Top 10 Books To Read Before You Die

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee, set in the 1930s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The story is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl who, along with her brother Jem, learns about prejudice, courage, and empathy through the events that take place in their town. The central plot revolves around the trial of a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, is appointed as the defense lawyer in the case and the novel explores the themes of racial injustice and the loss of innocence through the eyes of Scout and Jem.

Throughout the novel, Scout and Jem come to understand the complexities of human behavior and the power of moral conviction. They are exposed to the deep-seated racial prejudices of their community and to the bravery of Atticus as he fights for justice in a society that is deeply divided by race. Through these experiences, Scout and Jem learn important lessons about the human condition and the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes that are still relevant today, such as racism, prejudice, and the importance of justice and equality.

“1984” is a dystopian novel set in 1984 in the fictional state of Oceania, controlled by a totalitarian government led by Big Brother. The protagonist, Winston Smith, works in the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to manipulate historical records to match the current views of the government.

He begins to rebel against the government and question his world’s reality. However, his thoughts are monitored by the Thought Police and he soon finds himself facing the harsh reality of a world where even his views are not his own.

He meets a mysterious woman, Julia, with whom he begins a love affair, and together they plan to escape the tyranny of Big Brother. Eventually, they are captured, tortured, and brainwashed until they confess to their crimes and betray each other.

In the end, Winston loves Big Brother and is fully assimilated into the government. “1984” is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the power of the government to control people’s thoughts and emotions. The novel is a classic example of dystopian fiction and remains a relevant commentary on modern society.

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, set in the 1920s in the United States. It is the story of a wealthy young man named Jay Gatsby who is obsessed with winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a new neighbor to Gatsby who is drawn into his world of wealth, parties, and mystery. The book explores the decadence of the era, the power of wealth, and the illusion of the American Dream.

Gatsby throws lavish parties to attract Daisy, but she is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and abusive man. The relationship between Gatsby and Daisy is complicated, and their past is shrouded in secrecy. As their relationship unfolds, Gatsby’s past is revealed and the consequences of his actions catch up with him.

The Great Gatsby is a commentary on the American society of the 1920s and the corruption and emptiness of the wealthy class. The themes of love, illusion, and the pursuit of happiness are woven throughout the story, making it a timeless masterpiece. The novel is considered one of the greatest works of American literature and has been adapted into numerous films and theatrical productions.

One Hundred Years of Solitude is a magical realist novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez that follows the lives of the Buendia family in the fictional town of Macondo. The story begins with the founding of the town by José Arcadio Buendia and his wife, Ursula Iguaran. The novel spans several generations of the Buendia family and their experiences, such as love, death, solitude, and magic.

The Buendia family is plagued by a curse of solitude, which they pass down from generation to generation. The family is also known for its eccentricity, with members possessing supernatural abilities and experiencing mystical events. As the generations pass, the town of Macondo changes and develops, but the Buendia family remains the same, facing similar struggles and obstacles.

Marquez weaves together magical and realistic elements to create a rich and imaginative world, which explores themes of isolation, memory, and time. The novel is a celebration of Latin American culture and history, and Marquez’s use of magical realism creates a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, highlighting the beauty and wonder of everyday life.

The Diary of a Young Girl, written by Anne Frank, is a personal account of a Jewish girl’s life in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The diary spans two years, from June 12, 1942, to August 1, 1944, and details Anne’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings as she grows from a 13-year-old to a 15-year-old.

Anne and her family, along with four others, hide in an attic in Amsterdam to escape persecution by the Nazis. Despite the cramped and difficult living conditions, Anne’s diary reflects her hope, optimism, and humanity. She writes about her dreams, crushes, and relationships with her family and fellow hideaways, as well as her observations on the world around her and the events of the war.

Anne’s diary was discovered and published after the war, becoming an iconic symbol of the Holocaust and a powerful testimony to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, The Diary of a Young Girl is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the Holocaust and its impact on individual lives. It provides a poignant glimpse into the experiences of Jews during World War II and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving freedom, justice, and human dignity.

The Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is set in the world of Middle-earth and follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring, a powerful artifact created by the Dark Lord Sauron to enslave the peoples of Middle-earth.

Along the way, Frodo is joined by a fellowship of characters, including humans, elves, dwarves, and wizards, who aid him in his journey. The story is full of adventure, danger, and betrayal, as the characters face dark forces and struggle against impossible odds to defeat Sauron and save Middle-earth.

The novel is notable for its intricate world-building, vivid characters, and themes of friendship, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil. The Lord of the Rings is considered a classic of English literature and is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of fantasy ever written.

Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel written by Jane Austen in 1813. The story takes place in England during the late 18th century and follows the lives of five sisters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia Bennet. Their mother is determined to marry them off to wealthy men, while their father is content to live out his life at their country estate.

The novel revolves around Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter, and her relationship with Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and reserved gentleman who initially considers Elizabeth as unworthy of his affection due to her lack of wealth and status.

However, their relationship is complicated by the interference of Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, who marries Mr. Collins, a wealthy gentleman who is seeking a wife, and Elizabeth’s younger sister, Lydia, who runs off with Mr. Wickham, a soldier who has a grudge against Mr. Darcy.

Overall, Pride and Prejudice is a witty and charming novel that explores themes of love, marriage, and class in 19th-century England. It remains one of Austen’s most popular and well-loved novels, and its characters and themes continue to captivate readers to this day.

Crime and Punishment is a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky that explores the inner struggles of the protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov, who is a poor, former student living in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Raskolnikov has a theory that some people are above the law and have the right to commit crimes if it serves a greater purpose. With this idea in mind, he murders an old pawnbroker and her sister, hoping to take their money and use it for good.

However, Raskolnikov is quickly consumed by guilt and begins to struggle with his own morality. The novel follows his journey as he is hunted by the police and tormented by his own conscience. Along the way, he meets Sonia, a young woman who has been forced into prostitution to support her family, and he begins to realize the human cost of his actions.

Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky explores themes of justice, morality, guilt, and redemption. Raskolnikov’s journey is a tale of redemption, as he grapples with his crime and his own flawed ideas, eventually confessing to the police and accepting the punishment he deserves. The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of psychological realism and is considered a cornerstone of the modern novel.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel written by Oscar Wilde and was first published in 1890. The story revolves around the titular character, Dorian Gray, a handsome young man who possesses unrivaled beauty and charm. He becomes the subject of a portrait painted by his close friend, Basil Hallward, which captures his physical appearance in great detail.

Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry Wotton, a hedonistic and cynical man who influences Dorian to believe that beauty and pleasure are the only things that matter in life. He becomes increasingly obsessed with his own beauty and begins to lead a life of excess, indulging in all forms of sin and vice.

As Dorian’s life spirals out of control, he becomes haunted by the portrait and the guilt of his actions. In the end, Dorian realizes the terrible consequences of his actions and destroys the portrait, causing his own death.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a thought-provoking tale that explores the themes of beauty, youth, morality, and the consequences of indulgence. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the corrupting influence of pleasure, warning against the pursuit of material pleasure at the expense of one’s soul.

Wuthering Heights is a classic novel by Emily Bronte that was first published in 1847. The novel is set on the Yorkshire moors of northern England and is a tale of passionate and destructive love. The main character, Heathcliff, is an orphan who is taken in and raised by the wealthy Earnshaw family. Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine Earnshaw, but their relationship is tumultuous and ultimately leads to heartbreak. After Catherine marries another man, Heathcliff becomes bitter and sets out to take revenge on those who have wronged him. The novel explores themes of social class, love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Wuthering Heights is a masterpiece of Gothic fiction and is considered one of the greatest works of English literature. Its powerful and timeless story has captivated readers for over a century and continues to be widely read and studied today.