One excellent book is 'Scene & Structure' by Jack M. Bickham. It helps you understand how to create effective scenes and overall story structure. 'The Fiction Writer's Brainstormer' by James V. Smith Jr. is also very helpful. It's full of ideas and prompts to inspire your fiction writing. 'Writing the Breakout Novel' by Donald Maass is another top pick. It gives advice on how to make your novel stand out from the crowd.
I'd say 'A Writer's Notebook' by Ralph Fletcher. It helps you collect ideas and observations which are essential for writing fiction. 'The Art of Fiction' by John Gardner is also good. It delves into the various elements of fiction writing like point of view and setting. Another important one is 'Writing Down the Bones' by Natalie Goldberg which encourages free - writing and getting your creativity flowing.
The recommended teaching books for novel writing included Teaching 10,000 Times Critical Hit, Fictional Writing: A Guide to Narratical Skills, Meta-Writing: Writing Methods Not Taught in School, The Art of Writing Fictions, Wenxin, Small Storytelling Classes, The Skeleton of a Fictional Story: A Good Outline Makes a Good Story, The Ten Most Important Things to Write a Fictional Story, Stories, Conversations, Scriptures, Start Writing: Creating Fictional Literature, and Start Writing: " Non-fiction Literature Creation "," A Guide to Fiction-Writing "," How to Tell a Good Script "," Becoming a Author "," Story Writing Master Class "," Story Strategy: 23 Essential Story Paragons for a Movie Script "," Your Script Lacks! " 100 Ways to Turn Rotten Things into Magical Things "," Creating Unforgettable Characters ", and " Writing Good Stories This Way ".
Another great one is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the 1920s, it explores wealth, love, and the American Dream. The characters are complex, and the writing style is beautiful, making it a must - read for any fiction lover.
A must - read in 2021 fiction is 'The Push' by Ashley Audrain. It's a psychological thriller that delves deep into motherhood and family secrets. The writing is so gripping that it's hard to put the book down once you start.
One of the good 2018 fiction books is 'Educated' by Tara Westover. Although it's memoir - like, it reads like a fictional story of self - discovery and growth. Another is 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh which is a darkly humorous take on a young woman's decision to basically hibernate for a year.
I would recommend 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett. It tells the story of twin sisters who choose very different paths in life. One passes as white and the other doesn't. It's a thought - provoking exploration of race, identity, and family.
Check out 'The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers' by Christopher Vogler. It explores the psychological archetypes and patterns that often appear in compelling stories and can be very helpful for fiction writers.
One great book is 'On Writing' by Stephen King. It offers practical advice and shares King's own experiences in the writing world.
One of the highly recommended best - seller fiction books is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a classic that delves into themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the American South. Another is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which explores the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also a massive best - seller. It takes readers into a magical world filled with wizards, witches, and exciting adventures.
'The Sentence' by Louise Erdrich is a remarkable book. It's set in a Minneapolis bookstore and deals with themes of Native American culture, the pandemic, and the power of books. The narrative is engaging and the characters are very relatable.
One of the well - known ones is 'The Art of Cycling'. It's a fictional exploration of cycling that has some really unique perspectives on the sport. It's like a love letter to cycling.