Reading books is soothing, and it is the best recreational activity for anybody on the planet. It also provides knowledge and opens a new perspective into your life. A good book has the power to change your life. There are many books of excellent themes, narrative styles and plots, and it is always a treat to read them. Let’s have a look at some of the best books in the history of English literature.
Top 15 Best English Literature Books You Must Read
1. To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee wrote this book, and it is one of the best books ever written. This book also won the Pulitzer Prize for its fantastic writing in the year 1961. The film adaptation of the book came out in 1962.
2. The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote this book, and it is an absolute pleasure to read. It is a book worth investing your time into, and you will not regret reading it ever. The book has since been turned into a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
3. Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen wrote this masterpiece, and it is one of the timeless classics. The book focuses on the characters’ preoccupation with marriage, their pride and prejudice.
4. The Iliad
Homer wrote this book in 750 BC. No list of great books would be complete without mentioning The Iliad. Despite being written centuries ago, this book is still a treat to read. It is set during the Trojan war and has many Greek gods as its characters.
5. War And Peace
This book by Leo Tolstoy is brilliant, and it showcases the excellence of the writer. This novel presents love, hate, time, peacefulness and many such concepts to the readers.
6. Little Women
Louisa May Alcott wrote this. The novel revolved around four sisters, the March sisters, who struggle to find happiness and peace amidst the issues they experience. You will surely enjoy reading this gem of American literature.
7. A Suitable Boy
Vikram Seth wrote this beautiful book, and it is a fantastic book to read. It is one of the lengthiest books ever written and has more than 1000 pages. The story, set in the post-independence period of India, circles the lives of four families struggling to find their ways. It is indeed a good read, and you wouldn’t regret reading it.
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8. The Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote this book, and it has left an impact on the history of English literature. This book is full of drama, romance, mystery and murder. It is a wholesome text, and the exciting story will blow your mind.
9. The Color Purple
The book is written in epistolary form by Alice Walker. She won the Pulitzer Prize for this brilliant book. The story revolves around the struggles of a black slave woman. This book teaches you so many things like the importance of freedom, struggle, compassion, love and patience.
10. The Namesake
Jhumpa Lahiri wrote this novel, and it is a touching narrative that will take you through several ups and downs in the course of the book, but it will also leave you with a sense of satisfaction and a slight smile at the end. The simplicity of this book is the best thing about it, and it has also been made into a movie.
11. Hard Times
Charles Dickens wrote the novel, and it got published in the mid-1800s. This book is probably one of the shortest novels written by Dickens, but it is still one of the most meaningful ones.
12. Fathers and Sons
Ivan Turgenev, a Russian writer, wrote this novel. The book is full of family drama, and it depicts a series of conflicts throughout the plot. This book has received a lot of appreciation worldwide, and it is highly recommended too.
13. A Fine Balance
Rohinton Mistry wrote the book. The story is set in a city in India against the backdrop of a period of Emergency. This is quite a lengthy book with multiple layers, where four different people struggle with their lives. However, it is worth reading. This book was nominated for the Booker’s Prize.
14. Madame Bovary
Gustave Flaubert, a French writer, wrote this book. The story was set in the 19th century, and it is infused with love, affair and drama. This book is indeed a pleasure to read.
15. The Shadow Lines
Amitav Ghosh wrote this book. Amitav won the Sahitya Akademi Award for this book. The book captures a lot of events, but it will not confuse you. Instead, you will dive beautifully into the story and love the whole experience. The entire idea of the nation is explored here.
In Conclusion
If you are new in the field of literature or would like to read some of the best English literary books, then the ones mentioned above could be of great help to you. Don’t hesitate, and start reading your preferred books now.
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