25 books you must read

1984 by George Orwell 1949

This dystopian story, an indictment of censorship, government interference and civil complicity, is as sharp and powerful today as when it was published. The novel earned a glowing review in the Book Review: “No other work... has us to long for freedom so fervently or to abhor tyranny with such completeness.”

Did you know? When Orwell died a year after the publication of "1984", VS Pritchett called him "the conscience of his generation".

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 1925

Fitzgerald's novel about a Midwesterner in the orbit of an enigmatic Long Island millionaire is a scathing examination of uniquely American desire. The raging Jazz Age values ​​that these characters overthrow may have hit close to home: the reading public didn't much care for the novel when it first appeared.

The Book Review was lukewarm, calling it "curious," but 35 years later the newspaper called the novel a "classic of 20th-century American fiction."

Did you know? In 1937, when Fitzgerald wanted to give copies of his books to Sheilah Graham, “they went from bookstore to bookstore only to be told again and again that there were no copies of any of them in stock.”

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes 1605

Alonso Quixano, a retired landlord in his fifties, lives in an unnamed part of La Mancha with his niece and a housekeeper. He is obsessed with books on chivalry and believes every word of them as true, despite the fact that many of the events in them are clearly impossible. Quixano ultimately seems to others to have lost his mind from little sleep and food and from reading so much.

Did you know? Several abridged editions have been published that remove some or all of the extra stories to focus on the central story.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding 1954

Lord of the Flies was Golding's first novel. The concept arose after Golding read what he believed to be an unrealistic portrayal of stranded children in the young adult novel The Coral Island: a Tale of the Pacific Ocean (1857) by R. M. Ballantyne, which featured themes of the civilizing effect of Christianity and the importance of hierarchy and leadership. Lord of the Flies discusses how culture created by man fails, using the example of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island who attempt to govern themselves, but with disastrous results. It takes a stand on the already controversial topics of human nature and individual well-being versus the common good.

Did you know? The manuscript was rejected by many publishers before it was finally accepted by Faber & Faber of London.

The Plague by Albert Camus 1947

Tells the story from a narrator's point of view about a plague that engulfs the French Algerian city of Oran. Camus used as source material the cholera epidemic that killed a large part of the population of Oran in 1849, but set the novel in the 1940s. Oran and its surroundings were struck by disease several times before Camus published his novel.

Did you know? The Plague is considered an existentialist classic despite Camus' objection to the label. The novel emphasizes the powerlessness of the individual characters to influence their fate.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand 1957

Atlas Shrugged is her longest novel, the fourth and last published in her lifetime, and the one she considered her magnum opus of fiction writing. She described the theme of Atlas Shrugged as "the role of man's mind in existence" and it contains elements of science fiction, mystery and romance.

Did you know? Atlas Shrugged received largely negative reviews, but achieved lasting popularity and sustained sales in the following decades. The novel is cited as an influence on a variety of libertarian and conservative thinkers and politicians.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf 1927

The novel focuses on the Ramsay family and their visits to the Isle of Skye in Scotland between 1910 and 1920. Following and expanding on the tradition of modernist novelists such as Marcel Proust and James Joyce, the plot of To the Lighthouse is secondary to its philosophical introspection. Cited as an important example of the literary technique of multiple focalization, the novel contains little dialogue and almost no direct action; most of it is written as thoughts and observations.

Did you know? Large parts of Woolf's novel are not concerned with the objects of sight, but rather explore the means of perception, attempting to understand people in the art of seeing. To understand thoughts, Woolf's diaries reveal, the author spent considerable time listening to her own thinking, observing how and what words and emotions emerged in her own mind in response to what she saw.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey 1962

If you're not already familiar with the synopsis of this bizarre book from the critically acclaimed film adaptation, here's a quick summary: Criminal Randle McMurphy pretends to be mentally unstable to serve his sentence in a psychiatric ward instead of prison. However, the institution he finds himself in, overseen by the totalitarian Nurse Ratched, is worse than prison itself - the patients are oppressed and manipulated instead of cared for. As a lawbreaker and the only person whose state of mind can recognize this abuse, McMurphy decides to challenge authority and make life hell for Nurse Ratched.

Did you know? One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was written in 1959 and published in 1962 in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and profound changes in the way psychology and psychiatry were approached in America. The 1960s began the controversial movement toward deinstitution, an act that would have influenced the characters in Kesey's novel.

