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A smart and original spin on the time-loop trope - stick with the slow start and you'll be rewarded with a thought-provoking, twisty tale. Definitely recommended for fans of clever, unconventional sci-fi and literary fiction.

If you liked The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, here are the top 100 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    Replay by Ken Grimwood
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    A clever, emotionally resonant time loop tale that's more about life and choices than about the mechanics of time travel. If you’ve ever wondered 'what if?', Replay will stick with you long after the last page.

    'Replay' by Ken Grimwood is a captivating tale of a man named Jeff Winston who dies at age 43 only to wake up in his college dorm room at age 18, with full knowledge of his previous life. He finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving the same 25-year sequence repeatedly, making different choices each time. The book explores themes of second chances, life choices, love, and the inevitability of loss. The writing style is described as compelling, thought-provoking, and engaging, with a mix of time travel elements and deep explorations of human emotions and relationships.

    “We need—” she’d said, and he never heard her say just what it was they needed, because something heavy seemed to slam against his chest, crushing the breath out of him. The phone fell from his hand a...
    1963
    323 pages

  2. #2
    Life After Life
    Book 1 in the series:Todd Family

    Life After Life - Todd Family by Kate Atkinson
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    Inventive, moving, and beautifully written - a must-read for fans of book club fiction and historical novels who aren’t afraid of a little narrative experimentation.

    In 'Life After Life' by Kate Atkinson, the protagonist Ursula Todd experiences multiple lives, each starting with her birth in 1910 and ending with her death. She navigates through different scenarios, making various choices that lead to alternate outcomes. The novel explores themes of reincarnation, fate, and the impact of individual decisions on one's life path. Through Ursula's repeated lives, the story delves into historical events like World War I and II, showcasing how small changes can have significant consequences. Atkinson's writing style weaves together elements of mystery, drama, and introspection, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of life and the concept of second chances.

    SYLVIE WAS WOKEN by a dazzling sliver of sunlight piercing the curtains like a shining silver sword. She lay languidly in lace and cashmere as Mrs Glover came into the room, proudly bearing a huge bre...
    April 2013
    664 pages

  3. #3

    Recursion by Blake Crouch
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    A high-octane, mind-bending adventure that delivers more on thrills and big ideas than strict realism. Perfect for fans of sci-fi thrillers who don’t mind a few leaps of logic along the way.

    Recursion by Blake Crouch is a fast-paced science fiction thriller that delves into the concept of False Memory Syndrome, where people recall alternate events and lives they never lived. The story follows NYPD officer Barry Sutton and neuroscientist Helena Smith as they investigate and try to solve the mysterious syndrome. As their paths intertwine, they discover the implications of altering memories and the consequences it has on a personal and global scale. The writing style is described as mind-bending, thought-provoking, and emotionally moving, with a plot that explores the complexities of time travel and memory manipulation.

    Barry Sutton pulls over into the fire lane at the main entrance of the Poe Building, an Art Deco tower glowing white in the illumination of its exterior sconces. He climbs out of his Crown Vic, rushes...
    June 2019
    331 pages

  4. #4

    All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
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    Inventive, funny, and thought-provoking - a time travel tale about screwing up reality, finding yourself, and maybe fixing what you’ve broken. Not perfect, but a wild, memorable ride for sci-fi fans with a love for alternate realities and big what-ifs.

    In "All Our Wrong Todays" by Elan Mastai, the story follows Tom Barren who lives in a utopian version of 2016 created by a world-changing invention in 1965. When Tom impulsively travels back in time and alters the course of history, he finds himself in a dystopian version of 2016, our current reality. The novel explores themes of time travel, alternate realities, self-discovery, and the consequences of one person's actions on the world.

    That means nothing to you, obviously, because you live here, in the crappy world we do have. But it never should’ve turned out like this. And it’s all my fault—well, me and to a lesser extent my fathe...
    February 2017
    454 pages

  5. #5

    The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
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    A wildly original, mind-bending mystery that’s as fun as it is challenging - a must-try for puzzle lovers and genre mashup fans, but newcomers beware: buckle up, and bring your A-game!

    'The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton is a complex murder mystery novel set in a country estate where the protagonist, Aiden Bishop, wakes up in a different body each day to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. The plot unfolds in a Groundhog Day-like scenario where Aiden must navigate through various perspectives and characters to unravel the mystery. The writing style is described as intricate, original, and engaging, offering a unique blend of genres like murder mystery, time travel, and psychological thriller.

    My mind has gone blank. I don’t know who Anna is or why I’m calling her name. I don’t even know how I got here. I’m standing in a forest, shielding my eyes from the spitting rain. My heart’s thumping,...
    September 2018
    512 pages

  6. #6

    The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
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    A one-of-a-kind tale for romance fans who like a dash of sci-fi and emotional complexity; maddening for readers who want flawless logic or more independent characters.

    'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger is a unique love story that intertwines the lives of Henry, a man who involuntarily travels through time, and Clare, his wife who meets him at different stages of his life. The narrative is structured around their meetings in both real time and time travel, creating a complex yet emotionally engaging storyline. The author skillfully explores themes of love, loss, and relationships through the lens of time travel, offering a mix of romance and science fiction elements. Readers are taken on a journey through different timelines, experiencing the joys and sorrows that come with the challenges of time travel.

    The writing style of 'The Time Traveler's Wife' is praised for its emotional depth and intricate storytelling. The novel alternates between the perspectives of Henry and Clare, providing insight into their thoughts and feelings as they navigate the complexities of their unusual relationship. The author's ability to capture the essence of love and longing, along with vivid descriptions of Chicago and the characters' emotional journeys, immerses readers in a world where time is fluid and love transcends all boundaries.

    Clare: The first time it happens Henry is away. It's the eighth week of the pregnancy. The baby is the size of a plum, has a face and hands and a beating heart. It is early evening, early summer, and...
    January 2003
    560 pages

  7. #7

    The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas
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    A unique, clever mashup of time travel, mystery, and women-led storytelling - ambitious and original, but sometimes a little confusing. If you love genre-mixing, big ideas, and female-centric casts, give it a try!

    'The Psychology of Time Travel' by Kate Mascarenhas is a unique and complex story that revolves around time travel and its psychological effects on individuals. The book follows the lives of four female inventors who pioneer time travel in the 1960s, leading to a world where time is no longer linear and people interact with multiple versions of themselves. The plot unravels a murder mystery intertwined with the lives of various characters, exploring themes of relationships, identity, and the consequences of manipulating time. The writing style is described as detailed, imaginative, and rich, with multiple timelines and points of view adding depth to the narrative.

    The laboratory, in Cumbria, was home to four young scientists. Margaret was a baroness turned cosmologist. Lucille had come from the Toxteth slums to make radio waves travel faster than light. Grace—w...
    2018
    346 pages

  8. #8

    Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
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    A high-octane, thought-provoking sci-fi thriller that’s impossible to put down - even if you see some twists coming. Fun, accessible, and emotionally satisfying.

    Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is a mind-bending science fiction thriller that follows the protagonist, Jason Dessen, as he is kidnapped and thrown into a world of parallel universes. The book explores the consequences of choices, the concept of multiverses, and the intense journey of Jason trying to get back to his family through various alternate realities. The writing style is fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns.

    No one tells you it’s all about to change, to be taken away. There’s no proximity alert, no indication that you’re standing on the precipice. And maybe that’s what makes tragedy so tragic. Not just wh...
    July 2016
    376 pages

  9. #9

    Doomsday Book - Oxford Time Travel by Connie Willis
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    A moving, richly detailed time-travel novel that’s equal parts historical drama and philosophical meditation - absolutely gripping for fans of immersive stories, but a bit slow for those who crave breakneck pacing or hard sci-fi. Worth reading for the emotional punch and historical ambiance.

    Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is a time-travel science fiction novel that intertwines two timelines - one in the near future at Oxford University, where a historian named Kivrin is sent back to the Middle Ages, specifically to the year 1348 during the Black Death. Meanwhile, a contemporary viral outbreak adds a layer of complexity to the story, creating a sense of urgency and suspense. The book delves into themes of human resilience, historical accuracy, and the impact of catastrophic events on individuals across different time periods.

    Mary shook her head. “All you’ve missed is Gilchrist’s speech.” She leaned back in her chair to let Dunworthy squeeze past her into the narrow observation area. She had taken off her coat and wool hat...
    1992
    592 pages

  10. #10

    11/22/63 by Stephen King
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    A sprawling, imaginative story that mixes time travel, love, and 20th-century Americana - emotionally rich, occasionally meandering, and totally worth it if you’re in the mood for an epic page-turner.

    '11/22/63' by Stephen King is a time travel novel that follows the story of Jake Epping, a high school teacher who is recruited by a diner owner to travel back in time to 1958 with the mission to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The book delves into the complexities of altering history, the consequences of changing the past, and the personal sacrifices Jake must make in his quest to rewrite a pivotal moment in American history. Through a blend of historical events, time travel elements, and a touch of romance, King weaves a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged as they follow Jake's journey through the past.

    After the benediction (spoken by Father Bandy, who rarely missed an LHS function), I made my way through the milling friends and relatives to where Harry was standing alone in his billowy black gown,...
    2011
    833 pages

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