What happens in the end?into captivating reading. In this magical realism novel, Salman Rushdie offers a timeless, enchanting story of family, heritage, and duty. The book received an incredible amount of praise from readers and critics. Not sure what to pick up after you close the book on Gatsby and friends? Zadie Smiths debut novel tells the tale of two women whose lives are forever changed by what they experienced together during World War II. 1,289 ratings The award-winning book (it won the Hemingway Foundation PEN Award and the American Book Award, among others) delves deep into generational trauma and colonization.
Shakespeares Montagues and Capulets can barely hold a handle to Louise Eldrichs Kashpaws and Lamartines. All are connected by a record company exec named Bennie Salazar (and his assistant, Sasha). To land in the top 100, a book needed to truly stand out in the stacks. Walk through your local bookstore and it wont take long to find a shelf full of dystopian fiction. Indeed, Montag believes the printed word is dangerousuntil a mysterious neighbor, Clarisse, shows up and opens his eyes to the wonder of the written word. George Orwell certainly couldnt have known how prophetic his words might have been when he wrote the dystopian novel 1984 in the mid-20th century. This fast-paced historical fiction story covers a lot of ground: race, ethnicity, religion, class struggles, and more. WlBLiFFW3nNg~~_1.JPG?set_id=880000500F)
Well, we believe the best books open our minds to new characters, points of view, and worlds. Many words have been committed to paper to commemorate and honor the United States race to the moon and the men and women behind those missions. published 1995, avg rating 3.97 This 2011 Pulitzer Prizewinning book is a series of 13 stories. If you can relate to both, or even if you cant, Joan Didions The Year of Magical Thinking is a heart-wrenching story of a marriage, a family, a relationship, and a life thats good, great, bad, awful, and everything in between. The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive work of an era in American history when cultural, racial, and religious ideologies met at a pinnacle. In this, the first installment, Lewis whisks readers through the wardrobe and into a vivid allegory that children and adults have fallen in love with again and again. published 1995, avg rating 4.16 Deeply dark and fascinating, The Long Goodbye belongs to a series of novels about investigator Marlowe, and critics quibble about which are the best. Each characters story traces recognizable themeslonging, lust, betrayalbut theyre told in a complex story line thats rich with detail.
The powerhouse novel landed on our list for its overwhelming praise from readers and critics alike. [4] Despite this popularity, old copies are notoriously difficult to sell. Wed be remiss to leave out one of the most beloved American authors of the 20th century: John Steinbeck. Each year the company produced a Volume 1 (winter), Volume 2 (spring), Volume 3 (summer), and Volume 4 (autumn). The Giver is a dystopian story about what youre willing to give upand what youre notto live a life thats free of emotions, pain, and suffering. Much of Slaughterhouse-Five is autobiographical, but that hasnt stopped pushes for censorship because of the books irreverent tone and unfiltered depictions of sex and profanity. He faces scenarios so outlandishly awful and painful, you cant help but laugh, cringe, cry, and cheer. published 1996, avg rating 3.97 In the five decades leading up to one of Americas darkest hours, you will trace the beginning elements of fundamental Islam, the rise of Osama bin Laden, and the terrorist groups that sought to bring down a country. Louisa May Alcotts story of the March sistersJo, Meg, Beth, and Amytraverses their lives from childhood to adulthood. Airstrip One is ruled by perpetual war and Big Brother, a mysterious leader who uses omnipresent government surveillance and a cult of personality to enforce law and order. Nearly a decade after he first published this book, Pollans call to deeper thought and conversation about our food systems continues to shift the way we eat, grow, and share our food. 1,619 ratings The Night Watchmen snagged the top spot on our list of the best Native American books for a reason. Its an important read in our modern, multicultural world. A winner of the National Book Award for fiction, Ralph Ellisons first novel, Invisible Man, spent an admirable 16 weeks atop the New York Times best-seller list. You cant go wrong with anytheyre all must-read books. 185,672 ratings And youll certainly whet your appetite for more fantastical adventures as you reach the final page. Its also one of the most widely read classics all over the world. Ah, Anna Karenina. Ten strangers are invited to a remote mansion on a desolate island. The book is a cultural landmark for breaking through the monotony of textbook descriptions and offering a human glimpse at a shameful season in history. We always recommend reading the book before pressing play, so once youve thoroughly devoured this story, check out the other stellar books made into movies. published 1995, avg rating 3.83 A central event in the storyas well as Vonneguts own lifeis the firebombing of Dresden. Despite his betrothal, Archer finds himself taken by Countess Ellen Olenska, Wellands unconventional cousin. If you havent yet read something by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, its time to start. Eight-year-old Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, find themselves enmeshed in the trial of a Black man accused of raping a White woman. 