A great weekend or something to read for the soul. What to read for the soul and mind

Summer is in full swing, and you need to spend time with benefit not only for the soul and body, but also for the brain. The best food for the mind is books. Only, mind you, real ones - paper ones! Take them with you to the beach, open them in the evenings in outdoor cafes, read them in bed while the rain sounds, and don’t forget to put them in your suitcase when you go on a trip. Reading will become not only fashionable for you, but also a truly useful habit if you use our list of 11 books that you should definitely read this summer!

Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

We have all heard stories about how a successful and successful entrepreneur or employee gave up everything, sold his property and went to some distant land in search of spiritual truth. Robin Sharma's work, which has been recognized more than once as a bestseller, tells the story of one of these characters: a very wealthy lawyer, experiencing a spiritual crisis, leaves his former life for the sake of immersion in ancient culture, in order, thanks to Eastern wisdom, to awaken his soul and overcome the melancholy that has settled in it. . Let's see what he can learn!

Alice Munro, "More Than Life"

The Canadian writer, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013, is considered a continuator of the traditions of A.P. Chekhov for her simplicity, purity and, of course, brevity. “More expensive than life itself” is literally Munro’s last work: according to the writer, she does not plan to continue her literary works. The book is a collection of short stories telling about the life stories and destinies of the heroes. If you love descriptions of the subtle inner world of characters, this book is definitely for you!

Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

For some, this summer will not be complete without a magnificent book by the famous writer, which makes you think about the transience of time, kindness, and fleeting moments of happiness that need to be noticed. Full of warm and sunny memories, this work will help you enjoy the nostalgia of childhood and feel every moment associated with the most beautiful time of the year. If you haven’t read this book yet, it’s time to rectify the situation!

Marcus Buckingham, Kurt Coffman, "First Break All the Rules"

If your summer is spent in a stuffy office, it's time to give yourself a break and distract yourself with a rather interesting book that will convince you that “the best managers in the world do things differently.” Tens of thousands of interviews that the authors conducted with the most effective managers of our time reveal the secrets of success and productivity: it turns out that sometimes you just have to break the rules. Try!

Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

One of the best books for the holidays - fascinating, exciting, and will not leave any reader indifferent. The novel, which broke many sales records, is a confessional tale of a hero who was forced to hide from the law for years. This book contains everything that normal people would prefer never to encounter in their lives, but which is so interesting to read about from your cozy and safe nest. Divorce, deprivation of parental rights, drug addiction, robbery, sentence - 19 years in a maximum security prison, escape, counterfeiters, smugglers, Indian mafia, struggle for love... In a word, everything that will not let you get bored this summer!

Anna Gavalda, “35 kilos of hope”

Another story by a French writer, this time written from the perspective of a 13-year-old boy who stubbornly hates school. But you shouldn’t think that the book is intended for the younger generation - it absolutely surprisingly resonates in the hearts of both older children and adults themselves. And if you have already acquired offspring, then this book is simply a must-read: thanks to it, you will remember your youth and learn to better understand growing children. “35 Kilos of Hope” is a reminder of how to be good parents, as well as the importance of not giving up and believing. Reading will take you no more than one or two hours, and we can say with confidence: your time will not be wasted!

Eckhart Tolle, Live Now!

This book will become your little friend and a real salvation if suddenly on a rainy summer evening you feel lonely, sad and, perhaps, a little anxious, if you are entering a new period of your life - by your own will or by chance. A great expert on wounded human souls, Eckhart Tolle will reveal to you the true state of affairs in your life, give you consolation, tell you how to find spiritual harmony and perspective, help you return to the “assemblage point” and pave the path of your own path, so that the next morning you can again enjoy a new day !

Jojo Moyes, One Plus One

Touching and incredibly gripping until the last page is the story of Jess, a single mother who works two jobs and at the same time tries to guide her two children on the right path. Unexpectedly for the heroine, but expected for us, a man appears in her life who awakens to the desire to help Jess and her children. Modern and original, full of irony and positivity, this story ends as it should in a romance novel!

