From the classics to contemporary literary fiction and everything in between, there are so many must-reads out there. If you are a bit of a bookworm, you probably already have a list that you are working your way through, but there are some books that you may need to think about adding, as they could be better than you think. Goodreads fans have been voting for the top 100 books that they believe will exceed your expectations. Here are the top 10 – are there any you have already read?
10. A Story of Yesterday by Sergio Cobo
A Story of Yesterday by Sergio Cobo is “a concise and straight punch to the jaw of life. Under a sky of different colors germinates a magical story of survival, where the result of each choice, enclosed in this particular tale, will snatch the whereabouts of each story forever”.
9. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a story about a woman, Clare, who is married to a man, Henry, who has a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, and it means he is suddenly pulled into his past or the future. he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. Henry and Clare’s struggle to lead normal lives is both emotional and stays with you.
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help by Kathryn Stockett tells the story of three women’s lives in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The book is centred on Skeeter Phelan, a young white woman, Aibileen Clark, a Black maid and Minny Jackson, another Black maid, as they navigate racial tensions and the challenges of their time.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s poignant story follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the prejudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man who is falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story’s themes include morality and innocence through a young lens.
6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Stieg Larsson’s story focuses on the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a young woman from a wealthy Swedish family, which happened 40 years earlier. Investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist teams up with computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to delve into the Vanger family’s dark secrets and hidden past in the hopes of uncovering the truth.
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen tells the story of Jacob Jankowski, a veterinary student who has suffered a personal tragedy. During the Great Depression, he impulsively decides to join a struggling circus called the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show, where he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, and Rosie, who appears to be an untrainable elephant.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Rowling’s first Harry Potter book is where the wizarding world all began. The book tells the story of Harry Potter, a young boy who lost his parents when he was a baby and discovers he is a wizard. Its popularity among both children and adults is unmatched, and if creating the film version wasn’t enough, a TV series is now under production.
3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Another by Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner is set in 1970s Afghanistan and follows 12-year-old Amir who wishes to win the local kite-fighting tournament. His friend Hassan promises to help him try to win but neither of the boys can know what would happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to turn their lives upside down.
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This historical fiction story is set in Nazi Germany during the Second World War. It tells the story of a girl growing up during this time. The girl finds comfort in words, and so she steals books and learns to read. Alongside this, her family is protecting a Jew. The book’s themes include death, love, and literature.
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy explores the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem and 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in District 12. She volunteers to take the place of her younger sister is the annual Hunger Games, which is a televised battle to the death involving two people from each of the 12 districts. The book’s themes include poverty, suppression and the effects of war.