7 Fantastic Realistic Fiction Books You Need To Read

Everyone loves genres like science fiction, horror, and fantasy, but sometimes, the best stories are rooted in reality.

Fictional stories that are more realistic tend to be easier to identify and relate with, and you still get just as immersed in the stories!

Realistic fiction is a very popular genre and there are many different stories for you to read.

When stories are more realistic, but still made up, it gives us a sense of hope and wonder, and more often than not, these stories lift us up and inspire us to live our best lives.

If you are in the mood to read some realistic fiction, then you have come to the right place!

We have put together a list of 7 fantastic realistic fiction books you absolutely need to read!

What Is Realistic Fiction?

Realistic fiction is exactly what you think it is- fictional stories that are set in the real world.

They can be set in historical times or the modern day, and they usually deal with very real situations.

You won’t really find magic or other worlds in these kinds of stories, but what you will find are believable settings and characters who react in real and relatable ways.

7 Fantastic Realistic Fiction Books You Need To Read

Out Of My Mind By Sharon M. Draper

11-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t talk, she can’t walk, and she can’t write.

The reason she can’t do these things is that she has cerebral palsy and every day is a challenge for her.

What Melody does have is a photographic memory, and she can remember every single detail of every single thing she has experienced.

She’s the smartest child in her whole school, but no one actually knows it!

Most people dismiss Melody as being mentally challenged, and she can’t really tell them otherwise.

But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability, and she is determined to find a way to let everyone know it.

Pros

• The main character is easy to relate to and written well.

Cons

• The story gets quite bleak, so it can be a bit heavy reading for some people.

Little Fires Everywhere By Celeste Ng

Shaker Heights is a neighborhood in Cleveland where everything is planned – this includes the layout of the winding roads and the colors of the houses.

No one embodies the spirit of Shaker Heights more than Elena Richardson.

But when Mia Warren- an enigmatic single mother arrives with her teenage daughter Pearl, they become tenants of the Richardson family and Elena’s four children are drawn to the mother and daughter.

Mia has a very mysterious past that is threatening to change the status quo in this idyllic community.

When some old family friends of the Richardsons try to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle creates more friction in the already divided neighborhood.

Mia and Elena are on opposite sides of this battle, and Elena is determined to discover the secrets of Mia’s past.

Pros

• The mystery of Mia’s past is very gripping and intriguing.

Cons

• There are lots of plot points that do not get resolved and remain loose ends when you finish reading.

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

Hazel has spent her entire life with a terminal condition. She has accepted her fate and is just looking to live out the remainder of her short life in peace.

But when a gorgeous plot twist by the name of Augustus Waters appears in her Support Group, Hazel originally doesn’t care much for him.

However, as Augustus becomes a big part of her life, she falls in love with him and the two go on an adventure together that completely rewrites Hazel’s story.

Pros

• The story is very emotional and you will be invested in the relationships between the characters.

Cons

• The dialogue between the two lead characters is quite unrealistic.

Since You’ve Been Gone By Morgan Matson

Emily didn’t really go to parties, talk to boys, or do anything crazy.

That was until she met Sloan. Being around him, Emily really came out of her shell and tried things she would never dream of trying before.

But then Sloan just… disappears. Emily doesn’t know what to do and feels lost until she finds a mysterious to-do list that Sloan left behind.

On the list, there are thirteen tasks that Emily would never normally try, but if doing them means her best friend will come back, Emily is willing to do just about anything.

Emily was expecting the most epic summer, and it was definitely going to be a summer she will never forget.

Pros

• The main character is relatable, and may remind you of your teenage years.

Cons

• The writing is a bit young and it’s better suited for younger readers.

Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe By Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is an angry teenager whose brother is in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has quite an unusual way of looking at the world.

When both of the boys meet at a swimming pool, it becomes clear that neither of them has anything in common.

Dante can swim, but Aristotle can not.

But as the two boys start to spend time together, they begin a special friendship – one that can change lives and last a whole lifetime.

It is through this friendship that the two boys will learn the most important things about themselves and the kinds of people that they truly want to be.

Pros

• The main characters are well-written and have great chemistry, despite their differences.

Cons

• The beginning of the book is a bit slow and it takes a few chapters for the pacing to even out.

Me Before You By Jojo Moyes

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl and she lives an ordinary life.

She is close to her family and has a steady boyfriend, and they have never left the borders of their tiny village.

She ends up taking a job that involves taking care of ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident.

He has always lived a big and fast life, but now he knows he can’t adapt to his new reality.

Will is moody and bossy, and Louisa refuses to treat him like a child. The two bond and form a strong connection, despite Will’s shocking plans.

Pros

• The chemistry between the two main characters is engaging.

Cons

• The plot has been described as being a bit too predictable.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky

Charlie is about to start high school and he sends letters to a non-existent friend.

He is a loner and an outcast, but he soon befriends a group of people who thrust him into the world of parties, love, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

While he is trying to live his life, Charlie is struggling with scattered memories and trying to run from them, but this could be what is stopping him from blossoming into everything he could be.

Pros

• The plot is engaging and the characters are well-developed.

Cons

• Some aspects of the book aren’t too realistic.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of realistic fiction novels for you to read, but these 7 are some of the best!

If you are looking for a new realistic fiction novel to immerse yourself in, you should definitely try these out!

While realistic fiction books don’t have dragons or vampires, they are still incredibly engaging stories.

Sometimes, more realistic plot devices and characters can be far more relatable, which in turn, makes the whole story more exciting.

You will love all of the books we have mentioned here!

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