Jennifer L. Scott, Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Style Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris

If you want to learn the traditions of French families, as well as the secrets of French women on how to look not just beautiful, but elegant in any situation, how to instill healthy habits in yourself, how not to deny yourself your favorite dishes and not gain weight, as in the ever-accelerating rhythm of life to preserve not only beauty, but also health, then this book is for you! The narration is told on behalf of the author - a purebred American woman who ended up in a French family through an exchange program and, willy-nilly, was forced to learn something...

Peter Mayle, France. A year in Provence"

You can travel while sitting without leaving the room: right in the office or at home, sitting comfortably between the sofa cushions. This book will take you to the sun-drenched province of Provence, which seems quite eccentric to any visitor. The main character of the novel buys himself an old farmhouse to start a new life here, tries to accept the local way of life and integrate into the environment. When you look from the window of your house at the traffic jams and concrete walls of high-rise buildings, what is happening in the novel seems like some kind of unknown miracle that is located far away in a parallel Universe. And after reading the book, you begin to understand where you want to spend your next vacation...

Daphne Du Maurier, "Rebecca"

If you like a book that not only thrills your heart, but also excites your nerves, “Rebecca” is definitely for you! The novel, written in the first half of the last century, was included in the list of 110 best works according to the BBC. Four directors, each in his own time, did not disdain to film it, including A. Hitchcock himself. This is a work that came out largely from Jane Eyre and continued in the novels of Hesse and King. According to the plot of the novel, a young woman meets an aristocrat who is much higher in position than her, and is also the owner of the luxurious Manderley estate. After the imminent wedding, the main character moves to her husband’s estate, where his former wife Rebecca, now deceased, previously ruled. Very soon the new young wife begins to suffer from the fact that she cannot outshine her predecessor, who, it seems, even after her death continues to be the mistress of the situation. Or doesn’t it seem so?.. “Rebecca” will certainly become a decoration in your library and will remain in your memory for a long time. The narrative is so captivating that they say reading this book is like hypnosis. A must read!

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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 book lovers from wanting to “rustle the pages.” A cup of coffee, a soft chair, the incomparable smell of book pages - and let the whole world wait!

Here are the TOP 20 most interesting books for your attention. 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.

The story of a touching and incredible love between a priest's daughter Jamie and a young man Landon. A book 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 author's life. The allegorical presentation of the book and the unusual plane of events are the highlight of the work, which for readers has become completely postmodern with a chronology of despair, spleen, and shockingness.

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

The novel has been filmed twice, in both cases unsuccessfully - no one has yet succeeded in conveying the entire atmosphere of the book without missing important details.

• The 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 previous life have been erased from his memory. According to the doctor, the cause of amnesia is severe trauma, and this is the 11th relapse. From this moment on, Eric begins to receive letters from himself and hide from the “shark” that is devouring his memories. His task is to understand what is happening and find the key to salvation.

Hall's debut novel, consisting entirely of puzzles, allusions, and allegories. Not for the general reader. This is the kind of book that people don’t take with them on the train; they don’t read it “on the run,” but slowly and with pleasure.

• White Tiger (2008)

Aravind Adiga

The genre of the book is realism, novel.

A boy from a poor Indian village, Balram stands out from his sisters and brothers by his reluctance to accept fate. A coincidence of circumstances throws the “White Tiger” (approx. a rare animal) into the city, after which the boy’s fate changes dramatically - from falling to the very bottom, his steep rise to the very top begins. Either a madman or a national hero, Balram tries his best to survive in the real world and escape from 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 that India that you will not see in beautiful films on TV.

• 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 the new acquaintance is self-destruction as the goal of life. An ordinary acquaintance quickly develops into friendship, culminating in the creation of a “Fight Club”, the main thing in which is not victory, but the ability to endure pain.

Palahniuk's special style launched not only the popularity of the book, but also the already well-known film adaptation with Brad Pitt in one of the main roles. A challenging book about a generation of people for whom the boundaries of good and evil have blurred, about the insignificance of life and the race for illusions, from which the world is going crazy.

A work for people with already formed consciousness (not for teenagers) - to comprehend and rethink their lives.

• Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

Ray Bradbury

The genre of the book is fantasy, novel.

