The best 44 Literature books

1
War and Peace

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy
A Historical Novel on the Irrationality of Human Behavior in War
3.9 (19 ratings)

What's War and Peace about?

War and Peace (1869) is a novel that follows the lives of several aristocratic families during the French invasion of Russia and the Napoleonic Wars. It explores themes of love, war, politics, and the human condition, and is considered one of the great works of literature.

Who should read War and Peace?

  • Curious minds craving timeless wisdom
  • Eager explorers of Russia’s literary landscapes
  • Time travelers fond of the Napoleonic era

2
Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A Philosophical Masterpiece on the Boundaries Between Good and Evil
4.7 (273 ratings)

What's Crime and Punishment about?

Crime and Punishment (1866) is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Russian literature. It follows a young man called Rodion Raskolnikov – first as he plots to kill an elderly pawnbroker, then as he commits the deed, and finally as he confronts the many consequences of his actions. Emotionally poignant as well as philosophically and psychologically complex, the novel has left a visible mark on generations of writers, thinkers, and artists ever since its publication.

Who should read Crime and Punishment?

  • Fans of Russian literature
  • Lovers of melodrama, mental anguish, and moral quandaries
  • Philosophy buffs

3
Brave New World

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley
A Dystopian Novel on the Perils of State Control & New Technology
4.6 (204 ratings)

What's Brave New World about?

Brave New World (1932) is a dystopian novel set in a world where citizens are socially engineered to be complacent and pleasure-seeking. It’s a world that worships Henry Ford –⁠ a scaled-up version of an assembly line that’s mass produced, homogenous, and ultimately consumable. 

Who should read Brave New World?

  • Anyone fascinated by dystopias, utopias, and everything in between
  • People concerned about the state of modern society
  • Fans of George Orwell who want a very different take on dystopia

4
Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck
The Dangers of the American Dream During the Great Depression
4.4 (20 ratings)

What's Of Mice and Men about?

Of Mice and Men (1937) is a poignant tale that traces an unlikely friendship between two impoverished workers in California during the Great Depression: compact, quick-witted George Milton, and huge, childlike Lennie Small.

Who should read Of Mice and Men?

  • Lovers of classic literature
  • Those entranced by the American dream
  • People curious about one of Steinbeck’s greats

5
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

George Orwell
A Dystopian Classic on the Dangers of Totalitarianism
4.8 (1,113 ratings)

What's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) about?

Nineteen Eighty-Four, also published as 1984, is a dystopian novel from 1949 that deals with the perils of totalitarianism. It’s set in an imagined future in a superstate called Oceania, which is ruled by an authoritarian government that maintains power through constant surveillance and other insidious means.

Who should read Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)?

  • Anyone who’d like to know more about this must-read classic
  • People interested in politics and history
  • Those who are worried about freedom of thought

6
Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller
A Play About the Success and Disappointments of the American Dream

What's Death of a Salesman about?

Death of a Salesman (1949) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s greatest plays. A poignant critique of the promises and pitfalls of capitalism and the American Dream, it follows the salesman Willy Loman, his increasingly tense relationships with his family and colleagues, and his tragic, hallucinatory descent into fantasy and madness. 

Who should read Death of a Salesman?

  • Budding playwrights and theater enthusiasts
  • People curious about the dangers of unbridled capitalism
  • Anyone interested in modern drama

7
Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

William Golding
A Dystopian Classic on the Dark Side of Human Nature and Survival
4.6 (55 ratings)

What's Lord of the Flies about?

Lord of the Flies (1954) is the allegorical story of a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island and left to fend for themselves and create a society. As the boys struggle with the complexities of leadership, cooperation, and survival, they are forced to face some fundamental questions about human nature and the fragility of civilization.

Who should read Lord of the Flies?

  • Readers looking for fresh eyes on an old classic
  • Literature lovers who somehow never got around to this important book
  • Anyone looking for insight into the nature of society and the humans who build it

8
The Iliad

The Iliad

Homer
The Greek Epic on the End of the Trojan War and Achilles’ Wrath
4.6 (14 ratings)

What's The Iliad about?

The Iliad (c. eighth century BC) is one of the oldest and most important works of Western literature. Attributed to ancient Greek poet Homer, the epic poem recounts the final days of the Greek siege of Troy. At the center of the story is Greek war hero Achilles, who has to beat back the Trojan enemy, struggle against meddling gods, and vie for recognition among his fellow Greeks. 

