What to read so as not to break away. Books of different genres, from which it is simply impossible to break away. "Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelley

Instead of once again sitting down at the TV, it is better to pick up a book and immerse yourself in its world. A completely different reality will open before you, which will absorb you without a trace and make you live the life of the main characters. Don't like to read? You just haven't read really interesting books. And below are 20 such books that will appeal to both the novice reader and the fastidious and sophisticated.

Photo: goodfon.ru

For you, the top 20 books that are read in one breath and excite the mind:

"Dead Zone", Stephen King

In a collision on ice, John Smith received a concussion. It would seem that an ordinary injury led to unexpected consequences. John began to be haunted by terrible visions, from which he cannot get rid of. But that's not all. After the disaster, he discovered amazing abilities in himself. Smith is able to solve even the most intricate crime and help a person in trouble. And one day he encounters a politician who is striving for power and is ready to literally go over their heads for her sake and plunge the whole world into chaos. And only John can save millions of people.

Just a few decades ago, this work was considered fiction, ignoring and breaking stereotypes, going beyond all generally accepted boundaries of what is permitted, literally absorbing newfangled trends, trying on the face of a modern person and expanding traditional boundaries. But today it is more relevant than ever and is one of the most humane in modern times. The author, like a jeweler, delicately develops such themes as responsibility and love. This novel has psychological power, extraordinary poignancy, literally drowning the hearts of millions of readers.

"Nowhere", Neil Gaiman

There is a world that no one knows about. It's easy to get in, you just need to open the door. But only a select few can do it. In this reality, the word comes to life and acquires power. Refined ladies in beautiful puffy dresses, brave knights in heavy shining armor, cruel murderers, angels, saints and monsters live here. Here, those who fell through the gaping cracks of reality found a new life. The main character Richard is a good-natured young man. Another act of kindness sends him to such a seemingly painfully familiar, but at the same time alien world under the strange name of Nowhere, located somewhere near London.

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

The utopian world of the future called Panem is divided into districts. And in order to control the population, President-dictator Snow annually arranges a cruel tournament - the Hunger Games. From each district, two tribute participants are selected by lottery. All tributes fight each other, and only the strongest survive. Brave Katniss Everdeen volunteers to participate in the games instead of her younger sister. And it is this girl who should change the course of history and the whole world. But she has to fight with Pete, to whom she was imbued with sincere sympathy. Katniss will challenge the authorities and do everything to achieve justice and free Panem from a comprehensive total control.

There was an explosion on board an ordinary plane. Landing is required, but a blizzard has begun making it nearly impossible. The airport is cut off from the outside world. And this is not a detective story. This is the most ordinary life of a huge organism called the Airport. This is one day of its existence. This is the interaction of the people who are here. Someone is working, someone is trying to survive, someone is waiting for a flight, and someone really wants to get home. Such different aspirations and desires of such different people who, by the will of fate, ended up in one place at one time.

The Thirteenth Tale, Diana Setterfield

Margaret Lee looks after her father's bookshop. She prefers Bronte and Dickens to contemporary works. And what was Margaret's surprise when she received an offer to become the personal biographer of Vida Winter, the most famous writer of our time. But she is famous not only for her books. This scandalous lady did not tell the annoying reporters and journalists a word of the truth about herself. And so, Margaret, who found herself within the walls of a huge and seemingly gloomy mansion in the Gothic style, becomes involved in the mysterious story of two twin sisters. Gradually approaching the solution, she realizes that this life in a strange way echoes her own. The secret is about to be revealed.

"Suitcase", Sergey Dovlatov

The author of the book is a popular and one of the most widely read Russian writers of the 20th-11th centuries. His novels, stories and even notes from notebooks are included in the school curriculum and have been translated into dozens of languages. And his simple and so familiar and funny jokes are remembered for a lifetime.

"Suitcase" is a simple, but at the same time, a work so close to everyone and everyone that you will certainly want to re-read it again and again.

"Five Quarters of an Orange" by Joan Harris

Framboise inherited an album of recipes from her mother. And everything would be fine, but her brother got a farm, and her sister became the owner of a wine cellar. But next to the recipes in the album are the records of the deceased mother. Here are her innermost desires and thoughts, as well as frank confessions about some events. And Framboise gets a real treasure. She can unravel the strange mysteries of the family's past.

"I am not afraid" by Niccolò Ammaniti

This is a book about the fact that the human soul is measured not by age, but by the number of good and real deeds performed. And sometimes a child can do much more than an experienced adult.

He can give faith to the needy and give him hope. And this is so necessary when reality has narrowed to the size of a pit. Around the dirt, which heats the sun. And all this had to face a defenseless little man. But there was a second one who was able to overcome his fears and shout to the whole world: “I am not afraid!”. And he can.

The novels of this writer for several decades were a kind of voice of piercing love and a real revolution in the literary world. "A vague smile" is the interweaving of the fates of a lawyer who is bored and tired of everything and everyone and a confused, innocent and young student. Feelings between them are impossible, but nevertheless they are real. Experience is mistakes, including imperfect ones, which makes the soul even more bitter. The author does not prophesy happiness to the heroes, but there is definitely hope, and it cannot die.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This novel brought the author worldwide fame and became a real bestseller of all time. Ray Bradbury introduced readers to a dystopian post-industrial future. In this world, all printed publications are mercilessly destroyed by firefighters, and the possession of books is punishable by law. Television has firmly entered the minds of millions and turned them into weak-willed and obedient fools. And the remaining dissidents are pursued by an electronic dog.

