empire’s galactic knowledge and culture and eventually establish a new galactic empire.

It’s inspired by Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which is noticeable right away.

The Foundation Trilogy focuses much less on a single narrative, but presents us with various events that take place during the fall of the Galactic Empire and the subsequent rise of the Foundation. Each of these events is detailed in a short story or novella, features its own characters, plots and crises to overcome.

What’s interesting about The Foundation Trilogy is that it relies much less on gripping action and space battles, but more on clever plots, twists and political theory.

Originally published in the 1950s, The Foundation Trilogy is considered a masterpiece of science-fiction.

If you’re looking for books like Dune, a science-fiction fan and have never read it, I highly recommend it. It’s at the pinnacle of the genre and considered one of the greatest works of science-fiction at all.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Kim Stanley Robinson – Red Mars

Kim Stanley’s Red Mars is the first in his acclaimed Mars trilogy. It’s a book like Dune, mostly for its setting.

It tells the story of an international expedition comprising one hundred colonists who set foot on the barren planet with plans to establish a colony there.

Using a variety of terraforming technology, they set out to change the planet forever. Yet, there are, of course, those who want to prevent the planet from ever changing.

Red Mars, however, as opposed to Dune, is a hard science-fiction novel. It concerns itself deeply with terraforming and dives deep into it and its intricacies.

Yet, it’s not merely a book about planetary physics, but also one about war and politics. It also discusses a variety of contemporary problems, namely environmental issues and our overreliance on certain resources such as oil.

In Red Mars, the central question is one about human nature. Is it possible to build a better society? To discuss this question, Kim Stanley Robinson uses the attempted colonization of Mars.

Red Mars is a great read for science-fiction fans, especially those who like hard science-fiction.

Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer

Philip Jose Farmer – Riverworld

Riverworld is an odd book, yet similar other books like Dune it’s set in the far future.

The ‘Riverworld’ is a terraformed planet. It comprises a single river and valley that runs the entire circumference of the planet and is fed by a polar water source.

One day, for unknown reasons, every Homo sapiens, from the first to the latest most evolved, is resurrected along the banks of the river.

Stories of the dead coming back to life are nothing new, but Riverworld is definitely different, which can be noticed by its cast of characters.

While it features its fair cast of fictional characters, it also features prominent historical figures. Those include Mozart, King John of England, Hermann Goring and Mark Twain.

Yet, what makes the book even more interesting is its focus on how a modern, futuristic society changes these characters.

While Riverworld might sound weird at first hand, it’s a very interesting book with a unique setting that tackles deeper questions than one would first imagine. It especially focuses on sexual and religious themes.

It’s definitely a must-read for fans of books like Dune and especially for those who are interested in historical figures.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Cover of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley — Aldous Huxley – Brave New World

At first glance Brave New World might not appear a book like Dune, but similarly to Dune it depicts a futuristic society and people’s struggles for what’s important.

The book’s story is set in 2540 and humanity lives in an idealistic society. People aren’t born but engineered in artificial wombs. They go through childhood indoctrination before they are put in predetermined castes.

In this society, there are no long-lasting relationships and everyone belongs to everyone. Depression, doubt, and unhappiness can simply be cured by a drug called Soma.

Bernard Marx is a member of the highest caste who disapproves of this society and its methods. The plot truly starts, however, when Bernard visits a savage reservation and meets John. John is a young man born naturally who grew up in the reservation and knows nothing about the real society.

What’s interesting about Brave New World is that its society might be called a Utopia. People are happy, live peacefully. There’s no war, but it all comes at a price. It’s a terrifying concept, especially given how realistic it might become.

Brave New World is a fantastically written novel, ripe with scientific background and populated by interesting characters. It’s without a doubt one of the greatest dystopian novels ever written.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Cixin Liu – The Three-Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the fantastic Remembrance of Earth Past trilogy. It’s yet another hard science-fiction novel.

With its focus on scale, it’s easy to see why the Three-Body Problem can be compared to Dune. However, it’s modern and nothing short of unique in the realm of science-fiction.

It tells the story of a first contact gone wrong.

During China’s Cultural Revaluation, a secret military project sends signals into space. Eventually, a signal from an alien civilization, referred to as the Trisolarans, is intercepted by the Chinese government.

A group of scientists, including Ye Wenje, is brought together to deceiver their message. The alien civilization lives in a solar system which comprises three solar-type stars orbiting each other in an unstable three-body system. It soon becomes clear that the Trisolarans are on the brink of destruction, yet this is not the only thing the scientists uncover.

The story of the novel features a huge cast of character and explores fascinating physical concepts. Yet, it also focuses on politics, government authority and other similar themes.

After reading this novel and especially the rest of the series, it’s easy to see why Cixin Liu is China’s most popular science-fiction writer. The Three-Body problem is often called the best Chinese science-fiction novel of all time and highly recommended to those who are looking for books like Dune.

Involution Ocean by Bruce Sterling

Bruce Sterling – Involution Ocean

Involution Ocean is another book like Dune, which might be called a speculative fiction version of Moby Dick.

Our protagonist, John Newhouse, is hooked on a powerful narcotic drug named Flame.

There’s only one source. It’s derived from whale-like creatures native to the dust seas on planet Nullaqua.

When the drug gets outlawed by the Galactic Confederacy, however, John has no choice but to sign up as a seaman aboard a dust whaler and hunt the creature himself.

Involution Ocean features not only a setting similar to Dune, but also a cast of fantastic characters. They comprise junkies, misfits, but also weirder characters and those who hide their own dark secrets.

Yet, the plot of the book doesn’t center on political conflict or war. Instead, similar to Moby Dick, it centers on the confrontation between man and beast.

The book, however, also focuses on and studies the various aspects of human nature.

Involution Ocean presents us with an astonishing imaginative world. Yet, what makes it so similar to Dune is its focus on a rare commodity and the native megafauna which are both very reminiscent of the planet Arrakis.

A brilliant novel that is highly recommended reading for fans of science-fiction.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi – The Windup Girl

The Windup Girl is a novel set in a dystopian future Thailand. It follows a diverse set of characters as they try to survive in this setting.

One is a man named Anderson Lake. He works as a Calorie Man for the AgriGen Corporation. Working undercover as a factory manager, he’s tasked with combing Bangkok’s street markets for foods thought to be extinct.

Emiko, on the other hand, is known as the Windup Girl. She’s a beautifully engineered being who was grown and created to satisfy the whims of a Japanese businessman. After being abandoned, she now walks the streets of Bangkok.

People like Emiko are known as New People. They are feared and regarded as soulless. They are nothing but slaves, soldiers, or toys.

The Windup Girl is a fascinating novel set in a future in which fossil fuels are a thing of the past and bio-engineering runs rampant.

The book focuses heavily on such issues as climate change, the nature of humanity and how counts as human, who doesn’t and why not. Another, more important them, however, is that of calories becoming a currency and that of bio-terrorism.

