Not too long ago, Jonas wrote a piece on different genres. However, in his list, he missed one of my favorites. Realistic fiction is often overlooked, so I can’t say I blame him. I think the reason being is they carry many different themes that leave them being sorted into different genres. While books can live in two genres, I think these books below stand boldly as realistic fiction.
Realistic fiction is fairly self explanatory. These books are fiction novels that look at everyday life. Some may think these sound boring, reading is for escaping everyday life, why would you want to read about it? I understand the thought. Realistic fiction is a book that could be applied to any real life person. Even if realistic fiction takes place during different time periods, you can still imagine it happening to real people.
I think realistic fiction is important. It is humanizing. It takes the mundane facts of life and shows us little glimpses of magic. These books listed below do not go on extraordinary adventures to out of world galaxies or fight off killers searching for them in the dark depths of a forest. These books show us what humanity can be and what humanity has been. They show us how we can be better, how we can love more, and how we can cherish everyday life even when it seems menial and unimportant.
So with all that in mind, I have compiled a list of my top ten realistic fiction novels I think everyone should read. There is actually a big chance you may have read some of these before, and I bet most of you enjoyed them.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
The thing I find most enjoyable about realistic fiction are the lessons that come out of the stories. Now not all books need lessons, but when you finish a book it is nice to have something to walk away with. The Fault in Our Stars follows the story of a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer. Most people are familiar with this because it was a huge hit in 2012-2013, later made into a movie. The plot is centered around Hazel, the 16-year-old, meeting Augustus, another adolescent with a cancer story.
While the story goes much farther than the two’s budding romance, there are many lessons to take out of it. Hazel demonstrates the importance of breaking down our personal barriers. Many of the things Hazel experiences in this novel would not have happened if she listened to her anxieties. Hazel opens herself up to heartbreak and unimaginable pain, but in it she finds love, friendship, and deep inner strength. While the dialogue can be a little unrealistic for two teenagers, it still sits at number 10 of my all time favorite realistic fiction novels.
Because of Winn Dixie by Katie DiCamillo
“There ain’t no way you can hold onto something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it.”
Because of Winn-Dixie by Katie DiCamillo
Realistic fiction makes for popular movies. Because of Winn-Dixie is likely more popular because of its movie, but let’s not discredit the book. This novel tells the story of a lonely little girl who finds companionship in a stray dog. Opal, the little girl, faces many challenges, being somewhat of an outcast in her town due to things she had no control over. However, Winn-Dixie, her loyal pup, shows her how to face these challenges with a brave face and fierce smile.
This story teaches people that connection is possible even after profound loss. Winn-Dixie shows Opal paths to new friendships, all while teaching her that sometimes the way forward is to leave the past where it’s at. This realistic fiction novel is likely the first one I ever picked up, and that is why it lives at number nine on my list.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
“Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it was blown to bits.”
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
This novel is another childhood favorite, also likely overshadowed by its movie. Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of two fifth graders who find a likeness in being outcasts. Jess, feeling left out and overlooked by his four sisters and Leslie, who arrives new to town become best friends. Their active imagination leads them on many adventures, until a tragic death separates the two.
This story shows the readers, kids and adults, the power of imagination. The imagination of these two kids is beautiful, creative, and filled with magic. The story definitely influenced my own imagination and I think it is an important novel for every kid to read.
The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren’t looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.”
The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
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I reread The Outsiders about a year ago. My first time reading it was in late middle school, and I can’t say I liked it a whole lot. However, something changed as it made its way to my number seven spot of best realistic fiction. This story shows the life of so called “outsiders”. Specifically, it tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, who is learning to navigate the obstacles placed before him in a world where he is labeled wrong.
I think my reread of this book opened me up to the message. This story teaches the values of friendship, the power in staying true to oneself despite the circumstances, and it highlights that sometimes the gaps found in society need to be closed. My second time through this book included tears as I realized the important roles friends play in shaping the people we become. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a classic unlike the typical suggestions.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
“We don’t have a plan, we just do our best to get through the day, because there’ll be another one coming along tomorrow.”
