If you haven't already experienced, get yourself a copy and dive straight into these epic literary creations. Here are five books I would recommend to everyone, whether you read a lot or not - trust me, you will not want to miss out and I doubt you will be disappointed! And yes, they are all popular, fictions and contain the common theme of love but they truly live up to the hype.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A timeless story about the roots of human behaviour. Set in Alabama during the Great Depression, Atticus Finch is assigned a case to defend Tom Robinson, who has been accused of rape. Addressing issues of race, inequality, hatred, justice, love and kindness this is an important and necessary read. If you read this book as a child, read it again as an adult. A definite masterpiece, eye-opening and influential.
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
In 1939, Nazi Germany the story of nine-year old Liesel is narrated by Death. After her foster father teaches her to read, Liesel soon discovers a love for words and books. She steals them from book burnings and from the Mayor's wife's library, taking them from wherever she can. During the Holocaust her family hide a Jew in their basement and Liesel's life is torn by the war. A gripping, impactful portrayal of what it's like to experience war, under the constant shadow of death. Heart-breaking yet inspiring, this book left me speechless.
3. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
This book tells the struggles of a Ghanian family who migrate to modern America in search of a better life and future. Battling the hard realities of immigrant life the family of four soon becomes two, leaving young Gifty with her mother. Years later, Gifty turns to science to understand the human mind, behaviour and in particular addiction when religion fails to answer her questions. Gifty traces her family's story through generations and continents to learn the roots of their traumas. A powerful story of loss, survival, grief, belief and ambition told with ethereal prose.
4. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Japan, 1929 nine-year old Chiyo is sold as a maid to a famous geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district. Years later, from a hotel room in New York she tells her story of becoming a geisha herself - opening a window into a hidden society full of exploitation, degradation, money, power, love, lust and hate. A unique, fast-paced story with a touching plot and unforgettable characters. I was completely enchanted by Sayuri's world.
5. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
As a child, Kya is abandoned by her family and forced to survive alone in the unforgiving marshland. Secluded by the townspeople, Kya grows and learns to live in solitary - the marsh becomes her home yet she still craves to be loved and wanted by people. When two men from the town are intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself up to a new life - the life she hoped for, until she is accused of the unthinkable and pulled into a world of deceit and hatred.
A breathtakingly beautiful story of nature, survival, prejudice and love. I can't express my love for this book enough, a must read.
If you've read any of these I'd love to know your thoughts, head over to my Instagram @aalireads and let me know what you thought! Happy reading :)
Disclaimer: Photos 1, 2 and 4 are not my own. Sourced from Pinterest*
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