Disclaimer: Included in this list of literary fiction books are links to their Amazon listings in case you’d like to purchase. I’m an Amazon affiliate and earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. As with all books on my blog, please check parental guidelines and trigger warnings before reading.
Literary fiction book ideas
Here is my list of books to reread. Aka some great literary fiction books you should consider adding to your TBR.
Bunny
Sam is a grad student attending a fancy writing program. She feels like an outsider compared to a group of immature bffs, “bunnies” as they call themselves, that always seem to be in her proximity. That is until they extend her an invitation to join their exclusive, mysterious group…
I’m not one particularly drawn to dark academia or dark comedy but I’m always down for a psychologically-driven narrative. Because Bunny touches on so many genres (and does so so well!), this one will be enjoyed across the board.
Bunny on Amazon.
Pizza Girl
Pizza Girl had all the right ingredients: a messy main character who’s lost in life, the facing of unpretty emotions, a character-driven story that doesn’t lack plot, and of course, pizza.
Our girl is 18, pregnant (with mixed feeling about it), in a strained relationship and works as a pizza delivery girl. One day, she delivers pizza to Jenny, a married mom in her 30s with a restless quality, and a friendship forms…a friendship the main character leans on as an escape.
Pizza Girl on Amazon.
The Girls
It’s the summer of 1969 when Evie, 14 and aimless, is unwittingly drawn into a cult by a captivating group of girls.
I loved how the writing slid over me—the original descriptors and nuanced understandings of Evie’s makeup. At the same time, it didn’t take away from the plot. The book is based on true events but is ultimately literary fiction.
The Girls on Amazon.
Go Ask Alice
What a mysterious and heartbreaking book. Alice is your relatable, introspective teen who starts a diary thinking she’s finally going to have something wonderful to share. But that doesn’t happen, and instead she spirals into destruction and drugs.
A true story or fiction? That we’ll never know.
Just kidding. For the longest time this book was believed to be a real diary, but was recently confirmed as literary fiction.
Go Ask Alice on Amazon.
Eileen
Eileen is 24 and lives a grim, miserable life. She hates her body, her job and caring for her critical, alcoholic father. One day, someone bright and alive is hired at her workplace…
This book woke me up to a new kind of story, the kind with main characters that aren’t necessarily likeable. These books are refreshing in their storytelling, the characters’ perspectives intriguing and you kind of just let the book take you where it’s going. Really enjoyed this book. Thank you, Ottessa!
Eileen on Amazon.
If you’ve read these literary fiction books, what do you say…would you add them to your books to reread list as well?