Adventure fiction reading guide
If you like stories full of excitement and danger then read on!
Follow the thrills and spills of a central character - a determined but often unwitting hero - on a mission full of suspense and action, loaded with obstacles and dangers.
Adventure tales use straightforward language, with a focus on dialogue and description that keep the action moving and excitement building. Whether your personal tastes lean towards spies and espionage, historical and military, the fantastical world of steampunk or dystopian settings, or stories of "human vs wilderness", there are plenty of options. Adventure awaits!
Adventure fiction reading lists
Adventure - eBooks and eAudiobooks
A curated list of the best adventure novels available through Libby and OverDrive. Buckle yourself in for some pure adventure escapism!
Adventure fiction sub-genre lists
Contemporary Adventure Fiction
These novels follow some of the latest fiction trends and weave contemporary themes and issues into their adrenaline-inducing plots.
Adventure Graphic Novels
Fast-paced and action-packed. Stories with heroes on a quest to save the world. Deadly opponents, desperate missions, daring rescues!
Action Adventure
The perfect antidote to boredom this titles come with a large helping of adrenalin, intrigue and danger.
Historical Military Adventure
If you like Bernard Cornwell’s ‘Sharpe’ series, or the naval heroics of Master and Commander, then these titles are for you.
Historical Adventure Fiction
Travel back in time and go on an adventurous journey without leaving your chair! Explore your way through battles, revenge, and conquest.
Steampunk Adventure
Imagine the history and intrigue of the 19th century blended with magic, monsters, and mad science.
Wilderness/Survival Adventure Fiction
We're only ever a moment away from the need to survive in the wild - these stories represent humanity at its most desperate and resourceful.
Political/Spy/Techno Thriller Adventure
Follow characters on the run from government forces or assassins, embroiled in a tightly woven mesh of intrigue.
Dystopian Adventure Fiction
What says "adventure" more than the fight for survival - follow a character with the will to thrive in a new hostile landscape.
Classic Adventure Fiction
Classic tales that have stood the test of time. Go on a journey with beloved characters to far off lands filled with adventure.
Return to reading lists
Kickstart your reading with librarian-created lists of the most readable and enjoyable fiction.
Return to Reading: Adventure
For those returning to reading, this list features fast-paced tales of daring quests, unforgettable characters, and high-stakes challenges.
Return to Reading: New Adult Adventure
Discover a thrilling collection of adventure fiction designed to captivate and ignite your imagination.
NoveList Plus
Find new authors & reading options using your favourite writer, book or genre as a starting point. Your next great read is just clicks away.
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Return to Reading: Reading tips from librarians
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NoveList Plus
Find new authors & reading options using your favourite writer, book or genre as a starting point. Your next great read is just clicks away.
Read It Before You See It 2025: Mystery queens & double King
Hayley breaks down the films and TV series based on books due to hit screens in the coming months.
Return to Reading: Reading tips from librarians
We've pulled together some tips and tricks that should help guide your reading choices if it's been a while between reads.
Jim voices his own narrative: James by Percival Everett
Fee reads Booker prize finalist, James, a reimagining of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn story told from the perspective of runaway slave, Jim
Find great reads:
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