Anyone who knows me knows that I am a book lover. While my obsession used to be more extreme before little things like college and life got in the way of my reading habits, I can honestly say that reading changed my life.
Though many books had to be left out for the sake of brevity, I can personally attest to the excellence of those listed below. They will awaken feelings and thoughts within you that are simply lovely to experience. Books are wonderful, and here are a few of my favorites
1. "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte.
Your classic unlikely heroine romance story. Famous for its Gothic themes and literary devices, the story addresses unlikely romance, the value of morality, and the power of choices.
2. "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte.
Most readers have a love hate relationship with this book, which addresses the destructive power of pride and the interrelatedness of love and hate.
3. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding.
At some point in every person's life, everyone muses on what they would do in a moral crisis, and how they would act if no one was preventing them from doing as they willed. This book attempts to answer that question. When removed from civilization, a group of boys revert to their original animalistic selves and the results are horrifying. This is the kind of book that reminds us what humanity is capable of.
4. "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Housseini.
This story will put you on an emotional roller coaster. It is set in Afghanistan, shortly before the rise of the Taliban, and deals with the relationship between a young boy and his servant, who is also his friend. The story addresses complex themes such as guilt and redemption, evil and forgiveness, and defines what it means to be brave.
5. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
Addressing the attitudes and events of small southern towns with strong racial discrimination is difficult, but Harper Lee does it flawlessly. There's a reason this book is a staple of high school literature programs.
6. "The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath."
Sometimes I feel like Plath echoes my own thoughts. A great book for young women, it addresses the difficulties and confusions with coming of age, and expressed some complex views about feminism, fulfillment, the meaning of success, and writing.
7. "Atonement" by Ian McEwan.
Set right before World War 2 and continuing through the end of the 20th century, this book is a classic tragic love story with a twist. Told by the younger sister of the main character, the book addresses how the jealousy of one sister can almost lead to the destruction of a relationship but how true love overcomes all. I'll leave you a quote from the end of the book. (Spoiler alert.)
"There was a crime. But there were also the lovers. Lovers and their happy ends have been on my mind all night long. As into the sunset we sail. An unhappy inversion. It occurs to me that I have not traveled so very far after all, since I wrote my little play. Or rather, I’ve made a huge digression and doubled back to my starting place. It is only in this last version that my lovers end well, standing side by side on a South London pavement as I walk away. All the preceding drafts were pitiless. But now I can no longer think what purpose would be served if, say, I tried to persuade my reader, by direct or indirect means, that Robbie Turner died of septicemia at Bray Dunes on 1 June 1940, or that Cecilia was killed in September of the same year by the bomb that destroyed Balham Underground station. That I never saw them in that year. That my walk across London ended at the church on Clapham Common, and that a cowardly Briony limped back to the hospital, unable to confront her recently bereaved sister. That the letters the lovers wrote are in the archives of the War Museum. How could that constitute an ending? What sense or hope or satisfaction could a reader draw from such an account? Who would want to believe that they never met again, never fulfilled their love? Who would want to believe that, except in the service of the bleakest realism? I couldn’t do it to them. I’m too old, too frightened, too much in love with the shred of life I have remaining. I face an incoming tide of forgetting, and then oblivion. I no longer possess the courage of my pessimism. When I am dead, and the Marshalls are dead, and the novel is finally published, we will only exist as my inventions. Briony will be as much of a fantasy as the lovers who shared a bed in Balham and enraged their landlady. No one will care what events and which individuals were misrepresented to make a novel. I know there’s always a certain kind of reader who will be compelled to ask, But what really happened? The answer is simple: the lovers survive and flourish. As long as there is a single copy, a solitary typescript of my final draft, then my spontaneous, fortuitous sister and her medical prince survive to love.
The problem these 59 years has been this: how can a novelist achieve atonement when, with her absolute power of deciding outcomes, she is also God? There is no one, no entity or higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive her. There is nothing outside her. In her imagination she has set the limits and the terms. No atonement for God, or novelists, even if they are atheists. It was always an impossible task, and that was precisely the point. The attempt was all.
I’ve been standing at the window, feeling waves of tiredness beat the remaining strength from my body. The floor seems to be undulating beneath my feet. I’ve been watching the first gray light bring into view the park and the bridges over the vanished lake. And the long narrow driveway down which they drove Robbie away, into the whiteness. I like to think that it isn’t weakness or evasion, but a final act of kindness, a stand against oblivion and despair, to let my lovers live and to unite them at the end. I gave them happiness, but I was not so self-serving as to let them forgive me. Not quite, not yet. If I had the power to conjure them at my birthday celebration ... Robbie and Cecilia, still alive, still in love, sitting side by side in the library, smiling at 'The Trials of Arabella'? It’s not impossible."
8. "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamont.