451 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper begins to melt.

The Green Mile, Stephen King

The Green Mile is called the death block in the prison with the telling name "Cold Mountain". This creepy little world where they come to get out of this life forever by sitting on the electric chair.

There were various criminals here, but the recently admitted John Coffey is not like the others. He is accused of brutal murder, but in reality he wouldn't hurt a fly. And thanks to John, other prisoners and even prison staff will be able to understand that sometimes everything is not at all what it seems.

The events unfold in the 60s of the last century in the American South. In the quiet and boring town of Jackson, in which something interesting rarely happens, Skeeter arrives. She recently graduated from university and dreams of a career as a writer. But a decent lady should get married and take care of her husband. Abellin is thirty years older and much more experienced than Skeeter. Throughout her conscious life, this black woman has served the whites and managed to raise 17 children, but she lost her son, and therefore life has lost all meaning for her. Minnie is the best cook and the most obstinate maid, so she does not stay in one place for a long time.

What unites two black maids and a white girl from high society? The desire for justice and the desire to change the world. But will they be able to win this difficult struggle?

"35 kilos of hope", Anna Gavalda

About the thirteen-year-old Gregoire, his first teacher spoke like this: “Head like a sieve, golden hands and a huge heart.” And it is true. The boy does not have a soul in his grandfather, he loves to make interesting crafts and hates going to school. And one day he finds out that somewhere far away there is a lyceum in which only boys study, who constantly make something. And he writes a childishly direct, naive, slightly funny and touching letter with a request to be admitted to this lyceum. Gregoire encloses a detailed drawing of his first invention, a banana peeler. Or maybe, really, good grades are not something worth striving for?

Manyunya, Narine Abgaryan

Do you want to immerse yourself in childhood? Then you should definitely read this book! It is so warm and saturated with gentle rays of the sun and the smell of sweets that will not leave anyone indifferent! This is a funny and interesting story about a kind and girl Manyun, her strict grandmother Ba and faithful friend Nara. And Manyuni also has a bunch of relatives who constantly find themselves in the most curious situations. This is a mischievous and adventurous childhood!

The Multiple Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes

This story is amazing and excites the imagination, but, most surprisingly, it is based on real events. The mind of Billy Milligan is a reality divided into several worlds, 24 separate parts into which his consciousness has split. And among them there are very different, sometimes completely opposite people: women and men, children and adults, marginal and sublime creative natures. And they all fight for Billy's body, not letting him control himself.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams

This is a real world bestseller, a series that everyone loves without exception: both readers and even sophisticated critics. Based on this book, a film of the same name was created, the screenwriter of which was Douglas Adams himself. And even if you've seen it, the book will seem even more interesting to you.

Be sure to start reading now!

This novel at first consisted of two separate stories - "Universe" ("Universe") and "Common Sense" ("Common Sense"). Their magazine version appeared in 1941. In 1963, the author combined these stories into one book under the general title "Oxphans of the Sky"

Lost in space is a huge transport starship called the Vanguard. After the launch, several generations had already changed, and gradually the passengers were divided into two clans: crazed mutants and a team whose members turned scientific data into religion.

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

This novel has not ceased to be relevant even several decades after its appearance. He is still brilliant and light, but at the same time makes you think and even believe.

The Bennet family has five daughters. And parents are well aware that they will not be able to successfully marry them. But the author of the work of Jane Austen, with penetrating psychologism and jewelry subtle humor, tells readers that every not even the most attractive and smart girl can meet her “Mr. Darcy”.

"P.Sh.", Dmitry Khara

Oleg has his own rather successful business, but he works literally to the point of wear and tear, and therefore he is waiting for a vacation or something more pleasant and surprising.

By chance, he stumbles upon an unusual travel agency that offers travel only to trained people. And when the preparation begins, Oleg realizes that the methods of training shock him. All exercises take place in real time and in real life. The hero has to play different roles and perform ridiculous tasks that, oddly enough, lead him to the goal. But suddenly Oleg's life is in danger.

Will he be able to save himself using the experience gained?

Are you still holding one of these books in your hands? Then be sure to grab it and start reading!

You may also be interested in the following collection:

P.S. What books would you recommend?

Inga Mayakovskaya

Reading time: 8 minutes

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Despite the abundance of e-books, tablets and audio formats, it is impossible to discourage a book lover from “rustling the pages”. A cup of coffee, an easy chair, the incomparable smell of book pages - and let the whole world wait!

Your attention - TOP-20 most interesting books. Read and enjoy...

• Hurry to love (1999)

Nicholas Sparks

The genre of the book is a love story.

It is generally accepted that only female authors succeed in romance novels. "Hurry to Love" is an exception in this specific genre. Sparks' book won the love of readers around the world and became one of his most popular works.

A touching and incredible love story between the daughter of a priest, Jamie, and a young man, Landon. The book is about a feeling that intertwines the destinies of two halves only once in a lifetime.

• Foam of days (1946)

Boris Vian

The genre of the book is a surreal love story.

A deep and surreal love story based on real events from the life of the author. The allegorical presentation of the book and the unusual plane of events are the highlight of the work, which has become for readers a complete postmodern with a chronology of despair, spleen, shocking.

The heroes of the book are tender Chloe with a lily in her heart, the author's alter ego is Colin, his tiny mouse and the cook, friends of lovers. A work full of bright sadness that everything ends sooner or later, leaving only the foam of days.

Twice screened novel, in both cases unsuccessfully - to convey the whole atmosphere of the book, without missing important details, no one has yet succeeded.

• Hungry Shark Diaries

Stephen Hall

The genre of the book is fantasy.

The action takes place in the 21st century. Eric wakes up with the thought that all the events of his former life have been erased from his memory. According to the doctor, the cause of amnesia is a severe injury, and the relapse is already the 11th in a row. From that moment on, Eric begins to receive letters from himself and hide from the "shark" that devours his memories. His task is to understand what is happening and find the key to salvation.

Hall's debut novel, entirely consisting of puzzles, allusions, allegories. Not for the general reader. They don’t take such a book with them on the train - they don’t read it “on the run”, slowly and with pleasure.

• White Tiger (2008)

Aravind Adiga

The genre of the book is realism, romance.

The boy from the poor Indian village of Balram stands out from his sister-brothers with his unwillingness to put up with fate. A combination of circumstances throws the "White Tiger" (approx. a rare beast) into the city, after which the fate of the boy changes dramatically - from falling to the very bottom, his steep rise to the very top begins. Whether crazy or national hero, Balram struggles to survive in the real world and break out of his cage.

The White Tiger is not an Indian "soap opera" about the "prince and the pauper", but a revolutionary work that breaks stereotypes about India. This book is about the India that you will not see in beautiful films on the TV screen.

• Fight Club (1996)

Chuck Palahniuk

The genre of the book is a philosophical thriller.

An ordinary clerk, exhausted by insomnia and the monotony of life, by chance meets Tyler. The philosophy of a new acquaintance is self-destruction as the goal of life. An ordinary acquaintance quickly develops into friendship, crowned with the creation of the "Fight Club", the main thing in which is by no means victory, but the ability to endure pain.

Palahniuk's special style gave rise not only to the popularity of the book, but also to the already well-known film adaptation with Brad Pitt in one of the main roles. The book is a challenge about a generation of people for whom the boundaries of good and evil have been erased, about the insignificance of life and the pursuit of illusions, from which the world is going crazy.

A work for people with already formed consciousness (not for teenagers) - for understanding and rethinking their lives.

• Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

Ray Bradbury

The genre of the book is science fiction, romance.

The title of the book is the temperature at which the paper burns. The action takes place in the "future", in which literature is prohibited, reading books is a crime, and the job of firefighters is to burn books. Montag, who just works as a firefighter, reads a book for the first time ...

A work that Bradbury wrote before and for us. More than fifty years ago, the author was able to look into the future, where fear, indifference to others and indifference completely replace the feelings that make us human. No unnecessary thoughts, no books - only mannequins.

• Complaint book (2003)

Max Fry

The genre of the book is a philosophical novel, fantasy.

No matter how hard it is for you, no matter how unsuccessful your life is, never curse it - neither in your thoughts nor out loud. Because someone near you will gladly live your own life for you. For example, that smiling girl over there. Or that old lady in the yard. These are the Nakhi, who are invariably by our side…

Self-irony, subtle banter, mysticism, an unusual plot, realistic dialogues (sometimes too much) - with this book, time flies by unnoticed.

• Pride and Prejudice (1813)

Jane Austen

The genre of the book is a love story.

The time of action is the 19th century. The Bennet family has 5 unmarried daughters. The mother of this poor family, of course, wants to marry them ...

The plot seems to be beaten to "eye calluses", but for more than one hundred years, Jane Austen's novel has been reread by people from various countries again and again. Because the characters of the book stick in the memory forever, and, despite the calm pace of development of events, the work does not let the reader go even after the final page. An absolute masterpiece of literature.

A nice “bonus” is a happy ending and the opportunity to steal away a tear from sincere joy for the heroes.

• Golden Temple (1956)

Yukio Mishima

The genre of the book is realism, philosophical drama.

The action takes place in the 20th century. The young man Mizoguchi, after the death of his father, finds himself in a school at Rinzai (approx. Buddhist academy). It is there that the Golden Temple is located - the legendary architectural monument of Kyoto, which gradually fills the mind of Mizoguchi, crowding out all other thoughts. And only death, according to the author, determines the Beautiful. And everything Beautiful, sooner or later, must die.

The book is based on the real fact of the burning of the Temple by one of the novice monks. On the bright path of Mizoguchi, temptations are constantly encountered, good fights evil, and in contemplation of the Temple, the novice finds peace after the failures that haunt him, the death of his father, the death of a friend. And one day Mizoguchi comes up with the idea - to burn himself along with the Golden Temple.

A few years after writing the book, Mishima, like his hero, made himself hara-kiri.

• Master and Margarita (1967)

Michael Bulgakov

The genre of the book is romance, mysticism, religion and philosophy.

The ageless masterpiece of Russian literature is a book worth reading at least once in a lifetime.

• Portrait of Dorian Gray (1891)

Oscar Wilde

The genre of the book is romance, mysticism.

Once thrown words of Dorian Gray (“I would give my soul for the portrait to grow old, and I was forever young”) became fatal for him. Not a single wrinkle on the eternally youthful face of the protagonist, and his portrait, according to the wish, grows old and gradually dies. And, of course, you have to pay for everything in this world ...