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

The work that Bradbury wrote before us 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 those feelings that make us human. No extra thoughts, no books - only human mannequins.

• Book of Complaints (2003)

Max Fry

The genre of the book is philosophical novel, fantasy.

No matter how hard it is for you, no matter how unsuccessful life turns out, never curse it - neither in your thoughts nor out loud. Because someone near you will happily live your own life for you. For example, that smiling girl over there. Or that old lady in the yard. These are the Nakhs who are always near us...

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

• Pride and Prejudice (1813)

Jane Austen

The genre of the book is a love story.

Time period: 19th century. The Bennett family has 5 unmarried daughters. The mother of this poor family, of course, dreams of marrying them off...

The plot seems to be hackneyed to the point of “eyesores,” but for hundreds of years Jane Austen’s novel has been reread by people from different countries again and again. Because the characters of the book are etched into the memory forever, and, despite the calm pace of events, the work does not let the reader go even after the final page. An absolute masterpiece of literature.

A pleasant “bonus” is a happy ending and the opportunity to sneak 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 Mizoguchi’s consciousness, crowding out all other thoughts. And only death, according to the author, defines 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 against evil, and in the 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 of ​​burning himself along with the Golden Temple.

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

• The Master and Margarita (1967)

Michael Bulgakov

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

An ageless masterpiece of Russian literature, a book that is worth reading at least once in your life.

• Portrait of Dorian Gray (1891)

Oscar Wilde

The genre of the book is novel, mysticism.

One day, the abandoned words of Dorian Gray (“I would give my soul for the portrait to grow old, and for me to be forever young”) became fatal for him. Not a single wrinkle on the now eternally youthful face of the protagonist, and his portrait, according to his wishes, ages and gradually dies. And, of course, you have to pay for everything in this world...

A book that has been filmed many times, once exploded a prim reading society with a Puritan past. A book about a deal with a tempter with dire 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 novel, parable.

The action takes place in the 19th century. Raphael gets shagreen skin, with which he can make his wishes come true. True, after each wish fulfilled, both the skin itself and the hero’s life are shortened. Raphael's delight quickly gives way to insight - we have too little time 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 master of words 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 to get acquainted with the author who wrote it far from his homeland.

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

• Bridget Jones's Diary (1996)

Helen Fielding

The genre of the book is a love story.

An easy read 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 other half, will wander in the dark for a long time before the light of her true love dawns.

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

• The Man Who Laughs (1869)

Victor Hugo

The genre of the book is novel, historical prose.

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

Despite the trials that befell him, Gwynplaine was able to remain a kind and pure person. And even for love, the disfigured appearance and life did not become an obstacle.

• White on Black (2002)

Ruben David Gonzalez Gallego

The genre of the book is realism, autobiographical novel.

The work is true from the first to the last line. This book contains the life of the author. He can't stand pity. And when communicating with this man in a wheelchair, everyone immediately forgets that he is disabled.

A book about the love of life and the ability to fight for every moment of happiness, despite everything.

• Dark tower

Stephen King

The genre of the book is epic novel, 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, closely intertwined with earthly reality, completely different, but united into one team and reliably described characters, a vivid psychologism of each situation, adventure, drive and the absolute effect of presence.

• Future (2013)

Dmitry Glukhovsky

The genre of the book is a fantasy novel.

The recoded DNA output gave immortality and eternity. True, in this case everything that previously made 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.

What will humanity come to? A dystopian novel about a world of immortal, but “non-living” people without a soul.

• The Catcher in the Rye (1951)

Jerome Salinger.

The genre of the book is realism.

16-year-old Holden contains everything characteristic of a complex teenager - harsh reality and dreams, seriousness replaced by childishness.

The book is a story about a boy who is thrown into the whirlwind 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 everything is against you.

• You were promised to me

Elchin Safarli

The genre of the book is novel.

This is a work that people fall in love with from the first pages and are taken away for quotes. A terrible and irreparable loss of a soul mate.

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

It is not surprising that during the period of all sorts of autumn and winter exacerbations, the mood deteriorates, you want warmth and joy. Only closer to April, when the grass turns green, the buds bloom, and the sun again pleases us and brings positive emotions. First of all, spiritual books that inspire and inspire new achievements will help you survive the period of despondency and winter depression.

