The Greatest "Fiction" Books Since 1980

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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  1. 3026. Tales from Rugosa Coven by Sarah Avery

    "Tales from Rugosa Coven" is a collection of interconnected stories that follow the lives of a group of witches living in a small coastal town. The coven must navigate personal and magical challenges, including a mysterious illness that affects their community and the arrival of an outsider who threatens their way of life. Through their trials, the witches learn the importance of trust, loyalty, and the power of their collective magic. The book explores themes of community, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.

  2. 3027. Doll Bones by Holly Black

    "Doll Bones" by Holly Black is a story about three friends, Zach, Poppy, and Alice, who embark on a journey to bury a haunted doll that they believe is controlling their lives. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their friendship and force them to confront their fears. As they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the doll, they begin to uncover secrets about themselves and their families. Ultimately, they must face their fears and find the courage to do what is right, even if it means facing the unknown.

  3. 3028. The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

    In "The Collapsing Empire," humanity has spread across the galaxy thanks to a network of extradimensional pathways known as the Flow, which makes interstellar travel possible. The Flow is controlled by the powerful Interdependency, a quasi-feudal empire that relies on the pathways to maintain its political and economic dominance. However, when it's discovered that the Flow is shifting and may soon disappear, the empire faces the threat of collapse. As various factions vie for power and survival, a scientist, a starship captain, and a member of the ruling elite embark on a desperate quest to uncover the truth about the Flow's instability and seek a way to save human civilization from impending doom.

  4. 3029. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

    "A Snicker of Magic" is a heartwarming story about a girl named Felicity who has the ability to see words all around her. She and her mother move to a town called Midnight Gulch, where she meets a boy named Jonah and his family who are rumored to have magical powers. Felicity sets out to uncover the town's magical past and help Jonah's family break a curse that has plagued them for generations. Along the way, she discovers the power of friendship, family, and the magic of words.

  5. 3030. The Aliens by Annie Baker

    The play centers around two thirty-something men, Jasper and KJ, who spend their time behind a Vermont coffee shop discussing music, philosophy, and their personal struggles, embodying a sense of aimlessness and lost potential. Their static existence is interrupted when they form an unlikely friendship with Evan, a high school student and employee of the coffee shop. Through their conversations and interactions, the trio explores themes of connection, the search for meaning, and the poignant moments found in the mundanity of everyday life. The narrative unfolds with a quiet intensity, capturing the essence of small-town ennui and the subtle dynamics of male friendship.

  6. 3031. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

    "A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking" is a young adult fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher. The story follows fourteen-year-old wizard Mona, who uses her magical abilities to defend her town from dangerous creatures. However, when a mysterious assassin begins targeting the town's wizards, Mona finds herself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. With the help of a talking sourdough starter and a few unlikely allies, Mona must use her baking skills and her magic to save her community and uncover the truth behind the attacks.

  7. 3032. 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog

    The play follows the emotional journey of a young man who, after suffering a major loss during a cross-country bike trip, seeks solace and understanding by visiting his feisty 91-year-old grandmother in her West Village apartment. As the unlikely pair navigates the complexities of family, independence, and coming of age, their generational gaps both challenge and deepen their bond. Through a series of candid, heartfelt conversations, they explore themes of grief, connection, and the search for personal identity, revealing the profound impact of intergenerational relationships and the resilience needed to heal from life's unpredictable trials.

  8. 3033. Delicious Foods by James Hannaham

    This novel tells the story of a young boy named Eddie who is left to fend for himself after his mother, a widow and crack addict, disappears. Eddie's mother has been lured into a corrupt and brutal farming operation, where workers are treated like slaves and kept addicted to drugs. The narrative alternates between Eddie's desperate search for his mother and his mother's struggles within the exploitative system, both of them battling against the destructive influence of addiction and systemic racism.

  9. 3034. Fortune Smiles: Stories by Adam Johnson

    "Fortune Smiles: Stories" is a collection of six short stories that delve into love, loss, politics, and technology. The stories take readers across the world, from East Berlin to Louisiana, offering a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Themes explored include the struggle of a former Stasi prison warden in a reunified Germany, a woman dealing with a disease that causes her to compulsively shop, a man trying to help a North Korean defector adjust to new life, and a Louisiana man who cares for his dying non-communicative wife.

