Best fiction books to read in 2024

Featured in

    Learn about the hottest fiction subgenres and titles you can hear on your favorite audiobook platform.

    Best fiction books to read in 2023

    Literary fiction is arguably the most popular genre when it comes to books, short stories, and book series. It can entertain readers more than real events and memoirs because they allow the author’s imagination to run wild.

    Best fiction books

    Here are some recommendations for fiction books to read or listen to in 2023.

    Classic literature

    • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Published in 1813, this fiction novel is one of the most appreciated pieces of fiction writing. It’s a book about discovering acceptance and appreciation for actual goodness.

    • Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – One of the last novels by Charles Dickens, Great Expectations features a colorful cast of characters and powerful imagery, and it still finds its way into many book club reading lists.

    • The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer – Written between 1387 and 1400, The Canterbury Tales is Chaucer’s greatest collection of verse stories.

    • A Clergyman’s Daughter by George Orwell – The 1935 George Orwell novel follows Dorothy Hare, a clergyman’s daughter who suffers an amnesia attack.

    • 1984 by George Orwell – The dystopian story by George Orwell takes place in a totalitarian superstate called Oceania. The author depicts a world ravaged by war, propaganda, and omnipresent surveillance. Many new books and movies take inspiration from this work of fiction.

    Crime

    • The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Few crime novels stand the test of time, like books following legendary private detective Sherlock Holmes.

    • The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith – Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller and crime novel deals with obsession, imitation, and identity. The popular book has four sequels.

    • The Reversal by Michael Connelly – In The Reversal, a defense attorney switches sides to aid the prosecution in a high-profile retrial of a child murderer.

    • The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins – Many modern detective novels took inspiration from The Moonstone. Collins’s novel helped establish this fiction subgenre with this story of diamond thieves and mysterious characters.

    • No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy – Despite the simplistic writing style, the author’s use of interweaving storylines and multiple central characters resulted in a thrilling crime novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican-American border.

    Fantasy

    • Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – The first in an exciting trilogy, Daughter of Smoke and Bone combines supernatural elements, magic, and mythological creatures to create a thrilling romantic fantasy.

    • Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – Red Queen is Victoria Aveyard’s debut novel. It’s a New York Times bestseller and a popular fiction book among young adults. The author also penned sequel novels and tie-in novellas that expand on the lore and explore various character relationships.

    • The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White – Focused on King Arthur’s youth, The Sword in the Stone is an interesting piece of historical fiction. Although Arthurian lore rarely involves real people and actual events, the historical accuracy of medieval practices and magical elements make for a fantastic story.

    Horror

    • The Elementals by Michael McDowell – The prolific horror writer puts a new spin on the haunted house theme. Follow a family of New Yorkers as they bite off more than they can chew in a Victorian summer house of nightmares.

    • It by Stephen King – When it comes to horror, Stephen King is the undisputed master. And it’s no secret that even modern movie productions can’t come close to matching the author’s ability to give a reader chills down their spine. What better way to delve into horror books or audiobooks than with It and the iconic murderous clown Pennywise?

    • The Cipher by Kathe Koja – The 1991 novel combines cosmic horror and body horror themes in a rare genre masterpiece.

    • The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells – Many people know British author H. G. Wells for his work in science fiction and time travel novels. But The Island of Doctor Moreau takes things to a new level with horror elements many readers wouldn’t expect.

    • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – Victor Frankenstein’s unorthodox scientific experiment is a gothic fiction horror classic with science fiction elements. It hits all the right notes for an 1818 novel. And its numerous movie, book, and TV adaptations prove the story stood the test of time.

    Mystery

    • Death on the Riviera by John Bude – The eccentric characters, exotic backdrop, and hunt for counterfeiters mark one of the most exciting works of author John Bude.

    • An English Murder by Cyril Hare – The 1951 novel uses numerous elements of the Golden Age murder mystery in post-war Britain.

    • Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith – This psychological introduces the “trading murders” and makes for a highly entertaining read.

    Romance

    • The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen – Despite its many fantasy elements, the magical theme plays second fiddle in this charming romance novel.

    • Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams – This Denise Williams novel follows a female wedding officiant and a sports event manager as they inevitably grow closer to each other. It’s a story of how the circumstances influence the outcome.

    • Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase – This Regency period romance novel follows an immoral aristocrat as he finally meets his match in an intellectual woman.

    Science fiction

    • Dune by Frank Herbert – Whether you call it a space opera, coming-of-age story, or classic science fiction, Dune is one of the staples in this genre. It uses all the right sci-fi tropes while still enabling exceptional character development.

    • The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold – What would happen if time travel were possible? David Gerrold explores the physical, personal, and psychological issues in one of the best books on time travel fiction.

    • The Time Machine by H. G. Wells – At the time, this book was one of the hottest new releases among fiction writers. The revolutionary time travel story propelling a heartbroken inventor thousands of years in the future is one of the most appreciated sci-fi stories of all time.

    Thriller

    • Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney – The plot of Rock, Paper, Scissors constantly keeps readers guessing and makes you think. How well do you know the person closest to you?

    • Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews – This spy thriller is an award-winning masterpiece, well deserving of its 2018 movie adaptation.

    • The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – Three retirees take it upon themselves to solve a murder mystery. But the ingenious plot has many twists and turns.

    Listen to the best fiction audiobooks on Speechify

    There are many works of fiction to read or listen to, from fairy tales to science fiction to chilling horror stories. And if you want a massive collection of audiobook titles, Speechify Audiobooks is the best service for you. Read a book review, find your next title, and play the audiobook version of your next favorite book on almost any device at your leisure. Even better, your first audiobook is free when you join Speechify Audiobooks.

    FAQ

    What is fiction vs. nonfiction?

    Fiction stories rely on imaginary settings and characters, while nonfiction tends to rely on facts, actual events, and real people.

    What is the difference between a novel, a short story, and a memoir?

    Novels often start with an early negative plot, have a complex middle, and end on a positive note. Short stories can have a similar plot structure but fewer pages. Memoirs offer the author’s narrative and perspective on important life events.

    What is the definition of fiction?

    Fiction can be something untrue or invented, and you can find it in both prose and verse in literary works.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves