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BRAVE NEW WORLD
ALDON HUXLEY
A classic novel that envisions a utopian society but at what cost? Would you accept a world where individuality is suppressed and happiness is manufactured through genetic engineering and mind-altering substances? All in the ideal of peace on earth.
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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
“Crime and Punishment” was first published in 1866, by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Set in St. Petersburg, it follows the life of an impoverished yet intellectually gifted student who commits a brutal act.
The novel then delves deep into the human psyche, personal morality and the consequential justification of one’s actions.
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1984
Written by George Orwell, 1984 is a dystopian masterpiece that explores a bleak future under totalitarian rule and draws uncomfortable comparisons to elements of today’s society.
The Picture of Dorain Gray
Oscar Wilde’s provocative and philosophical tale of a man whose portrait ages while he remains eternally youthful. Wilde looks into the destructive allure of eternal youth and the potential moral decay.
The Little Prince
A whimsical and philosophical tale of a young prince’s interstellar journey, exploring the beauty of innocence and the complexities of human nature.
The Quiet
Susan Cain explores the strengths and importance of introversion in a society that often values extroverted traits.
The Republic
A philosophical work discussing justice, the ideal state and the nature of the just individual. This novel explores foundational questions in political philosophy and ethics.
The Road to Serfdom
A seminal work in political philosophy that warns against the dangers of collectivism and the loss of individual freedoms in a planned economy.
The Elements of Style
The Elements of Style is a timeless guide to English grammar and composition, a fundamental resource for writers striving for clarity and precision.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Encompasses timeless plays and sonnets that explore human nature, love, tragedy, comedy and the human condition.
Crime and Punishment
Russian classic that delves into the psyche of Raskolnikov, an impoverished student who commits murder. Dostoevsky continues by exploring the morality, guilt, and redemption that follows.
The Communist Manifesto
A seminal political document that lays out the principles of communism, critiquing the socio-economic structure of capitalist societies and highlighting class struggle and the call for a workers’ revolution.
Fahrenheit
Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel explores a future society where books are banned and “firemen” burn them. This novel delves into themes of censorship and intellectual suppression.
A Tale of Two Cities
A historical novel set during the tumultuous times of the French Revolution. This novel explores themes of resurrection, sacrifice and the duality of human nature.
Think and Grow Rich
Written in 1937, this is one of the original, if not the first, self-help books to offer guidance on wealth-building through the power of positive thinking, goal setting and persistence.
The Souls of Black Folk
A seminal work of African-American literature. Du Bois addresses racial inequality and the struggle for civil rights in the United States in the early 20th century.
The Second Sex
The Second Sex is a foundational feminist text that examines the social construction of womanhood and the implications of patriarchy on women’s lives. A pivotal work in the 60’s feminist wave.
The Giver
A thought-provoking dystopian novel, portraying a seemingly perfect society and a young boy’s awakening to the realities of his world. This novel raises questions about freedom and choice.
The Road Less Travelled
A self-help classic that combines psychology and spirituality, emphasising discipline, love, and spiritual development as the path to fulfilment.
The Kite Runner
A powerful novel that unravels the complex relationship between two friends against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s tumultuous history.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
A heart-wrenching novel that weaves the lives of two Afghan women, Laila and Mariam, through decades of war and hardship. The author showcases human resilience and enduring friendship.
The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls’ memoir, recounts her tumultuous upbringing in a dysfunctional family marked by poverty, nomadism and unconventional parenting.
Lord of the Flies
A thought-provoking novel that depicts the descent into savagery of a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island. The author examines the darkness within human nature and the danger of the mob mentality.
The Name of the Wind
A fantasy novel that follows the life of Kvothe, a gifted musician and magician, as he recounts his extraordinary adventures.
The Secret History
A dark and captivating novel that unravels the mysterious world of a close-knit group of classics students, revealing secrets, obsession and murder.
Animal Farm
A satirical novella that allegorically portrays the Russian Revolution and Stalinist era. Through a farm’s animal characters, it exposes the corrupting nature of power and totalitarianism.
The Handmaid's Tale
A chilling novel set in a totalitarian society, where women are subjugated and used for procreation, exploring themes of oppression, gender and resistance.
The God of Small Things
A haunting family saga set in Kerala, India, delving into themes of love, caste and societal norms with lyrical prose.
SPQR
Mary Beard writes an engaging perspective on Rome’s history, exploring Roman society, culture, politics, military, religion and daily life. Covering everything from Rome’s founding to the fall of an Empire.
The Sound and the Fury
A modernist masterpiece that examines the lives of the Compson family. The author offers a fragmented narrative and a profound exploration of time and memory.
Beloved
A haunting and emotionally charged novel that deals with the legacy of slavery and the deep psychological scars it leaves.
The Alchemist
A philosophical novel that follows Santiago’s journey in search of a hidden treasure. This novel offers a perspective into personal legend and destiny.
100 Years of Solitude
A magical realist masterpiece that chronicles the Buendía family’s seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo. Blending history, myth and reality.
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point investigates the dynamics of how ideas, trends and social behaviours reach a critical mass, examining the subtle factors that create significant cultural shifts.
The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
A hilarious and absurd science fiction series that follows the adventures of Arthur Dent as he explores the cosmos with an eclectic cast of characters.
The Canterbury Tales
A collection of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims during their journey to Canterbury, offering a vivid snapshot of medieval society.
The Divine Comedy
A monumental epic that takes readers on a spiritual journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. Exploring themes of theology, morality and human nature.
The Great Gatsby
A classic American novel set within the glamour of the roaring twenties. It portrays the decadence and disillusionment of the era, centered around the mysterious Jay Gatsby.
Catcher in the Rye
A coming-of-age novel that which follows the main character, Holden Caulfield as he grapples with the complexities of being an adolescent and his struggles with societies fakeness.
The Bell Jar
The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel that delves into the mental breakdown of Esther Greenwood. Plath delivers a raw and powerful exploration of mental illness and societal pressures.
Feminine Mystique
The Feminine Mystique unapologetically critiques the limited roles imposed on women in the 1960’s. This novel ignited the movement for women’s rights and equality in America.
Upanishads
Ancient Indian texts that explore the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of life. They form a crucial part of Hindu philosophy and seek the true nature of reality and the self.
The Sun Always Rises
The Sun Also Rises looks into the lives of disillusioned post-World War I expats and explores themes of love, masculinity and the lost generation. The novel’s title reflects life’s cyclical nature.
The Idiot
Through richly drawn characters and philosophical discourse, Dostoevsky explores themes of love, faith, morality and the search for meaning in a world plagued by greed, jealousy and deceit.
No Longer Human
Osamu Dazai is a Japanese classic that examines the life of our troubled protagonist. This story looks into themes of alienation, mental illness and societal detachment.
Sapiens
A sweeping exploration of the human journey from ancient hunter-gatherer societies to the modern age. This book sucessfully blends history, biology and philosophy.
Siddhartha
This book follows the spiritual journey of Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as the Buddha. It offers profound insights into human existence as discovered in his quest for enlightenment.
The Stranger
An existentialist novel that unravels the life of an emotionally detached French Algerian, who grapples with the absurdity of life and the consequences of his actions.
Elon Musk
Detail the life of the visionary entrepreneur and business magnate known for founding SpaceX and Tesla. Elon has exploded into space exploration, sustainable living and transportation.
The Metamorphosis
A surreal novella that follows Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a giant insect. This bizarre tale takes the reader into a world of isolation, alienation and the possible absurdity of existence.