Let's face it, there's something truly special about books. Whether it's the magical feeling of transporting to a world different than your own or the lessons from some of the world's greatest minds, reading is an incredibly important part of living. These eleven books are a mix of classics and contemporary works that everyone should take the time to read in their lifetime.
1. Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Piper family is filled with lies and secrets that have accumulated over four generations. This story follows the Pipers as they live off an island near Nova Scotia during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Piper sisters must rely on each other in order to survive from their family's dark history.
2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Plath writes this coming-of-age novel about young Esther, a successful young woman struggling from societal isolation and her place as a young woman in this world. The Bell Jar highlights the many struggles of trying to fit into the molds of what women and men should be and the painstaking task of finding yourself.
3. Looking For Alaska by John Green
This story follows the life of Miles Halter, a teenage boy heading off to boarding school. Miles soon finds himself entangled in the adventures of Alaska Young, a rebellious young woman who never allows herself to be bored. Miles must grow up very quickly as he learns about the true nature of the world and what it means to experience true loss.
4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee shows the ugly nature of racism as Scout Finch and her brother Jem watch their father defend an African American man who has been falsely accused of a rape charge. These children begin to see the injustice of discrimination and the evils in the world through this case.
5. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
A small New Hampshire town experiences the horrors of a school shooting. One of the victims is Josie Cormier, a teenage girl who is a daughter of the town judge. Nineteen Minutes shows the terrible effects of tragedy on a community and the individuals within.
6. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
We follow the story of Ponyboy, a young teenager who is in a gang called "The Greasers." Ponyboy must face a series of obstacles while relying solely on the support of his friends, causing him to grow up much too fast.
7. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhyes
Wide Sargasso Sea is a prequel to Jane Eyre, following the story of the infamous and crazy Bertha. This novel shows the background information of Bertha's (otherwise known as Antoinette) marriage to Mr. Rochester and the consequences she faces as a Creole woman living in the mid-1800's.
8. Lord of the Flies by William Goulding
A group of British school boys are abandoned on an island when their plane crashes down. The boys begin creating their own society, a task that soon causes conflict between different members of the group. As tensions increase, young Ralph will learn a great deal about humanity in its purest form.
9. Brave New World by Auldous Huxley
Brave New World shows a futuristic, utopian society that operates very differently from the world we currently know. This story follows the life of Lenina Crowne and Bernard Marx, two of the people living in this world. Lenina is content with her current life but Bernard is not. Mishap follows Bernard and he finds the answers he has been looking for and the truths that he may not be ready to accept.
10. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield is a rich, Jewish boy from New York who has a great distaste for the "phony" ways of the world. This coming-of-age novel follows Holden through his high school adventures as he discovers the truth of the world around him and his role in the world.
11. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the differences between cost and value through Nick Carraway's adventures in upscale New York, highlighting the lost love of his cousin Daisy and his neighbor Gatbsy. Nick finds himself in the middle of their messy affair and begins to discover the way that people truly are.