752 ratings Though written in 1965, much of Dunes story may be more relevant to 21st-century readers than it was to bookworms who picked it up in the 60s. Even if youve never consumed a hallucinogenic drug in your life, youll likely feel a deep relationship to the wild ride many drug users describe after you read Hunter S. Thompsons rollicking Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Choose the best book for you based on your zodiac sign. We considered best sellers, award winners, and books that are highly rated by readers and critics alike. If you read this as an adolescentand considering its often taught in schools, theres a good chance you didits time to reread Are You There, God? Middlesex made waves as an audacious story of sexuality that transcends stereotypes of gender, sex, and identity. For more book trivia and inside info on authors and book news, follow the Readers Digest Select Editions page on Facebook. Leandra is a lifestyle writer covering health, travel, and literature. Once theyve arrived, each guest is accused of murder. No wonder its ranked among the best sad books (have the tissue box handy) and best books for teens. These 1997 volumes were also published as Reader's Digest Select Editions, and all succeeding volumes were published as Reader's Digest Select Editions. In a few cases, new editions of older works (Up from Slavery, published originally in 1901 (Autumn 1960), A Roving Commission: My Early Life, published originally in 1930 (Autumn 1951) or Goodbye Mr. Chips, published originally in 1934 (Summer 1961)) were also among the condensed selections. The book is arguably the most well-known work depicting this time. In J.K. Rowlings first installment of the beloved series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, you will be introduced to many of the storys most importantand entrancingcharacters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and more. 3,199 ratings published 1984, avg rating 3.91 Though written decades ago, it remains chillingly compelling for our time. Youll see good and evil clash in the fight between Aslan and the White Witch. That cell line has been used by doctors, researchers, and medical companies to develop everything from the polio vaccine to clones. 10,075 ratings Oliver Sacks recounts stories of patients with a variety of neurological disordersincluding, as the name suggests, a man who mistook his wife for a hatthat leave them physically here but mentally miles away. She thought a cancer diagnosis had sealed her fate and written her life story, but a chance meeting with Augustus Waters turns Hazel Lancasters life upside down. Political junkies of all stripes will relish the words of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they recount the experiences and events of Watergate. Instead, as Michael Lewis reveals, the real secret to winning baseball has little to do with skills and more to do with statistics. Scholars have tried to apply political, historical, and ideological theories to Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, but its quite simply the dreamlike story of learning to grow (or shrink) and explore, told through the eyes of a curious child. Yet somehow they became one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball. Ernest Hemingway wrote stories filled with powerful emotions and unforgettable characters in a strikingly simple manner. But in this extraordinary Holocaust book, he also shares the lessons he learnedand later taught his patientsabout spiritual revival in the face of such great suffering. From The Hunger Games and Divergent to The Handmaids Tale and The Giver, twisted tales of societies gone wrong have practically become de rigueur. published 1996, avg rating 3.90 He was a force to be reckoned with, taking into his control much of the citys development and prosperitythat is, until he finally met his match in Nelson Rockefeller. Sex and drugs have a common allure, but they also have a common endgame: a downward spiral. Their hero, Escapist, fights fascists and falls hard for Luna Moth, an ethereal, mysterious, and desirous paramour. Her cells are one of the most vital health tools of the 20th and 21st centuries and have made companies millions. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a riveting story about race, medicine, ethics, and the search for life. When Alice Walkers award-winning novel was first published in the 1980s, it was quickly censored. published 1995, avg rating 3.90 Could a book you read in high school really be considered one of the best books of all time? Handsome Heathcliff falls head over heels for his foster sister, Catherine. Love Medicine, a dazzling work of storytelling that takes place on and around a North Dakota Ojibwe reservation, shares the intertwined fates of two multigenerational families. If all you know of Lewis Carrolls Wonderland is the zany but sanitized version of the 1951 Walt Disney animation, its time to flip your perspective on its headmuch like the Cheshire Cat might flip himself. Welcome to the wizarding world, muggles. For more medical dramas, check out our list of the best doctor shows on TV. On Nov. 15, 1959, the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, was turned on end by the savage murder of four members of the Clutter family. In her vast collection, And Then There Were None frequently rises to the top. This story highlights the life of T.S. The Sun Also Rises, which examines the disillusionment, angst, and apprehension of the postWorld War I generation, is one of his finest works. Albert CamusThe Stranger has long lived a dual life of meaning: In one way, its a story of mystery, murder, death, and destruction.