A repeatedly filmed book that once blew up a prim reading society with a Puritan past. A book about a deal with a tempter with sad consequences is a mystical novel that is worth re-reading every 10-15 years.

• Shagreen leather (1831)

Honore de Balzac

The genre of the book is a novel, a parable.

The action takes place in the 19th century. Rafael gets shagreen leather, with which you can fulfill your desires. True, after each wish fulfilled, both the skin itself and the life of the hero are reduced. Raphael's delight is quickly replaced by insight - too little time has been allotted to us on this earth to waste it so mediocrely on unaccountable momentary "joys".

A time-tested classic and one of the most fascinating books from the word master Balzac.

• Three comrades (1936)

Erich Maria Remarque

Genre of the book - realism, psychological novel

A book about male friendship in the post-war period. It is with this book that one should begin acquaintance with the author who wrote it away from her homeland.

A work filled with emotions and events, human destinies and tragedies - heavy and bitter, but bright and life-affirming.

• Diary of Bridget Jones (1996)

Helen Fielding

The genre of the book is a love story.

Light "reading" for women who want a little smile and hope. You never know where you will fall into a love trap. And Bridget Jones, already desperate to find her soul mate, will wander in the dark for a long time before the light of her true love dawns.

No philosophy, mysticism, psychological spirals - just a love story.

• The Man Who Laughs (1869)

Victor Hugo

The genre of the book is a novel, historical prose.

The action takes place in the 17-18 century. One day in his childhood, the boy Gwynplaine (who was a lord by birth) was sold to the Comprachos bandits. During the fashion for freaks and cripples that amused the European nobility, the boy became a fair jester with a mask of laughter carved on his face.

Despite the trials that fell to his lot, Gwynplaine was able to remain a kind and pure person. And even for love, the mutilated appearance and life did not become an obstacle.

• White on black (2002)

Ruben David Gonzalez Gallego

The genre of the book is realism, an autobiographical novel.

The work is true from the first to the last line. This book is the life of the author. He cannot bear pity. And communicating with this person in a wheelchair, everyone immediately forgets that he is a disabled person.

The book is about the love of life and the ability to fight for every moment of happiness, against all odds.

• Dark tower

Stephen King

The genre of the book is epic romance, fantasy.

The Dark Tower is the cornerstone of the universe. And the last noble knight in the world, Roland, must find her...

A book that occupies a special place in the fantasy genre - unique twists from King, close interweaving with earthly reality, completely different, but united in one team and reliably described characters, vivid psychologism of each situation, adventure, drive and the absolute effect of presence.

• Future (2013)

Dmitry Glukhovsky

The genre of the book is fantasy novel.

The recoded DNA at the output gave immortality and eternity. True, at the same time, everything that used to make people live was lost. Temples have become brothels, life has turned into an endless hell, spiritual and cultural values ​​are lost, everyone who dares to have a child is destroyed.

Where will mankind come to? A dystopian novel about the world of immortal, but "inanimate" people without a soul.

• Catcher in the Rye (1951)

Jerome Salinger.

The genre of the book is realism.

In the 16-year-old Holden, everything that is characteristic of a complex teenager is concentrated - harsh reality and dreams, seriousness, giving way to childishness.

The book is a story about a boy who is thrown into the cycle of events by life. Childhood suddenly ends, and the chick pushed out of the nest does not understand where to fly and how to live in a world where everyone is against you.

• You were promised to me

Elchin Safarli

The genre of the book is a novel.

This is a work that people fall in love with from the first pages and are pulled apart into quotes. A terrible and irreparable loss of the second half.

Is it possible to start living again? Will the main character cope with his pain?

Even insomnia can be useful if you have an interesting book at hand. ELLE talks about eight ideal companions on a night journey: whether you're on the train, or you just - these books will definitely not let you get bored.

Letter from a Stranger, Stefan Zweig

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A poignant novella by the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig takes us to a tiny apartment in an ordinary residential area of ​​Vienna, where a man lives who one day receives a mystery. It was written by a woman with whom their paths somehow crossed over the years, but the man did not even know about her existence. In the letter, the woman describes all their fleeting meetings and leaves several mysteries - they are gradually revealed by the hero. And in the end, he learns the terrible secret of a woman directly related to him.

"Castle of Glass" Jeannette Walls

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This book quickly became a bestseller and turned the young journalist Jeannette Walls into one of America's most popular authors. Now a movie is being made based on the book, in which he will play the main role. In fact, this is an autobiographical work - in it, Walls talks about his childhood and growing up in an unusual family, where very shocking methods of education were practiced. The book is truly captivating and touching. By the way, many celebrities adore her, for example, Maria Sharapova.

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Nabokov is a master of words, so even in such a tiny book he was able to fit a story that will not leave any reader indifferent. The novel tells about the art historian Krechmar: he falls in love with a 16-year-old Magda with a dark past and leaves his wife and daughter for her. Later, his daughter dies of the flu, and Kretschmar decides to go on a journey with a young mistress and her homosexual friend Gorn. However, it later turns out that Gorn is Magda's former lover, and the story with his unconventional orientation was invented only in order to cheat Krechmar around his finger. In the end, all this leads to tragedy: Kretschmar finds out the truth, and then an accident happens to him. What will happen next - it is quite possible to find out before dawn.

