Let me take you through the journey of fiction and fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, short stories and love stories that will change the way you view the world forever.
- Nocturnes:
A majestic quintet exploring love, music and nightfall or the passage of time. A gentle, intimate and witty work of short fiction by Kazuo Ishiguro published in 2009. He will introduce you to young dreamers, dwindling stars and café musicians, as you travel through his tales. A book one is bound to fall in love with.
“You’ll figure it out! You get on your plane and I’ll get on mine. And we’ll see which one crashes!”
- Psycho:
Written by Robert Bloch, published in 1959, made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock. A psychological suspense-thriller, a MUST-READ. Guaranteed gooseflesh.
“I think perhaps all of us go a little crazy at times.”
- Unaccustomed Earth:
Is a collection of short stories written by Jhumpa Lahiri – winner of Pulitzer Prize. These stories revolve around the family relationships between three generations: The father, the daughter – Ruma, and her son – Akash.
“He owned an expensive camera that required thought before you pressed the shutter, and I quickly became his favorite subject, round-faced, missing teeth, my thick bangs in need of a trim. They are still the pictures of myself I like best, for they convey that confidence of youth I no longer possess, especially in front of a camera.”
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time:
Was written in 2003 by British Writer – Mark Haddon. It is a mystery novel told from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy who introduces himself as “a mathematician with some behavioral difficulties”. Although his condition is not mentioned in the book, the blurb states he has Asperger’s Syndrome or high-functioning autism.
“Also, dogs are faithful and they do not tell lies because they cannot talk.”
- To Kill a Mockingbird:
Has become a classic of modern American Literature, published on 1960, written by Harper Lee. It has also won the Pulitzer Prize. If you have not read this book yet, go to the nearest book store and start reading it right away! I promise by the end of this book, it will to be one of your favorites, and Atticus Finch, one of your favorite characters.
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
- Memoirs of A Geisha:
Written by Arthur Golden, published in 1997, narrating the fictional story of a geisha working in Kyoto, Japan after being sold by her father, during pre and post-World War II.
“I had to wonder if men were so blinded by beauty that they would feel privileged to live their lives with an actual demon, so long as it was a beautiful demon.”
- Norwegian Wood:
Most of you (I think all of you) have read Love Story by Erich Segal. Well, here’s another one if you’re looking for some heartache. Written by Haruki Murakami, a 1987 novel of loss and sexuality.
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
- Gone Girl:
Written by Gillian Flynn in 2012, made into a movie by David Fincher. A best-selling thriller I’m sure most of you have already heard about. Every girl must read this book. The plot twists will leave you in awe.
“Sleep is like a cat: It only comes to you if you ignore it.”
- Catcher in The Rye:
Written and published by J.D. Salinger in 1951. The protagonist, Holden Caulfield is every teenager’s icon for rebellion – A 16-year-old boy who flunked out of reputable boarding schools tells the story from a tuberculosis rest home.
“I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.”
- Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman:
By Haruki Murakami, a collection of short stories, written between 1980-2005. These short stories revolve around daily lives and might even have a touch of the surreal about them. Murakami’s works are simple, yet have a lot of subtle, meaningful messages lurking here and there. One of the best modern-day writers alive.
“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.”
Happy Reading!