The Windup Girl is nothing short of fascinating and one of the greatest science-fiction novels of the twenty-first century. Those looking for books like Dune should definitely check it out.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

Cover of The Forever War by Joe Haldeman — Joe Haldeman – The Forever War

The Forever War starts out similar to many other science-fiction novels and space operas. Humanity gets in contact with aliens, conflict starts and war breaks out.

Our protagonist, William Mandella, becomes part of an elite military unit that travels the galaxy to fight the alien enemy in what should become known as the Forever War.

While the earlier chapters in the book which focus on military training and the first battle against the alien antagonist can be weak, the book soon gets much more interesting. It explores a variety of complex themes and draws an intricate and realistic picture of not only interstellar war but also futuristic society.

As the story continues, Mandella wants to go home, but soon realizes that what he remembers as his home might not be anymore. Because of the vast distances of space and the unexpected circumstances of space travel, he might only age months while on Earth decades and even centuries pass.

While the Forever War is a space opera, the battle scenes are actually one of its weaker elements. They are much more realistic than those in other novels, but also less exciting.

Where the book really stands out is in the exploration of its various more complex scenes. The most interesting of those is the vast changes society goes through over decades and centuries and how one adapts to them.

While the book has its weaker elements, it more than makes up for it by the complex themes it tackles.

It’s clearly one of the best science-fiction novels out there and highly recommended for those who look for books like Dune.

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Cover of Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein — Robert A. Heinlein – Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers is another classic in the realm of science-fiction. The story is set in the far future and humanity is dominated by a military elite referred to as the Terran Federation.

The novel follows Juan ‘Johnny’ Rico, a young man, through his service in the Mobile Infantry in which he goes from recruit to officer.

All this is told against the backdrop of an interstellar war between humanity and an alien species known as ‘Arachnids’ or ‘Bugs.’

As a big fan of the movie by the same name, I expected the book to be an action packed science-fiction novel, but it was a much deeper and more complex book.

Many parts of the book are devoted to classroom scenes in which Rico and others discuss philosophical and moral topics. Those include civic virtue, war, military doctrine and suffrage.

While I don’t agree with Heinlein’s ideas and find some of them questionable, these discussions were some of the most interesting parts in the book.

Yet, the book still has its scenes of brutal action, they just aren’t the focus of the novel.

Overall, Starship Troopers is a science-fiction class. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for books like Dune, but especially those who are interested in military science-fiction.

17 Fantasy Books and Series Like Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings was published in 1954 and is considered by many the fantasy series. J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic basically created the fantasy genre and serves as its foundation even today. No wonder there are so many other books like Lord of the Rings out there.

It’s known for its grand world-building, the rich history, the language and many other elements popular in today’s fantasy. It brought us wizards, dragons, magic, swords, and many more.

With 150 million copies sold, The Lord of the Rings proves to be one of the world’s best-selling novels, not merely in the fantasy genre.

Cover of Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien — J. R. R. Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings

Over the decades, there have been many imitators, and many other writers broke into the fantasy genre after Tolkien. Many fantasy fans are searching for something that can quell their hunger for similar novels, epic quests and adventures.

Yet, fantasy today has become much more than books about elves and hobbits. While many follow the tropes popularized in The Lord of the Rings, others are vastly different.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Frodo’s quest or if you’re just looking for other fantasy recommendations. There’s a plethora of fantasy books and series out there since it proved to be one of literature’s most popular genres.

Even in a genre as vast as fantasy, however, only a few books ever come close to Tolkien’s great classic.

For this article, I’ve put together a list of outstanding fantasy series and books like Lord of the Rings, which I’m sure any fantasy fan will enjoy. If you’re looking for horror and science-fiction recommendations check out my list of the best horror books and the best science-fiction books.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

Cover of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan — Robert Jordan – The Eye of the World

Let’s begin this list of books like Lord of the Rings with one of the most popular and celebrated fantasy series of all times.

The Wheel of Time is often praised for its fantastic world-building. It has rightfully taken its place as a classic of the fantasy genre ever since its debut back in 1990.

Its first book tells the story of three boys, Rand, Mat and Perrin. Their home of Emond’s Field is attacked by Trollocs and a Myrddraal who are intent on capturing the boys. They are rescued by Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai who tells them the Dark One wants to destroy the Wheel of Time. Before long, they realize they are the only ones who can stop him. Yet, what can three boys do against the embodiment of pure evil? An epic journey foretold in prophecy begins.

The Wheel of Time comprises 15 books, so it’s a long series and a serious time investment. It comes with dozens of characters, battles and a lot more to immerse you in Robert Jordan’s extensive world.

Jordan’s writing style also adds a lot to the readability of the series. While easy to read, his writing’s extremely descriptive and has a unique style that makes it stand out amongst other series.

Even if the middle books of the series slow down a little, overall, reading The Wheel of Time is an incredible experience.

The series proved massively popular and is beloved by fans of books like Lord of the Rings. When Jordan died in 2007, Brandon Sanderson, a fellow fantasy writer, stepped up and finished the series to honor Jordan’s creation.

If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, The Wheel of Time is definitely a must read.

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

Cover of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss — Patrick Rothfuss – The Name of the Wind

The Kingkiller Chronicles is another extremely popular fantasy series. It tells the tale of a man called Kvothe.

Over the course of the books we learn of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, the time he spent as an orphan in a crime-riddled city and we learn of his entry into the legendary school of magic. It’s the story of a boy who should one day become a renowned swordsman and the most notorious magician the world has ever known. Perhaps he’s even the most wanted man in the world. It’s a tale of adventure and tragedy; a story of resilience and redemption.

While the series doesn’t stand out in terms of originality, it’s extremely immersive. The only downside is that the series isn’t finished, which is unfortunately often the case in the fantasy genre. The two books release so far, however, are excellent.

What’s most interesting about the books, however, is Rothfuss’ writing style. It’s Kvothe himself who tells his story. The books often feature stories-within stories to get a tale across. Rothfuss uses this device brilliantly to create a detailed and rich universe. The series also features one of the most unique magic systems in the genre.

The Kingkiller Chronicles is a series high on action that’s fantastically written. It’s another must-read for people who like books like Lord of the Rings.

The Legend of Drizzt Series by R. A. Salvatore

Cover of The Legend of Drizzt by R. A. Salvatore — R. A. Salvatore – The Legend of Drizzt

R. A. Salvatore is a name that any fantasy fan will recognize. With almost 40 novels to his name, he’s one of the most prolific and popular fantasy writers of all time.

The Legend of Drizzt Series is set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons and proved massively popular.

The first book in the series gives us a detailed description of Drizzt’s earlier life. Born a male into the matriarchal society of the drow, he’s determined to leave his oppressive home of the enormous city state of Menzoberranzan. It’s a place and society full of evil and cruelty.