The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold

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A terrible and at the same time beautiful story about how 14-year-old Suzy Salmon was raped and brutally killed by a neighbor, whose guilt was not established until many years later. The book is interesting in that the story is told from Susie herself even after her death - this is fantasy, but very believable and touching. The girl helps her family get on the trail of the killer, and a few years later a miracle happens. By the way, Peter Jackson filmed the novel in 2009, Mark Wahlberg also played the main roles in the film of the same name.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde

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"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is one of those classic books that is really impossible to put down: those who read it for the first time can be envied, but also a great pleasure to re-read it. The famous artist is inspired by the beauty of the young Dorian Gray, and he, having seen the portrait, expresses the desire that the picture grow old, and he himself always remains young. And so it happens - now all the years lived, sins and vices eat away the portrait from the inside, and the young man himself remains just as beautiful.

"September Roses" by André Maurois

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The protagonist is a writer at the age of Guillaume Fontaine, he has been married for 20 years, but his soul requires adventure. First, he falls in love with a young artist, then with an actress, and, of course, he sees poetry in this. Of course, not without drama. Guillaume evokes mixed feelings, but it is impossible to tear yourself away from the novel - Maurois describes the characters' characters, their feelings and experiences so vividly.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

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The action takes place during World War II. This is the story through the eyes of a nine-year-old German boy, Bruno, who lives carefree in a beautiful five-story house in Berlin with his family and friends. One day, Bruno comes home to find his maid Maria putting his things in a suitcase, as the family is forced to move due to his father's new job assignment. But Bruno does not like the new place, he goes in search of a friend and one day he meets the Jewish boy Shmuel, who lives on the other side of the fence. It turns out that they were born on the same day and they have a lot in common. To help a new friend find his father, Bruno climbs over to Shmuel.

Perhaps, all the stories of the brilliant Russian writer and journalist Sergei Dovlatov can be read in one night (even less) in one breath. These are sketches from the life of ordinary people: in this case, the story of Marusya Tatarovich and her entourage, representatives of the "third wave" of Russian emigration. Dovlatov knows how to portray the characters of the characters with amazing irony and talks to the reader like a contemporary. You will laugh all night long.

Not all books are able to captivate the reader from the first pages and keep in suspense and ignorance until the very end. But these 10 books will definitely not let you stop reading even for a couple of minutes. They can be "swallowed" literally whole and until the very last line the reader will be in tension and ignorance.

1. The novel "Amsterdam"

writer Ian McEwan
Clive and Vernon - two bosom friends, successful, quite young and smart. Clive is a very talented composer and Vernon is an editor for a major newspaper. Their friendship seemed unbreakable, and upon learning of the death of a woman named Molly, who was their common love in the past, they enter into a strange agreement between themselves, which states that if one of them is struck down by the same terrible disease that killed Molly, the second will order him euthanasia. But after several incidents, the friendship collapses, people who were once close to each other become enemies, and wanting revenge, they secretly order euthanasia for each other...

2. Novel "Collector"

writer John Fowles
Frederick Clegg is one of those people who are called the "gray mouse", he works as an ordinary clerk in a government agency and his only hobby is collecting butterflies. He is not interested in the people around him, no one pays attention to him, and especially Miranda, with whom he is secretly in love. But one day fate turns to Frederick "face", making the right bet on the races, he wins a huge amount of money.

He sends all his relatives to rest in another country, and he buys a good house in the rural wilderness away from people. He would live in peace, but he decides to kidnap Miranda, which he successfully does. The second part of the book is written on behalf of the kidnapped girl, who at first is afraid of Clegg, but then realizes how unhappy and insignificant he is, and pity for him awakens in her soul. What's next for her?

3. The story "The Multiple Minds of Billy Milligan"

writer Daniel Keyes
Billy Milligan is an unusual person, 24 different personalities coexist in his body, which are radically different from each other. Among them there are adults, and children, and creative subtle natures, and villains. Because of them, Billy cannot control his actions, most of the time he is not subject to himself, which is why he goes to jail for rape, but Billy did not do this ...

4. Detective "Broken Dolls"

writer James Carol
Jefferson Winter is the son of one of America's most notorious serial killers, and in order to get rid of such a "legacy", Winter becomes a detective, and not a simple one, but a serial murder consultant helping the police solve complex cases. After all, he knows the logic of serial killers better than anyone ... A new case - a psychopath catches young girls and makes them a lobotomy, and Jefferson is obliged to find him as quickly as possible, because not everything that is broken can be fixed ...

5. Fiction "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

writer Douglas Adams
Arthur Dent was unaware of the existence of other civilizations until his house was decided to be demolished. He gets in the way of the bulldozer, but at that moment his friend named Ford comes, who reports that he is an alien from another world and very soon the Earth will be destroyed to build an intergalactic road. At the very last moment before the destruction of the Earth, friends manage to get on the ship of other aliens, where they are tortured for illegal entry, and then thrown into space, but even then they manage to escape. Since then, Arthur and Ford's incredible journey through the galaxy begins.

6. Detective "The One Who Wasn't"

writers Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac (Boileau-Narcejac)
"The One Who Wasn't" is a classic detective story that attracts with its conciseness and ease of writing, and also doesn't let go until the very end. It happens in life that it seems as if you have found "your" person, you fall in love, start a family, but over time you realize that this is a complete stranger. And the further - the worse, at first you just hate this creature nearby, and then you wish him a speedy death. The same thing happened to the main character of this work, because of which he plots to kill his wife, but life is a complicated thing, and everything turned out to be not as simple as he thought...

