Fantasy:
* The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: Middle-earth is a living, breathing world, influencing the characters' journeys and destinies.
* A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: Westeros is a complex tapestry of kingdoms, cultures, and landscapes, driving the story's political intrigue and wars.
* The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin: The islands of Earthsea are magical and dangerous, reflecting the characters' inner struggles.
* The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Narnia is a mythical land where good and evil clash, offering a haven for children and a place for them to grow.
* The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson: Roshar is a planet with unique geography and a vast, intricate magical system, shaping the characters' lives and struggles.
Science Fiction:
* Dune by Frank Herbert: Arrakis is a harsh desert planet, central to the story's themes of ecology, politics, and power.
* The Martian by Andy Weir: Mars is a hostile yet alluring environment, forcing the protagonist to adapt and survive.
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: The universe is a wacky, unpredictable place, reflecting the characters' eccentric journeys.
* Neuromancer by William Gibson: Cyberpunk-infused, the setting of a near-future dystopia is integral to the story's themes of technology, control, and identity.
* The Expanse by James S.A. Corey: The solar system is a canvas for political intrigue, interstellar conflicts, and the fight for human survival.
Historical Fiction:
* Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: The American South during the Civil War is vividly rendered, capturing the complexities of love, loss, and social upheaval.
* The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Nazi Germany is a chilling backdrop to the story of a young girl's courage and resilience.
* The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Afghanistan, before and after the Soviet invasion, is a setting that shapes the characters' lives and the consequences of their choices.
* The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: France during World War II is a brutal and poignant setting, emphasizing the resilience and sacrifice of women during the conflict.
* The Help by Kathryn Stockett: The Jim Crow South is a backdrop to the story of black maids and their white employers, exposing the realities of racism and segregation.
Literary Fiction:
* One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: Macondo is a magical and surreal setting, reflecting the cyclical nature of history and family.
* The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Roaring Twenties on Long Island, with its glamour and disillusionment, is a key element in the story's themes of wealth, love, and loss.
* To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: The American South in the 1930s is a setting of racial prejudice and injustice, highlighting the importance of empathy and moral courage.
* The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: Chicago's Latino neighborhood is a living, breathing entity, reflecting the protagonist's journey to self-discovery and belonging.
* Beloved by Toni Morrison: The post-Civil War South is a setting of trauma and healing, exploring the lingering legacy of slavery.
Note: This is just a small sample, and countless other books feature settings that are central to their stories.