After dogs, we all call books our best friend. And why shouldn’t we? We all form a unique bond with books and their characters where as some lines leave us spellbound for our whole life.
So we, at Buddymantra decided to come up with 10 books we think everyone should read at least once in their life span. However, filtering 10 books from the vast world of Literature was no less than a herculean task.
So take a look at our picks and see if any of these grab your fancy.
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Contents hide
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Told through the eyes of 6 year-old Scout Finch, this novel is one of the most famous books of all time. The story narrates the crisis when an Afro-American is accussed of raping a white woman. At times, Scout’s action will make you go all aww and at other times her bravery will empower you. Perfect blend of humour and reality is bound to leave you in a state of amazement.
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The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This is certainly the most heart-wrenching contemporary novel that you’ll ever read. Although a contemporary, this book is fast becoming a classic. Betrayal, guilt and redemption stands as the main theme of this fable. It is the story of two Afghani boys and their bond. Khaled’s plot, narration and strong characters will leave you all teary eyed. To let the tears keep falling, you can also watch the excellent film adaptation of the novel by same name.
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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is consisdered as one of the greatest novelist of contemporary world and after reading The Alchemist you’ll know why. The Alchemist is the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who listens to his heart and follows his dreams to find treasure beyond his wildest dreams. But this story is more about realizatons, faith and wisdom. This materpiece by Coelho will downright transform your life but only if you let it.
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The Old Man And The Sea by Earnest Hemingway
When you will read this for the first time you are bound to think “what is so special in this?” but as the days will go by, you’ll be able to understand why this novella helped Hemingway win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Beautifully and simply written, this fable revolves around an old fisherman and a creature and how their bond unfolds. Hemingway takes the timeless theme of courage and respect to transform this books into a magnificent 20th century classic.
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The Fishermen by Chicozie Obioma
You think a great book can only come after years of writing and practice? Well think again. Obioma’s debut novel The Fishermen was shortlisted for Man Booker Prize Winner and has amazed almost each one of its reader. The spellbinding tale of four brothers who aim to be fishermen one day, until they encounter a madman who prophesies that the brothers will kill each other. Powerful metaphors combined with unexpected turns makes it a must read. After reading this, you’ll only have one sorrow: no other book by Obioma to devour.
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A House For Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul
The book was written by Naipaul in the memory of her beloved wife who died in the same year. The book won him Nobel Prize in Literature. The book’s protagonist, Mohan Biswas, is a classic anti-hero, simultaneously despicable and compelling. But by the end of the novel you’ll fall in love with him. This novel with autobiographical touch will give you chills and make you realise how everything is transient.
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The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Lifted from Plath’s own struggle with depression, the Bell Jar is an authentic look into the human psyche and sheds light on the realities of our modern day world. It is a hauntingly realistic novel tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a talented young woman who gains a summer internship at a large New York magazine and discovers that instead of enjoying the glamorous New York lifestyle, she finds it frightening and disorienting.
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1984 by George Orwell
Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, Orwell’s narrative is timelier than ever. Thriller is seperated by other novels of that time by absorbing and deeply affecting thriller of Winston Smith, his lover Julia, and their doomed attempt to taste freedom. The book is higly acclaimed political read and one of the perfect phrophecy book of all the times.
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Train To Pakistan by Khushwant Singh
Train to Pakistan is one of the most painfully sad and disturbing yet informative and eye-opening narratives one can read about the divide between India and Pakistan. A local moneylender is murdered and suspicion falls upon protagonist Juggut Singh, a gangster who’s in love with a Muslim girl. Written from his own experience of the great divide, this book shows you the dark side of partition like never before.
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Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Not many have read this book, however this stands as a must read for those who are in the search of meaning of life. The book is a true story about an old man’s reflections on life. Author’s mentor is on his deathbed and the mentor starts meeting him on every tuesday. Simple and yet powerful, this book is bound to make you introspect and give you everything that no TedX session could.