7. The story "Remembering my sad whores"

writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The protagonist of the book has been running all his life from serious feelings, from family and children, it seemed to him more reasonable to pay for quality sex than to give his heart to someone. On the day of his 90th birthday, he summons a young girl with whom he falls in love. At that moment, he remembers and realizes his whole life, analyzes it and regrets that he fell in love on the "threshold of death"...

8. The novel "The Maker of Angels"

writer Stefan Breis
The book The Angel Maker brings up the very popular topic of cloning, but it's not a common one. The protagonist of the work is a little boy with Asperger's syndrome, an orphan who is brought up in a monastery. No one expected that a genius would grow out of him, but very evil and cruel. He named his three children after archangels, but their behavior is close to diabolical - all the villagers are in fear of them. Who is to blame? Breins' work conveys to readers the essence of faith, social and humanitarian responsibility of a person to the whole world.

9. Detective "Snowman"

writer Y. Nesbe
Hole Harry is a Norwegian detective investigating the seemingly ordinary murders of married women. But his tenacious mind finds a connection between these murders and others that happened long before. All the women were killed at the time the first snow fell, they were all married, they had children, and there was always a snowman at the scene of the murder. Other detectives couldn't connect it together, but Hole understands that all these murders are the work of a serial maniac. Since then, his "hunt" for the killer, who was given the nickname "Snowman", begins.

10. The novel "The Thirteenth Tale"

writer Diana Setterfield
Margaret Lee is an ordinary seller in a bookstore, sometimes she wrote literary works, published some of them, but she never stood out in any way and nobody was interested in her work. That is why she was extremely surprised when she was approached by the popular writer Vida Winters with a request to write her autobiography.

Before meeting Vida, Margaret sincerely considered her works "thoughtless writings", but during her stay in her estate, she changes her mind. She finds a book by Vida Winters called "Thirteen Tales" from her father, but the thirteenth one is not in it. And Margaret will have to learn this complicated, but such an interesting story while writing her autobiography, which turns out to be the very unpublished "fairy tale".

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Popular world bestseller, which was filmed. The protagonist of the detective - Robert Langdon - a professor of the history of religion, receives disturbing news about the murder of the old caretaker of the Louvre. The killer left a secret message next to the victim. The professor takes over the investigation. Keys and mysteries hidden in the works of the genius Leonardo da Vinci lead him to an unexpected discovery.

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

Military doctor John Watson - by chance, settles in the house where Sherlock Holmes lives - a mysterious detective who can easily solve complicated crimes. In London at this time there is a series of murders following one after another. The police are unable to prevent them. Then Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson take over the investigation.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist takes on the investigation of what he thinks is a hopeless case. One elderly tycoon has been trying for 45 years to uncover the secret of a relative who disappeared at a young age and find out about her future fate. During the investigation, Mikael finds out that several murders are related to this case. As soon as the journalist gets closer to the solution, the hunt begins for him.

The Silence of the Lambs, Thomas Harris

A string of brutal murders, somehow connected to each other, swept through the western United States. The FBI involves Hannibal Lecter, a talented psychoanalyst and a real cannibal, convicted of brutal murders, to investigate. A young police officer, Clerice Starling, becomes close to Lector during an investigation in order to catch a brutal killer and a maniac.

"Ten Little Indians", Agatha Christie

Ten strangers arrive on the island after receiving invitations from the Onim family. Once in an empty mansion, they try to find out why they were called here, but they find only 10 figurines of little Indians, as in the famous children's rhyme. Suddenly, the guests begin to die one by one, and with each death, one figurine disappears from the shelf. The survivors are trying to figure out this terrible sequence.

Historical chronicle

"Joseph Stalin. Death of the Gods, Edvard Radzinsky

In the diaries of Stalin's faithful comrade-in-arms, a whole kaleidoscope of events in which he took part is highlighted. Here is the death of the fathers of the revolution, and a football match on Red Square on the day of terror, the Munich Pact, the fall of Poland, the fateful meeting between Stalin and Hitler. And finally, the camp hell, where Koba sent his faithful friend and comrade-in-arms.

"King Henry IV Chronicle Cycle", William Shakespeare

The work tells about the political life of England at the beginning of the 15th century, which was full of bloody conflicts and rebellious passions. With the coming to power of the first of the Lancaster family - King Henry IV, many heroes and figures appear in history, such as Henry Percy, Prince Harry, John Falstaff. The chronicle-dilogy is accompanied by detailed historical and literary comments.

Rome, Wilhelm Wegner

The book describes the birth, expansion and fall of the great empire of the Romans. The chronicle of the Eternal City begins with its founding in 753 BC until the decline of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. Historical facts intertwined with myths and legends and the author's writing talent make the book extremely fascinating.

"Richard III Chronicle Cycle", William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's famous tragedy about the fate of King Richard and his posthumous fame. The hero is the most controversial character in English history. Notorious after his death as a usurper and murderer, he still causes controversy among historians. Who is he, a criminal or a victim of posthumous slander - the main question that confronts the reader.

