What to read from modern times. In one breath
What should a summer reading book be like - exciting, witty, light? AiF.ru introduces you to new book releases that are pleasant not only to take with you on vacation, but also to tell your friends about them.
Modern Russian prose
Vacation is a good time to catch up and read what you haven't read. If you agree with this statement, then pay attention to current books by modern Russian authors.
"Aviator" Evgeniy Vodolazkin
Quote from the book: “Nothing is impossible during a person’s life—impossibility comes only with death. And even then it’s not necessary.”
The novel “The Aviator” by the winner of the “Big Book” and “Yasnaya Polyana” awards, Evgeniy Vodolazkin, today ranks first in the ranking of the most popular books in the “fiction” genre. And if you are not yet familiar with the current book of this season or the author who is already called “Russian” Umberto Eco", it's time to start reading The Aviator.
The hero of Vodolazkin’s new novel is a man who one day woke up in a hospital bed and realized that he didn’t remember anything. Now he has to rebuild his own life bit by bit. The strangest thing is that the calendar says 1999, and his memories are limited to St. Petersburg at the beginning of the twentieth century.
“Vera” Alexander Snegirev
Quote from the book: “Having made a choice, you recognize the path, and every path leads in one direction.”
This winter, Alexander Snegirev received the most prestigious Russian literary award “Russian Booker” for his book “Vera”. His novel is a story about a simple woman named Vera and her unsuccessful search for a real man in modern Russia.
Despite the fact that the choice of the Russian Booker laureate came as a surprise to many, Snegirev’s novel itself was definitely one of the most notable books of 2015. And those who have not yet had time to get acquainted with “Vera,” which reflects Russian reality, should hurry up and form their own opinion about it.
Detectives
If you like solving riddles, the detective genre is what you need. But keep in mind, psychologists say that detective stories, like scientific books, are taken up by those who find it difficult to relax even on vacation and need to maintain the usual level of tension.
"In the Service of Evil" Robert Galbraith
Quote from the book: “If you stop and look closely, beauty can be found almost everywhere, but when each new day is fought, you somehow forget about this free luxury.”
Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith is none other than the author of the cult saga about Harry Potter. Joanne Rowling. In the Service of Evil is her third book and the final installment in the series about private investigator Cormoran Strike. The “Harry Potter Mom” herself admits that “In the Service of Evil” is the only work that gives her the worst nightmares (while working on the manuscript, Rowling had to re-read a bunch of police reports and stories about serial killers).
The adventures in “Service of Evil” begin with Strike’s assistant Robin receiving a package containing a severed female leg. Now detectives have to unravel the name of the terrible criminal.
"Lontano" Jean-Christophe Grange
Quote from the book: “It’s only in the movies that a billionaire’s wife sleeps with a heroic and underpaid policeman. IN real life she prefers to stay by her pool.”
The book of the French journalist and writer Jean-Christophe Grange "Lontano" is today one of the most popular on Russian market. And the secret is not even in the name of the famous writer and journalist or in his regalia, but in the fact that the author, as usual, came up with a first-class thriller with a complex and exciting intrigue.
This time in the center of the detective story is the family of the French police chief, who are subject to daring attacks. What kind of criminal is operating in France and why the blows fall on the family of policeman number one is not so easy to guess, because Grange is famous for being able to keep readers in suspense until the very last page.
Memoirs and biographies
It has long been proven that reading memoirs and biographies satisfies not only people’s interest in peeping through the keyhole, but also secret narcissism (we all involuntarily look for ideal images of ourselves or our loved ones in great people).
"Jackie Chan. I'm happy" Jackie Chan, Mo Zhu
Quote from the book: “I am an ordinary person who has the courage to do something extraordinary.”
This sincere book will be of interest not only to fans of Chan's talent, but also to everyone who likes works about brave people who are not afraid to make and correct their own mistakes.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Best Stories by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark
Quote from the book: “If you need to cut down a tree with an ax, and you hit it every day with five strong blows“Even the biggest tree will fall to the ground in time.”
Sales of the most anticipated summer series, “Chicken Soup,” are starting in Russian bookstores. Interestingly, in 1993 this collection of small real stories no one in life wanted to publish it, and by 2016 the book, which was rejected by 144 publishing houses, became one of the most successful projects in the history of book publishing.
The collection “Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Best Stories” is called so for a reason - it contains hundreds of poignant stories that can heal emotional wounds and strengthen the spirit. The authors introduce readers to the most unexpected characters, among them a failed actress who finds true happiness after learning that she has cancer; the most beautiful girl city who falls in love with a hunchback after just two sentences and a 13-year-old girl who sold 45,526 boxes of cookies to make her mother's dream come true.
Romance novels
The fashion for novels in the “Fifty Shades of Gray” format has finally passed, and it’s time to look for new books and discover the names of authors not yet familiar to you.