Who should read The Iliad?

  • Fans of classic literature
  • Bookworms and history nerds
  • Anyone interested in ancient Western culture

9
Antigone

Antigone

Sophocles
An Ancient Greek Tragedy on Civil Disobedience, Morality and Gender
4.6 (15 ratings)

What's Antigone about?

Antigone (c. 441 BC) is a tragedy by Sophocles, one of ancient Greece’s greatest playwrights. After a civil war, two brothers – the leaders of rival factions – are dead. One is remembered as a patriotic hero; the other, as a treacherous usurper. The king of Thebes, Creon, has forbidden anyone to bury the traitor – an order the man’s sister, Antigone, can’t square with her conscience. The stage is set for a conflict pitting the individual against the state, justice against law, idealism against realism, and a defiant woman against a male-dominated world.

Who should read Antigone?

  • Theater enthusiasts interested in the history of drama
  • Fans of classical literature and mythology
  • Anyone interested in exploring themes of morality, family, and power

10
Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus
A Novel
4.3 (183 ratings)

What's Lessons in Chemistry about?

Lessons in Chemistry (2022) is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist who has the misfortune of being a woman in 1950s America. After a frustrating failed academic career, Zott finds success in an unlikely place: as the host of a television cooking show.

Who should read Lessons in Chemistry?

  • Foodies interested in the science behind cooking
  • Feminists looking for a window into the history of women in STEM
  • Anyone who appreciates stories that are sharp and warm-hearted

11
Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley
The Modern Prometheus
4.7 (165 ratings)

What's Frankenstein about?

Frankenstein (1818) is a Gothic horror classic that tells the tale of ambitious young scientist Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with the idea of creating life, Frankenstein assembles a freakish human-like monster. But when he animates it, he’s shocked at the horror he’s created. Although the monster seeks affection at first, it’s continually rejected and eventually seeks revenge on humankind.

Who should read Frankenstein?

  • Anyone who knows the name Frankenstein but has never read the book
  • Fans of a good horror story that makes you squirm
  • Lovers of classic literature

12
Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë
A Passionate Tale of Revenge Fueled by Unfulfilled Love and Loss

What's Wuthering Heights about?

Wuthering Heights (1847) is a masterpiece of English literature. Set in Yorkshire, it tells the story of two families and their intense, often tumultuous relationships – in particular, the stormy romance between Heathcliff and Catherine.

Who should read Wuthering Heights?

  • Fans of family sagas
  • People drawn to unconventional love stories and antiheroes
  • Anyone interested in classic novels of the nineteenth century

13
The Alchemist

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho
A Magical Fable About Following Your Dreams
4.6 (449 ratings)

What's The Alchemist about?

The Alchemist (1988) follows the story of a young Andalusian shepherd, who travels to the pyramids of Egypt to find a treasure he has recurrently dreamed about. On his journey, he has to overcome multiple obstacles – through which he learns valuable life lessons. Based on a thirteenth-century folktale, it explores topics such as following your dreams, finding your destiny, and the nature of love.

Who should read The Alchemist?

  • People who want to become more resilient
  • Anyone with a dream or passion
  • Those who wish to find their own purpose in life 

14
East of Eden

East of Eden

John Steinbeck
The Nobel Prize Winner’s Masterpiece on Family, Loneliness & Love
4.6 (35 ratings)

What's East of Eden about?

East of Eden (1952) is a sweeping epic that centers around three generations of the Trask family. Growing up, Adam Trask competed with his brother for his father’s love – with jealousy and vengeance leading to violent consequences. When Adam has children of his own, he struggles to spare them the same fate.

Who should read East of Eden?

  • Fans of the great American novel
  • Lovers of classic Westerns
  • Anyone who enjoys epics or family dramas

15
Animal Farm

Animal Farm

George Orwell
A Political Satire on the Corrupting Influence of Power
4.8 (258 ratings)

What's Animal Farm about?

Animal Farm (1945) is a classic satirical novella that transplants the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 to a small English farm. Once the animals stage an uprising, a political battle ensues between an ideological pig named Snowball and a power-hungry pig named Napoleon. 

