33 Social Impact Fiction Books Worth Reading
What is Social Impact Fiction?
Social Impact Fiction is defined as books that delve deep into important societal issues. It is an emerging new fiction genre with narratives that not only entertain but also promote reflection and action, fostering empathy and positive change.
Themes addressed in Social Impact Fiction may include racial and gender inequality, immigration, cultural identity, socioeconomic struggles, child abuse, labor rights, mental health, domestic violence, climate change, environmental conservation, animal rights, and more.
While books with themes such as these have long been around, an official classification for this genre is still in its nascent stages. The formal recognition of Social Impact Fiction by the industry could help ensure these transformative novels have a distinct place on bookshelves and in the minds of readers for years to come.
Interest and Credibility Growing for Emerging Genre
The emergence of Social Impact Fiction is timely, with interest in the genre rising quickly as readers experience the lives of multifaceted characters confronting significant challenges, fostering meaningful introspection. Its transformative power can resonate on both personal and societal levels.
One notable example of this is Colleen Hoover’s international bestseller "It Ends with Us," published in 2016. Hoover delves into abuse and its broad impact, prompting readers to examine traumatic relationships. This sparked millions to share their experiences on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram using #BookTok. In 2022, Time magazine reported “Hoover fans can’t stop reading her trauma-filled novels,” with some readers noting online that “books like It Ends With Us have shifted their perspective on domestic violence, helping them understand why a battered partner might struggle to leave an abuser they still love.” Drawing from her personal experiences and traumas, Hoover continues to bring needed attention to these and other important issues through her novels.
The emerging genre gained further recognition when the Aspen Institute, in partnership with NPR Books, started annually celebrating fiction with social impact in 2017, awarding a $35,000 prize to authors highlighting critical societal issues. The award continues to this day thanks to an ongoing endowment from an anonymous donor. Several Aspen Word Prize winners and nominees are featured within our list below. For a complete list of their nominees and winners, visit the Aspen Words website.
About this List
Our team at Living Harmony Co has curated this list of 33 titles, including our recent international bestseller, "The Book of Harmony: Part 1 - Awakening" appearing at the end. We hope that you find this list combines a compelling blend of timeless classics with modern titles centered on a diverse set of socially relevant themes. Our goal was to help inspire new readers, ignite conversations, and champion this new emerging genre while building greater compassion in the world. Perhaps our compilation will even inspire you to pen your own social impact fiction novel, making its mark and taking its place on a similar list in the future!
Each title has a brief overview of some of its central themes. For a more comprehensive description of any title that catches your eye, you may click on the image or title to be taken to its link on Amazon. Please note that we may earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate if you choose to purchase any of these books through the links provided. These referral fees will be used to further promote Social Impact Fiction as an emerging genre and to support other projects focused on spreading more love and kindness around the world.
To learn more about our us and what we’re up to please visit livingharmony.org. Your support is invaluable to us. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this list or receive recommendations for other books to add to our upcoming expanded list. Contact us anytime!
by Colleen Hoover
Lily Bloom navigates a tumultuous relationship with a neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid. Their passionate bond unveils the harrowing intricacies of domestic violence, forcing Lily to confront her past and make heart-wrenching decisions.
Key Themes: Domestic abuse, resilience, love.
by Sharon Bala
Fleeing the horrors of civil war in Sri Lanka, a shipload of refugees seeks asylum in Canada. Their hope for a new beginning is marred by detention, suspicion, and the haunting memories of their homeland's strife.
Key Themes: Immigration, prejudice, resilience.
by Harper Lee
In a southern town rife with racial tension, young Scout Finch observes her father, Atticus, courageously defend a black man wrongfully accused, challenging the community's deep-seated prejudices.
Key Themes: Racial injustice, moral growth, innocence.
by Brandon Hobson
The Echota family, still mourning a tragic loss, finds solace in their Cherokee heritage. As they navigate modern challenges, ancestral spirits and age-old tales offer guidance and connection.
Key Themes: Native American culture, grief, family.
by Aldous Huxley
In a meticulously crafted future, citizens are conditioned for contentment, sacrificing autonomy and emotions. But beneath this façade of perfection, some yearn for genuine feelings and truth.
Key Themes: Totalitarianism, technology, loss of individuality.
by Christy Lefteri
Amidst the ruins of war-torn Syria, Nuri and his wife, Afra, embark on a perilous journey to England. Along the way, they confront trauma, loss, and the dream of a peaceful life.
Key Themes: War, displacement, hope.
by Jennifer Clement
In the shadows of America's obsession with firearms, young Pearl's life unfolds in a car outside a trailer park, exposing the stark contrasts of beauty and violence, love and danger.
Key Themes: Gun culture, poverty, coming-of-age.
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
In the mystical town of Macondo, the Buendía family's saga unfolds, weaving a tapestry of love, magic, and fate, reflecting the joys and tragedies of human existence.
Key Themes: Love, solitude, destiny.
by Louise Erdrich
Inspired by true events, a Chippewa Council member battles government efforts to displace Native communities, while personal stories of love, loss, and hope intertwine.