"After You" Jojo Moyes
Quote from the book: “I doubt that happiness is a thing that can be earned.”
At the end of 2015, a continuation of the global bestseller “Me Before You” was published in Russia, which still remains the best-selling book in the country’s bookstores. A new book Jojo Moyes' After You tells what happened to the main character of the saga, Lou Clarke, after the death of her lover.
As Moyes herself admitted, she did not intend to write a sequel, but work on the script for the film adaptation and an endless number of letters asking how Lou’s future life turned out did not allow her to forget the characters of the popular novel.
“Sorry...” Janusz Wisniewski
Quote from the book: “Some things remain in memory and evoke appropriate associations only when they are correctly named.”
One of the most popular writers of modern Poland and the author of one of the most republished romance novels“Loneliness on the Internet” wrote a new poignant story. “Forgive me...” by Janusz Wisniewski is told from the perspective of a man who suddenly discovered his wife’s infidelity. The man cannot forgive the betrayal and becomes obsessed with revenge.
It seems that this fantastic story is just a fiction of the author, but in fact the book is based on real events that occurred in the early 1990s in Krakow: the popular jazz singer Andrzej Zauha and his companion Zuzanna Leśniak were shot dead by a jealous husband. Vishnevsky does not just retell this tragic story, he carefully examines the feelings of the heroes.
Books are one of the greatest legacies of humanity. And if before the invention of printing, books were available only to a select caste of people, then books began to spread everywhere. Each new generation gave birth to talented writers who created world masterpieces of literature.
Great works have reached us, but we are reading the classics less and less. The literary portal Buklya presents to your attention 100 best books of all times and peoples, which is a must read. On this list you will find not only classic works, but also modern books that have left their mark on history quite recently.
1 Mikhail Bulgakov
A novel that does not fit into the usual literary framework. This story mixes philosophy and everyday life, theology and fantasy, mysticism and realism, mysticism and lyricism. And all these components are intertwined with skillful hands into a coherent and vibrant story that can turn your world upside down. And yes, this is Bookly’s favorite book!
2
Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
Book from school curriculum, which is difficult to understand in the tender teenage years. The writer showed the duality of the human soul, when black is intertwined with white. The story is about Raskolnikov, who is going through an internal struggle.
3
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A small story with a huge life meaning. A story that makes you look at familiar things differently.
4
Michael Bulgakov
A surprisingly subtle and sarcastic story about people and their vices. The story is about an experiment that proved that you can make a human out of an animal, but you cannot take an “animal” out of a human.
5
Erich Maria Remarque
It is impossible to tell what this novel is about. You need to read the novel, and then you will understand that this is not just a story, but a confession. Confession about love, friendship, pain. A story of despair and struggle.
6
Jerome Salinger
The story of a teenager who shows with his own eyes his perception of the world, his point of view, his renunciation of the usual principles and principles of morality of society that do not fit into his individual framework.
7
Mikhail Lermontov
A lyrical and psychological novel that tells the story of a man with complex character. The author shows it with different sides. And the disrupted chronology of events makes you completely immerse yourself in the narrative.
8
Arthur Conan Doyle
The legendary investigations of the great detective Sherlock, which reveal the meanness of the human soul. Stories told by friend and assistant detective Dr. Watson.
9
Oscar Wilde
A story about pride, selfishness and a strong soul. A story that clearly shows what can happen to a person’s soul tormented by vices.
10
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
A fantastic trilogy about people and non-humans who fell under the power of the One Ring and its lord Sauron. The story is about those who are ready to sacrifice the most precious things and even their lives for the sake of friendship and saving the world.
11
Mario Puzo
A novel about one of the most powerful mafia families in America of the last century - the Corleone family. Many people know the film, so it’s time to start reading.
12
Erich Maria Remarque
After the First World War, many emigrants ended up in France. Among them is the talented German surgeon Ravik. This is the story of his life and love against the backdrop of the war he experienced.
13
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
The story of the Russian soul and stupidity. And the author’s amazing style and language makes the sentences sparkle with colors and shades that fully reveal the history of our people.
14
Colin McCullough
A stunning novel that tells not only about the love of a man and a woman and complex relationships, but also about feelings for family, native places and nature.
15
Emily Brontë
A family lives on a secluded estate and there is a tense atmosphere in their home. Difficult relationships have deep roots that are hidden in the past. The story of Heathcliff and Catherine will not leave any reader indifferent.
16
Erich Maria Remarque
A book about the war from the perspective of a simple soldier. The book is about how war breaks and cripples the souls of innocent people.
17
Hermann Hesse
The book simply turns all ideas about life upside down. After reading it, it is no longer possible to get rid of the feeling that you are one step closer to something incredible. This book has answers to many questions.
18
Stephen King
Paul Edgecombe former employee prison, which served in the block for convicts death penalty. It tells the life story of suicide bombers who were destined to walk the Green Mile.
