Don’t know what to read? If you need a new book recommendation, check out this list tailored to the taste of GZAAT students. These ten books combine different genres, periods and authors. It’s based on the results of a survey done with GZAAT students. The survey showed that over 60% of students liked to read mystery books, and approximately 28% like horror. Fantasy and Classic novels are also popular among the students, with about 20 votes for each out of 47. This list follows no specific pattern except the survey and contains a wide range of literary selection.
1. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf is considered one of the defining authors of the 20th century. Mrs Dalloway (acclaimed as Woolf’s greatest novel) explores a busy day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, who travels into her past and looks into the deepest crevices of her life and rethinks all the choices that have shaped her life. The book is approximately 220 pages and for readers who love books that focus on characterizations with vivid and intense writing.
2. Lust for life by Irving Stone
A biographical novel about the life of famous painter Vincent Van Gogh, this masterpiece is based on the letters to Vincent’s brother, Theo Van Gogh. Though a bit lengthy, bordering on a bit more than 500-550 pages depending on the edition, the novel paints a bright portrait of the tortured painter who travels to different cities and experiences different relationships. The book is a stunning portrayal by Irving Stone of a complex man while at the same time a great book for those who love Van Gogh.
3. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
A book that glances into the darkest parts of the human soul and asks questions about morality shows a group of students who form a close relationship with their Classics Professor in a New England College.
4. Sleepy Murder by Agatha Christie
Gwenda and her husband move to a new house, where suddenly everything makes Gwenda feel like she’s going crazy. Ghost-like occurrences trouble Gwenda - she feels like she knows the house, from somewhere deep in her memory. Miss Marple, a heroine of Agatha Christies’, helps Gwenda with her problems.
5. The God of Small Things by Arundhanti Roy
In the State of Kerala, in India, a glimpse into the lives of a split family in India, where twins Rahel and Esthappen tell their stories. The novel is told in an intricate, beautiful language that bounds the novel into a haunting tale.
6. The Invisible Man, H.G Wells
One of the early science fiction novels, The Invisible Man follows a scientist, named Griffin, who invents a serum that makes him invisible. The novel develops an interesting insight into the character and his fall into madness.
7. The Last Day of a Condemned Man by Victor Hugo
This short, genius story tells about the last day of a condemned man - as described by the title. An anti-death penalty work, Victor Hugo brilliantly shows the psychology of the character.
8. One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
“The Breakfast Club” but with an added murder of one of the members, four high school students grapple with the death of their schoolmate, but apparently they all have a motive to have committed the murder. Perfect for those who love a high school murder mystery with a twist at the end.
9. Misery by Stephen King
A grizzly book that isn’t for the faint of heart follows Paul Sheldon, a famous author who gets in a car accident and finds himself confined to the house of a deranged fan, Annie Wilkes. Annie is Paul’s greatest fan of his series about Misery Chastain. The reader delves into the utterly insane persona of Annie Wilkes and experiences terrifying bouts of her rage. Paul Sheldon grapples with the new horror his life has become, as Annie tries to take care of him in her own, crazy way.
10. A Poet to His Beloved: The Early Love Poems of W.B. Yeats
A poetry book that beautifully describes romantic love - the good, the bad and the ugly. W.B Yeats speaks of passion, devotion, and unrequited love. This collection has 40 poems that are beautiful and could be described as dreamy.
Edited by Kato Ambokadze