Literature Books That You Must Possess If You Love Reading
Looking for the best literature books to read? Check out these titles that you’ll surely love.
The literary heritage is very vast. From Indian writings to novels written in the Victorian age, literature has shaped the minds of many readers. If you’re curious to be a part of the literature lovers’ clan, you must read the books recommended here. This list includes books that centre around strong female leads, tragedies, anthologies, and gothic elements to keep you hooked till the very end. Besides, all these books are a part of most literature courses found in colleges and universities.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick a book of your choice and dive right into its beautiful narrative.
Best Literature Books
1. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is one of the best classic novels if you want to pick a quintessential romantic read. It narrates the story of Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. The novel begins when Lizzie’s mother begins searching for suitable grooms for her four daughters. The book spins a beautiful narrative around the love-hate relationship shared by Lizzie and Darcy. Both prioritise their self-respect above everything else, which refrains them from committing their love for each other. But, when Darcy saves Lizzie’s younger sister from eloping with her lover, Elizabeth’s opinion about him changes. She wonders if her prejudice is preventing her from thinking good about him.
This book has women characters who are headstrong, independent, and vulnerable.
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Set in the Victorian era, Jane Eyre chronicles the life of a young orphan who lives with her late uncle Mr Reed’s family. She is treated like a servant by her aunt and cousins, which makes her confront them before leaving for the Lowood School – a charity institution for girls. There too, Jane is subject to harsh conditions and cold rooms to stay. As the story progresses, Jane takes up a teacher’s position at Lowood for a short time. Soon she gets a job at Thornfield Hall as a governess to a young French girl – Adele Varens. As destiny had it, she meets Mr Edward Rochester, the owner of Thornfield. The two come close as mysterious things happen at Thornfield. The truth is about to get exposed.
This book emphasises the importance of relationships in a person’s life.
3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is a story about Victor Frankenstein and his creature. The novel begins with an introduction by Captain Walton, where he tells how he met the narrator. Frankenstein is a scientist by profession who has cracked to code for making a human being. He gathers the remains from various cemeteries and sews them together to build a muscular human-like creation. While the creature is pure at heart, people mistake him to be an evil entity. Infuriated by the ways of the human world, the creature kills Victor’s brother and frames his nanny for murdering him. Somewhere on Mont Blanc, the beast meets his creator and pleads him to make a female companion for itself. Initially, Victor agrees, but on realising that this could be the end of humankind, he tears apart the remains. Angered by Victor’s actions, the creature decides to murder Victor and everyone he loved.
This book by Mary Shelly has been celebrated as the first sci-fi novel ever written.
4. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
This book by Alice Walker is about a teenage girl named Celie who lives with her abusive father – Alphonse, and her sister Nettie. Alphonse impregnates Celie, which leads her to give birth to a baby boy whom Alphonse abducts. As the years pass, Celie gets married to an older man named Mister, who wanted someone to look after his children. Even at her new home, Celie is subject to cruelty by Harpo and Mister’s other children. Celie tries to be strong every time she is abused, but somehow it breaks her apart. Years later, she meets two strong women Sophia – Harpo’s love interest and Shug Avery – Mister’s long-time mistress, who help Celie defend herself and introduce her to love.
This book is in the form of an epistolary and contains letters that support the narrative.
5. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
This book narrates the story of Okonkwo – a great wrestler and warrior, respected by everyone in West Africa. Soon his world starts falling apart as he is charged with killing a clansman and sent to exile. On returning to his village, he witnesses the arrival of missionaries and governors, which adds the final straw to his already off-balanced life.
This book belongs to the historical fiction genre and narrates the events of cultural change in Southeast Nigeria.
6. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
A pastoral comedy, As You Like It is a story of Rosalind seeking his lover Orlando. The play revolves around four couples who are separated by caste and class. Rosalind, her cousin Celia, and court jester Touchstone flee from the court after her uncle Duke Frederick banishes her. Disguised as a young shepherd named Ganymede, Rosalind travels to the forest of Arden, where she meets Orlando. She pretends to cure him of his lovestruck state, which brings them even closer. With love pouring from everywhere, the story twists even further. However, it culminates with the marriages of all four couples.
This book is one of the most cherishes plays written by William Shakespeare.
7. Modern Indian Literature by DU
This book is one of the most essential parts of the syllabus, as taught in BA (Hons) English. It includes English writings by Indian writers and translations of writings from various other local languages. Additionally, it has several texts that represent the rich culture and literary heritage of India.
This anthology of prose and poetry also constitutes headnotes and support material that helps prepare for the exams.