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
This is neither the first nor last time I will talk about the work of Fredrik Backman. I have a review on Anxious People if you are looking for a more in depth analysis of it. This book tells the story of a bank robbery that’s not really a bank robbery. In it, you hear the lives and anecdotes of several influential people.
This book teaches many lessons, the most important being the connection we all share. Even when we feel deeply disconnected from those around us, this book reminds the reader we are all people just moving forward day by day. The story demonstrates how a little compassion can change lives and how anxiety does not need to be hidden behind closed doors. I highly recommend this to absolutely every reader.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I believe many people disliked Little Women, until the movie came out. Before the movie, it was not the most liked novel. It tells the story of the four March sisters. The story follows the sisters from childhood to womanhood. There is humor, sadness, and an overall feeling of hope.
This novel was important to me growing up, after reading it in high school. It highlights the struggles, albeit vastly different time periods, that come with being a woman in the eyes of society. This story is based around the Civil War, where the girls face issues of poverty. Through their challenges, it shows the importance of living a life that is both fun and purposeful. A solid five on my top ten list of realistic fiction.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
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“You’re both the fire and the water that extinguishes it. You’re the narrator, the protagonist, and the sidekick. You’re the storyteller and the story told. You are somebody’s something, but you are also your you.”
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
I only have two repeat authors on this list and John Green is one of them. Turtles All the Way Down tells the story of a girl working through OCD and anxiety. Her life shifts when she begins the search for a fugitive billionaire in her neighborhood. In the process, she ends up growing a relationship with the son of the fugitive. With each turn, the novel Ava is facing another challenge in either overcoming her mental illness or accepting a new struggle in her hunt to find answers.
This story was important in coming to terms with some of my own mental illness. Aza demonstrates that it is possible to overcome our barriers. She not only learns to use her illnesses, but also learns that some doors can not remain closed forever. In opening these doors, we are able to experience more in life.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This novel is popular in high schools, or at least it was before school districts started banning it. To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of a young girl coming to age at a time of heightened racism and prejudices. The young girl watches as events unfold around town, teaching her the good and evil that can lie behind each door.
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This novel, now considered a classic, teaches many influential lessons. Just as Scout comes to learn that people can be inherently bad or good, the readers can see how the goodness and evil coexist within societies and even individuals. This book also does decent job as highlighting the prejudice we all must try to fight.
My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
“When it comes to terror, reality’s got nothing on the power of the imagination.”
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Another repeat author is one you could all expect, Fredrik Backman. My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She’s Sorry is a very unique realistic fiction. This story follows a little girl left in grief after her grandmother passes away. What makes this unique, is the little girl lives in her imagination, accounting each real life character to a role in her imaginary world. It still falls under realistic fiction because the reader is able to determine who each person’s counterpart is.
This story teaches many lessons, both big and small. The most important in my eyes is its lessons on grief. I go more in depth in a recent post, but this novel teaches us that sometimes grief is meant to be a journey, not just a feeling. The grief in this novel teaches Elsa the importance of building connection. With each step forward, Elsa becomes closer to her grandmother, even after she has died.
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
“So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.”
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I have written about Perks of Being a Wallflower in a previous post about annotations. I’m not sure there will ever be a realistic fiction novel that tops this book. This book follows the story of Charlie. Charlie is a high school student who is more introverted and observant rather than social. Through the progression of the story, Charlie opens up more, builds connections, and faces a series of challenges and struggles.
Some may say this novel is another typical coming-of-age story, but I would have to disagree. The layers in this novel reveal so much deep meaning. Charlie teaches readers that joy can be found in the typical folds of life. Through connections we can find meaning, and in that meaning maybe something will spark.
Overall, realistic fiction is influential in how I see the world. It shows me the magic in being human. It teaches me how to be better and how to build connections. From a young age, I read this genre wondering what was so amazing about it. I think the amazingness is found in its simplicity. In the author’s ability to turn something so menial into something so beautiful.
I hope one of these books has sparked your interest. Or maybe you’ve already read a couple. Let us know in the comments which books resonated with you or if I missed any you think should be on the list. We love hearing from our readers.
And as always, happy reading!