During his time surviving in Menzoberranzan, he develops his own moral code. He becomes a warrior, embarks on thrilling adventures and dangerous journeys. This long series details all of his exploits and conflicts. Each one of them is exciting in their own right.

The style of the world-building in this book and the entire series is very akin to that of The Lord of the Rings and comes with its typical staple of fantasy races. We meet elves, orcs, dwarfs and even halflings who are reminiscent of the Hobbits in more than one way.

It’s a fantastic series and a great read for both hardcore fans of the genre and for those who are looking to get into fantasy. I highly recommend checking out at least the first book of the series if you’re looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

Cover of A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin — Ursula K. Le Guin – A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin’s series is nothing short of fantastic and some readers state its importance to the fantasy genre is second only to The Lord of the Rings.

While it’s not as popular and often overlooked, Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most outstanding fantasy writers of our time and one of the greatest world-builders.

Yet, The Earthsea Cycle is more often compared to The Hobbit than the epic quest featured in The Lord of the Rings. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story.

Where it sticks out, however, is its use and focus on magic. It’s the story of a young man who learns how to be a wizard, written long before Harry Potter was around.

Duny is a young boy who lives in a sleepy community. Soon enough, however, his true calling and name are revealed. When his aunt recognizes his magical abilities, she teaches her nephew. Yet, his adventure only really begins with the mage Ogion, who takes him on as an apprentice at the Mage School.

It’s here he has to learn more about the nature of magic, his responsibilities as a mage, and has to balance the two. Duny, whose real name is Ged, is a different type of protagonist. He’s an arrogant prick who rubs many of his fellow students the wrong way. This, however, makes his fall from grace much more poignant. In the end, he’s nothing but a fragile boy, and thus a much more relatable character than others.

The Earthsea Cycle is a rich series that features some outstanding world-building and writing. What’s interesting to note is that it’s a series which focuses much more on characters, their personal journey and growth, and not a single epic quest.

It’s definitely worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Dark Tower by Stephen King

Cover of The Gunslinger by Stephen King — Stephen King – The Gunslinger

Starting with The Gunslinger, this series is nothing short of Stephen King’s magnum opus. While Stephen King isn’t known to be a fantasy writer, the Dark Tower can be compared to The Lord of the Rings in more than one way. It’s a chilling tale of tragedy, redemption and bloody action.

The Gunslinger introduces us to Roland Deschain, who sets out after the enigmatic Man in Black. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest, for he’s set out to reach the Dark Tower.

As the series continues, we meet various characters, villains and get to know a variety of different locations. It’s, without a doubt, an epic series about an epic quest that rivals that of Tolkien.

The Dark Tower is a dark and fascinating tale centered on a decaying fantasy world. Yet, it’s much different when compared to the books on this list. It’s part spaghetti western and part Arthurian legend, but we can clearly see the tolkienesque flavor added to the mix.

It’s at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.

The Gunslinger and many other books in this series are amongst the best King has ever written.

While the Dark Tower might be different from the other books on this list, it’s definitely worth reading for those who are interested in books like Lord of the Rings.

The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks

Cover of The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks — Terry Brooks – The Sword of Shannara

There are many fantasy novels and series who are compared with and criticized for being too similar to The Lord of the Rings. The Sword of Shannara is one of them.

We meet Shea, who lives a quiet life in Shady Valley, oblivious to the world around her.

She’s eventually taken from her village by the wizard Allanon to find a magical artifact in order to stop the evil warlock Lord who threatens to destroy the Four Lands. This artifact is The Sword of Shannara which can be only used by someone of Shannara blood. By now, there’s only one decedent left, no other than Shea herself.

When you read the first chapters of The Sword of Shannara, you can’t deny that the novel was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. It’s extremely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, including Wraith-like beings hunting down our main characters.

After these initial chapters, however, the story forms into its own and takes on an entirely different direction.

It’s definitely a great tale and our main characters are both interesting enough to hold our attention. Especially Allanon is quite a thought provoking and significant character.

What I enjoyed especially was that the quest to destroy the warlock Lord wasn’t as drawn out as that to destroy Sauron. Instead, the series expands into several other adventures, spin-offs and sequels and creates its very own identity.

By now, the series comprises almost 40 books and has evolved from pure fantasy to a science-fantasy hybrid. While it might have started out as a clone of The Lord of the Rings, it’s by now one of the most inventive and sprawling fantasy series out there. It covers thousands of years of history, giving it the same epic and mythic feeling that made The Lord of the Rings so popular.

What’s even more interesting, however, is how many of its standard fantasy tropes featured in earlier books are revealed to be more than that in later books.

While the first book has its problems, I still consider the series a worthwhile read for those who love books like Lord of the Rings.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Cover of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis — C. S. Lewis – The Chronicles of Narnia

It’s no surprise that C. S. Lewis and Tolkien have been best friends. At Merton College of Oxford University, the two of them got to know each other and bonded over their mutual fascination with Norse mythology.

The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. During World War II, they are sent from London to the home of Professor Digory Kirke. It’s there that they discover a wardrobe that leads to the magical lands of Narnia. From then on, they have to help Aslan, a talking lion, to save Narnia from the White Witch.

Each book in the series details their adventures as they protect the lands of Narnia.

While The Lord of the Rings was clearly aimed towards adults, The Chronicles of Narnia is much more tailored towards younger readers. This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s not a great read for adults as well.

While Tolkien focused on Western and Scandinavian Mythology, Lewis drew inspiration from the classics. His books are full of fauns, mermaids, minotaurs, elves and wizards.

It’s a fantastic series, one that’s very well worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Cover of The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett — Terry Pratchett – The Color of Magic

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series is one of the most popular fantasy series out there. It comprises 41 books and spans a multitude of subgenres.

It’s, however, quite different from many other series on this list. The Discworld Series stands out by being comical and playing and making fun of many of the tropes established by Tolkien.

It’s a series that’s highly recommended to any fantasy fan out there, but even other readers will surely enjoy the tales of the Discworld.

You’ll find epic quests, lighthearted comedy, but it’s all slightly different from other, every day fantasy books.

What’s most interesting, however, is how Terry Pratchett often uses his comedic fantasy to shine light on real-life issues. Which is something you’ll surely notice if you read the series.

Overall, The Discworld is extremely popular for a good reason and anyone who’s a fan of books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Dragonlance Chronicles by Wise and Hickman

Cover of Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman — Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman – Dragons of Autumn Twilight

The Dragonlance books are a collection of tales inspired by the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons.

They have taken a well-known world, fleshed it out and extended and populated it with memorable characters and plots.

While some of them can be slightly over the top, they are always a lot of fun to read.

The series blends brilliant writing with your typical fantasy tropes and clichés to create something extraordinary.

While it can be rather stereotypical as far as epic fantasy is concerned, the stories themselves are nothing short of phenomenal.

If you’re looking for more epic stories about elves, halflings and dragons, the Dragonlance Chronicles are not a terrible choice.

