If you like to fall in love, do it, today. Yes, fall in love with these novels. As cheesy as it may sound, but trust me, they will reciprocate it back. But wait! Don’t let all talk of reciprocation paint a rather sorry picture about novels, for novels can put you on a learning curve by giving an experience about the nitty-gritties of different situations (of course, situations which are beyond the obvious!) which our lives throw at us.
What do you reckon?
Anyway, let’s stop beating around the bush and get started.
1. The Fountainhead
There are few books that you come across that leave an indelible imprint on your mind. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is one such book.
It is the story of an intransigent young architect Howard Roark, whose integrity was as unyielding as granite who defies the conventions of the world around him to achieve success.
Rand’s provocative novel presents one of the most challenging ideas in all of the fiction—that man’s ego is the fountainhead of human progress.
This book will sow the seeds of objectivism and inspire you to the core, so brace yourself!
Interesting lines from the book-
- “I could die for you. But I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, live for you.” – Howard Roark
- “My dear fellow, who will let you?” “That’s not the point, the point is who will stop me?”
Important review
- A writer of great power. She has a subtle and ingenious mind and the capacity of writing brilliantly, beautifully, bitterly… This is the only novel of ideas written by an American woman that I can recall – The New York Times
Rating on Goodreads – 3.85/5
Number of copies sold till now worldwide – 6.5 million
Snag your copy here
2. To kill a Mockingbird
In a world where everyone is a storyteller, only the best stories told in the best way stand out, and this book does that exactly in the same way.
This Pulitzer prize-winner timeless classic explores the tragedy of racism in the 1930s and is interspersed with humor and sorrow.
It focusses on racism from different angles that was rampant at the time of the story. It is a combination of a genuine storyline, intricately woven characters, blunt truths and the warmest humor which makes this novel a one-of-a-kind experience.
Interesting lines from the book-
- “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch
- “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” – Atticus Finch
Important reviews
- “There is humour as well as tragedy in this book, besides its faint note of hope for human nature; and it is delightfully written” – Sunday Times
- “One of the best novels I remember … uniquely unsentimental” – Guardian
Awards and Honours:
- Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in its 41st week on the bestseller list
- It also won the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1962
- Paperback of the Year award from Bestsellers magazine in 1962
Rating on Goodreads – 4.25/5
Number of copies sold till now worldwide – 40 million+
P. S One of my favorite reads
Snag your copy here
3. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid
If you think that if you have kind of hit a wall, then you might need to grab this kiddish novel and make fun of this serious affair, called “Life” through the lens of a kid called Gregory Heffley, who is naughty, honest and charming in his own way. He dislikes taking the blame and likes to take advantage of any situation that might boost him up the popularity ladder. The book has been written to portray the journey of Greg whose life is laden with exciting and adrenaline pumping adventure.
This deadpan humor will nearly split your sides laughing. You will be overwhelmed by how much you can relate to it.
This book will get your gears turning!
Interesting lines from the book-
- “The only reason I get out of bed at all on weekends is because eventually I can’t stand the taste of my own breath any more.” – Greg Heffley
- “I’ll be famous one day, but for now I’m stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons.” – Greg Heffley
Important review
- “Hilarious” – Sunday Telegraph
Awards and Honours:
- It won the #1 New York Times Best Seller for 114 weeks
- ALA Notable Book award was also won by this book
- Awarded the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 7 times
- The Most Favorite Book Around the World award was also awarded to this book in 2010
Rating on Goodreads – 4/5 (average) for the entire series
Number of copies sold till now worldwide – 164 million+ (11 installments)
Snag your copy here
4. The Catcher in the Rye
This controversial novel was originally meant for adults due to the obscene and blunt language used in it to emphasise the strong emotions of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, who describes his journey of self-discovery through various life-changing events to the readers. This book touches upon the topics of a teenage dilemma, the way life works, feelings of alienation, teenage angst and the struggle against the artificial world. This book is very popular among adolescent readers as it has become an epitome of teenage rebellion.
You will find it interesting to learn various life lessons hidden in this boy’s constant grumbling and digression. It is definitely worth a read.
Interesting lines from the book-
- “People always clap for the wrong reasons.” – Holden Caulfield
- “If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she’s late?” – Holden Caulfield
- “I am always saying “Glad to’ve met you” to somebody I’m not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.” – Holden Caulfield
- “Make sure you marry someone who laughs at the same things you do.” – Holden Caulfield
Important review –
- “A truly fascinating coming-of-age novel for the pessimist in each and every one of us” – The Guardian
Awards and Honours:
- Listed amongst the 100 Best English Novels written since 1923 by Time magazine.
- The Catcher in the Rye spent about 30 weeks in the New York Times bestselling list.
- The book was chosen as the best novel of the 20th century.
- In 2003, it was listed at #15 on the BBC‘s survey The Big Read
Rating on Goodreads – 3.79/5
Number of copies sold till now worldwide – 65 million+
Snag your copy here
5. Animal Farm
Animal Farm is hands down the ultimate satire on fascism which finds relevance even in the present-day world. It is a resounding fable on totalitarianism and power-gone-corrupt, Animal Farm is an allegorical novella that took the publishing world by storm when it was first published and hasn’t stopped doing so ever since.
The story of this book meanders through the events which give an implicit idea about the events leading to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
A must-read!
Interesting lines from the book –
- “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm
- “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing” – George Orwell, Animal Farm
Important review –
- “It is the book for everyone and everyman, its brightness undimmed after fifty years” – Daily Telegraph
Awards and Honours:
- Featured at number 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th-Century NovelsIt won a Retrospective Hugo Award in
- Won a Retrospective Hugo Award in 1996
- Included in the Great Books of the Western World selection
Rating on Goodreads – 3.86/5
Number of copies sold till now worldwide – 20 million+
Snag your copy here
We, the humans, make sense of the things around us through the stories that we read, right?
So, if you get some time on your hands, do lay your hands on these books because it’s not important to read many books, but reading all the ones that count is something that matters the most.
Happy reading!