20
Victor Hugo
Paris 15th century. On the one hand he is full of greatness, and on the other he looks like sewage pit. On the background historical events A love story unfolds between Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
21
Daniel Defoe
The diary of a sailor who was shipwrecked and lived alone on an island for 28 years. He had to go through too many trials.
22
Lewis Carroll
Strange and misterious story about a girl who, in pursuit of a white rabbit, finds herself in a different and wonderful world.
23
Ernest Hemingway
There is war on the pages of the book, but even in a world full of pain and fear, there is a place for beauty. To a wonderful feeling called love, which makes us stronger.
24
Jack London
What can love do? Martin's love for the beautiful Ruth made him struggle. He overcame many obstacles to become something great. A story about spiritual development and personality development.
25
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic and fascinating fairy tale in which magic intertwines with reality.
26
We are Evgeny Zamyatin
The novel is a dystopia, which describes an ideal society where there is no personal opinion, and everything happens according to schedule. But even in such a society there is a place for freethinkers.
27
Ernest Hemingway
Frederick volunteered to go to war, where he became a doctor. In the sanitary unit, where even the air is saturated with death, love is born.
28
Boris Pasternak
Beginning of the twentieth century. The Russian Empire has already embarked on the path of revolution. The story is about the life of the intelligentsia of that time, as well as the book raises questions of religion and touches on the mystery of life and death.
29
Vladimir Nabokov
A cautionary tale about people who betrayed their ideals. The book is about how bright and beautiful feelings evolve into something dark and disgusting.
30
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
The greatest work that draws you into the story of Faust, who sold his soul to the Devil. By reading this book you can walk the path of learning about life.
31
Dante Alighieri
The work consists of three parts. First we go to Hell to complete all 9 circles. Then Purgatory awaits us, through which we can atone for our sins. And only by reaching the top can you enter Paradise.
32
Anthony Burgess
Not the most pleasant story, but it shows human nature. A story about how you can make an obedient and silent doll out of any person.
33
Victor Pelevin
A complex story that is difficult to understand the first time. A story about the life of a decadent poet who is looking for his own path, and Chapaev leads Peter to enlightenment.
34
William Golding
What will happen to the children if they find themselves completely alone? Children have a delicate nature, which is quite susceptible to vices. And sweet, kind children turn into real monsters.
35
Albert Camus
36
James Clavell
The story of an English sailor who, by the will of fate, ended up in Japan. An epic novel with historical realities, intrigue, adventures and secrets.
37
Ray Bradbury
A collection of science fiction stories telling about the life of people on Mars. They almost destroyed the Earth, but what awaits the other planet?
38
Stanislav Lem
There is an Ocean on this planet. He is alive and he has a mind. Researchers face the difficult task of transferring knowledge to the ocean. And he will help make their dreams come true...
39
Hermann Hesse
The book is about an internal crisis that can happen to anyone. Inner devastation can destroy a person if one day you don’t meet a person on the way who will give you just one book...
40
Milan Kundera
Plunge into the world of sensations and feelings of the libertine Tomas, who is used to changing women, so that no one dares to take away his freedom.
41
Boris Vian
Each of the group of friends has their own destiny. Everything goes easy and simple. Friendship. Love. Conversations. But one event can change everything and destroy your usual life.
42
Iain Banks
Frank tells the story of his childhood and describes the present. He has his own world, which can collapse at any moment. Unexpected turning points in the plot add a special flavor to the whole story.
43
John Irving
This book raises themes of family, childhood, friendship, love, betrayal and betrayal. This is the world we live in with all the problems and shortcomings.
44
Michael Ondaatje
This book contains many themes - war, death, love, betrayal. But the main leitmotif is loneliness, which can take on a variety of forms.
46
Ray Bradbury
Books are our future, but what will happen if they are replaced by TV and one opinion? The answer to this question is given by a writer who was ahead of his time.
47
Patrick Suskind
The story of a mad genius. His whole life is wrapped in smells. He will go to any lengths to create the perfect scent.
48
1984 George Orwell
Three totalitarian states where even thoughts are controlled. The world is hateful, but there are people who can still resist the system.
49
Jack London
Alaska at the end of the 19th century. The era of the gold rush. And among human greed lives a wolf named White Fang.
50
Jane Austen
The Bennett family has only daughters, and the heir is a distant relative. And once the head of the family dies, the young girls will be left with nothing.
51
Evgeny Petrov and Ilya Ilf
Who doesn’t know Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov and their eternal failures, which are associated with the search for ill-fated diamonds.
52
Fedor Dostoevsky
53
Charlotte Bronte
Jane became an orphan early, and life in her aunt's house was far from happy. And love for a strict and gloomy man is far from a romantic story.
54
Ernest Hemingway
A short story from my own life ordinary person. But reading this work, you penetrate into amazing world, which is full of emotions.