Who should read Animal Farm?

  • Fans of political satire
  • Animal lovers
  • Anyone who likes a classic story

16
Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare
The Tragic Story of Two Star-Crossed Lovers From Feuding Families
4.9 (11 ratings)

What's Romeo and Juliet about?

Romeo and Juliet (c. 1591-1597) is the iconic tragedy of two youths who fall in love amid the feud raging between their two families. The many themes it explores include love and hate, fate and free will, and dream and reality.

Who should read Romeo and Juliet?

  • Romantic souls
  • Shakespeare fans who want a Romeo and Juliet refresher
  • Anyone trying to up their knowledge of classic literature

17
To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee
A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Classic on Racial Prejudice & Injustice
4.7 (76 ratings)

What's To Kill a Mockingbird about?

To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) is one of the most influential American novels ever written. Set in a small town in Alabama in the 1930s, it follows the Finch family over three tumultuous years as a trial divides a community. Covering themes of love and hate, innocence and experience, and kindness and cruelty, Harper Lee’s book goes to the heart of human behavior.   

Who should read To Kill a Mockingbird?

  • Anyone interested in classic fiction
  • History buffs
  • Those invested in the struggle for justice

18
Hamlet

Hamlet

William Shakespeare
A Young Prince’s Tragic Descend Into Madness and Revenge
4.8 (42 ratings)

What's Hamlet about?

Hamlet (c. 1509-1601) is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest play. A tragedy in five parts, it tells the story of Prince Hamlet, a thinker who must turn to action to avenge his father. It’s not only the finely crafted plot that’s fascinated readers and theatergoers down the centuries, though – Hamlet is also a penetrating study of the meaning of life and death.

Who should read Hamlet?

  • Shakespeare lovers who haven’t gotten around to reading Hamlet
  • Those who find Shakespeare’s original language difficult to enjoy
  • Fans of Hamlet who want a refresher

19
The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger
A Coming-Of-Age Classic on Belonging and Teenage Alienation
4.4 (67 ratings)

What's The Catcher in the Rye about?

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) is J. D. Salinger’s classic coming-of-age novel, telling the story of the troubled young Holden Caulfield. Holden has just been expelled from school, and spends several days traversing New York City, sharing his opinions of the world around him.

Who should read The Catcher in the Rye?

  • Lovers of coming-of-age stories
  • Classic literature fans
  • People who dislike phonies

20
Beowulf

Beowulf

Unknown
A Young Warrior’s Battle With Beasts and His Rise to Kingship
4.5 (155 ratings)

What's Beowulf about?

Beowulf is a masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon literature, set in sixth-century Scandinavia. The narrative poem recounts the heroic exploits of Beowulf, who battles monsters and eventually becomes king.

Who should read Beowulf?

  • Fantasy fans
  • People who enjoy stories of adventure and heroism
  • Anyone interested in the origins of English literature

21
The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Classic Novel on the American Dream of the Roaring Twenties
4.7 (75 ratings)

What's The Great Gatsby about?

The Great Gatsby (1925) tells the tale of a tragic romance set against a Roaring Twenties backdrop of hedonism and excess. It's considered a defining work of America’s Jazz Age and the time leading up to the Great Depression. With sales surpassing 30 million copies worldwide, it’s among the twentieth century’s most enduring novels.

Who should read The Great Gatsby?

  • Lovers of classic literature
  • Fans of 1920s glitz and glamour
  • Anyone interested in the mythology of the American Dream

22
Macbeth

Macbeth

William Shakespeare
Regicide and Revenge in one of the World's Most Famous Tragedies
4.8 (70 ratings)

What's Macbeth about?

Macbeth (1606) is the Shakespearean tragedy of Scottish general Macbeth and his doomed attempt to seize his country’s throne. His ambitions ignited by a prophecy spoken to him by three witches, Macbeth’s path to power begins with anxiety and reticence and ends with callousness and cruelty. His story is a timeless exploration of guilt, paranoia, madness, prophecy, and the evils of ambition.

Who should read Macbeth?

  • Shakespeare lovers who haven’t had the chance to read Macbeth 
  • Those who find Shakespeare’s original language difficult to enjoy
  • Macbeth fans who want a refresher

23
American Psycho

American Psycho

Bret Easton Ellis
A Violent Satire on Modern Capitalism and Corporate Greed
3.8 (11 ratings)

What's American Psycho about?

