The Sweet Hereafter, Russell Banks
The Scar, China Miéville
The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell
Death of a Red Heroine, Qiu Xiaolong
Santiago, Mike Resnick
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
1984, George Orwell
The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
The Milagro Beanfield War, John Nichols
and of course
King Rat, James Clavell
There's a predominance of SF there, though I tend to read less of it these days. But for folks who claim that SF stories aren't relevant, I point out Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and The Handmaid's Tale (yes I know Atwood claims not to write SF).
I debated putting The Grapes of Wrath there, because I remember really enjoying the book, but it's been 20 years since I read it and I barely remember its contents anymore. Perhaps it's time to re-read it.