Party Gold, Igor Bunich

This book has gained popularity over the past 10 years. In his creation, the author for the first time presented from the point of view of money, gold, despicable metal, always relevant convertible currency, all events starting from the October Revolution, the coming to power of Lenin and his associates, as well as the next 70 years of the history of the USSR.

Classic

The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov

The novel is one of the most famous Russian-language works. In it, the fantasy of the magical world is intertwined with the real, ordinary and gloomy Moscow. The mystical atmosphere makes you plunge into the world of illusions and hidden hints. Behind the eternal confrontation between good and evil, the novel has a deep moral and political meaning.

"Crime and Punishment", Fyodor Dostoevsky

A difficult work about the inner struggle of a person with his conscience. Poor student Rodion Raskolnikov commits a double murder and faces a painful remorse. Having gone on the run, he finds love, but this does not save him. Unable to bear the torment, the hero surrenders to justice.

Faust, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The work is based on the famous German legend about the alchemist doctor Faust, who made a deal with the devil, selling his soul to him for eternal youth and worldly pleasures. But Mephistopheles will receive the soul of Faust only on the condition that he glorifies some moment of his life. Everyone is sure that he will remain the winner in the dispute.

The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens

The main character of the work is the orphan Oliver Twist. A boy with the appearance of an angel faces betrayal and meanness, goes through many adventures and becomes the epicenter of criminal events. How will his fate turn out?

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The story of six generations of one family living in the small town of Macondo. In a mysterious manuscript, the gypsy Melquiades predicted the death of the last of the Buendina line at the moment when the record was read. The recording was kept in the family for 100 years, but now it can be deciphered ...

Love novels

Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

A cult novel that was filmed. This story is not only about the love of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, but also a story about the difficult fate of ordinary people and the American Civil War with all the political squabbles. The novel has everything and can rightly be called a manual for seducing men.

The Thorn Birds, Clint McCullough

This is a story about a family of poor people who rose to the top of success and the difficult love of a young girl and a priest. The book is divided into seven parts, and each of them reveals the character of the main characters. The novel keeps in constant tension, because until the very end the question remains open - what will the heroes choose love or religion?

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Despite the 200th anniversary of its release, the novel has not lost its relevance. The love story of the poor noblewoman Elizabeth Bennet and the aristocrat Mr. Darcy is worthy of attention and prompts reflection. Events in the novel develop progressively: from an unpleasant first impression to mutual declarations of love.

P.S. I love you, Cecilia Ahern

This is modern love poetry. A romantic story, leading to tears, tells of a strong love, over which even death has no power. After her husband's funeral, Holly does not leave the house and withdraws into herself. One day, she receives a package of letters written by her loved ones with instructions on what she must do. Only after their implementation, the heroine begins to live on and enjoy every minute.

“Hello sadness!” Francoise Sagan

Cecile, after the death of her mother, is forced to live at the monastery, but their rigid framework and restrictions make the girl a rebel. Returning to a world without rules, she lives for her own pleasure and does not deny herself anything. She cannot step over her selfishness, even when she meets love. At this time, a friend of the deceased mother appears in Cecile's life, which can affect the future fate of the girl.

Adventures

Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts

The book is dedicated to the adventures of a fugitive criminal in the most mysterious, contrasting and controversial country in the world - India. The protagonist divorces his wife and loses parental rights, then becomes a drug addict and a robber. The court sentences him to 19 years in prison, but Roberts escapes from a maximum security prison ...

The Diamond Thieves, Louis Boussinard

An exciting journey through Africa of three Frenchmen who are in mortal danger in search of treasure. Against them are poisoned arrows by a native, and local bandits, and the police. Overcoming obstacles, friends again and again fall into the traps of the hot continent.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

The imperturbable and eccentric Englishman Mr. Fogg, taking with him an efficient servant Passport, goes on a trip around the world on a dare. The heroes are trying to circumnavigate the globe as quickly as possible, while experiencing a lot of incredible adventures. On the heels of travelers all the time follows the persistent detective Mr. Fix.

The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

Betrayed by friends and fiancee, young Edmond Dantes ends up in the Chateau d'If - the darkest and most terrible prison. Fate brings the protagonist to the old abbot, who teaches the young man the sciences and talks about the riches of Cardinal Spada. Dantes manages to escape from prison and take possession of the treasure. Further, a new world opens before him, in which he himself becomes the arbiter of destinies.

Journey to Kon-Tiki, Thor Heyerdahl

Six brave people decided to sail across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia on a raft. But there is only one real sailor in the team, he acts as a navigator, determines the location of the raft based on astronomical observations and marks the course on the map. The book makes you experience real adventures with the right team, plunge into the ocean, amazing with secret depths, and find yourself in the epicenter of the elements.

Modern prose

The Help, Katherine Stockett

The dramatic and humane novel became a bestseller and was translated into 40 languages. The plot describes the events of the 60s of the 20th century. The main characters, namely two black maids and a white young girl who dreams of becoming a writer, are united by a heightened sense of justice and a desire to somehow influence the order of things.

The Brand, Cecilia Ahern

An ideal young girl in everything, Celestina, one day finds herself in an unforeseen situation where, at the call of her heart, she breaks the law. Punishment cannot be avoided: either a prison or a stigma. In a world where the ideal is valued above all else, and the slightest deviation is unacceptable and punishable, the girl decides to resist the system.