This is a biblical story that details the women of Jewish patriarch Jacob, and their struggle for identity and redemption. It addresses love and war and how women were used as political tools. Mostly, it describes the rape of Dinah from the perspective of the woman, and depicts her sense of injustice at being used as a political tool and the need to tell her story. This book is beautiful but it will make you cry. You've been warned.
9. "Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper
I'll leave this one as a bit of a surprise.
10. "Call of the Wild" by Jack London.
A story about survival in the Alaskan wilderness. It is full of adventure and descriptions of the fearful power of nature.
11. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. (Contains offensive themes and language.)
Another adventure story, this book follows a young boy as he runs away from home and on his journey comes of age and realizes the injustices of the antebellum South.
12. "The Yearling" by Marjorie Rawling.
The strongest memory I have about this book is the description of hunger. In it, a young boy raises an abandoned fawn, and has to learn hard lessons about survival and what it means to leave childhood.
13. "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak.
Set in WW2 Germany, this book describes the horrors of war and the power of words--told from the perspective of Death.
14. "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.
Probably a good one to skip if you're not religious, this book is a collection of letters written by an elderly demon to a young demon responsible for tempting a young man to his damnation. It contains many warnings and commentary on human nature, but also the ever-apparent goodness that can shine through humanity, regardless of circumstances.
15. "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis.
This is an allegory for children, but describes the adventures of four siblings who rule a strange new world discovered through a wardrobe. It's a classic and a must read.
16. "The Shadowhunter Chronicles" by Cassandra Clare.
For young adult fantasy literature, this series is excellent. It describes a race of semi human Shadowhunters who protect the world from the presence of evil. Also one of the most beautiful modern love stories I've ever read.
17. "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Talk about world building. This series is about the journey of Frodo to the end of the earth, to destroy the ring of power that, if it falls into the wrong hands, will destroy the world. One of the greatest stories of the 20th century, I can't even do it justice with a description. It's amazing. Read it.
18. "The Harry Potter" series by J.K Rowling.
Do I even need to describe this one? It's a classic story of battle against evil that teaches countless lessons along the way and is one of the great fiction series of the 21st century. "Yer a wizard, 'Arry." The adventure begins.
19. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne.
This book invented the genre of science fiction and describes submarines years before they were even invented. It's a classic kidnapping story that involves a fantastic journey and explores the mind of the very intriguing and tortured man who captains it.
20. "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. (Contains offensive language.)
This is one of my favorite books in the whole world. It describes the love story of a young southern belle and her desire for survival success in the man's world of the Civil War and immediately after. For some reason, everyone who reads this book finds that the masterfully written characters resonate with them in really personal ways. It's an amazing book.
21. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Another surprise.
22. "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery.
Looking for strong female characters that still embrace their femininity? Look no further, headstrong Anne will win your heart over with her wit, her lovely imagination, and eventually her love story. This is one of the best series on the list.
23. "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell.
In many ways, I would describe this as the first animal rights book. It depicts the cruelty of humans towards animals, but also shows the necessity of fair treatment. It's a beautiful book about friendship and love and is one of my fondest memories from childhood. Plus, who doesn't love a horse story?
24. "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.
Another book that invented a genre, this is the first true vampire story ever written. It's chilling and fantastic and contains some really dark themes about rape, xenophobia, and good against evil.
25. "The Iliad" by Homer.
While the Odyssey is a story of survival and the attempt to return home from war, the Iliad is a story about the emotions that causes people to go to war. It specifically tells about the anger of Achilles, but also details the story of Homer, and the consequences of war. This is a beautifully written epic poem, that in my opinion is superior to the odyssey because it deals with more serious themes.
26. "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Doyle's Sherlock Holmes basically invented the idea of the private detective and contributed tremendously to the mystery genre. With his brilliant deductive reasoning, and fascinating descriptions of crime, these stories have been loved by generations and are a staple for mystery lovers. They were also my favorite books in middle school.
27. "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Emma Orczy.
The back of the edition that I had, describes this book as the first story containing the motif of the masked avenger. This is a love story set in the French revolution, and addresses the need for good people to stand up when evil is being done.
28. "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
The author of this book went missing shortly after writing it, in World War II, but the story remains A literary classic. The story details the friendship of the little prints, and an aviator crashes in the desert. It addresses stereotypes of the day, and teaches lessons about what is really important.
29. "W;t" by Margaret Edson.
This story is a play about cancer. Using John Donne's holy sonnets, the book explores the concept of accepting death and the significance of being satisfied at the end of one's life with what one has achieved.
30. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott.
Little women is the story of four sisters and their friend, who have adventures in love, story writing, and friendship. This book is one of the classics. It was also one of my favorites in middle school.
31. "Boy’s Life" by Robert R. McCammon.