55
Francis Scott Fitzgerald
A great novel that is filled with feelings. On the pages of the book awaits the beginning of the 20th century, when people were full of illusions and hopes. This story is about life values And true love.
56
Alexandr Duma
We are all familiar with the adventures of d'Artagnan and his closest friends. A book about friendship, honor, devotion, fidelity and love. And of course, like other works of the author, it was not without intrigue.
57
Ken Kesey
This story is told to the reader by a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Patrick McMurphy ends up in prison, in a psychiatric ward. But some people think that he is simply faking his illness.
59
Victor Hugo
The novel describes the life of an escaped convict who is hiding from the authorities. After escaping, he had to endure a lot of hardships, but he was able to change his life. But police inspector Javert is ready to do anything to catch the criminal.
60
Victor Hugo
The actor-philosopher met on his way a disfigured boy and a blind girl. He takes them under his wing. Against the background of physical defects, the perfection and purity of souls is clearly visible. It’s also a great contrast to the life of the aristocracy.
61
Vladimir Nabokov
The novel tightens its unhealthy web of passions and unhealthy love. The main characters gradually go crazy, subject to their base desires, like all of them. the world. This book definitely won't have a happy ending.
62
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic story that describes the life of stalker Redrick Shewhart, who extracts extraterrestrial artifacts from anomalous Zones on Earth.
63
Richard Bach
Even a simple seagull can get tired of the drab life, and become bored with everyday life. And then Chaika devotes her life to her dream. The seagull gives his whole soul on the way to his cherished goal.
64
Bernard Werber
Michel ended up at the court of the archangels, where he will have to undergo the weighing of his soul. After the trial, he faces a choice - to go to earth in a new incarnation or become an angel. The path of an angel is not simple, just like the life of mere mortals.
65
Ethel Lilian Voynich
A story about freedom, duty and honor. And also about different types love. In the first case, it is the love of a father for his son, which has survived many trials and will pass through generations. In the second case, it is love between a man and a woman, which is like a fire, then goes out, then flares up again.
66
John Fowles
He is a simple town hall servant, lonely and lost. He has a passion - collecting butterflies. But one day he wanted to add to his collection a girl who captivated his soul.
67
Walter Scott
The narrative of the novel will take readers into the distant past. During Richard's time Lion Heart and the first crusades. This is one of the first historical novels that everyone must read.
68
Bernhard Schlink
There are a lot of questions in the book that remain unanswered. The book makes you think and analyze not only what is happening on the pages, but also your life. This is a story about love and betrayal that will not leave anyone indifferent.
69
Ayn Rand
Socialists come to power and set a course for equal opportunities. The authorities believe that the talented and rich should improve the well-being of others. But instead of a happy future, the familiar world is plunging into chaos.
71
Somerset Maugham
The story of an actress who has worked in the theater all her life. And what is reality for her: acting on stage or acting in life? How many roles do you have to play every day?
72
Aldous Huxley
Dystopian novel. Satire novel. A world where Henry Ford became a god, and the creation of the first Ford T car is considered the beginning of time. People are simply raised, but they don’t know anything about feelings.
75
Albert Camus
Meursault lives a detached life. It seems that his life does not belong to him at all. He is indifferent to everything and even his actions are saturated with loneliness and renunciation of life.
76
Somerset Maugham
Philip's life story. He is an orphan and throughout his life he not only searches for the meaning of life, but also for himself. And the main thing is to understand the world and people around us.
77
Irvine Welsh
The story of friends who one day discovered drugs and euphoria. Each character is unusual and quite smart. They valued life and friendship, but only until the moment when heroin came first.
78
Herman Melville
Ahab, the captain of a whaling ship, set the goal of his life to take revenge on a whale named Moby Dick. Wit ruin too many lives to let him live. But as soon as the captain starts hunting, mysterious and sometimes terrible events begin to happen on his ship.
79
Joseph Heller
One of the best books about World War II. In it, the author was able to show the senselessness of war and the monstrous absurdity of the state machine.
80
William Faulkner
Four characters, each telling their own version of events. And to understand what we are talking about, you need to read to the end, where the puzzles will fit into a single picture of life and secret desires.
82
Joanne Rowling
83
Roger Zelazny
A classic of the fantasy genre. The chronicles are divided into two volumes of 5 books. In this cycle you can find travel in space and time, wars, intrigue, betrayal, as well as loyalty and courage.
84
Andrzej Sapkowski
One of the best fantasy series. The series includes 8 books, with the last one being “Season of Thunderstorms”, which is best read after the first or second book. This is a story about the Witcher and his adventures, his life and love, and also about the girl Ciri, who can change the world.
85
Honore de Balzac
An amazing story about the boundless and sacrificial love of a father for his children. About love that was never mutual. About the love that destroyed Father Goriot.
86
Gunther Grass
The story is about a boy named Oskar Matzerath, who, when the National Socialists came to power in Germany, refuses to grow up in protest. Thus, he expresses his protest to the changes in German society.