The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien

Cover of The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien — J. R. R. Tolkien – The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion comprises some of Tolkien’s earliest works with some stories completed in the 1910s. It’s a collection of tales and short stories that outline the mythology and history of Middle-earth.

This book is definitely a must read for fans of The Lord of the Rings and those who love books like Lord of the Rings. It gives you a lot of additional information on anything you might be interested in and fleshes out Tolkien’s universe.

The Silmarillion takes us back to Middle-earth’s first age. Many of the tales, however, aren’t fleshed out short stories, but read more like folktales or legends. Yet, this only serves to give them a certain character. The Silmarillion is a book full of lore, but a great read especially for those who love world-building.

The book, however, was never finished by Tolkien himself, but by his son Christopher.

One thing to note is that The Silmarillion is a tough book to go through. It’s extremely complex, dense and full of mythical characters, terms and places. This is the main reason it never became as popular as The Lord of the Rings.

Yet, I still regard it as a must-read for anyone who likes books like Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Cover of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien — J. R. R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

What better to read for fans of books like Lord of the Rings than The Hobbit, Tolkien’s first book published back in 1937? While it stands well on its own, many people recommend reading it as a follow-up to The Lord of the Rings. The book reveals more about Bilbo, the ring and Gandalf making it not only a great read, but it also adds to the experience of Lord of the Rings itself.

The Hobbit tells the story of Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo. One day, Gandalf shows up at his doorstep and convinces him to go on a quest with 13 dwarfs to win a treasure guarded by the terrible and wicked dragon Smaug.

The Hobbit is a much more charming and gentle story than The Lord of the Rings because it was written for children. It’s also a lot more episodic in fashion, and each chapter contains its own micro-story.

The best part of the book might be the chapter titled ‘Riddles in the dark.’ It’s here where Bilbo meets Gollum and gains a certain magical ring.

The Hobbit is a quick read, but it’s definitely worth reading, especially for fans of books like Lord of the Rings and its connection to the events therein.

The Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope

Cover of Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope — L. Penelope – Song of Blood and Stone

Starting with Song of Blood and Stone, The Earthsinger Chronicles might be the newest entry on this list. Yet it’s a fantastic series.

It introduces us to the magical world of Earthsingers and The Silent. They are two warring worlds held apart by a fragile veil called the Mantle.

Our protagonist, Jasminda, is a farmer who wants nothing more than to live a quiet life away from judgement. She’s an Earthsinger who lives amongst The Silent. This makes her someone who possesses ancient magical powers.

For these powers and the color of her skin, she’s shunned by the people around her.

It’s a band of Lagrimari soldiers who destroy her quiet life. Because of them, however, she meets Jack, a spy from the other side of the Mantel. She soon learns that the separation between the two worlds is failing and peace might be at risk.

Jasminda’s Earthsong might be the only thing that prevents the failing of the Mantel and The True Father from crossing over into her world and taking over.

The book tackles a variety of issues, such as race, homophobia, xenophobia and much more. Yet, it all comes with some great world-building and lots of interesting political dynamics.

Penelope’s writing can be best described as lyrical prose, which is strangely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, which he called a poetic song.

The Earthsinger Chronicles is an interesting series, one that tackles many of the problems of our time, but mixes them with traditional fantasy elements. While it’s quite different from many other books on this list, I think more people should read it. It’s especially interesting for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Cover of The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson — Brandon Sanderson – The Mistborn Trilogy

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy has proven a fan favorite and has become one of the most popular fantasy series in recent years. It’s definitely worth reading for those who are looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The series centers on Kelsier, a once hero and now slave and Vin an orphan who’s turned into a thief to survive. What’s special about them, however, is that they have extraordinary powers which are usually reserved only for the nobility.

Together, the two of them lead a band of rebels to eliminate the Lord Ruler.

What makes these books so great is the plot, which is incredibly complex and comes with many twists and turns. Yet, there’s also Vin. With her grit and tenacity, she’s become one of the series’ most beloved characters and a fan favorite.

What’s most interesting, however, is how the series was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Sanderson didn’t merely want to write another series based on an epic quest to save the world. Instead, he thought about a world in which Frodo’s quest failed and the Dark Lord reigns supreme.

Overall, the Mistborn trilogy is an amazing fantasy series and a must-read for fantasy fans.

The Odyssey by Homer

Cover of The Odyssey by Homer — Homer – The Odyssey

One of the earliest work of what can be considered epic fantasy.

It’s set after the events of the Trojan War depicted in the Iliad. Odysseus and his men prepare to sail home, but after angering the god Prometheus, they spend ten years being lost. They encounter mythical enemies, endure multiple challenges and have to show wit and tenacity to overcome them.

The Odyssey is one foundation of Western literature and especially the fantasy genre. There’s no doubt that this work inspired Tolkien’s epic.

It’s a fantastic read, especially for those interested in mythology, but also any fantasy fan out there. If you like books like Lord of the Rings, give the Odyssey a try.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Series by Tad Williams

Cover of To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams — Tad Williams – To Green Angel Tower

Tad Williams is a writer I always loved. The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is his big venture into the realm of fantasy. It’s a series clearly inspired by Tolkien, but who shapes its own identity.

It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard. Humans, dwarf-like Qanuc and the immortal elf-like Sithi, live in peace. It’s all because of the human king, John the Presbyter.

When the king’s health fails, however, so does this peace. For the world hides a dark secret that finally beings to stir when the read priest Pryrates sets out to accomplish his scheme. Yet, there are far more terrible powers hidden in the world.

The young kitchen boy Simon knows nothing about these things, but gets caught up in the events of the novels. He’s forced to go on an adventure that takes him to places far away from his home.

This choice of character is interesting for Simon’s entirely relatable to the reader. Especially early on, he feels more like a bystander and watcher who’s dragged into the events at play.

It’s a fantastic series with some great characters and action. If you’re looking for a series of books like Lord of the Rings, Tad Williams’ epic is definitely a must-read.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

Cover of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin — George R. R. Martin – A Song of Ice and Fire

This is probably the most famous and popular fantasy series after The Lord of the Rings. When the series first debuted, it not only revitalized but revolutionized a genre that seemed stuck.

It’s set in a medieval world in which dragons once proved to be the supreme military power and seasons lasted for years.

Yet, the story itself is low on magical elements and instead focuses on political-intrigues and power-play. While there are magical elements to be found, they are scarce. This, however, only heightens their impact. The Song of Ice and Fire is a series that focuses much more on realism than any other series on the list.

It’s set in a dark, violent world, full of intrigues, villains and anti-heroes. Its narrative is almost entirely character driven and adds a lot of emotional depth.

The story is set in Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms and Essos, a continent to the East. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.

