Rishabh Shukla Anar Bhatt-desai Krunalini Solanki Vihar Chandrakant Anand Ashish Rajput Satyen Gadhvi Hasan Jowher Iqbal Latif Hari Prahlad 15 books you should have read by now Courtesy Nivedita Mishra, Hindustan Times Between classics to best-sellers to contemporary classics, heres a comprehensive list of books you should have read by now. If you havent, about time you did. 1 Merchant of Venice Writer: William Shakespeare Genre: Drama, Comedy Publisher: IR for Thomas Heys First Published: 1600 AD Among the most read comedies by Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice is a popular romantic comedy set in Venice and Belmont in Italy. Between Shylock, the Jew and the Bard’s celebrated and off-quoted ‘pound of flesh’ dialogue and Portias spirited defence of Bassanio, we have some of the best lines in literature. 2 Gulliver’s Travels Writer: Jonathan Swift Genre: Satire Publisher: Benjamin Motte First Published: 1726 AD One of the best-loved books in English literature, Gulliver’s Travels by the Irish clergyman and novelist Jonathan Swift, is a satire on human nature. It comes under the sub-genres of children’s literature and travel writing. The four books has Lemuel Gulliver going on four different voyages across seas to Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa and Houyhnhnms. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_11.jpg 3 Pride and Prejudice Writer: Jane Austen Genre: Drama, Romance Publisher: T Egerton, Whitehall First Published: 1813 AD A story set in England and unfolding in the family of country gentleman of the landed English gentry has captivated the audiences till date. The story follows the life of Elizabeth Bennett as she deals with marriage, manners and education in 19th century England. Who can forget Mr Darcy ?? 4 Stories of Sherlock Holmes Writer: Arthur Canon Doyle Genre: Crime Fiction Publisher: Serialised in dailies such as Beetons Christmas Annual, Lippincotts Monthly Magazine and The Strand Magazine First Published: 1887 A fictional character created by Scottish novelist Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is a London-based detective with an uncanny knack at solving crime cases, thanks to his logical reasoning, ability to adopt a disguise and use of forensic science. Doyle wrote 56 short stories and four novels with Sherlock Holmes as the hero. An eternal favourite. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_3.jpg 5 Fountain Head Writer: Ayn Rand Genre: Fiction (Philosophical novel) Publisher: Bobbs Merrill Published: 1943 An epic tale of clash between individualism and collectivism, Fountain Head details the life of young architect Howard Roark who broke convention by refusing to compromise on his artistic and personal vision. The novel follows his trajectory as he struggles to fight against traditions who oppose his notions of modern architecture. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_5.jpg 6 Harry Potter Series Writer: JK Rowling Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK), Arthur A Levine Books (US) Published: 1997 Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels chronicling the adventures of young wizard Harry Potter and his two friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom study at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On young Harry is the onerous responsibility of tackling the nefarious designs of evil Lord Voldemort who wants to become immortal and subjugate all non-magical people. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_6.jpg 7 India After Gandhi Writer: Ramchandra Guha Genre: Non fiction, History Publisher: Harper Collins Published: 2007 From the stable of one of India’s most respected modern historians, Ramchandra Guha, comes a book that traces the ebb and tide of the Indian narrative post 1947. It remains one of the best books of modern Indian history. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_2.jpg 8 City of Djinns Writer: William Dalrymple Genre: Non fiction, Travel Publisher: Penguin Published: 1993 This book marks the first on the series of books William Dalrymple would go on to write on India. Set in Delhi, this is a travelogue on the many Delhis we live in. In diving deep into the many stories, Dalrymple touches upon tales of his Sikh landlady, 1984 sikh roits, survivors of the Raj, eunuchs, dervishes, Sufis and more. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_10.jpg 9 Midnight’s Children Writer: Salman Rushdie Genre: Magic Realism Publisher: Jonathan Cape Published: 1980 One of the best examples of post-colonial literature and magic realism, it details the life of Saleem Sanai, set against actual historical events. Midnights Children charts India’s transition from British colonialism to independence, partition of India leading up to Emergency. The book won Salman Rushdie the Booker Prize. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_1.jpg 10 A Farewell to Arms Writer: Ernest Hemingway Genre: Fiction Publisher: Scribner Published: 1929 By far one of the best American War novels to be written, A Farewell to Arms has at its heart the love affair between two American expatriates in Italy with the backdrop of World War I. It is a first-person account of American Frederic Henry, employed with the Ambulance corps. At another level, the book deals with disillusionment with war, cynical soldiers and displacement of populations. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_14.jpg 11 The Grapes of Wrath Writer: John Steinbuck Genre: Fiction Publisher: The Viking Press Published: 1939 An epic tale of tenant farmers set in the great depression of 1930s, it chronicles the life of Joads, a poor family who must deal with economic hardship, changes in agricultural practices and banking woes. Here’s a family which is driven out of their Oklahoma home and must move west wards to California for work, dignity and a better future. The book won Steinbuck Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_15.jpg 12 To Kill a Mockingbird Writer: Harper Lee Genre: Fiction Publisher: NA Published: 1960 A compassionate and warm tale of defence of a black man, wrongly implicated in rape charge and the death of innocence not only become an instant bestseller but went on win Pulitzer Prize. It remains one of the best works of Harper Lee. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_8.jpg 13 Life of Pi Writer: Yann Martel Genre: Fiction, Adventure Publisher: Knopf Canada Published: 2001 Yann Martel’s fantasy adventure follows the journey of Pi, who is shipwrecked in the middle of the Pacific with a royal Bengal Tiger for company. What ensues is an engaging tale and lesson in explorations of spirituality and practicality. A best seller which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, it also won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. hindustantimes/Images/popup/2014/9/book_7.jpg 14 Interpreter of Maladies Writer: Jhumpa Lahiri Genre: Fiction, Short Stories Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Published: 1999 This collection of nine short stories by Indian American writer Jhumpa Lahiri spoke of the trials and tribulations of being Indian an America, caught between the world they had inherited and the New World they had made their own. The book won Lahiri the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 22:58:17 +0000