American Psycho (1991) is a controversial cult novel that uses graphic violence to satirize modern capitalism and consumer culture. It follows the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and handsome investment banker living in Manhattan in the 1980s. Beneath his polished exterior lies a psychopathic killer who preys on his victims without remorse. Bateman’s exploits quickly grow more and more extreme, and his mask of sanity starts to slip.

Who should read American Psycho?

  • Fans of the the 2000 movie starring Christian Bale
  • Readers who enjoy Don DeLillo, Thomas Pynchon, and William S. Burroughs
  • Anyone who enjoys dark humor

24
Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe
A Classic on the Reality of Change and Colonialism in Nigeria

What's Things Fall Apart about?

Things Fall Apart (1958) was the first in the African Writers Series of 350 books published between 1962 and 2003 which provided an international audience for many African writers. It tells the story of a respected leader of an Igbo community and the problems faced by the community as white men arrive and bring with them their laws and religion.

Who should read Things Fall Apart?

  • Lovers of great story-telling
  • Anthropology students interested in understanding the cultural and religious practices of the Igbo people of Nigeria
  • History buffs interested in African history and the impact of colonialism

25
The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller
A Novel
4.6 (21 ratings)

What's The Song of Achilles about?

The Song of Achilles (2011) is a creative retelling of Homer’s Iliad. The epic tale of the Trojan War is transformed into a moving love story, told from the perspective of Patroclus, the beloved companion of the Greek hero Achilles.

Who should read The Song of Achilles?

  • Hopeless romantics
  • Fans of Greek mythology
  • Anyone interested in the Iliad and the Trojan War

26
Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë
A Victorian Heroine’s Struggle for Self-Realization
4.6 (18 ratings)

What's Jane Eyre about?

Jane Eyre (1874) is an intense, intimate portrait of a young woman’s search to find her place in Victorian society without compromising her passionate ideals. It follows her as she navigates life’s obstacles – and her developing love for the mysterious Edward Rochester.

Who should read Jane Eyre?

  • Hopeless romantics who crave plot twists and turns
  • History lovers keen to get a window into life as a nineteenth-century governess
  • Fans of period dramas like Outlander and Bridgerton

27
The Hobbit

The Hobbit

J. R. R. Tolkien
A Journey Through Middle Earth—A Lord of the Rings Prequel
4.5 (27 ratings)

What's The Hobbit about?

The Hobbit (1937) is the classic fantasy adventure story of an unsuspecting hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Ripped unexpectedly from his idle epicurean life by the wizard Gandalf, Bilbo finds himself on a journey to help a group of dwarves take back their stolen treasure from the jealous dragon Smaug. Along the way, he encounters trolls, elves, goblins, and spiders –⁠ plus a certain magic ring –⁠ and eventually finds that he had what it took to be a hero all along.

Who should read The Hobbit?

  • Fantasy lovers
  • Fans of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies
  • Adventure seekers

28
Persuasion

Persuasion

Jane Austen
A Captivating Novel on Second Chances in the Early 19th Century.
4.7 (36 ratings)

What's Persuasion about?

Persuasion (1817) is the story of Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman whose heart was broken at 19, when she was persuaded not to marry the naval captain Frederick Wentworth – the love of her life. When Anne and Captain Wentworth cross paths again, they are both still unattached. But does the Captain still carry a torch for Anne, or has resentment and time snuffed out the flame forever?

Who should read Persuasion?

  • Romantics
  • Period drama fans
  • Austen readers looking for a quick plot refresher

29
A Rose for Emily

A Rose for Emily

William Faulkner
A Southern Gothic Tale on Death, Resistance to Change and Isolation
4.4 (14 ratings)

What's A Rose for Emily about?

A Rose for Emily (1930) was first published in Forum magazine. Told in a nonlinear style, it starts with the funeral of Emily, a fixture in the fictional Jefferson County. It then goes back in time to trace moments of her life, and the decline in her health and status. 

Who should read A Rose for Emily?

  • Faulkner fans
  • Lovers of Southern Gothic literature
  • Anyone curious to learn more about a complex classic

30
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin
A Novel
3.3 (28 ratings)

What's Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow about?