This is a story about a father and his son that contains some beautiful passages about coming of age. There are Nazis and adventures. Read it.
32. "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton.
This story addresses class and social conflicts through the story of unhappy marriages, freedom loving characters, and illicit love. Definitely a societal critique, it also addresses women's roles and the importance of choices. Excellent book.
33. "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo.
Pretty much everyone knows the general plot of the story, as most of us have seen the recent movie, but the book is even more powerful. I definitely recommend. If you enjoyed this, another excellent French Revolution story is Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities.
34. "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand.
This book explores the necessity of freedom of expression, and the necessity of sticking true to one's beliefs. It tells the story of a young architect, who refuses to submit to the trends of the modern day. Through his journey, his readers recognize the importance of staying true to one's ideas. It certainly contain some dark and nihilistic themes, but is overall an impactful read.
35. "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin.
What does it mean to be free? This book is one of the first feminist stories written and addresses that very question, as it follows a woman attempting to reconcile being a mother and a proper member of society with her desire for love and freedom from useless rules. This is a tragic but inspiring story with beautiful prose descriptions and interesting conclusions about gender roles. Worth a look.
36. "Life of Pi" Yann Martel.
This story is ultimately about PTSD, and the human need to explain tragic things and events in a way that can be easily understood. The entire book is a metaphor, and follows the journey of a young boy who survives a shipwreck and lives on a raft for weeks.
37. "Howard’s End" by E.M. Forster.
This is one of those books that mixes several story lines into one, while addressing class, social constructs, and ultimately being at peace with oneself.
38. "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame.
I don't even know how to describe this story. Suffice to say that it is a tale of friendship, masterfully written and classic.
If you enjoy this book, you'll probably love Brer Rabbit and Other Stories, and Watership Down as well.
39. "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury.
A story about the dangers of censorship, this book explores the strength and value of the written word and the importance of freedom of expression. It does this through exploring a dystopia where books are banned and burned, and details one young man's journey for freedom of the mind and of expression.
40. "The Arabian Nights."
This is a classic, and the source of tales like that of the queen Scheherazade, Sinbad and Aladdin and Ali Baba.
If this appealed to you, two follow up books are "The Shadow Spinner," "Seven Daughters" and "Seven Sons."
41. :The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury.
Ever wondered if there could be life on another planet? This is the science fiction you've been waiting for.
42. "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden.
This book is about the nearly extinct class of the Japanese geisha, entertainers and sometimes escorts that were popular for centuries before WW2, but somewhat died out afterwards. This is the story of a young girl sold into slavery, and her rise to the only kind of success available for Japanese women of the time. Yet, through her difficulties, she retains a complexity and determination to find love that many others lack. It's a lovely book.
43. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
There's something about children's books that make the stories stay with us even as we become adults. This book embodies the appreciation for beauty in nature that can be found in all of us, and the capability we all have of changing our own lives by believing it can be done. Anything can be done, but sometimes it takes a little magic you can only find in yourself.
"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago."
44. "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls.
A classic story about a boy and his dogs, this addresses the concept of unconditional love and sacrifice, as well as being a coming of age story. You will cry, but it's definitely worth the read.
45. "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck.
Greed can control us. In this novel, Steinbeck addresses the weaknesses of humanity by describing the adventures of a diver who finds a priceless pearl.
46. "The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald.
"But in the meantime, you must be content, I say, to be misunderstood for a while. We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary." What is that, grandmother?" "To understand other people."
Intended to be a children's story and allegory, this tale resonated with me for days after I read it. It addresses goodness and justice and the dangers of stereotyping. It is a lovely little book.
47. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Housseini.
The author of the Kite Runner wrote this book to show the struggles of Afghani women in traditional society. It addresses domestic abuse and conflicts of status, and the hope that comes from mental freedom.
48. "Othello" by Shakespeare.
"Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on."
This story is considered one of Shakespeare's greatest works. A tragedy, it addresses the dangers of jealousy, anger, and racism when it comes to love.
49. "The Color Fairy Tales" by Andrew Lang.
I read these as a child and have never experienced anything like them. They're lovely and contain fairy tales from around the world, brought together in a single series.
Besides the tangible benefits like the vocabulary expansion, acquisition of knowledge, better analytical thinking and better writing skills that were unequivocally helpful in school and on the SAT, reading allowed me to healthily reduce stress, explore my imagination, and learn incredible lessons about a variety of topics. There have been times when an author has expressed, in writing, thoughts that I have personally experienced. Books have made me ecstatic and they have made me angry, they have made me cry, laugh, and grumble in frustration. They have helped me build imaginative “castles in the air” and alternatively have stripped away common illusions about existence. Reading has taught me lessons about friendship, loyalty, love, human suffering, hope and humanity in a way that I truly believe no other medium can.