1,763 ratings published 1997, avg rating 3.99 Learn, alongside Satrapi, about the history and heroes that define this fascinating country. Rich characters and detailed imagery ensconce you in the era and whisk you into a beautiful story of the Jazz Ages glitzy parties and lusty affections. published 1995, avg rating 3.83 New York City has been home to big personalities, but perhaps none have been quite as powerful as Robert Moses. 23,580 ratings The Color Purple tells the story of a Black teen in 1930s rural Georgia. Elements of love, trust, and overcoming fear are woven into this enchanting coming-of-age story. 2,310 ratings As a gay Black man in the 20th century, James Baldwin inspired generations of readers who relate to any one of his identities. Isak Dinesena pen name for Danish author Karen Blixenrecounts life in British East Africa, just after World War II. Jonas lives in a Utopian world. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood. McCourt battled poverty, near-starvation, neglect, and cruelty but manages to tell his story with humor, compassion, and self-perpetuating power. He won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature, and his 2005 publication of Never Let Me Go is at least one reason why. The roaring twenties still captivate the imagination of many, so dive into The Great Gatsby for a fantastic story and a historical trip that will leave you reeling. Readers will fall in love with the riveting story of two sisters with very different fates. Fanciful and fascinating, Dinesens book portrays stories of lion hunts and life with native populations and European colonizers alongside a beautiful story of raising and freeing an orphaned antelope fawn. Yossarian, a member of an Italian bomber crew during World War II, is desperate to excuse himself from the increasingly high number of suicidal missions his commanders force him and his servicemen to fly. 6,046 ratings 110 ratings Malcolm X, a firebrand, Muslim, and anti-integrationist leader, reveals the limits he sees in the American Dream and the changes that can be made through a force of will and effort. The 581-page tome is a bit much for younger readers, but you can still introduce them to issues of race and equality with these childrens books about diversity. 340 ratings Newland Archer, an attorney from a respected family, is engaged to May Welland. She also has to help her uncle build a bridge to a parallel world. As the world gets smaller and smaller, as more families pack up their belongings to move to a new place, books like these are critical to fostering empathy. The novel is a monologue of a lust-ridden, mother-addicted young Jewish bachelor that details many awkward and cringeworthy moments alongside quests for identity. For something totally different, take a bite out of one of these vampire books. RD.COM Arts & Entertainment Books Best Books & Must-reads. More than a century ago, worlds collided on the African continent when European colonizers arrived to establish outposts for their respective queens, kings, and presidents. In The Omnivores Dilemma, Pollan shows how the meals we choose to eat impact everything from our health to the worlds ultimate outlook. Whether you prefer reading in English, French, or another language, youre bound to find a copy. 55 ratings They stay with us long after the last page is read. While there are many, many Baldwin texts to recommend, Go Tell It on the Mountain landed on this list because of its semi-autobiographical nature. This heartwarming tale of friendship and dedication follows young Wilbur, a runt of a pig, as hes spared from one death but subsequently sent to another almost-certain death. 22,927 ratings In The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, one doctor finally did commit those episodes to paper. This book landed on our list for its explosive popularity and deep impression on the fantasy genre, as well as its manymemorable quotesthat will stay with you. And most have had profound impacts on literature, culture, or the world in general. In his Pulitzer Prizewinning novel, Angelas Ashes, author Frank McCourt recounts his childhood spent in the slums of Limerick, Ireland: When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. Through this powerful graphic novel, Satrapi tells the story of her childhood in Tehran during the overthrow of the Shah, the rise of the Islamic Revolution, and the destruction of the Iran-Iraq war. This groundbreaking novel by Zora Neale Hurston took years to get the praise it deserved. A former high school English teacher, she covers books, words, and grammar for RD.com.