Atomic Particles by Michel Houellebecq 1998

A novel by French author Michel Houellebecq, published in France in 1998. It tells the story of two half-brothers, Michel and Bruno, and their mental struggles against their situations in modern society. The story focuses on the lives of Bruno Clément and Michel Djerzinski, two French half-brothers born to a hippie-like mother. Raised by his paternal grandmother, Michel becomes an introverted molecular biologist, ultimately responsible for the discoveries that lead to the elimination of sexual reproduction.

Did you know? The novel sold hundreds of thousands of copies and catapulted Houellebecq into the French intellectual and literary spotlight during the summer and fall of 1998. The vivid, almost pornographic, sexual descriptions were a frequent target of criticism, and Houellebecq himself attracted both scorn and praise for his whimsical proclamations and behavior in television interviews and the like. The author was eventually awarded the Prix Novembre in recognition of the novel. He became the last to receive this award under this name.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 1961

Heller's darkly comic novel about the absurdities of war follows the experiences of John Yossarian, an Air Force bomber who becomes entangled in military bureaucracy. The novel resonated so strongly that the title remains a common idiom to this day. The book reviewer was not a fan: “'Catch-22' has a lot of passion, comic and fiery, but it longs for craftsmanship and sensitivity.”

Did you know? That assessment notwithstanding, the novel became a huge hit. “You better have an opinion on 'Catch-22' ready if you want to keep your own about the cocktails and canapes,” a follow-up article stated.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 1960

Loosely based on Lee's childhood in Alabama, this canonical coming-of-age novel is narrated by young Scout Finch. The story of her father, Atticus, a lawyer defending an African-American man, sheds light on issues of racial inequality and injustice in the Deep South. It earned a glowing review in the Book Review: “Harper Lee writes with gentle affection, rich humor, and deep understanding of Alabama family life.”

Did you know? The book, which won the Pulitzer, has sold more than 40 million times.

The Trial by Franz Kafka 1914

The Trial is one of the most important novels of the twentieth century: the terrifying story of Josef K., a respectable bank official who is suddenly and inexplicably arrested and must defend himself against a charge about which he cannot obtain information. Whether read as an existential tale, a parable, or a prophecy of the excesses of modern bureaucracy combined with the madness of totalitarianism, Kafka's nightmare has struck generations of readers with terrifying truth.

Did you know? The writer and director Steven Berkoff has adapted several of Kafka's novels into plays and directed them for the stage. His version of The Trial was first performed in 1970 in London and published in 1981.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess 1962

The title is derived from an old Cockney saying, "as strange as a clockwork orange" and refers to the protagonist's prevention of exercising his free will through the use of a classical conditioning technique. It takes place in a near future society that has a youth subculture of extreme violence. The teenage protagonist, Alex, recounts his violent actions and his experiences with state authorities determined to reform him.

Did you know? The film adaptation, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is based on the American edition of the book, and is considered "seriously flawed" by Burgess.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 1953

Bradbury presents an American society where books are personified and forbidden, and "firemen" burn any book they find. The novel follows Guy Montag, a firefighter who becomes disillusioned with his role in censoring literature and destroying knowledge, eventually quitting his job and devoting himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings.

Did you know? Upon release, "Fahrenheit 451" was a critical success, although it divided some critics. The novel's subject led to censorship in the apartheid regime of South Africa and in several schools in the United States.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 1885

This is a novel that was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885. The book is noted for "changing the course of children's literature" in the United States through its "deeply felt portrayal of boyhood". It is also known for its colorful description of people and places along the Mississippi River.

Did you know? The book was widely criticized upon release for its extensive use of foul language and racial epithets.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 1860

What is the true nature of man? According to Dostoyevsky, the answer is "dark and twisted, but still plagued by his conscience." This is the tragic combination that befalls Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished young man who believes he can rob and murder an elderly pawnbroker without any psychological consequences... only to botch the job and immediately turn to worry (the "punishment" referred to the title refers). As Raskolnikov descends further into madness and misery, he struggles with whether to turn himself in, especially with a police officer on his trail and the reputations of his mother and sister on the line. This classic tale of morality, mentality, and social values ​​appropriately critiques the then-prominent notions of nihilism and selfishness, while also making profound statements about what it means to be human.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe by Douglas Adams 1978

This comedy science fiction book series was originally created as a radio program and became so popular that the creator wrote the whole thing down and published the story in several parts. The space adventurism that Adams brought to these stories served as inspiration for many later works — books, films, TV shows — in this genre. The series follows Arthur Dent, a human who is fortunately saved by his interstellar friend, Ford Prefect, who takes Arthur along on his quest to create the ultimate manual for the Universe.

Did you know? The Fictional Guide to Adams is an electronic manual for the entire universe, originally published by Megadodo Publications, one of the major publishers of Ursa Minor Beta.