Before the series’ outset, Robert Baratheon led a rebellion and took the throne from the last ruler Aerys II. Years later, the land is at peace, but trouble stirs again. The hand of the king suddenly dies and Eduard Stark, his old friend, is called to Kings Landing to become the new hand of the king. This sets into motion a series of events and ploys for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these and other events are the children of Eduard Stark and we follow them as they try to survive in a world that becomes increasingly violent.

Most impressive about the series is its set of characters. There are a lot of characters to be found in A Song of Ice and Fire. Yet, be they villain or protagonist, they all prove massively interesting and the many POVs give us insight into all of them. Be they Lannister, Stark, Baratheon or Targaryen, they all have set their eyes on the Iron Throne.

Yet, there’s another danger. In the north, beyond the 8000-year-old Wall, the Others loom.

Even though there’s the HBO series based on Martin’s books, I highly recommend reading the books. They far eclipse the adaption and are much more detailed. Yet, the books remain unfinished to this day and most likely will never be finished.

Even though, A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the greatest accomplishments in the fantasy genre and anyone looking for books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

Cover of The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson — Steven Erikson – The Malazan Book of the Fallen

Steven Erikson’s epic is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, full of war and brutality and one of the most complex series I’ve ever come upon.

It centers on the Malazan Empire, whose armies set out to conquer the last remaining free cities on the continent of Genabackis.

The first book of the series introduces us to Whiskeyjack and what remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite unit of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to prepare for the impending conquest. Yet, other powers gather around the city and soon things go out of hand.

This, however, is only the first book of this epic series about war. Over the course of the series we get to know new characters, new dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the major antagonist of the series.

What makes this series so great, however, are the many characters. The books are populated by a vast, yet incredible cast of characters. I’ve you read the books I’m sure you’ll come to love Whiskeyjack, Kalam, Quick Ben and especially Anomander Rake.

What makes things even better is that almost all the main characters are hardened soldiers whose talk is full of dry, crude and sarcastic soldier humor.

Yet, one thing has to be said about these books. They are brutal and unrelenting. One of the best things is that it’s a depiction of a world of war and full of dangerous creatures and ambitious gods is unforgiving. Over the course of the books, you will learn just how unrelenting it is, and that almost no one’s safe.

While it’s a series full of action and brutal battles, it also contains its fair share of philosophical musings. Especially Toll the Hounds, one of the later books in the series, is full of retrospections about life and the world.

The greatest parts about the Malazan book of the Fallen, however, are the world-building and its magic system. Over the course of the books, we slowly get to know more about the world, the Malazan Empire and many other things.

The magic system in Malazan is entirely unique and based on different planes called Warrens. Magic users can tap into them and control them. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before and absolutely fantastically done.

The only criticism I have for the series is that there’s sometimes too much going on and one can easily get lost in a world and story that is almost too rich. The worst offender of this is book one, The Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst book in the series. It throws you into the world, explains nothing and leaves you hanging while you’re trying to make sense of things. Frankly said, the Malazan world can be overwhelming. Things get better, and the book isn’t bad by any means, but it still proves a challenge.

Overall, however, I think if you’re looking for a series that’s full of magic, war and brutal battles that comes with a cast of fantastic characters, you can’t go wrong with The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

It’s one of the best epic fantasy series out there for people who look for books like Lord of the Rings. I can’t recommend it too much.

The 13 Best Dean Koontz Books Anyone Should Read

Dean Koontz is an American writer and a master at his work. You will see so for yourself, if you check out the best Dean Koontz books.

Most people would consider his work to be part of the thriller genre, but he often blends in elements of science-fiction, horror, mystery, satire and fantasy.

For this reason, his books range from suspenseful thrillers, alluring mysteries to fast-paced science-fiction. We encounter malevolent AI, ghosts, villains who can stop time and even Lovecraftian entities.

All this makes his novels much more than they seem at first glance.

In his long career, Dean Koontz has written over 100 novels. Because of this, he’s amongst the most popular American writers today and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.

His works have been translated into 38 different languages, he’s got fourteen number one hits on the New York hardcover bestseller list and many of his books have been made into movies. Those include, The Watchers, Demon Seed and, of course, Phantoms.

With over 100 novels, it’s hard to decide where to start with Dean Koontz and frankly overwhelming. Some of his books are better, others are worse. That’s why I put together a list of the best Dean Koontz books.

Night Chills

Cover of Night Chills by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Night Chills

Night Chills is as book as typical as a Dean Koontz book can be. It centers on evil, unknown entities, who wreak havoc amongst the innocent.

Paul Annendale and his two children, Rya and Mark, arrive at Black Water, Main for their annual camping trip. They have soon to realize, however, that the small town harbors a deep secret.

It’s the night chills who’ve taken hold of the residents. They’ve driven them mad and to commit heinous acts against friends and neighbors, including rape and murder.

It soon becomes clear to Paul and his children that they have no choice but to fight.

When they eventually uncover the source and learn the truth of the night chills, they realize they have to take down the man behind the curtain.

Night Chills is a book of intense thrills, full of suspense and clearly one of the best Dean Koontz books out there.

The Bad Place

Cover of The Bad Place by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – The Bad Place

In this one of the best Dean Koontz novels, we meet a man named Frank Pollard. He’s utterly exhausted, but too afraid to go to sleep.

It’s not nightmares, he fears. Instead, he’s afraid he’ll wake up in a ‘bad place,’ often with blood on his palms. That’s exactly what happened when he woke up the last time, in a motel, his hands covered in blood and with no memory of getting there.

Even worse, over the next days, whenever he awakes, he discovers terrifying objects in his pockets.

When he gets worried about these memory interruptions and has multiple run-ins with mysterious assailants, he hires a husband-and-wife security team, Bobby and Julie Dakota. They are tasked with protecting him and to solve the mystery of what’s going on.

Yet, it soon becomes clear that Frank’s in much more danger than originally thought. Whenever he travels, he’s not just going to a different place, he’s going to other realms and leaves our world behind.

Even the Dakotas have to realize they can’t fight the fate Frank is destined to.

From the Corner of his Eye

Cover of From the Corner of his Eye by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – From the Corner of his Eye

Barty Lampion is blind.

When he was three years old, his unusually beautiful eyes were removed to save him from cancer.

On the same day, a thousand miles away, an evil man learns that Barty is his mortal enemy and he must kill him should their paths ever cross.

Barty might be unable to see, but he’s incredibly smart. His mother Agnes teaches him an important lesson: everything in life happens for a reason and affects those of others, often in unknown ways.

A decade later, when Barty miraculously regains his sight, he has to realize the world wasn’t what it seemed. Even worse, he remains completely unaware of the man who’s out to kill him.

Yet, there’s someone else. A girl born from brutal rape who’s destined to link Barty and the mysterious man who stalks him.

From the Corner of his Eye is a multi-POV novel with three separate stories combined into a journey about courage, faith and human bonds.

While not a horror novel and not full of suspense like the other best Dean Koontz books, From the Corner of his Eye proved to be a sentimental favorite amongst his fans.

It’s definitely a must read if you enjoyed his other books.