  10. 3035. Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon

    "Castle Hangnail" follows the story of a young witch named Molly who is determined to become a proper wicked witch and take over the abandoned Castle Hangnail. However, when she arrives, she finds out that the castle's minions are not what she expected and the castle itself is in danger of being sold. Molly must use her wit and magic to prove to the castle's Board of Magic that she is fit to be the new master and save the castle from destruction. Along the way, she befriends the quirky minions and learns the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and bravery.

  11. 3036. Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire

    The play explores the struggles and complexities of class and social mobility through the lens of Margie Walsh, a sharp-tongued single mother from South Boston. After losing her job at a dollar store, Margie reaches out to an old flame, now a successful doctor, in hopes of finding employment. As their past and present collide, the narrative delves into themes of opportunity, resilience, and the challenging question of whether individuals can truly escape the circumstances of their birth. The interactions between characters reveal the intricate dynamics of old friendships, the judgments we make, and the role that luck plays in the American Dream.

  12. 3037. The Motherf**Ker With The Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis

    The play is a dark comedy that delves into the complexities of love, addiction, and betrayal. It follows the story of Jackie, a parolee who is trying to stay clean and make a fresh start with the support of his sponsor. However, his life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers a mysterious hat in the apartment he shares with his longtime girlfriend, leading him to suspect infidelity. As Jackie confronts his demons and the relationships around him begin to unravel, the narrative takes a hard look at the challenges of maintaining trust and fidelity in a world filled with temptations and moral ambiguity.

  13. 3038. Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz

    In the play, a family reunion during Christmas in Palm Springs is disrupted when the daughter, an aspiring writer, announces her plans to publish a memoir that revives a tragic event in the family's history. The revelation threatens to tear the family apart as secrets are unearthed and differing memories and perspectives come to light. The family members, including two parents with a history in Hollywood and politics, an aunt who was a former screenwriter, and an addict brother, all must confront their past and the impact of the daughter's book on their future. The play delves into themes of family loyalty, political responsibility, and the elusive nature of truth.

  14. 3039. The End Of Vandalism by Tom Drury

    The book revolves around the life of a former high school football star turned local sheriff in the quiet Midwestern town of Grouse County. His routine existence is shaken when he stumbles upon an act of vandalism at a local school and meets an enigmatic woman who is new to town. As he navigates a series of peculiar events and relationships, including his dealings with the woman and his ex-wife, the sheriff finds himself embroiled in a deeper mystery that challenges his understanding of the community he's sworn to protect. The novel weaves together themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human connection against the backdrop of small-town America.

  15. 3040. Dun Lady's Jess by Doranna Durgin

    This novel blends the enchantment of fantasy with the thrill of adventure, telling the story of a horse, Jess, who is magically transformed into a human woman. Thrust into a world vastly different from her equine existence, Jess must navigate the complexities of human society, language, and emotions, all while trying to find a way to return to her original form. Alongside a cast of diverse characters, she embarks on a journey that explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the deep bond between horse and rider. Set against a backdrop of magic and intrigue, the story delves into the challenges of adapting to a new form and the quest for understanding across species barriers.

  16. 3041. The Book Of Form And Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

    "The Book of Form and Emptiness" follows the journey of a young boy named Benny Oh who discovers an extraordinary ability to hear the voices of inanimate objects. As Benny navigates his complicated family dynamics and copes with the loss of his father, he becomes entangled with a cast of eccentric characters and finds solace in the companionship of the objects around him. This thought-provoking novel explores themes of grief, identity, and the power of imagination, ultimately challenging readers to reconsider their relationship with the material world.

  17. 3042. Kingfisher by Patricia A. McKillip

    "Kingfisher" is a fantasy novel that follows the story of Pierce Oliver, a young man who is the son of a powerful sorcerer. Pierce is sent on a quest to find his missing father and in the process discovers a hidden world of magic and intrigue. Along the way, he meets a cast of unique characters, including a talking bird and a shape-shifting princess. As Pierce delves deeper into the mystery of his father's disappearance, he must also confront his own destiny and the power he possesses. The book is a thrilling adventure full of magic, mystery, and self-discovery.

