“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
-George R.R. Martin
Reading is essential for the nourishment of creative mind and soul. It takes you to different Worlds and builds your imagination strong enough to explore infinite possibilities in the time and space. Reading literature books is not just a hobby; it is a way of life for some people. Literature Books have been a significant part of our generation and generations before us. There are some of the greatest classic literature books that were written by our ancestors which are a source of inspiration for modern literature. Here are a few of them to start with.
1982 – Set in a dystopian society, George Orwell’s 1982 imagines a time when everything will be controlled by the government and they’ll watch our every move. A book was written when Internet was not even a word, Mr. Orwell for sure was way ahead of his time.
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath’s Bell Jar is a roller coaster of emotions and is a must read for those who have questions in their mind about society and life. This literature book gives some insight of one’s self. It teaches you one of the most valuable lessons: there is nothing wrong with letting people know of your flaws and issues.
The Master and Margarita – The Master and Margarita talks about everything that was relevant in the writer Mikhail Bulgakov’s time and probably today. This book survived the Soviet censorship and emerged as one of the most moving works of that era. The dark and macabre nature is complemented by its sense of humor.
Midnight’s Children – Midnight Children takes you on a trip to India that has just gained Independence. Salman Rushdie hunts for cultural identities across the borders while dealing with the political and cultural issues.
Fahrenheit 451 – Do you know that book burns at a temperature of 451 degrees? Ray Bradbury imagines a dystopian society where reading is banned. Will you like to read in a society like this? Read and find out.
Dune – Fans of science fiction swear on Frank Herbert’s Dune. Dune is one of the greatest space operas ever written and has been a winner of prestigious awards in the Sci-Fi genre.
Maus – Maus is written by Art Spiegelman who imagines a real game of cat and mice with Nazi Germans depicted as cats and Jews as a mouse. This graphic novel brings the days of the Holocaust to life.
Hachiko Waits – Hachiko Waits is essentially a children’s novel but is a must read for every bibliophile and dog lover. Hachi’s wait for his master at the same train station is something that will send a lump in your throat. Lesléa Newman’s masterpiece is the shortest novel you’ll read, but the intensity of the characters and Hachi’s pain is too big to handle.
Foundation – Issac Asimov is the god of science fiction. His grip on the storytelling while analyzing the future of humanity makes you wonder if this is going to happen with the coming generations. In Foundation, The Foundation trilogy (first three books) and the Foundation series (all seven) are often regarded as the greatest set of Science Fiction literature ever produced.
To Kill a Mockingbird – To Kill a Mockingbird has inspired generations of readers, the book has been passed in families, and readers have been re-reading it for ages. This book is a pop culture icon and a lovely tale of coming out of age. The simplicity of characters and storytelling makes you fall in love with the book again and again, no matter how many times you read it.
The list of classics doesn’t come to an end, but this small list has just ended. But of course, now, you have something to start with. I can continue and make an elaborate and comprehensive list, but no matter how many books I list, the idea of classic literature will always be like a stone in an ocean.
Hachi is my favorite.