The Best Fiction Books

Since cuneiform symbols were first used on clay tablets 5,000 years ago, humans have been recording not only information, but also stories. Some of the oldest writings were works of literature that speak to us across the millennia and continue to be published as books today. Five Books contributing editor Tuva Kahrs brings you five of the oldest books that have made it all the way from clay tablet or papyrus scroll to printed edition or e-book, influencing countless generations of readers and writers.

In the 1980s 'bonkbuster' novels flourished. Authors like Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins became household names, as readers couldn't get enough of books with lots of sex that often told tales of revenge and women taking control. Melanie Blake, author of the Ruthless Women trilogy, talks us through her favorite novels in a genre that inspired her, both in her writing and in her life.

The Victorian era—defined by its imperial ambition, strict moral and social codes, and flashes of brutality—serves as fertile ground for historical fiction, argues Virginia Feito, whose acclaimed new book Victorian Psycho satirises the hypocrisy of the age. Here, she recommends five boundary-pushing novels that expose the darker underbelly of a most mannered age.

It's an ideal combination: literary ambition and a rollicking good plot packed with intrigue and drama. We asked deputy editor Cal Flyn to pull together a list of five Booker Prize-nominated mystery novels, from an astrologically-inspired murder mystery set in goldrush-era New Zealand to an unusually intellectual noir starring a jaded reporter in rustbelt America.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was set up after the fall of the Soviet Union to support countries in transition. The EBRD Literature Prize has been running since 2018 and can be won by any novel, translated into English, written by a living author from a country where the Bank invests. Literary critic Maya Jaggi, chair of the prize's independent judging panel, talks us through the novels that won between 2021 and 2025, a wonderful introduction to some excellent contemporary novels from Central and Eastern Europe.

What are the unmissable new novels of the season? We have some suggestions. We asked Five Books deputy editor Cal Flyn to put together a selection of some of the most exciting new fiction being published in early 2026.

Shakespeare's plays and even his life have inspired many other writers over the years. Here, Sally O'Reilly, author of Hagtale: A Macbeth Origin Story, recommends five creative retellings of Shakespearean stories—from a brilliantly absurdist Tom Stoppard play to an elliptical short story by Jorge Luis Borges.

Often, great fantasy writers will be best known for one work or world in particular. There’s a delight to discovering what else these great dreamers imagined, says our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop. She picks out five works by household names that you might not already have read – ranging from sprawling multiverses, to miniscule worlds in carpets.

2025 was another bumper year for spy novels, says Shane Whaley, host of Spybrary—the go-to podcast for lovers of spy books and movies. He talks us through his five favourite standalone books published this year, from a realistic novel about a duel between Mossad and Iran's security apparatus, to a nonfiction book about a Cold War defector that reads like a thriller.

The Hugo Awards are an annual celebration of fantasy and sci fi work, chosen by fans. Our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop introduces this year’s winners, with something for everyone to escape into – from the short story winner for a busy day, to the epic series for long winter evenings.