87
Boris Vasiliev
A poignant story of war. About true love for parents, friends, and the Motherland. This story must be read to feel the entire emotional component of this story.
88
Stendhal
The story is about Julien Sorel and the soul, in which there is a confrontation between two feelings: passion and ambition. These two feelings are so intertwined that it is often impossible to distinguish between them.
89
Lev Tolstoy
An epic novel that describes an entire era, delving into the historical realities and artistic world of that time. War will be replaced by peace, and the peaceful life of the characters depends on the war. Many heroes with unique personalities.
90
Gustave Flaubert
This story is recognized as the greatest work of world literature. Emma Bovary dreams of a beautiful social life, but her husband, a provincial doctor, cannot satisfy her requests. She finds lovers, but will they be able to fulfill Madame Bovary's dream?
91
Chuck Palahniuk
No matter how much the work of this author is criticized, it cannot be denied that his book “Fight Club” is one of the symbols of our generation. This is a story about people who decided to change this dirty world. The story is about a man who was able to resist the system.
92
Markus Zusak
Winter Germany in 1939, when Death has too much work, and after six months the work will increase significantly. A story about Liesel, about fanatical Germans, about a Jewish fighter, about thefts and about the power of words.
93
Alexander Pushkin
The novel in verse tells the story of the fate of the noble intelligentsia with their vices and selfishness. And at the center of the story is a love story without a happy ending.
94
George Martin
A fantastic story about another world ruled by kings and dragons. Love, betrayal, intrigue, war and death, all for the sake of power.
95
David Mitchell
History of past, present and future. Stories of people from different times. But these stories make up a single picture of our entire world.
96
Stephen King
A fantastic series of novels by the master of horrors. This series interweaves genres. The books closely coexist with horror, western, science fiction and other genres. This is the story of the gunslinger Roland, who is searching for the Dark Tower.
97
Haruki Murakami
A story about human destinies in Japan in the 60s of the twentieth century. A story about human loss. Memoirs of Tooru, which will introduce the reader to different people and their stories.
98
Andy Weir
By chance, an astronaut is left alone at a space base on Mars. He has a limited amount of resources, but no connection with people. But he doesn’t give up, he believes that they will come back for him.
100
Samuel Beckett
An amazing play where everyone decides for themselves mysterious person Godot. The author gives you the opportunity to find the answer to the question “who is he?” A specific person? Strong personality? Collective image? Or God?
I would like to include many more books in this top. Therefore, dear readers, write in the comments about those books that you consider the best. We will add books to the top and, with your help, expand it to the 1000 best books of all times.
"Bartleby and Company" - not really piece of art, rather something between a full-fledged novel, diary, article and scientific work. This is a kind of study of the so-called “No direction,” writers who voluntarily abandoned their activities. From literature. The reasons are different, the talents are different, but the research of Enrique Vila-Matas is the same.
It is also necessary to note that before reading “Bartleby and Company” it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the original work, the name of the main character of which was borrowed by Vila-Matas - this is the story “Bartleby the Scribe” by Herman Melville, which is quite interesting in itself. It tells about a certain office worker whose life's motive was the word No. Remember how in the movie with Jim Carrey Always say yes". Something similar here, only in reverse.
About the book "Drinking Time" - Philippe Delerme
Novel " Time drinker"Philippe Delerme is the literature of the stream of consciousness. In other words, all events, as well as descriptions and actions in it, are subordinated to the flow of the author's mental activity: what Philippe Delerme thinks about, he writes. Without thinking about what he writes, he writes further. And further , etc. At first glance, everything is simple, but it’s not so.
Reading such literature is incredibly difficult, since it is almost completely devoid of plot. Or it is such that no meaning can be found in it. Suffice it to say that the main character of Philippe Delerme's novel is the man from the bubble from Folon's painting. If this doesn't scare you, half the battle is over.
If you suffer from insomnia, or you simply don’t know what to do in the evening before bed, then start reading! But be careful, because some books are so interesting that you won't even notice the morning comes!
Photo: goodfon.ru
So, a list of fascinating books that will interest both “avid readers” and novice “book lovers”:
“The One Who Has Come in Large Numbers”, Narine Abgaryan
This is a tragicomedy about a young and ambitious girl who, at the beginning of the difficult 90s, decided to leave her native small mountainous republic and conquer the capital. And she immediately realized that each visitor, whom the author calls “who came in large numbers,” has his own Moscow. Some people see it in the millions of people scurrying through the streets, while others get the opportunity to get close to such people. And some of them protect, protect, care, help, support and simply love. The author of the book talks about his small piece of that very “common” life of a newcomer, which many indigenous residents of big cities have no idea about. And there is room for heroic deeds, the most important of which is to decide to emigrate and accept a new place as it is, and to sincerely love it. And then Moscow will certainly reciprocate.