Key Themes: Native American rights, perseverance, family.
Blindness
by José Saramago
A sudden, inexplicable blindness epidemic engulfs a city, stripping away civilization's veneer and exposing the raw, primal instincts of its inhabitants.
Key Themes: Society's fragility, human resilience, loss of civilization.
by Zora Neale Hurston
In the American South, Janie Crawford traverses the terrains of love, self-discovery, and racial identity, seeking a life where she can truly be free.
Key Themes: Feminism, racial identity, love.
The Orphan Master's Son
by Adam Johnson
In the enigmatic world of North Korea, a man's life spirals from humble beginnings to the dangerous corridors of power, revealing the regime's dark heart.
Key Themes: Totalitarianism, identity, love.
by Amy Tan
Intertwining tales of Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters unveil a mosaic of love, sacrifice, and the intricate bonds that bridge cultures and generations.
Key Themes: Mother-daughter relationships, cultural identity, generational gaps.
by Khaled Hosseini
From the alleys of Kabul to Californian suburbs, Amir confronts the shadows of his past, seeking forgiveness and a path to redemption.
Key Themes: Friendship, betrayal, redemption.
by Tomasz Jedrowski
Amidst Poland's political unrest, two men discover a forbidden love, challenging societal norms and their own beliefs about freedom and happiness.
Key Themes: LGBTQ+ love, political resistance, self-discovery.
by Arundhati Roy
In Kerala's lush landscapes, a family's secrets unravel, exposing the rigid societal structures that dictate love, caste, and morality.
Key Themes: Caste system, forbidden love, societal norms.
by Markus Zusak
In the heart of Nazi Germany, young Liesel finds solace in stolen books, even as the world around her crumbles, and Death itself narrates her tale.
Key Themes: War, the power of stories, morality.
by Frank Herbert
On the desert planet Arrakis, young Paul Atreides is thrust into a web of political intrigue, prophetic destinies, and the quest for a valuable spice.
Key Themes: Power, ecology, destiny.
by Khaled Hosseini
Amidst Afghanistan's tumultuous decades, Mariam and Laila form an unbreakable bond, enduring hardships and finding strength in their shared struggles.
Key Themes: Female resilience, war, love.
by Upton Sinclair
Immigrants toil in the grueling conditions of Chicago's meatpacking plants, exposing the stark realities of capitalism, exploitation, and the American Dream's elusive nature.
Key Themes: Workers' rights, capitalism, immigration.
by George Orwell
In a grim future, Winston Smith defies a state where privacy is forbidden, thoughts are policed, and the omnipresent Big Brother suppresses all dissent.
Key Themes: Totalitarianism, surveillance, individuality.
by Kirstin Valdez Quade
As Amadeo seeks redemption through a religious act of penance, unexpected challenges arise when his young, pregnant daughter reenters his life, forcing them both to confront their pasts.
Key Themes: Totalitarianism, surveillance, individuality.
by Ray Bradbury
In a world where knowledge is feared, fireman Guy Montag begins to question his role in burning books and starts seeking the truth hidden in forbidden pages.
Key Themes: Censorship, knowledge vs. ignorance, conformity.
by William Golding
Marooned on an island, a group of boys' attempts at civilization crumble, revealing the terrifying depths of human nature when unchecked by society.
Key Themes: Civilization vs. savagery, loss of innocence, inherent evil.
by Tayari Jones
Celestial and Roy's budding life together shatters when Roy is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, challenging their vows and the nature of love itself.
Key Themes: Racial injustice, love, societal expectations.
by Tommy Orange
A diverse group of Native Americans gathers for a powwow in Oakland, California, each carrying their personal stories, dreams, and the weight of their shared history.
Key Themes: Native American identity, urban life, generational trauma.
by Susan Abulhawa
Nahr's tumultuous journey takes her from the pleasures of Kuwait to the confines of an Israeli prison, revealing a life marked by love, loss, and resistance.
Key Themes: Palestinian struggle, love, resilience.
by Margaret Atwood
Offred navigates a dystopian world where women are mere vessels, controlled by a theocratic regime, and dreams of a past where she was free.
Key Themes: Female subjugation, totalitarianism, resistance.
by Mary Doria Russell
A Jesuit-led mission to make first contact with an alien civilization takes a tragic turn, prompting profound questions about faith, understanding, and humanity's place in the universe.
Key Themes: Female subjugation, totalitarianism, resistance.
by Delia Owens
In the quiet town of Barkley Cove, the enigmatic Marsh Girl, Kya Clark, grows up in solitude, later finding herself at the center of a haunting mystery.
Key Themes: Loneliness, nature vs. nurture, prejudice.
by Living Harmony
Sara, a New York City based web designer in her 30s feels lost despite her modern day successes. Mysterious events launch her on a transformative journey across distant islands. Guided by her heart, Sara navigates through the unknown, confronts her deepest fears, and discovers her true self and the power of love.
Key Themes: Love, loss, personal growth, self-discovery, female resilience, spirituality, destiny.