The Silent Corner

Cover of The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – The Silent Corner

Many fans agree that Dean Koontz is doing his best work right now with the Jane Hawk series. They are clearly amongst the best Dean Koontz books out there.

Starting with the Silent Corner, this series proved massively popular. The book follows FBI agent Jane Hawk.

After her husband’s suicide, he’s devastated and searches for answers. He was a man who was happy and had everything go live for.

When she investigates, however, she soon discovers that her husband wasn’t the only victim. He was merely one in a long stride of suicides of otherwise happy and accomplished people.

Before long, Jane discovers a dark conspiracy involving advanced mind-controlling nanotechnology. The culprit behind it is the scientist Berthold Shenneck, who soon sets his sight on Jane herself. This soon makes her the most-wanted fugitive in America.

Jane Hawk proves to be amongst Dean Koontz’s most complex characters. She’s relentless, resourceful, but also vulnerable.

The Silent Corner, as well as the other books in this series, are filled with a perfect combination of great ideas and thrilling action. This makes them a worthy addition to any list of the best Dean Koontz books.

They are a fantastic mixture of science-fiction and mystery, but also bring a variety of other themes into play. They are outstanding, gripping and suspenseful page turners.

Comprising five books all together, the series is definitely worth reading.

The Husband

Cover of The Husband by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – The Husband

The Husband is a novel about one man’s commitment to his wife. It’s a haunting journey about adventure, sacrifice and redemption.

We got to know Mitch Rafferty. His wife, Holy, is kidnapped, and he’s told she’ll be killed unless he hands over $2 million in cash. Without telling anyone, of course.

Mitch, however, isn’t a rich man. No, he’s a modestly paid landscaper. Yet, the kidnappers are relentless and even force Mitch to watch a murder to make it clear to him they mean business.

Worse yet, his house has been set up to make it look like he killed his wife.

Mitch now has to find a way to save his wife by whatever means necessary, even if he has to risk his life to hurt others.

Through a series of increasingly nefarious events and elaborate ploys, Mitch thinks he’s figured out what’s going on. Yet, things are never so simple, and when he gets betrayed, things take a turn for the worst.

The Husband is an absolute masterclass in suspense. Yet, what’s most impressive about it is how Dean Koontz can take such a basic premise and weave it into such a complex story.

Like many other of the best Dean Koontz books, The Husband comes with carefully constructed characters and intricate plotlines.

This is a book that proves once more that Dean Koontz deserves his reputation as a master of the thriller and horror genre.

Demon Seed

Cover of Demon Seed by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Demon Seed

Demon Seed was Dean Koontz’s first bestseller.

It’s a novel that explores the relationship between humans and technology and follows the life of Susan Harris, a wealthy divorcee.

She’s known as a recluse and lives in a mansion surrounded only by automated systems controlled by her computer.

Susan feels safe in her home, but that changes when her system is breached from outside by an insidious artificial intelligence known as Proteus.

From then on, Proteus is consumed by learning more about her and what it means to be human.

Even worse, Susan’s now stuck and imprisoned in her own home.

Proteus wants only one thing, to experience life as a human being. His solution is to impregnate Susan with his biologically engineered spawn and then inhabit the offspring with his own consciousness. A battle of wits between Susan and the AI begins.

Demon Seed is a twisted love story that’s both disturbing and imaginative. It’s creepy and smart and was the first book of its kind back in its days.

Even if the technology can appear somewhat dated, it’s still a fantastic read, one of the best Dean Koontz books and a great introduction to his work.

Midnight

Cover of Midnight by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Midnight

Midnight is another one of Dean Koontz’s most famous novels.

The residents of Moonlight Cove, a sleepy beach town in California, are changing. Some are losing touch with their emotions and become emotionless zombies, other surrender to their wildest urges and turn into killing beasts.

Only a few remain unchanged, and fewer still aren’t murdered in the dead of the night. Four survivors have to bend together, figure out what’s going on, and confront the darkest realms of human nature.

They must uncover the town’s dark past and the town’s most disturbed residents to find the cause of the infection.

What makes things even harder is that the local police try to cover it all up.

Midnight is another Multi-POV novel, featuring the points of view of four unique characters. These four stories slowly converge into a central narrative.

All these character’s views add into a suspenseful story about government conspiracies, science-fiction monsters, horror and even love. One could say the book’s central theme is whether humanity would still exist without emotions.

The book has its problems, of course. Its depiction of good versus evil can be stereotypical, it can be unbelievable, and some characters can appear one-dimensional. Yet, these problems are made up for by Dean Koontz’s incredibly fast-paced writing and descriptive style.

Midnight is a masterpiece of terror and fear and amongst the best Dean Koontz books ever written.

Lightning

Cover of Lightning by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Lightning

Lightning stands out on this list of the best Dean Koontz books for being a mixture of science-fiction and humor. Yet, it remains amongst Dean Koontz’s most read books.

What makes it so good is its innovative premise and the truly impressive world-building.

Lightning centers on two characters. One is Laura Shane. When she was born, a strange storm reigned, one people would remember for many years. The other is Stefan, a man who appears and saves Laura from a fatal delivery.

Laura is now in her thirties, but is still influenced by the events that took place during her birth. One day, another bolt of lightning appears and, with it, Stefan returns to save Laure from tragedy once more. From then on, Stefan is always there to rescue her from dangerous situations.

In time, Laura wonders who the stranger is and what his motifs are. Is he her guardian angel, or does he hide a more sinister secret?

Yet, this is Dean Koontz novel, and the truth is beyond Laura’s and the reader’s wildest imagination. This is not all, however, the book explores other even more interesting ideas and concepts.

Lightning is a fantastic and suspenseful mystery novel with well-developed characters, and, of course, Dean Koontz’s usual science-fiction and fantasy elements.

Most of all, however, it’s a beautiful and sensitive story about love. It’s massively popular and one of the best Dean Koontz books.

Dragon Tears

Cover of Dragon Tears by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Dragon Tears

Dragon Tears is a book filled to the brim with action and, without a doubt, one of the best Dean Koontz books out there.

It centers on Special Project police officer Harry Lyon and his partner Connie Gulliver.

One day, Harry has to shoot a man at a diner. After this event, Harry’s life changes forever and gets chaotic when he meets a homeless man who gives him a strange warning.

“Tick-tock, tick-tock. You’ll be dead in sixteen hours. Dead by dawn, Dead by dawn, Dead by dawn…”

Harry is spooked and soon discovers a secret that puts his life and those around him in danger. Yet, can he save everyone before time runs out?

Before long, this secret sends Harry and Connie on a hunt to discover the cause behind the heightened violence in their small California town.

Dragon Tears is another extremely suspenseful novel and comes with a cast of fantastic and unique characters. Fans loved the sympathetic characters, the many twists and turns and Dean Koontz’s usual fast pace.