"The Collector" John Fowles
This is the author’s debut story, and for many it almost chills the blood, because this is a real psychological thriller that excites the mind. The plot is the destinies of two people connected with each other. He is a butterfly collector. There is an emptiness in his soul that he strives to fill with beauty. And one day Ferdinand finds himself a beautiful victim - the girl Miranda. It’s as if she was created to create and enjoy freedom. And he understands that he will give everything to have her. And so, Miranda becomes Ferdinand's prisoner. But will he be able to keep real Life, Beauty, Freedom and all the most beautiful things that can be in the human soul within the walls of the castle?
The story is built on the delicate relationship between the victim and the villain and allows you to rethink many of the stories of world classics that seemed to have long been worn out.
Forrest Gump, Winston Groom
This is the story of a mentally retarded guy, which he himself outlined on the pages of a now legendary book, which formed the basis of the film of the same name. The plot can be called practically the embodiment of the myth about that very “American Dream” that disturbed the minds of millions of young people who lived in the second half of the last century. But at the same time, this is a sharp and even slightly cruel satirical parody of the society of that time, which was not ready to accept people who were somehow different from the mainstream. Forrest Gump was different and therefore became an object of ridicule. But this boy is not crazy at all. He is different, and he has access to what others cannot see and feel. He's special.
Amsterdam, Ian McEwan
The author of the book is one of the representatives of the “elite” of modern British prose. And for the work, which became a real world bestseller, he received the Booker Prize. Viktor Golyshev, who translated this creation into Russian, also received the award. It would seem that the story is simple and very relevant. But how many nuances there are in it, how many thoughts, how many doubts! The main characters are two friends. One of them is a successful editor of a popular newspaper. The second is a brilliant composer of our time who is writing the “Millennium Symphony”. And they enter into an agreement on euthanasia, under the terms of which, if one falls into a state of unconsciousness and ceases to understand what he is doing, then the other will take his life.
"Amendment 22" by Joseph Heller
Although more than half a century has passed since the release of the first book, this work still remains legendary and one of the most popular, and many publications included it in the list of the best novels.
This is not your typical story about US Air Force pilots in World War II. They all find themselves in absurd situations, encounter absurd people and rash actions, and commit incomprehensible acts themselves. And all this is connected with a certain amendment No. 22, which actually does not exist on paper, but states that every military man who does not want to carry out a combat mission is completely normal and therefore fit for service. But in fact, in this story one can see not so much an anti-war novel, but a deep and global mockery of modern everyday life, of society and current laws.
"A Conspiracy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
The author of this book, who, by the way, lived to see the award Pulitzer Prize for this creation, he was able to create a literary hero, unlike any described in satirical literature. Ignatius J. Riley is a creative, imaginative and eccentric personality. He fancies himself an intellectual, but in reality he is a glutton, a spendthrift and a quitter. He is like a modern Don Quixote or Gargantua, who despises society for its lack of geometry and theology. He is reminiscent of Thomas Aquinas, who began his own hopeless war against everything and everyone: representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation, the excesses of the century and even intercity buses. And this image is so interesting, unusual and, unfortunately, relevant that everyone can see a part of themselves in it.
“Monday begins on Saturday”, Strugatsky Brothers
This book is a real masterpiece of Russian science fiction, a kind of embodiment of the utopia of the Soviet era, a kind of artistic fulfillment of the dream of possibilities modern man learn, create, explore and solve the mysteries of the Universe.
The main characters of the book are employees of NIICHAVO (Research Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry). They are masters and magicians, real pioneers. And they will face many amazing events and phenomena: a time machine, a hut on chicken legs, a genie and even an artificially grown man!
"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
This book became a real bestseller. This is a mysterious and fascinating story of a girl, Rachel, who, from the train window, watches, as it seems to her, ideal spouses. She even gave them names: Jason and Jess. Every day she sees the cottage of a man and a woman and understands that they probably have everything: prosperity, happiness, wealth and love. And Rachel had all this, but not so long ago she lost it all. But one day, approaching an already well-known cottage, the girl realizes that something is going wrong. She sees frightening, mysterious and disturbing events. And after that perfect wife Jess goes missing. And Rachel understands that it is she who must reveal this secret and find the woman. But will the police take her seriously? And, in general, is it worth interfering in someone else’s life? This is for the readers to find out.
"The Book of Life: Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
IN recent months Throughout his life, the old professor managed to make several important discoveries.
He realized that death is not the end at all. This is the beginning. And that means dying is the same as preparing for something unknown and new. And this is not scary at all, but even interesting.
Before leaving for another world, the old man passed on such knowledge to everyone who was with him in the last minutes of his earthly life. What's next? Will we find out?
"The Trial", Franz Kafka
The author is one of the most beloved, mysterious, readable and popular writers of the last century. He managed to create a unique artistic Universe, in which everything is completely different from real life. She is sad, dreary and almost absurd, but incredible and bewitchingly beautiful. Her characters constantly become participants in strange adventures, they search for the meaning of life and try to get answers to questions that have long tormented them. The novel “The Trial” is the work that will allow us to most clearly understand the mysterious nature of Franz Kafka’s work.