Top 10 books for the soul

It would seem that in the age of modern gadgets and television programs, the book is gradually fading into the background. But how nice it is on a cold winter evening to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and, with a cup of warm cocoa, plunge again into the world of eternal literature with your favorite author.

Also, it’s nice to immerse yourself in literature during the summer holidays, at such a time you want to relax and unwind, so I offer you a list of wonderful books that will help you with this:

1. “1900 or the Legend of the Pianist” by Allesandro Barrico. This is a very touching and exciting story about how one day a newborn baby was left on a liner heading to America. The workers took him in and raised him. In all his 30 years, he never set foot on land, but he became a famous and outstanding pianist. People came to this particular ship to listen to his works. It has become a real legend - saturated with the sea and the sounds of jazz.
2. "Chocolate" by Joan Harris. A mother and child arrive in a forgotten city. A woman opens a small chocolate shop in the town, and for all the residents of the forgotten village they become real wizards who completely changed their lives. To read the book you will have to grab a couple of chocolate bars.
3. "The Fugitive" by Alice Munro. A collection of stories about an incredible woman and her unique life stories.
4. “Zulali” Narine Abgaryan. This is a collection that consists of 12 stories about the most ordinary people and ordinary events in their lives. The author so talentedly describes simple things that cannot leave the reader indifferent. Stories about relationships, traditions, love and anger. This is one of the best books for the soul.
5. "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. This book talks about the lives of women who did not have the right to property, work, or love. A woman has only one role in life - a servant. Touching stories will not leave the reader unattended.
6. "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sprax. Reading the author's works is a pleasure in itself. The book is very easy to read, it contains separation, love, intrigue, and a drop of mysticism gives the story some zest.
7. "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. A book about a modern woman who gets everything from her life. This story inspires, makes you dream and move towards your goals. The author reminds the reader that in life one should only have pleasure.
8. "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Together with a 12-year-old boy, the reader is immersed in a summer full of joyful and sad events. This book is deservedly included in the golden fund of the world literary heritage.
9. "The Light of a Woman" by Romain Gary. A novel about eternal values, the book is read in one breath, despite the fact that the plot is quite confusing. And humor and aphoristic phrases evoke delight and admiration of the reader.
10. “Loneliness on the Internet” Janusz Wisniewski. The book describes a very important topic - whether virtual love can be considered real. The plot is very interesting because it is intertwined with scientific facts from genetics, history and music.

What to read for the soul: TOP 5 books

Books are the best mental medicine; thanks to the world of fantasy, you can take a break from the bustle of the world and definitely forget about all the problems of real life.

1. "Can you keep secrets?" Sophie Kinsela. A story about modern women. The book was created for lovers of humor and irony. The writing style and original plot make the book intriguing and unusual.
2. "The Yellow Metal Key" by Marx Frei. The book is based on the realities of the modern world and is filled with ironic, subtle humor. The main character finds himself in a whirlpool of interesting life events, and so does the reader.
3. “The Little Prince” by A. Exupery. An incredible fairy tale dedicated specifically to adults, despite the genre. The author, through his work, makes you look at ordinary things from a completely different angle.
4. “Scarlet Sails” Alexander Green. This book is timeless and suitable not only for girls, but also for adult women. After all, in each of them lives little Assol, who believes in miracles and fairy tales.
5. "The Great Gatsby" Francis Scott Fitzgerald. A unique plot that makes you read the book without interruption. This is a fascinating story about an amazing person, about incredible love and dreams. The book is inspiring and evokes strong emotions.

To lift our spirits, we need to choose those books that bring us positive emotions and inspiration. In any case, it is books that help us relax and unwind.

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 Pulitzer Prize awarded for this creation, 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 the possibilities of modern man to learn, create, understand 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 encounter 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 then the perfect wife Jess disappears. 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 the last months of 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 on a desert island during wartime. 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 terrible dream suddenly became a reality. 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 can't 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 good night and heads off to her night job at a hotel. 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.

The 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 that are worth reading even for those who think that 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?