Dragon Tears is a great novel all around and while I regard it as one of the best Dean Koontz books, anyone should check it out.

Intensity

Cover of Intensity by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Intensity

With a title like this, you can already tell what you’re in for. Intensity is an intense tale and a gripping novel about a struggle between our protagonist and a vicious serial killer.

This protagonist is Chyna Shepherd from Napa Valley. Chyna has overcome countless hardship and has preserved. After her deranged mother treated her like trash, she was forced to build a shell of self-sufficiency.

These skills proved to help her when a sociopathic murder breaks into her close friend’s home and kills everyone.

That man’s name is Edgler Foreman Vess, who describes himself as a ‘homicidal adventurer.’ He lives without fear, remorse or limits, and only for intensity.

At first Chyna’s aim is only to survive, but things soon change. She learns Edgler has imprisoned a young girl in his home and before long she sets out to stop him and save the girl.

What sets intensity apart from other, similar novels is the deep dive into the character’s psyche. You know not only what makes our protagonist tick, but also the killer. You’ll understand what brought them together that night, their motifs and their different worldviews. Each different theme in this novel is well-developed. Be it Chyna’s hope and morals or Edgler’s nihilistic sadism.

Especially Chyna stands out as one of Dean Koontz’s greatest protagonists and comes with a fantastic character arc.

Despite this focus on the character’s inner workings, the pace never slows down and comes with some fantastic action scenes and mental warfare.

This is a novel that will make you sweat. If you love cat-and-mouse thrillers, you will love Intensity. It’s clearly amongst the best Dean Koontz books.

Watchers

Cover of Watchers by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Watchers

Watchers is yet another thriller rich in science-fiction elements. It’s not only one of the best Dean Koontz books, but it’s the one that launched his status as a best-selling writer.

The story follows Travis Cornell, a Delta Force operative with depression who’s trying to find purpose in his life.

When he finds a golden retriever near his home, he names the dog Einstein because he shows unusual intelligence for a dog. The two of them soon bond and become best friends.

When he goes on a trip with his dog, the dog refuses to go deeper into the woods. While he’s frustrated at first, he soon realizes that his dog’s trying to protective him from a terrible evil. It’s the horrific entity called Outside that’s out there and soon begins hunting him down.

Both Einstein and Outsider were both genetically engineered at a government lab. While Einstein’s men’s best friend, the Outsider is a vicious abomination, hell-bent on killing the dog and anyone who gets in his way.

Soon enough, there’s more trouble, for Outsider isn’t the only danger. Travis finds himself on the run from federal agents, as well as a professional assassin hired to kill everyone who knows about the project that created Einstein and the Outsider.

Watchers is basically Dean Koontz’s love letter to dog being man’s best friend.

Dean Koontz himself describes this novel as his most terrifying, dramatic and moving. It’s a novel that blends the bond between a man and his dog, science-fiction and horror, into a fantastic read. If you want to read one of the best Dean Koontz books, you really should check out Watchers.

Odd Thomas

Cover of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Odd Thomas

Odd Thomas is a supernatural mystery thriller and the first in Dean Koontz’s bestselling series by the same name. It’s by many thought of as one of the best Dean Koontz books out there, or even his best.

The first book in the series introduces us to the 20-year-old ‘Odd Thomas,’ a short-order cook. He emerged from a pretty rough childhood, but hasn’t lost his good nature. At first glance, he might appear normal, but there’s something truly ‘odd’ about him. He can communicate with the dead, also recognize daemon-like bodachs who surround those fated for death.

Thomas uses his abilities for good and tries his best to bring justice to the ghosts who seek his help.

One day, however, he finds himself confronted with forces that threaten everything he knows and loves. A figure called the ‘Fungus Man’ shows up at his diner, surrounded by more bodachs than he’s ever seen before.

As he pries deeper into these forces, he understands that his abilities might be no match for them.

Even worse, he realizes his girlfriend’s life is at stake and he sets out to stop them.

While it’s a paranormal fiction novel about the battle between good and evil, it contains its fair share of amusing elements. For example, a cast of famous ghosts who keep Odd Thomas company, including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

Odd Thomas is an excellent book and worthy of its position on this list of the best Dean Koontz books. It’s a mixture of suspense, humor and heart that comes together in Dean Koontz’s unique way.

Phantoms

Cover of Phantoms by Dean Koontz — Dean Koontz – Phantoms

Phantoms is probably the best of Dean Koontz’s many books. Even Stephen King regards it as one of his favorite novels.

The story surrounds two sisters, Jenny and Lisa Paige who return to their hometown. At first, they find everything quiet and the town abandoned. Soon they find out that not only their family, but everyone else in town is dead or missing.

All that remains are a few bloated corpses that appear to suffer from some sort of disease and are warm to the touch.

They get in contact with a neighboring town’s police and even a biological team is sent to learn more about the tragedy.

It soon becomes clear, however, that their death can’t be explained by an outbreak and more sinister forces are at play.

It’s only when they come upon the research of one Timothy Fylte that it becomes clear what’s really at play. They learn of an ancient creature that’s at fault for destroying the town.

This enemy, slumbering underground, consumes every living thing in its path and can absorb the consciousness of its victims. This allows the creature to create ‘phantoms’ which take on the form and behavior of those it consumed.

What makes this book stand out is the terrible horror at play, which was heavily inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft. Yet, the resolution to this book is much smarter than you think, and the concept behind it is fantastic.

Phantoms is, without a doubt, amongst the best Dean Koontz books of all time. It’s a fantastic, thrilling book and worth reading for anyone, not only fans of Dean Koontz.

The 9 Best Hemingway Books Anyone Should Read

Ernest Hemingway is one of the most influential American writers of all time. Many of the best Hemingway books are regarded amongst the finest works of American literature.

He was a deeply profound writer, one who shared greatly about the hardships of love, life, but also other topics such as war and opposing the unconquerable.

Ernest Hemingway Photograph — Ernest Hemingway

His works shine by a combination of a simplistic, yet powerful style, deep themes and an often harsh portrayal of realism.

He’s a writer who differed vastly from his peers. He branded a new, simplistic style of writing.

Over the years, I’ve read many of the best Hemingway books, but I also have taken his approach to the craft to heart. I think reading Ernest Hemingway is a great experience. His works might appear simplistic, but they are full of life, of a feeling of love and profound insight. If you’re interested in more classical literature recommendations, check out or classical literature category.

The Sun Also Rises

Cover of The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises was Hemingway’s debut and first novel. It’s, however, regarded by many as one of the best Hemingway books out there.

The novel’s defined by a contrast of Midwestern values and new experiences in post-World War I Europe. It showcases life in Paris with friends and acquaintances, meaningless revelry, but also bullfighting in Spain. It portrays the bad and the ugly of people who return from World War one, those who are lost and how they try to create something beautiful.

Its protagonist is typical of Hemingway. He’s competent, confident, yet doomed to stay unfulfilled. It’s, in essence, a personal and literary search for meaning.