Lord of the Flies, William Golding
This book can be called strange, scary and incredibly attractive.
In the story, boys brought up in the best traditions find themselves on a desert island. The author told readers a philosophical parable about how fragile the world is and what can happen to people who forget about kindness, love and mercy. This is a dystopia with some symbolic overtones, which explores the behavioral characteristics of children who find themselves in war time on a desert island. Will they be able to maintain their humanity or will they submit to natural instincts?
"Rita Hayworth or the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King
The plot of this book is the story of a man whose horrible dream became a reality overnight. He, innocent of anything, was thrown into prison, into a real hell in which he would spend the rest of his life. And no one has ever managed to escape from this terrible place. But the main character does not intend to give up and put up with what was destined for him by fate. He took a desperate step. But will he be able to not only escape, but also get used to freedom and the new world, and survive in it? By the way, this work by the real king of fantasy Stephen King served as the basis for the film of the same name, which starred Morgan Freeman and Tim Robinson.
The events take place in England in 1960. Jennifer Sterling wakes up after a terrible car accident and realizes that she cannot remember who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t remember her husband either. She would have continued to live in ignorance if she had not completely accidentally found letters addressed to her and signed with the letter “B”. Their author confessed his love to Jennifer and persuaded her to leave her husband. Next, the author takes readers to the 21st century. Young reporter Ellie finds one of the letters written by the mysterious “B” in the newspaper archives. She hopes that by taking up the investigation, she will be able to unravel the mystery of the author and recipient of the messages, restore her reputation, and even understand her own personal life.
“A lady with glasses with a gun in a car”, Sebastien Japrisot
The main character of the book is blonde. She is beautiful, sentimental, sincere, deceitful, restless, stubborn and clueless. This lady, who has never seen the sea, gets into a car and tries to escape from the police. At the same time, she constantly repeats to herself that she is not crazy.
But those around me do not agree with this. The heroine behaves more than strangely and constantly finds herself in ridiculous situations. She believes that wherever she goes, she can be harmed. But if she runs away, she will be able to be alone with herself and free herself from what she hides, from what worries her so much.
The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt
The author wrote this book for ten whole years, but it became a real masterpiece. It tells us that art has power and strength, and sometimes it can radically change and literally turn our lives around, and quite suddenly.
The hero of the work, 13-year-old boy Theo Decker, miraculously survived the explosion that killed his mother. His father abandoned him, and he is forced to wander around foster families and completely strange homes. He visited Las Vegas and New York and almost despaired. But his only consolation, which, by the way, almost led to his death, is the masterpiece of the Dutch old master, which he stole from the museum.
Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell
This book is like a complex mirror labyrinth, in which seemingly completely different and unrelated stories miraculously echo, intersect and overlap each other.
There are six main characters in the work: a young composer who is forced to sell his soul and body; 19th century notary; a journalist working in California in the 70s of the last century who uncovers a conspiracy of a large company; a clone servant working in a modern fast food establishment; a modern small publisher and a simple goatherd living at the end of civilization.
"1984", George Orwell
This work can be classified as a dystopian genre; it describes a society in which a strict totalitarian regime reigns.
There is nothing more terrible than the imprisonment of free and living minds in the shackles of social foundations.
"Blackberry Winter" by Sarah Gio
The events take place in 1933 in Seattle. Vera Ray kisses her little son before going to bed and goes to the hotel for night work. In the morning, a single mother discovers that the entire city is covered in snow, and her son has disappeared. In a snowdrift near the house, Vera finds the boy’s favorite toy, but there are no traces nearby. A desperate mother is ready to do anything to find her child.
The author then takes readers to modern-day Seattle. Reporter Claire Aldridge writes an article about a snowstorm that literally paralyzes the city. By chance she learns that similar events already took place 80 years ago. As Claire begins to explore the mysterious story of Vera Ray, she realizes that it is somehow mysteriously intertwined with her own life.
"Blindness", Jose Saramago
Residents of a nameless country and a nameless city are faced with a strange epidemic. They all quickly begin to go blind. And the authorities, in order to stop this incomprehensible disease, decide to introduce strict quarantine and move all sick people to the old hospital, taking them into custody.
The main characters of the work are an infected ophthalmologist and his pretending to be blind wife. They are trying to piece together the world and find order in this chaos that is gradually enveloping everyone.
“Three apples fell from the sky”, Narine Abgaryan
This book is the story of one small village, which is located somewhere high in the mountains.
Its inhabitants are all a little grumpy, a little eccentric, but at the same time, real treasures of the spirit are hidden in each of them.
