The Greatest American, Irish "Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Time travel" Books Since 1990

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Fiction

Speculative Fiction

Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history. The unifying factor of speculative fiction is its departure from the narrative constraints of reality, exploring imaginative and often profound questions that challenge our understanding of the world and our place within it. These stories often delve into themes like the human condition, social commentary, and the exploration of philosophical and ethical dilemmas through the lens of the fantastical or the yet-to-be-possible. By pushing the boundaries of the known, speculative fiction invites readers to consider the myriad possibilities of existence and the potential consequences of our actions in worlds that are, at once, vastly different from and eerily similar to our own.

Time travel

The category of "Time travel" books typically involves stories where characters travel through time, either intentionally or accidentally, to different eras or periods in history. These books often explore the consequences of altering the past or future, and the challenges and dangers that come with navigating different time periods. Time travel books can span a variety of genres, including science fiction, historical fiction, romance, and adventure, and offer readers a unique perspective on the possibilities and complexities of time travel.

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  1. 1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

    The novel follows a World War II nurse who accidentally time travels back to 18th century Scotland. There, she meets a handsome and brave Scottish warrior and is torn between her loyalty to her husband in her own time and her growing love for the warrior. As she becomes more entwined in the past, she must navigate the dangers of a time not her own, including political unrest and violence, while trying to find a way back home.

    The 903rd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

    The novel tells the story of a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and his wife, an artist who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. Their love story endures many separations and dangerous experiences due to his condition. The story's central theme is the effects of time travel on their marriage and their passionate love for each other.

    The 1278th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

    In this science fiction novel, a young historian undertakes a time-travel journey to the 14th century for academic research, only to find herself stranded amidst the onset of the Black Death. As she navigates the challenges of medieval England, her colleagues in the 21st century grapple with a deadly influenza pandemic, complicating efforts to retrieve her. The narrative weaves between the past and the present, exploring themes of human resilience, the universality of suffering across time, and the ethical implications of time travel, all while the historian and her contemporaries confront mortality, history, and their own personal crises.

    The 2401st Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. 11 22 63 by Stephen King

    "11/22/63" is a science fiction novel by Stephen King that follows the story of Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who discovers a portal that leads to 1958. After being convinced by his friend Al to use the portal to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jake embarks on a journey through time to change the course of history. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Sadie and faces various obstacles that threaten to alter the timeline he is trying to change. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of trying to change the past.

    The 2441st Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. How To Live Safely In A Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

    In this metafictional novel, a time machine repairman, trapped in a time loop, searches for his father and the meaning of his existence within a universe that operates on science fiction tropes. As he navigates a landscape filled with paradoxes, dog-eared pages of his life, and a self-aware narrative, he confronts his past and the nature of reality itself. The book blends emotional depth with quantum mechanics, exploring themes of family, memory, and the passage of time, all while breaking the fourth wall and challenging the conventions of storytelling.

    The 5715th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons

    In this sequel to a science fiction saga, the story continues as a group of pilgrims trapped on the planet Hyperion face the looming threat of the Time Tombs, which are traveling backward through time. Meanwhile, the interstellar Hegemony they once belonged to is on the brink of war with the Ousters, a group of spacefaring barbarians. As the complex political machinations unfold, the pilgrims' personal tales intertwine with the fate of the universe, revealing their connections to the mysterious Shrike—a creature that may hold the key to humanity's salvation or its ultimate destruction. The narrative weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, exploring themes of memory, destiny, and the nature of intelligence.

    The 7041st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon

    The book is the second installment in a historical fiction series that weaves together romance, science fiction, and adventure. It continues the story of a 20th-century Englishwoman who has time-traveled to 18th-century Scotland and fallen in love with a dashing Highland warrior. As the Jacobite rebellion leads to the fateful Battle of Culloden, the couple faces the threat of being torn apart by the tumultuous events of history. Interwoven with their past is the present-day narrative of their daughter, who discovers her parents' remarkable story and the truth of her own origins. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of the past on the present.

    The 8342nd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

    In this comedic science fiction novel, a time-traveling historian is sent back to Victorian England to recover a missing artifact and correct a temporal anomaly that threatens to alter history. Amidst the chaos of trying to adhere to the peculiarities of the era, he must also deal with an eccentric cast of characters, including a lovable but troublesome bulldog. As he navigates the complexities of time travel and the nuances of historical events, the protagonist finds himself entangled in a series of humorous misadventures that challenge the very rules of time and space, all while trying to ensure the past remains intact.