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (2022) by Gabrielle Zevin tells the story of Sadie and Sam, childhood friends turned creative collaborators and video game designers. The novel charts the tumultuous highs and lows of Sam and Sadie’s friendship against the vividly realized backdrop of the gaming industry at the turn of the 21st century. 

Who should read Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow?

  • Anyone intrigued by the idea of creative partnerships
  • Anyone with even a passing interest in video games
  • Anyone who’s ever had, or lost, a friend

31
The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini
An Emotional Story of Betrayal and Redemption in 1970s Afghanistan
4.5 (26 ratings)

What's The Kite Runner about?

The Kite Runner (2003) is narrated by Amir, an Afghan living in the US, as he reflects on his childhood in Kabul, and an incident that changed his life. This best-selling novel is a story of friendship, family, betrayal, and redemption.

Who should read The Kite Runner?

  • Fathers and sons
  • People interested in Afghanistan

Anyone who’s curious about a book that was a New York Times bestseller for 2 years


32
Dune

Dune

Frank Herbert
An Epic Science Fiction Novel on the Politics of Humanity
4.3 (173 ratings)

What's Dune about?

Dune (1965) is a modern epic, often considered the greatest sci-fi novel of all time. Set in a distant future, it follows the story of Paul, son of the noble Duke Leto of Atreides, as he adapts to life on Arrakis – his family’s new dominion. The desert planet is highly contested as it’s the source of a valuable commodity called spice. Soon, Paul must join the native desert people in an epic battle against the power-hungry enemies of Arrakis. 

Who should read Dune?

  • Sci-fi and fantasy devotees 
  • Anyone interested in stories about politics, ecology, and power 
  • Timothée Chalamet superfans

33
Little Women

Little Women

Louisa M. Alcott
A Coming-of-Age Novel about True Love and Finding One's Place in Life
4.8 (16 ratings)

What's Little Women about?

Little Women (1868-1869) tells the story of the four March sisters, and the struggles and day-to-day obstacles they faced while becoming young adults. While the story takes place in the American Northeast, it’s a universal coming-of-age story that has been appreciated around the world.

Who should read Little Women?

  • Fans of stories told from a female perspective
  • Lovers of classic literature
  • Anyone who likes a good young adult story

34
The Screwtape Letters

The Screwtape Letters

C.S. Lewis
Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil
4.7 (41 ratings)

What's The Screwtape Letters about?

The Screwtape Letters (1942) is a satirical novel in the form of letters written from one demon to another. Senior demon and hellish administrator Screwtape shares advice and lessons with his nephew, Wormwood, who is tasked with tempting his “patient” away from God and toward Satan. As such, readers see the ordinary troubles and temptations of human life depicted from a devil’s point of view.

Who should read The Screwtape Letters?

  • Satire lovers with an interest in Christian theology
  • Non-Christians with a self-deprecating streak
  • Narnia fans who want to sample another of Lewis’s works

35
Mad Honey

Mad Honey

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
A Novel
4.3 (11 ratings)

What's Mad Honey about?

Mad Honey (2022) tells the story of two women who have fled abusive pasts to make a new life in the small town of Adams, New Hampshire. When one is found dead, and the other finds her son accused of the murder, the tense courtroom drama that unfolds shines light on the true cost of secrets kept for love.

Who should read Mad Honey?

  • Fiction lovers craving a well-told tale about timely issues
  • Courtroom drama fans looking for a story with suspenseful, emotional twists 
  • Anyone curious about a narrative of complex characters facing challenging times

36
Verity

Verity

Colleen Hoover
A #1 Bestselling Psychological Thriller With Bone-Chilling Twists
4.0 (170 ratings)

What's Verity about?

Verity (2018) is the breakout thriller leaving mystery fans breathless. Taut and tense, with a final plot twist delivered like a sucker-punch, the novel leaves readers questioning everything in the end — especially the truth.

Who should read Verity?

  • Anyone curious about the plot twists that dominate the buzz around the book
  • Thriller fans and true-crime lovers craving stories full of unreliable narrators
  • Novel lovers seeking tales that turn storytelling on its head - with chilling results

37
The Secret History

The Secret History

Donna Tartt
A Novel
4.8 (14 ratings)

What's The Secret History about?