  18. 3043. The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

    "The Inquisitor's Tale" is a medieval adventure story about three children with magical powers and their faithful dog, who embark on a dangerous journey across France to save their fellow Jews from persecution. Along the way, they encounter knights, monks, and even the King of France, while facing challenges that test their courage, loyalty, and faith. This book is a blend of history, mythology, and fairy tale, told in a humorous and engaging style that will captivate readers of all ages.

  19. 3044. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

    This novel explores the lives of two families in New York City during the 2008 financial crisis. One family is a wealthy couple who live a luxurious lifestyle due to their Wall Street connections, while the other family is a pair of Cameroonian immigrants who are trying to make ends meet. As the financial crisis hits, both families face challenges that test their relationships, their dreams, and their understanding of the American Dream.

  20. 3045. Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

    "Anything is Possible" is a collection of interconnected stories exploring the lives and struggles of various residents in a small town in Illinois. The stories delve into the characters' pasts, revealing their secrets, regrets, and the complexities of their relationships. The book explores themes of poverty, trauma, and the human capacity for change, demonstrating that despite hardships and heartbreak, anything is possible.

  21. 3046. Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike by Christopher Durang

    The play is a comedic exploration of the complexities of family dynamics, middle-age despair, and the search for identity amidst the chaos of modern life. It follows the story of two middle-aged siblings, Vanya and Sonia, whose quiet, mundane lives in their Pennsylvania family home are disrupted by the return of their movie-star sister, Masha, and her much younger lover, Spike. As they confront their regrets and the fear of being left behind by a world that's moved on without them, the siblings grapple with their relationships, their missed opportunities, and their hopes for the future, all while dealing with the eccentricities of a visiting fortune-telling housekeeper and a star-struck neighbor. The narrative is a poignant yet humorous take on the themes of family, aging, and the desire to belong, all underscored by elements borrowed from classic Russian literature.

  22. 3047. Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon

    The play centers around three cousins who gather in a cramped Manhattan apartment after their grandfather's funeral. As they mourn, a fierce battle ensues over a cherished family heirloom, a Chai necklace that symbolizes their grandfather's faith and survival during the Holocaust. The dispute quickly escalates into a broader conflict over religious identity, privilege, and what it means to be a "good" Jew in contemporary America. The narrative explores themes of family, faith, and the legacy of history, all while delivering sharp-witted dialogue and dark humor.

  23. 3048. The Royale by Marco Ramirez

    "The Royale" is a gripping play that delves into the complex world of boxing in the early 20th century, focusing on an African American fighter who dreams of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. As he navigates the racially segregated landscape of the sport, he must confront not only his opponents in the ring but also the societal challenges and personal sacrifices that come with his ambition. The narrative builds to a climactic fight that's as much about personal triumph as it is about the broader racial tensions of the era, delivering a powerful punch about the cost of breaking barriers and the resilience of the human spirit.

  24. 3049. Dreams Before The Start Of Time by Anne Charnock

    "Dreams Before The Start Of Time" by Anne Charnock is a thought-provoking novel set in a future where reproductive technology has advanced to the point where people can choose the genetic makeup of their children. The story follows multiple characters across generations, exploring the ethical and emotional implications of these advancements on family dynamics, personal identity, and the nature of parenthood. Through its richly developed characters and intricate plot, the book raises questions about the role of technology in shaping our lives and the complex interplay between science and humanity.

  25. 3050. Frogkisser by Garth Nix

    "Frogkisser" by Garth Nix is a whimsical fairy tale about a young princess named Anya who is tasked with saving her kingdom from an evil sorcerer. Along the way, she must go on a quest to gather magical items and enlist the help of various creatures, including talking dogs and a transformed prince who has been turned into a frog. With humor and heart, Anya learns the true meaning of bravery, friendship, and what it means to be a hero.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download