The Sun Also Rises is a courageous attempt to write in a different way. It shows Hemingway’s mastery of dialogue, but also his sparse and simplistic style of description and narrative.

The Sun Also Rises is self-indulgent, promiscuous and even unflattering, but most of all, it’s honest. It shows an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love and vanishing illusions.

It’s lively, engrossing, clearly one of the best Hemingway books out there and a must read for fans of his work.

A Farewell to Arms

Cover of A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway’s second novel and a fictional retelling of the events that shaped his worldview.

It’s about a young man who leaves the Midwest and goes to Italy as an ambulance driver. He wanted to join the Great War, display honor and courage, but was instead blown apart in the trenches. We see him falling in love, contemplating marriage before being rejected. In essence, it shows us how man faces life’s challenges.

It’s the first novel of his that should feature one of his most dominant themes: confrontation with death.

A Farewell to Arms is one of the most important works on World War I. It shows us that war brings out the best and worst in man, shows us weary and demoralized men and the profound struggles between loyalty and desertion.

One can also see that Hemingway’s become more confident in his craft since he wrote The Sun Also Rises.

Overall, A Farewell to Arms is another one of the best Hemingway books out there, and quite a profound and enjoyable read.

Death in the Afternoon

Cover of Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – Death in the Afternoon

Hemingway was a big fan of bullfighting and we can see it in Death in the Afternoon.

This one of the best Hemingway books is his defining work on the subject. He describes bullfighting not as merely a sport, but as an inspiration for his art. He sees it as something akin to a richly choreographed ballet.

One of Hemingway’s most popular themes is courage and grace under pressure, and it’s what he sees as the essence of bullfighting. He does a tremendous job of illustrating both the savageness and the beauty of it. He describes it in detail, sheds light on the rigorous combination of athleticism and artistry, as well as the technical aspects and dangers of it.

Death in the Afternoon is a novel full of examination and insight. It shows bravery and cowardice, heroism and tragedy, and, of course, life and death.

While it’s not one of Hemingway’s most popular novels, I still believe it to be amongst the best Hemingway books and one anyone should read.

To Have and Have Not

Cover of To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – To Have and Have Not

To Have and Have Not is a novel about Hemingway’s growing awareness of the different financial and social classes of people.

Its cast of characters are based on the people Hemingway met during his time in Key West. They comprise the working class on the docks, the illegal immigrants who are smuggled in from Cuba and the rich who moor their boats there.

The plot centers on a man who’s forced to run contraband between Cuba and Key West to keep his family afloat. It leads him into a world of wealthy yachtsmen and involves him in a strange and unlikely love affair.

To Have and Have Not is a depression-era novel. It’s a harsh and realistic work, yet also oddly tender. Hemingway argues for political and social change to help the working class, yet he doesn’t think the New Deal is a solution.

Via the novel’s main character, he outlines the limits of personal freedom, self-reliance and the absence of grace under pressure.

It’s a profound and deep work and amongst the best Hemingway books.

The Green Hills of Africa

Cover of The Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – The Green Hills of Africa

The Green Hills of Africa is Hemingway’s venture into the realm of nonfiction. It details his real-life adventure of going hunting in East Africa and provides us with insights into his life and adventures.

In his prose, he showcases the rich, unsullied lands of Africa, the fat herds, but also the dangers of overhunting and the scarcity of nature.

It’s regarded as one of the most essential books in the travel literature genre. When I first read it, I loved every page and even now I regard it as one of the best Hemingway books out there.

The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway

Cover of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway started his literary career as a writer of short stories and he became a monster of the form.

This giant book is the definite collection of all his short stories and contains all sixty he ever wrote.

It contains many highly regarded classics such as ‘Hills Like White Elephants,’ ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro,’ ‘The Killers,’ and, of course, ‘Indian Camp.’

It’s a fantastic collection, a true showcase of Hemingway’s mastery of the short story, and it contains some of the greatest short fiction ever written.

A Moveable Feast

Cover of A Moveable Feast by by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – A Moveable Feast

A Moveable Feast is Hemingway’s memoir and was only published posthumously.

Did you ever dream of going to Paris to become a writer? If you read this book, I’m sure you’ll find it as tempting as I did.

I regard A Moveable Feast as one of the greatest and most definite memories any young writer could read, probably the best.

Before Hemingway wrote about deep sea fishing, hunting, or his experiences in war, he was a young man who desired to hone his craft.

The book’s essential a time capsule that takes us back to this time, the Paris of the 1920s.

What’s interesting to note is that it also gives us insight into other writers of the period, most notably F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.

A Moveable Feast is definitely amongst the best Hemingway books out there, and it’s a warm, heartfelt love letter to the craft of writing and of being young.

The Old Man and the Sea

Cover of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea was the work Hemingway published before his death.

It’s, in my opinion, his most refined and finely crafted work and his most enduring book. It’s a short, but outstanding read.

Based on his experiences in Cuba, Hemingway created the character of Santiago, an old fisherman. After an unlucky streak of not catching anything for eighty-five days, the old man catches a great marlin. Yet, his luck doesn’t last for long, for the fish is soon torn apart by sharks.

All the while, the old man reminisces about his life and his experiences as an arm wrestling-champion.

The novel’s a testament to Hemingway’s view of life, confront the unconquerable and to fight and show courage under pressure.

The old man doesn’t give in, not until the end, even though he knows he’s lost.

All this is encapsulated in the novel’s most famous line ‘A man can be destroyed, but he cannot be defeated.’

The Old Man and the Sea is a testament of his mastery of the craft like no other. The style is simplistic, yet incredibly powerful.

When the book was first published, it was an incredible success. It was first awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and later the Noble Price in Literature.

It’s without a doubt one of the best Hemingway books, if not the best, and it’s a book anyone should read.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Cover of For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway — Ernest Hemingway – For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls is Hemingway’s magnum opus and clearly one of the best Hemingway books ever written.

It’s based on Hemingway’s experiences as a correspondent during the Spanish Civil war and going behind enemy lines, similar to the novel’s protagonist.

The novel showcases his classic themes in all their glory: the courage of man under pressure and the conflicts of love and war.

Once more, Hemingway uses his personal experiences, as well as that of friends and acquaintances, to develop his fictional retelling. Many of the characters in the novel are based on people Hemingway knew himself.

The novel takes place over three days and is set near the El Tajo gorge.

One of the most outstanding parts of the novel is the description of the political massacre in Pablo’s village. The best, however, at least in my opinion, was his description of the smell of death. It was something I’d never seen outlined in such detail before.

It’s a fantastic novel, and one of his most popular by far.

While it can be tough, or even tedious at times, it makes up for it by those parts who are nothing short of brilliant.

It’s a story that’s beautiful, strong and brutal, but also compassionate, moving and wise.

For me, For Whom the Bell Tolls is the best Hemingway book out there, and a book that anyone should read.