    The 8474th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Oh Pure And Radiant Heart by Lydia Millet

    In "Oh Pure and Radiant Heart," three scientists responsible for the development of the atomic bomb—Oppenheimer, Fermi, and Szilard—mysteriously appear in the 21st century. Unaware of how they got there, they confront a world shaped by the very technology they helped create. As they grapple with their feelings of guilt and responsibility, they become involved with a librarian and her husband, embarking on a journey that takes them across the United States. The narrative weaves together the past and the present, exploring the impact of nuclear weapons on humanity and the scientists' quest for redemption in a world on the brink of forgetting the horrors of the past.

    The 8706th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

    In this historical fiction novel, we follow the continuing adventures of a time-traveling nurse from the 20th century and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander husband as they navigate the perils of life in colonial America. Set against the backdrop of the looming American Revolution, the couple struggles to maintain their family and homestead while dealing with the political and social unrest of the era. The story intertwines romance, historical events, and fantasy elements as the couple faces challenges that test their bond and their ability to shape their destiny amidst the fiery cross of change and rebellion.

    The 9112th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. A Breath Of Snow And Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

    In this installment of the historical fiction series, the story continues to follow the lives of a time-traveling 20th-century doctor and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander husband as they navigate the perils of life in colonial America. As the American Revolution looms, the couple faces personal tragedies, political upheaval, and the constant threat of violence. They struggle to protect their family and their community in the backwoods of North Carolina, all while dealing with the complexities of their unique situation and the implications of knowing the future. The novel blends romance, adventure, and historical detail, creating a vivid and tumultuous world for its characters.

    The 9394th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Time Patrol by Poul Anderson

    In "The Time Patrol," readers are introduced to a fascinating world where time travel has become a reality, leading to the formation of an organization dedicated to preserving history as it is known. The narrative follows the adventures of the Patrol's agents as they navigate various epochs, from ancient cities to future civilizations, to prevent temporal anomalies and ensure the integrity of the timeline. Through a series of interconnected stories, the book explores the complexities and ethical dilemmas of time travel, the intricacies of human history, and the unending quest to protect the past and future from those who seek to alter it for their own gain.

    The 10050th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. In The Garden Of Iden by Kage Baker

    Set in the 24th century, "In The Garden Of Iden" follows the story of Mendoza, a young woman who is plucked from her 16th-century Spanish life and transformed into a cyborg by the Company. Tasked with preserving rare plant species from the past, Mendoza is sent back in time to Elizabethan England. As she navigates the complexities of love, loyalty, and the ethics of time travel, Mendoza discovers the true nature of the Company and the extent of her own humanity.

    The 10112th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis

    This two-volume science fiction narrative follows a group of historians from 2060 who travel back to World War II-era England for research purposes. However, their mission goes awry when they become trapped in the past due to irregularities in the time travel system. As they navigate the dangers of the Blitz and other historical events, they must also confront the possibility that their actions could alter history. The characters grapple with the chaos of war, the intricacies of time travel, and the moral dilemmas of potentially impacting the future, all while trying to find a way back to their own time.

    The 10231st Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. Glimpses by Lewis Shiner

    "Glimpses" is a speculative fiction novel that delves into the poignant journey of a man who discovers he has the extraordinary ability to travel back in time through his intense connection to music. Struggling with personal loss and a yearning for what might have been, he uses this gift to attempt to heal the wounds of the past by seeking out legendary rock musicians and helping them complete their most famous unfinished albums. As he navigates the complexities of the past and the intricacies of the music industry, he learns profound lessons about life, loss, and the transformative power of music, ultimately finding a deeper understanding of his own reality and the missed opportunities within it.

    The 10556th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman

    "The Freedom Maze" by Delia Sherman is a time-travel adventure story about a thirteen-year-old girl named Sophie who is sent back in time to the year 1860. Sophie, who is half African-American and half white, finds herself living on a Louisiana plantation where she is mistaken for a slave. As she struggles to survive in her new environment, she learns about the harsh realities of slavery and the importance of fighting for freedom. With the help of some unexpected allies, Sophie embarks on a dangerous journey to find her way back to her own time while also confronting the injustices of the past.

    The 10665th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download