30 Best Novels That Shouldn't Be Missed By Readers & 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Arundhati Roy's Booker Prize winner, God of Small Things, is one extraordinary tale that captures unauthorised love, jealousy, death, casteism, classism, nation-building, misogyny, and healing. This book starts with the reunion of the twins, Esthappen and Rahel, and moves along with their memories of childhood, where they lost their cousin, father, grandfather, mother, a pickle factory and at last, each other. I'd say it's a gripping read that's hard to put down.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Domestic Fiction

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. Boo Radley is an icon and this is a moving read that you can always read one too many times.

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

Genre: Southern Gothic

Another one of my college finds, Funny Boy is a lovely novel 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Historical Fiction 

"War Is Peace" and 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. 

Goodreads Rating: 4.5/5

Genre: Science Fiction

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 and is definitely a work ahead of its time.

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

Genre: Epistolary Fiction

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 affectionate towards each other. It’s a perfect weekend read that leaves you absolutely hopeful by the end. Plus, we'd recommend sitting with a pencil/highlighter because you're going to want to underline and make notes as the book makes you want to reflect a lot.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Self-Help

Animal Farm is the OG Orwell novel that is a poignant commentary on the ways and institutions of communism. This book is 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Allegory

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.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Genre: Science Fiction

"I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart, 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. This book is loved by all for its shrewd commentary on life. Like other Plath works, it's a heavy read, but the depiction and manipulation of emotions are surreal in her writing, exemplifying her ingenuity.

Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5

Genre: Autobiography

A New York 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.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Genre: Memoir

Gathering fame from his lecture on "Heart of Darkness," Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart represents life in South Africa with all its contradictions and compulsions. Through Okonkwo, the greatest warrior, the author captures the journey of the tribe before Christian missionaries land there and puts forth the question of civilisation in perspective. It's refreshing against all the Eurocentric narratives of that time and weaves a tale of profound questions.

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

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 the many philosophies about death and life. It's a moving read that you can easily finish in one go. 

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Genre: Psychological Fiction

Now also a movie, Kitchen, is one of the best works of Japan's literary superstar, Banana Yoshimoto. This is 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, especially as a beautiful present for friends and family.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Genre: Japanese Fiction

The list of my 'all-time favourite books' is long, and Midnight's Children 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 brutality. It is poignant, moving, and a scathing critique of the birth of a nation that was marked with massacre and inhumanity, and is truly one of the most beautiful books that Rushdie has weaved.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Magical Realism

A heartbreaking, fascinating, and enduring journey of an Asian American child growing up in the city of Oregon. A definite tearjerker, this exquisite story talks about life, family, food, grief, endurance, sustenance, and courage while forging new identities in the wake of a loss. Michelle Zauner proves her might with this one and is the perfect book to pick when you want to feel a surge of emotions.

Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5

Genre: Memoir

Meg Mason's debut novel, Sorrow And Bliss, is a joyous ride that is crafted beautifully. It follows 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. 

Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Two juxtaposing narratives: one of a blind 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

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 the Taliban. The adjective 'gripping' does not even come close to describing how magnificent this novel is—an absolute must-read for generations to come.

Goodreads Rating: 4.6/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

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 blind faith practices, life in utter hunger and poverty, and provides 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.

Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5

Genre: Autobiography

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.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Genre: Community Saga

This is 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. It's a remarkable book that will shatter the promise of capitalism and elite life in seconds while giving some critical humanity checks.

Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5

Genre: Epistolary Fiction

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 a Dickensian tonality, this brimming narrative is a modern classic that is always a pleasure to read.

Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

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.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Coming-of-age Fiction

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.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Epistolary Novel

Khushwant Singh's Train To Pakistan recalls horrors during the partition of India and Pakistan. The book revolves 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.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Vegetarian is a powerful, three-part novel set in Seoul that can be emotionally overwhelming. Though only 160 pages, it's a challenging read that may leave you reflecting long after you've put it down. The story centres on Yeong-hye, an ordinary woman who, plagued by disturbing dreams, comes to believe that meat is the source of her torment and decides to embrace vegetarianism. What follows is a series of unimaginable and heartbreaking events that push the boundaries of the human experience.

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Genre: Psychological Fiction

Man's Search for Meaning is Viktor Frankl's profound memoir, where the psychiatrist reflects on his harrowing experience as a Holocaust survivor. Amidst the unimaginable suffering, he observed acts of deep humanity, like men sharing their last piece of bread with those in greater need. Frankl's work offers a powerful philosophy, showing us how to transcend suffering and find meaning in life, revealing the art of living.

Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5

Genre: Autobiography

Another masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a deeply emotional novel that will tear your heart apart. While The Kite Runner focuses on the bond between two young boys, this story highlights the lives of two women. It follows Mariam, who is forced into a marriage in Kabul, and later, after two decades, she forms a friendship with Laila. As the Taliban seizes control of the country, the narrative takes a dramatic turn, shedding light on the struggles of Afghan women in the face of oppression.

Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5

Genre: Domestic Fiction

Published recently and already a Booker Prize winner, Orbital by Samantha Harvey takes us on a journey outside the planet. The novel focuses on a team of astronauts who, while conducting scientific experiments, engage in deep conversations about life itself as they watch the Earth circling around them. Through their discussions, they explore the fragility of human existence, talking about their dreams, fears, and the complexities of humanity in general.

Goodreads Rating: 3.6/5

Genre: Science Fiction

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