Calling all bookworms! Looking to get lost in a novel other than a Harry Potter book? (sometimes we have to break the cycle, OK?) One novelty of being a reader is finding a new book to discover. Wandering through the shelves and searching for a good page-turner, isn't always a simple task, however. If you don't have the time to take the scenic route in the bookstore, I have put together a little list of favorite books that you might just enjoy, too.
1. "Hardboiled Wonderland" and "End of The World" by Haruki Murakami.
Japanese author, tells the story in a dream-like world. The novel is split between two narratives that tell the stories of a science fiction versus a fantasy part of two different worlds. Two different parallel narratives that put the reader into a trace that is hard to come out of, this novel is truly an escape from reality.
2. "A Visit From the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan
Sad, truthful and nostalgic the intertwined lives of narratives from slightly destructive, yet honest characters and the way their lives separate and come together through their past punk teenage days.
3. "The Fire in the Flint" by Walter Francis White
The story of practicing African-American physician, Kenneth Harper during the 1920s who moved from the North back to the South. Through a stream of consciousness and thoughtful narration, readers get a harsh awakening through White's words of the brutality of the segregated South.
4. "Mildred Pierce" by James M Cain
Taking place during the Great Depression, Mildred, a middle-aged housewife opens a booming pie business. Sounds boring? The scandal between her ex-husband, daughter and a list of other brief affairs keeps you on your toes the whole book.
5. "Good Morning, Midnight" by Jean Rhys
Takes place in Paris in the 30s, the mystery of the novel's character and the inward dialogue slips you into a form of a stream of consciousness that you never forget after you read.
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson. The insight into several characters secrets and lives in a small town in Ohio. Through journalist, George, readers discover the truth and misconceptions behind the faces in the tiny town.
6. "The Girl of Slender Means" by Muriel Spark
The May of Teck Club is the place for young ladies that survive the bombing in London. friendship, gender roles, and history are all tied together in this satirical novel.
The Outsiders by SE HiltonBesides Harry Potter, this is one of the novels that made me fall in love with reading all over again. Shows how no matter where you are from, at the end of the day we are all human and all see the same sunset. "Stay Gold, Ponyboy."
7. "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Let's just say you'll finally understand the saying, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."
8. "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" by Jean-Dominique Bauby
A memoir by journalist Jean-Dominque the former French editor of Elle, tells his afterlife after experiencing a massive stroke that led to locked- in syndrome (he basically had to write this novel by blinking out the letters to his speech therapist) led to a touching, honest and beautiful life story.
9. "The Little Girls" by Elizabeth Bowen
Tells a story of long-lasting friendship, after 3 childhood friends reunite (shout out to a newspaper article) to dig up truth, secrets and the past from a childhood in 1914.
10. "A Tale For the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki
A two different narrative novel, that alternates between a writer living in British Columbia and 16-year-old Japanese girl. After the tsunami in 2011, the diary of the teenage girl comes in the hands of the writer after washing up on the beach, to tell her and the readers the tale of a young girl's life, entailing honesty and vulnerability, through her writing and words.
Truth is if you're not a reader you just haven't found the right book yet. While I have so many other all-time favorite novels I would love to share, this is only the beginning of my list. There are so many stories able to unfold - so much so it get's me excited to think of all the adventures I can go on just from turning the page This list is just a combination of the variety of genres and books out there that I have read. However, there is a new story on every turn or self. You just need to get started reading and escape reality for a bit.
