Paul's Top 15 Fiction Novels

#15 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

It’s hard to believe that this is the debut novel from Khaled Hosseini. It has everything: friendship, love, shame and redemption. The book does have some challenging and dark parts that are hard to read—but that’s what makes the book so good. After reading this book I had a richer backdrop for understanding the Afghani people and their plight. I think this may be the best book of the 2000’s.

#14 Fair Blows the Wind by Louis L’Amour

This was the first book I ever read by Louis L’Amour. When you think of L’Amour you think western novels. The truth is, L’Amour is an amazing author—he isn’t limited to just westerns. In fact, the two L’Amour novels in my top 15 are not westerns.

This book follows Irishman Tatton Chantry as he seeks to avenge his father’s death and claim his rightful inheritance. You can follow him through England and Ireland where he picks up some sword fighting skills. Then hop on the boat with him as he makes his way to the New World. He even shipwrecks on the coast of North Carolina. Great novel through and through!

#13 The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

The first version of this story was originally told by King to his children—so it is nothing like King’s typical freakshows. It takes place in a fantasy land filled with castles and 400-year-old evil wizards named Flagg. This book follows the plight of two brothers: Prince Peter and Prince Thomas as they try to destroy Flagg. Flagg does some bad stuff and it is blamed on Prince Peter (the shame!). This book can be enjoyed by adolescents and adults alike.

#12 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Words can’t describe the dread I felt when my English teacher assigned this book to me in seventh grade. Words can’t describe the dread I felt when the book was over. What a great book! It starts off with an unusual visitor to the heroine’s house on a stormy night. The teen girl, Meg, follows the visitor as they all tesseract (time and space travel) through the universe for Meg’s scientist father. This is another book that can be enjoyed by adults and adolescents alike.

#11 The Firm by John Grisham

This novel fits the mold of your typical Grisham novel. It’s based around a law firm in the south. But don’t let that stop you from reading this outstanding novel! Mitchell McDeere is a Harvard-educated poor boy who accepts a job offer from a law firm in Mephis. He trades up to a BMW and a big house in the rich part of town. He and his wife Abby become suspicious when they notice that the firm has a few suspicious deaths in its past. The FBI approaches Mitch and asks him to help them investigate—and you, dear reader, get to follow the action from the comfort of your favorite reading chair.

#10 Chronicles of Narnia (Series) by C.S. Lewis

Everyone needs to read these books twice—as a child and as an adult. Follow the Pevensie children: Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan, as they travel to a fantasy world from the wardrobe in a family friend’s house. The land they travel to is Narnia, where the children encounter a battle between Good (led by the terrifying lion named Aslan representing Christ) and Evil (led by the White Witch). The seven books take you through several different generations of Narnia and each have a different flavor. I also want to state that the books should be read in their original published order—not their chronological order. So that would be 1. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 2. Prince Caspian; 3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 4. The Silver Chair; 5. The Horse and His Boy; 6. The Magician's Nephew; 7. The Last Battle.

#9 Timeline by Michael Crichton

This is one of those instances where a great book leads to a disappointing movie. You’d do yourself a disservice if you let the movie dissuade you from reading this gripping novel. This book chronicles the journey of a group of historians as they travel back to the year 1357 through a wormhole to save their beloved professor. He just so happens to be imprisoned by the English lord who captured a French castle years prior. This book gets average reviews from some for some of the questionable plot points, and they do have a point. However, the book is still great entertainment and remains steadfastly in my top 15 fiction novels list.

#8 Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling

These books are epically great! Harry Potter lives with his aunt and uncle in England, believing his parents died in a car crash years ago. His caretakers despise him and lavish love on his fat cousin, instead making Harry sleep in the small closet under the stairs. Harry finds out soon enough that he actually is the most famous wizard of all, because he single-handedly neutralized the worst dark wizard of all time—Voldemort—who had killed his parents. Harry is invited to attend school at the magic school Hogwarts, where he finds two close friends who help him battle evil and those who would have Harry killed. These books are all page-turners! Kids and adults alike will love this series.

#7 Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (Series) By J.R.R. Tolkien

This is a masterpiece, an absolutely incredible work of art! The character development is only matched by the enchantment of the fantasy world created by Tolkien. Follow Frodo and his companions as they take on an enormous task: destroy the ring that infects it’s wearer with a lust for power. Middle Earth is on the brink of destruction due to Sauron’s growing power. Can Frodo and his half-ling friends save it?

#6 Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy

Jack Ryan uncovers a plot by a wealthy Japanese financier, Razio Yamata, to drive the United States to a new world war. Yamata blames the U.S. for his parents’ death in World War II and a new American law designed to put pressure on Japan is all the leverage Yamata needs to put his plan into action. This page-turner has the excitement of spies, ships, and nuclear weapons. It’s hard to put down, so don’t read this at bedtime.

#5 Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz

This book captivated me in High School. A gifted young man named Carl has the ability to see an evil presence lurking beneath human disguises. These “goblins” have an agenda, but Carl has to do some sleuthing to figure out what that agenda is. I wouldn’t say this is a horror novel, but rather that it is a thriller. Your heart will get a workout reading this one.

#4 Watchers by Dean Koontz

Travis Cornell is out hiking one day when he encounters a stray dog. Travis realizes two things: one—that the dog is highly unusual, and two—there is something stalking them both. The dog and the beast stalking them have both been genetically modified. The real fun begins when the government, a professional killer who uncovers the secret, and Travis all struggle in this high-risk game.

#3 The Stand by Stephen King

A mutating virus overtakes the world and wipes out 99.44% of the population. The survivors are drawn to two different sides in an epic battle of Good and Evil. It’s a frightening scenario that really forces you to think. This book is considered King’s best by his fans. I agree.

#2 Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy

This is the book that got me hooked on Clancy. It follows the run-up to World War III as the Soviets escalate things by attacking Iceland. Clancy shows his vast knowledge of military tactics and modern capabilities as he details a scenario that could have happened during the Cold War. Read this book and risk insomnia for a week.

#1 Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour

This book doesn’t feel like your typical L’Amour book. It feels like Tom Clancy or a Vince Flynn book. But look again—it is L’Amour.

I read this book once every two years. It focuses on Joe Mack, an American test pilot who crashes in Alaskan waters and is captured and taken to Siberia. The Soviets attempt to torture him to the point of revealing all he knows about the latest American aviation news. The only problem for his captors is that they don’t know that Joe Mack has Sioux blood, survival knowledge, and an intense desire for revenge. My favorite fiction novel for many reasons—read it and see why.