This is a witty, sublime and unusual dystopia about a modern consumer society, which is programmed at the genetic level. And in this world unfolds the sad story of the Savage, whom the author regards as the Hamlet of our time. He still retains remnants of humanity, but people, divided into castes of social consumption, do not want to recognize him or simply cannot do so.
If we list noteworthy books by contemporary authors, we cannot fail to mention the work “Social network “Ark” by Evgeny Vetzel, which consists of three parts.
Main character falls from the roof, but is reborn again. Having lived a little in the 11th century, he finds himself in the distant future - in the 36th century in Moscow. The author touches on many interesting devices, psychology and sales techniques, modern reflections on life, and reasons to think seriously about rhetorical issues. The second book describes life in America and the theory of one of the variants of a worldwide conspiracy. And the third part tells about the adventures of the hero on another planet where white angels live.
These were the most interesting books, which are worth reading even for those who think they don’t like to read. They will change your views and even your ideas about the world.
P.S. What books do you remember most?
novel
Saniye Parinush
"Book of Destiny"
The story of an Iranian woman who experiences all the circles of the patriarchal hell that triumphs around her - the inability to get an education, the inaccessibility of true love, beatings and humiliation, a forced marriage with a stranger. The narrative is aggravated by the fact that the book's action stretches over five decades of political turbulence with the well-known attempt at revolution at the end. The book was banned, then for some reason it was allowed, now the national bestseller about the horrors of traditional society is being actively translated into other languages.
stories
Alice Munro
“More expensive than life itself”
A collection of life stories from a wise, pretty old lady from Canada, part-time laureate Nobel Prize on literature 2013. Among her heroes are broken soldiers avoiding their brides, guilt-ridden fathers, women with complex internal device- and she clearly succeeds in the latter better than everyone else. Critics note in Munro's works the importance of the religious component, the warmth of childhood memories and the triumph of inner experiences over the plots. According to the writer, “More precious than life itself” is her last work in literature.
biographical notes
Pavel Basinsky
"No violinist needed"
Basinsky is a literary historian and philologist, widely known primarily for his high-quality non-fiction about Yasnaya Polyana on the eve of Tolstoy’s departure and Gorky’s impeccable ZhZL. His new job- also a collection of biographical and critical notes about Russian writers, only now Prilepin or Grishkovets can easily appear next to the recognized classics.
women's novel
Jojo Moyes
"One plus one"
A well-written women's novel about a single mother forced to work two jobs in order to feed her restless, “special” children. The habitually unbearable life begins to fall apart until a stranger appears in it, doomed to help deal with all adversity and build a family eden together. Despite the banal synopsis, this is most likely a kind and positive book that sometimes everything works out and happiness comes at the very end. The main confirmation of quality is the endless wave of positive reviews from female users of the site Goodreads.
stories
Robert Sheckley
"Ancient Curiosity Shop: Stories"
A selection of stories by a classic of the fantasy genre, known for his often surreal, ironic and mocking style. Sheckley gravitated towards short forms and, despite hundreds of published works, at the later stage of his work he turned out to be more popular in Russia than in his homeland. It is unlikely that his texts will be suitable for fans of “high-brow” science fiction: the author was often accused of being “unscientific,” but at the same time was praised for his fascinating plots and unique language.
story
Alexey Varlamov
"Mental Wolf"
Philologist and historian, like Basinsky, noted in last years strong ZhZL publications, apparently, decided to collect all his favorite heroes under one cover and reflect on the possible history of ideas between the catastrophes of 1914 and 1918. Sectarians, writers and intellectuals with well-traced historical prototypes discuss Nietzsche, Russia and the end of the world, which is personified through the chimera of a “mental wolf” gnawing at their interlocutors from the inside.
novel
Benjamin Lital
"Map of Tulsa"
A much-praised debut novel from a young author who bookstore marketers sometimes tout as a Salinger follower. The main character is an impressionable young man, exploring his native outback during the holidays and painfully experiencing a strange love for a girl whom he accidentally met at a party. The momentary space around him is shrinking, provoking important and simple questions, the main one of which is how to break away from this gentle mirage and is it worth doing it at all?
stories, novellas and essays
Tatiana Tolstaya
"Light Worlds"
Tatiana Nikitichna's first book in ten years, which includes accumulated essays, short stories and novellas. Most of the stories are of a personal nature, scattered across cities and countries, new places of residence and settlement, decorated with corrosive observations from life and memory. This change in perspective may be main value collection.
A spy novel where the double life of the characters and flashbacks from their mysterious past come into conflict with the monotony of an improving family life. The main character has to give up 15 years of unreported work for the American government and move to Luxembourg: her husband has a new assignment. The main idea of the book, apparently, is that spouses usually know as little about each other as employees of opposing intelligence services, and disorder is a condition for modern world chronic and even unifying. Sometimes it is not entirely clear what the heroine is actually doing - unraveling a network of spy intrigues or trying to understand her own values. In any case, this most often makes critics go into joyful convulsions.