The Secret History (1992) is the gripping tale of a group of Classics students at a New England college who are involved in the murder of a classmate. The novel explores the complex relationships between the friends, and the impact the incident has on their lives.

Who should read The Secret History?

  • People who enjoy psychological fiction
  • Fans of the “dark academia” genre
  • Anyone with an interest in Classics

38
We Were Liars

We Were Liars

E. Lockhart
A Suspense Novel About Family, Lies, and the Mistakes That Haunt Us
4.3 (12 ratings)

What's We Were Liars about?

We Were Liars (2014) is the suspenseful story of the wealthy, carefree Sinclair family and the tragic event that exposes the cracks in their perfect facade – as told by an unreliable narrator, Cadence Sinclair.

Who should read We Were Liars?

  • Lovers of suspenseful fiction and well-crafted romance
  • Anyone keen for a glimpse into the lives of the 1 percent
  • Avid readers who want the scoop on one of the best-loved young adult contemporary novels

39
A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Sarah J. Maas
A Fantasy and Romance Novel Filled With Dangerous Faeries
4.6 (15 ratings)

What's A Court of Thorns and Roses about?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (2020) follows the story of Feyre, who inadvertently kills a fairy and finds herself on the wrong side of the fairy/human border. She is given the choice to die in exchange for the life she took or go to live as a human prisoner in the land of Faerie. Her choice launches her on a journey of adventure and romance. This is the first book in the five-part A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Who should read A Court of Thorns and Roses?

  • Fairy-tale lovers
  • Fans of Beauty and the Beast
  • Readers who love a good romance

40
Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens
A Coming-Of-Age Murder Mystery About Love, Nature & Abandonment
4.8 (72 ratings)

What's Where the Crawdads Sing about?

Where the Crawdads Sing (2018) is a coming-of-age story that seamlessly blends into a murder mystery and an ode to nature. A reminder that we are forever shaped by our childhoods, it recounts the early life of a remarkable girl, Kya, and her transformation into an equally remarkable young woman.

Who should read Where the Crawdads Sing?

  • Nature lovers
  • Poets and scientists
  • Anyone who loves gripping stories

41
The Nightingale

The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah
A Novel
4.9 (22 ratings)

What's The Nightingale about?

The Nightingale (2015) is a historical novel telling the often-neglected story of those left behind when soldiers go off to war. Set in northwestern France during World War II and told through the eyes of two sisters, this sweeping saga reveals the hidden horrors, and heroism, of the survivors.

Who should read The Nightingale?

  • Historical fiction buffs looking for a well-told tale from a new angle
  • Literature lovers craving epic stories of survival
  • Anyone interested in the true costs of war on all fronts

42
Normal People

Normal People

Sally Rooney
A Novel
4.5 (46 ratings)

What's Normal People about?

Normal People (2018) tells the story of Marianne and Connell, two people who grow close during the final days of secondary school. As they move on to college and careers, the two struggle to make sense of their relationship and their feelings for one another.

Who should read Normal People?

  • Anyone interested in complex relationships
  • Fans of romantic dramas
  • Readers curious about one of the most popular books of the 2010s

43
A Little Life

A Little Life

Hanya Yanagihara
An Epic Novel About Queer Life, Friendship & Human Endurance
4.7 (11 ratings)

What's A Little Life about?

A Little Life (2015) follows the lives of four friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, moody painter JB, quiet architect Malcolm, and the brilliant, mysterious litigator Jude. Over the years, the four friends grow together, drift apart, find love and success, and struggle with loss and addiction. As enigmatic Jude gradually moves into the center of the narrative, the full extent of his unbearable burden begins to reveal itself. 

Who should read A Little Life?

  • People who enjoy character-driven literature
  • Fans of stories about complex relationships 
  • Anyone in need of a good cry

44
Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck

Erik Larson
One of the Greatest Criminal Chases of All Time
4.3 (29 ratings)

What's Thunderstruck about?

Thunderstruck (2006) is the true story of two seemingly unrelated people, an inventor and a murderer. Set in Edwardian England, the lives of the men intersect in one of the most suspenseful criminal cases in history.

Who should read Thunderstruck?

  • History buffs
  • Narrative nonfiction lovers
  • Erik Larson fans

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