It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Later in life, Frankl became a psychiatrist and practiced what he coined logotherapy, a theory that our lives are primarily driven by the discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful. But perhaps no other book can take you deep into the mindset and the tenacity, grit, and courage it took to complete the Apollo missions the way Tom Wolfe did in The Right Stuff. Leo Tolstoys sweeping Russian tale of star-crossed lovers is littered with swoon-worthy quotes like, He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking. Described by Fyodor Dostoevsky as flawless, this one belongs on any book collectors shelf. Bren Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, throws everything we know about vulnerability and emotional exposure to the wind in Daring Greatly, one of the most groundbreaking self-help books of our time. Its a coming-of-age story that remains relevant for women everywhere because of its themes of love, career, and budding identity. published 1997, avg rating 3.49 We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Michael Pollan may ultimately be one of the biggest forces for changes in food systems, sustainability, and healthful living. Reader's Digest Condensed Books was a series of hardcover anthology collections, published by the American general interest monthly family magazine Reader's Digest and distributed by direct mail. So what really happened? Abraham Lincoln upended the political landscape of the 1850s when he won the Republican presidential nomination over a field of well-known, privileged men. His parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. So, whats all the hubbub about? Marion and Shiva Stone, twin brothers born of a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon, are orphaned at a young age by their mothers death and fathers disappearance. 55,101 ratings 3,103 ratings Frodo is tasked with destroying the One Ring, the most powerful Ring in Mordor, but along the way, his quest is filled with many of Tolkiens unique and captivating characters, as well as an adventure of epic proportions. Zamperini soon found himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean and adrift thousands of miles from help. Moving out of the city, Calliope is faced with the realization that shes not like other girls. published 1996, avg rating 3.88 When eligible young men arrive in their neighborhood, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett must prepare their five eager daughters for the role of a lifetime: wife. Its a classic whodunit. published 1996, avg rating 3.65 The timing of the book (published at the height of the countrys presence in American news) buoyed its popularity, but the story is powerful enough to stand on its own. 6,639 ratings Its early success is due in large part to the relatable nature of its narrator, a young, nameless Black man who has to navigate levels of 1950s American culture that are fraught with hate and bias. From the best fiction books to the best nonfiction books, there are so many excellent titles collected in libraries and bookstores around the world. published 1995, avg rating 3.97 The Oakland Athletics were written off, discarded, and ignored. Many have been made into blockbuster movies. Its captivating and heartbreaking, and it helps you understand how doctors connect with the humans behind the diagnoses. With this book, youll get a firsthand look at what life is like for the worlds 300,000 child soldiers, many of whom are stolen from their homes and forced into a world of drugs, guns, and murder. Its a beautiful, important book about mothers and daughters, motherlands and adopted lands. If you only ever read one of Shakespeares plays, let it be this, the tragic tale of a son on a quest to avenge his murdered father. You think you know the events that led to September 11, 2001, but The Looming Tower is a history lesson that is as profound as it is infuriating and painful. published 1995, avg rating 3.93 Its about learning to feel love, enjoy being alive, and live a bold life despite circumstances beyond your control. No, not at all. This important book about racism offers a clear understanding of how Black men and women have been ostracized and exploited by formal systems throughout history. Everyones role is clear, and everyone fulfills those roles blissfully. Wao wants nothing more than to find loveand to be the Dominican J.R.R. Awkward and inelegant as they may be, sixth-grader Margarets questions and quests (to grow bigger breasts, for example, while also seeking out her preferred religion) lead her to greater understanding and self-appreciation. 3,173 ratings The story behind Unbroken is so unbelievable and so improbable, its difficult to accept that its the real story of Louis Zamperini. published 1995, avg rating 3.28 Her husband is frail from disease, and her childrens lives are falling apart or swirling down the drain. [1][2] The series was published from 1950 until 1997, when it was renamed Reader's Digest Select Editions. In The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, the lives and adventures of a curious and meddlesome pair of cousins are explored in exuberant detail. Written during World War II as Nazis carried out their campaign of death and destruction, this journal is a day-by-day accounting of what life was like when a family was forced into hiding. But just as they see it in their grasp, they lose it all in a coil of sex, lust, romance, and abandonment. 93 ratings Jane Austens classic Pride and Prejudice adorned shelves of many a learned reader in the 1800s and 1900s, but its timeless story and lessons earn it a spot in many home libraries (and on many school reading lists) even today.
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