The Catcher in the Corn by JD Salinger 1951

A classic story of adolescent angst and alienation, Salinger's novel follows Holden Caulfield, who is expelled from his private boarding school, as he wanders through New York City. Caulfield's voice — sarcastic, slangy, and wistful — became one of the most memorable (and imitated) in American literature. James Stern wrote his review in the protagonist's voice: “This Salinger, he doesn't write a crappy novel. He's a short story guy.”

Did you know? Shane Salerno, who wrote and directed a documentary about Salinger, told NPR that the author “carried six chapters of 'The Catcher in the Corn' with him when he landed on D-Day. That was something that amazed me. He wore these chapters almost like a talisman to keep him alive, and he worked on the book throughout the war.”

Ulysses by James Joyce 1922

Ulysses describes Leopold Bloom's journey through Dublin during an ordinary day, June 16, 1904. The title parallels and refers to Odysseus (Latinized to Ulysses), the hero of Homer's Odyssey (for example the similarities between Leopold Bloom and Odysseus, Molly Bloom and Penelope, and Stephen Dedalus and Telemachus).

Did you know? Joyce fans worldwide now celebrate June 16 as Bloom's Day.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom 1997

The year is 1995. After seeing his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz on Nightline, Mitch Albom, a successful sports columnist, calls Schwartz and is urged to visit him in Massachusetts. A fortuitous newspaper strike allows Albom to visit Schwartz every week, on Tuesdays. The book recounts each of the fourteen visits that Albom made to Schwartz, supplemented with Schwartz's lectures and life experiences and interspersed with flashbacks and references to contemporary events.

Did you know? Tuesdays with Morrie topped the New York Times Non-Fiction Bestseller list for 23 weeks in 2000 and was a New York Times bestseller for more than four years until 2006. In July 2006, "Tuesdays with Morrie" was the best-selling memoir book of all time.

Neuromancer by William Gibson 1984

Henry Dorsett Case is a small-time con artist in the dystopian underworld of Chiba City, Japan. Once a talented computer hacker and "console cowboy," Case was caught stealing from his employer. As punishment, his central nervous system was damaged, rendering him unable to access the virtual reality data space called the "matrix". Gibson coined the term "avatar" and "microsoft" way ahead of time.

Did you know? The novel legitimized cyberpunk as a mainstream branch of science fiction literature. It is one of the most honored works of science fiction in recent history, appearing on Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923.

The portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 1890

The Portrait of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 edition of the American magazine Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. The novel-length version was published in April 1891. The story centers on a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian and an artist obsessed with Dorian's beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon captivated by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensory fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life.

Did you know? Wilde's only novel was the subject of much controversy and criticism in its time but is now recognized as a classic of Gothic literature.

Animal Farm by George Orwell 1945

Animal Farm is an animal fable, in the form of a satirical allegorical novella. It tells the story of a group of anthropomorphic farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where animals can be equal, free and happy. Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon, the farm ends up in a state as bad as before.

Did you know? Time magazine chose the book as one of the 100 best English-language novels (1923 to 2005); it was also ranked number 31 in the Modern Library List of Best 20th-Century Novels and number 46 in the BBC's The Big Read poll.

Dracula by Bram Stoker 1897

Long before Twilight and True Blood, vampires were no cause for swooning — or rather, they were, but in a way that was more alarming than amorous. This is the iteration of vampires introduced by Bram Stoker's genre-defining Dracula, an epistolary novel that traces the history and atrocities of the one and only Count Dracula. As more people come into contact with Dracula, they begin to understand what he is, and that he plans to infect as many people as possible and drink their blood. Only Abraham van Helsing, a professor and bona fide vampire expert, has the power to stop him — and aided by his fearless companions, that's exactly what they plan to do.

Did you know? In addition to historical, Count Dracula also has literary ancestors. Academic Elizabeth Signorotti argues that Dracula is a response to the lesbian vampire of Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla (1872), which "corrects" the emphasis on female desire.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera 1984

This novel is about two women, two men, a dog and their lives during the 1968 Prague Spring period in Czechoslovak history. Readers follow the "light" life of the surgeon and womanizer Tomas. He lives to enjoy himself as much as possible because he believes that his experience is a one-time and completely unique thing. In stark contrast is the perspective of Tereza, his wife, who is a photographer who is faithful and puts "weight" on every decision.

Did you know? In the novel, Nietzsche's concept is linked to an interpretation of the German adage 'einmal ist keinmal' ('an event is not significant'); namely, an "all-or-nothing" cognitive bias that Tomáš must overcome in his hero's journey.