26 Best Novels That Shouldn't Be Missed By Readers Or Non Readers Alike

I encountered this book in my American literature paper during college, and it deserves full credit for turning me into an avid reader. Capturing the aftereffects of slavery in America, the novel narrates the horrific life of former slave Sethe, who takes his own daughter's life to protect her from the institution of slavery. It's gut-wrenching, to say the least, and not an easy read or to follow. It has magical realism, with multiple jumps, and is written in a stream-of-consciousness narrative that is bound to change lives. I would also like to special mention my professor here, Ms. Jaya Yadav who made this a classic for me with her most extraordinary lectures.

To Kill A Mockingbird is an American classic for all the right reasons. It's a smooth read that relays the story from a little girl's perspective, Scout, as she follows her father, who defends a black man wrongly accused of sexually assaulting a white girl. The Boo Radley is an icon, and this is a moving read that you can't read too many times.

Another one of my college finds, Funny Boy, is a lovely bildungsroman that narrates the early life of Argie amidst the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict. We follow the larger conflict with Argie but also see how Argie is trying to figure out himself vis-a-vis his being, battling gender notions and stereotypes and, in the end, completely moving away from all perceived structures.

 "War Is Peace", 1984 is a fantastic, fast-paced read that keeps you in its grips the whole time. Essentially a love story forbidden from the at-large totalitarian surveillance regime, the story will haunt you and will make you think about your existence within your respective societal structures in a nuanced way. It's an absolute favourite.

Another American classic, Alice Walker's The Colour Purple, is an epistolary novel (written in a series of letters) in which Celie addresses 'God' and narrates her extraordinary journey to self-realisation, independence, and courage. First, she escapes her father's and then her husband's abuse to finally lead a life more fulfilled. This one is an easy read, with transformative sisterhood, definitely a work ahead of its time.

A truly healing read, All About Love is a beautiful novel that captures the very essence of human emotions while redefining what it means to love, care, and be toward each other. It’s a perfect weekend read that leaves you absolutely hopeful by the end. Plus, we'd recommend sitting with a pencil because you're going to want to underline and make notes as the book makes you want to reflect a lot.

Animal Farm is the OG Orwell novel that is a poignant commentary on the ways and institutions of communism. Essentially an allegory featuring a rebellion by farm animals, first against their owner and then against the council of pigs. This novel speaks volumes and packs a total punch in a total of only 100 pages. I'd say that it's an absolute crime to miss this one.

Capturing the becoming of a monster and the primal fight between the creator and its creature, Frankenstein is a powerful read that will surprise you, haunt you, and leave you debating what led to the end of everything. It's a gripping read that we can never get enough of, and it certainly tops the 'best book of all time' category for us.

"I am, I am, I am" Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar is a quintessential work of hers and her only novel. It's about a young woman who imagines an uncertain future and talks to the universe about the paralysis of wrong decisions. The book is wickedly funny and depicts the hollow parties of the fashion world, while the heroine falls into a depressive episode and is loved by all for its shrewd commentary on life. Like other of Plath's work, it's a heavy read, but the depiction and manipulation of the emotion are absolutely surreal in the process, exemplifying her ingenuity.

A NY Times bestseller, this book is an instant tear-jerker, encapsulating an insurmountable amount of grief, tragedy, and life. The book is about a grieving wife who is trying to make sense of life and take back control after her husband's demise. It is a simple, nuanced, and universal portrait of life that makes you think about the moments in between, about the little things, and how they carry the realities and essence of life.

A reflective text in which a man explores his past high school relationships, navigating many existential inquiries about how the past makes up the present and shapes the future. The Sense of an Ending is not too big on the plot but more about discovering many philosophies about death and life. It's a moving read that you can easily finish in one go. 

Now also a movie, Kitchen, is one of the best works of Japan's literary superstar, Banana Yoshimoto. A sweet, gentle novella about love, tragedy, mothers, the potential power of kitchens, and the lives of women in contemporary Japan. At the heart of the novel, you will encounter an unconventional family with all their quips, progress, and acceptance. I just cannot recommend this one enough and also think that it makes for a beautiful present for friends and family.

The list of my 'all time favourite books' is long, and Midnight's Children definitely holds a special place. As the name suggests, it captures the birth of children who were born at the same time as India gained its independence and the aftermath of their lives with partition and its brutality. It is poignant, moving, and a scathing critique of the birth of a nation that was marked with massacre and inhumanity, and truly one of the most beautiful books that Rushdie weaved.

Meg Mason's debut novel, Sorrow And Bliss, is a joyous ride that is crafted beautifully. There is a woman who is a brilliant writer, is beautiful, clever, and is absolutely adored by her husband but has an undiagnosed mental disorder. As the story progresses, she finds out what is so broken, along with behavioural patterns that are not to be overlooked. This leads to a series of hilarious dialogues and scenes that hold a deeper meaning. 

Two juxtaposing narratives: one of a bling girl in Paris whose home is slowly being occupied by Germans and a German boy who has a crude fascination with radio. In the end, both come together. Anthony Doerr has crafted a masterful tale where their small acts of goodness, faith, and courage make them each other's companions in times of utter hopelessness and present a sense of light in the most gruesome times faced by humankind in its history.

The Kite Runner captures a heartfelt tale of two friends whose lives are intertwined in more ways than one. The narrative is super evocative, describing a tale of redemption that begins with a kite competition and ends with Afghanistan under the rule of Taliban. The adjective 'gripping' does not even come close to describing how magnificent this novel is—an absolute must-read for generations to come.

Baby Kamble's self-assertive narrative is an extraordinary autobiography that relays the horrors faced by the Dalit community, ending with her and her family joining the Amderkarite movement that paved the road for their emancipation. She realistically depicts the blind faith practices, the life in utter hunger and poverty, and puts forth a real focus on women of the community who fall prey to triple marginalisation, leading to several cases of self-harm and annihilation. It is a disturbing read that will leave you unsettled for days, but an equally important one.

A story capturing generations of discrimination and deprivation, Untouchable Spring stands as the perfect balance between history and memory. It presents the lives of Dalits generation after generation, with their history, heritage, culture, and art. You get to witness their unflinching courage and defiance against all odds to set them free from their preconceived lives.

A dark comedy that presents a scathing commentary on class, caste, poverty, and institutions that are hollow, as well as the delusional drama of the poor trying to move up the ladder. The story follows Balram, who moves to the big city for his job as a driver of a big business family and relays his experience in the world of the ultra-wealthy. Its a remarkable book that will shatter the promise of capitalism and elite life in seconds while also giving some critical humanity checks.

With a backdrop of great political turmoil in independent India, this novel captures heroism, corruption, violence, and bravery in a more surreal manner, permeating the lives of four strangers. With the tonality of Dickensian, this brimming narrative is a modern classic that is always a pleasure to read.

The Namesake is a simple story capturing conflicting loyalties about homeland, heritage, culture, and names. It revolves around the questions of belonging and forging new identities. I love that it's very easy to follow, with a universal experience of the inability to fit in. I'd say it's the perfect train read, with rich passage descriptions of India, especially Bengal.

A Times bestseller, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, is a brilliant piece covering fear, passion, the aftermath of wars, family dynamics, and hope at its core. Essentially a letter to a mother who cannot read, this book is bound to break you into tears and reveal a daunting history of the family.

Khushwant Singh's Train To Pakistan recalls horrors during the partition of India and Pakistan. Revolving around the infamous train incident and many other testimonies of disrupted lives and the brutal nature of external forces that destroyed harmony on both sides beyond repair.