"House for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

After a family tragedy, sixteen-year-old Jacob ends up on a mysterious island. He finds the ruins of an old house in which very strange children with incredible abilities lived, and understands that they can still be alive and very dangerous. Imagine his surprise when Jacob finds out that he is one of them.

Manyunya, Narine Abgaryan

A humorous story about childhood, soaked in the sun and the smell of the southern bazaar. The author tells about the girls' girlfriends Nara and Manyunya, as well as about Manyuni's grandmother and her relatives, who now and then get into all sorts of casus situations. Such a warm and mischievous, filled with fun adventures, childhood gives a person happiness for life.

The Thirteenth Tale, Diana Setterfield

Margaret Lee receives an offer to become the biographer of the famous writer Miss Winter, who became famous for not telling the truth to any journalist in her entire life. A gothic story about twin sisters unfolds before Margaret as soon as she finds herself in the gloomy mansion of the writer. In some strange way, this story echoes her fate and gradually leads to unraveling the mystery of the “thirteenth tale”.

Horror, mysticism

"Pet Sematary", Stephen King

The book tells about the exemplary Creed family, who lacked only a large old house for complete prosperity and idyll. After the move, the life of all household members turns into a nightmare. Since something terrible and powerful is hiding in the forest that surrounds the new house.

"Black Cat", Edgar Allan Poe

A story on behalf of an alcoholic who, in fits of insane anger, kills his beloved cat, and from that moment on, hell begins to happen to him. His house burns down, and the silhouette of a cat appears on the surviving wall. An alcoholic picks up a similar cat in a tavern, but strange things begin to happen to the new pet. And no matter how hard the hero tries to avoid him, the cat is always there.

The Exorcist, William Peter Blatty

Something is trying to take over the soul of a sweet and innocent child and turns the little girl Regan into a monster with a scary face and a wild voice. The tender soul of the girl trembles with pain and horror and is no longer able to resist the too strong devil, who is ready to celebrate the victory.

"Lullaby", Chuck Palahniuk

Sudden death syndrome causes 7,000 infant deaths every year. Doctors shrug their shoulders as reporter Carl Streitor starts investigating. It turns out that children die after they are read an old African lullaby, which was previously read only to the sick and hopeless, in order to free them from a painful death. Straitor proves that the lullaby is still valid.

It, Stephen King

One day, seven teenagers witnessed terrible events. But having matured, they forgot what they once had a chance to see. However, strange things begin to happen in their hometown, in which friends decide to figure it out, not even assuming that they will have to fight with a crazy, merciless, cruel creature with no name.

Fantastic

"End of Eternity", Isaac Asimov

The organization "Eternity" is engaged in the adjustment of human destinies, the control of time and reality. The main character - Andrew Harlan is fond of the primitive history of mankind and, like no one else, is suitable for the position of Chairman of the Council of Times. But love for a simple girl causes the fall of Eternity.

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

The work describes a single society of the state of the planet Earth, which exists for the purpose of consumption. New generations in this state are grown in factories, the institution of marriage is completely absent, and parents from childhood instill in their children love for their caste. Disregard for the lower strata of the population and admiration for the higher caste is considered the norm.

1984 George Orwell

Oceania is a country with a ruthless totalitarian regime, whose inhabitants are deprived of civil rights and individuality. In a state where most feelings are despised, an aversion to love and sexual relations is instilled, and marriages are made exclusively for reproductive purposes, a rigid social hierarchy operates and all power is concentrated in the hands of a single party.

Solaris, Stanislav Lem

The novel describes events that take place in the distant future. The work is based on two plot lines: the work of Dr. Kelvin on board the research station and a documentary story of the discovery and study of a new planet. The latter is presented in the book in the form of a library at the station.

"Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelley

Dr. Victor von Frankenstein managed to resurrect a unique person whose body was made up of parts of dead people. Subsequently, the professor renounces his creation, which turned out to be an ugly and monstrous creature. The scientist leaves the city, but a vile monster is chasing his creator.

fantasy

The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Narrative of the Great War for the Magic Ring. The one who receives the ring will receive power over the world and will take the side of Evil. The hobbit Frodo and his friends travel to the Fiery Mountain of Doom to destroy the ring. The heroes have interesting adventures that will forever change the lives of each of them.

A Song of Ice and Fire, George Martin

A sensational multi-volume saga about the amazing lands of eternal cold and the edges of endless summer. The novel tells about the prowess of knights, distant tribes and the confrontation between the powerful clans of the Seven Kingdoms in the Great War for the Iron Throne. But in addition to people, an army of the living dead enters into a mortal struggle, unprecedented until now.

The Chronicles of Narnia, Clive Staples Lewis

A series of 7 books loved by children and adults. A good fairy tale about a fantasy world where good fights evil, and animals can talk. Children enter a magical land called Narnia through an old wardrobe. Incredible adventures and amazing acquaintances await the heroes in the magical world.

The Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula Le Guin

A young man named Ged overcomes difficult trials and difficulties on the way from a village blacksmith to a powerful wizard of Earthsea. Here he meets true friends, learns true joy and pain. If he manages to go his way to the end, then he will have to face the most dangerous enemy.

The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny

The main contender for the royal crown in the Amber City - Prince Corvin - loses his memory and falls into the abandoned shadow of Amber in the ocean of Chaos. The locals call this shadow - the Earth ... From here begins the difficult magical path of the prince in a rich, vibrant and diverse world full of difficult mysteries.