Best books to read

These are my top 10 list in no particular order. While the likes of Shakespeare and Dickens and Rushdie have many other notable works, I chose my favorite among the lot.

1. Macbeth- William Shakespeare
Drama

My father used to say-” Literature is incomplete without William Shakespeare!”
And same goes with this list. Shakespeare was at his best in tragedies and Macbeth is one of the best.
With ambition playing the central theme, this drama is filled with memorable characters, symbolism and quotable lines.

“Sometimes when we are labeled, when we are branded our brand becomes our calling.”

2. Gitanjli- Rabindranath Tagore
Poetry

Today generation may know Rabidranath Tagore as the man who gave India her national anthem. But truth be told, he is one of the gems of Indian literature.
Gitanjli- A collection of Bengali poetry earned Tagore Noble prize for literature in 1913, the first non-European to receive one in that category.
This soulful masterpiece is what will keep you going on a lazy weekend with a cup of tea.

“O Fool, try to carry thyself upon thy own shoulders!
O beggar, to come beg at thy own door!
Leave all thy burdens on his hands who can bear all,
and never look behind in regret.”

3. Great Expectations- Charles Dickens
Novel,Fiction

While it may be argued whether this is a fiction or a fictional-autobiography, it doesn’t cloud the fact that Great Expectations is a masterpiece of Charles Dickens.
Dickens has been a profound name in English Literature. He is known for his immortal characters and Great Expectations hasn’t been deprived of it.
With characters such as Pip, Miss Havisham, Joe, Estella,Mrs Joe Gragery, The convict, this novel has that rare uniqueness which will make you remember them even after you are done reading it.

“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before — more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.”

4. One Hundred Years of Solitude- Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Novel,Magic-Realism

This Spanish novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez tells the story of seven generations of Buendia family. What is new? Well, the sprinkle of magical-realism in the story added by Mr. Marquez. This novel is gripping and confusing at the same time. So much so that no one has been able to make a movie out of this one.

“A trickle of blood came out under the door, crossed the living room, went out into the street, continued on in a straight line across the uneven terraces, went down steps and climbed over curbs, passed along the Street of the Turks, turned a corner to the right and another to the left, made a right angle at the Buendía house, went in under the closed door, crossed through the parlor, hugging the walls so as not to stain the rugs, went on to the other living room, made a wide curve to avoid the dining-room table, went along the porch with the begonias, and passed without being seen under Amaranta’s chair as she gave an arithmetic lesson to Aureliano José, and went through the pantry and came out in the kitchen, where Úrsula was getting ready to crack thirty-six eggs to make bread.”

5. To Kill A Mocking Bird-Harper Lee
Novel,Fiction

Perhaps, one of the most celebrated books of the 20th century. A tale which was brought to silver screen with equal elan, tells the story of racism, friendship,hope and love through the eyes of a 6 year old kid called Scout. This novel is responsible for giving us one of the most endearing heroes ever in Atticus.

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

6. Midnight’s children-Salman Rushdie
Novel,Magic-Realism

Another magical-real novel by the very talented Salman Rushdie. Rushdie is a big admirer of Gabriel Garica and its not very surprising to see that in his novels.
Culminating the history of India from the era of colonization to her independence, from partition to the post-independence period into 600+ pages can be pretty tricky. But not for Mr.Rushdie. He takes the country’s history,strokes it with some magic elements and voila!… makes it a masterpiece.

“Reality is a question of perspective; the further you get from the past, the more concrete and plausible it seems — but as you approach the present, it inevitably seems more and more incredible.”

7. Wuthering Heights-Emily Bronte
Novel, Fiction

My personal favorite. This was the only novel penned by Emily Bronte…and it became a classic. What makes this novel so enticing is its mysticism. Amidst, symbolism,love and memorable quotes,the mesmerising character of Heathcliff is one that stands truly apart. A character whose actions are still zealously debated, this book may well take more than one read to swallow its true essence.

“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”

8. Malgudi days- R.K Narayan
Short-stories

Ok! So many of us will remember this one because of its fantastic adaptation into a T.V show by Shankar Nag.
R.K Narayan portrays the life of common people in the fictional town of Malgudi. Draped with wonderful characters like Swami and the talkative man, the fact that makes it so endearing is that it manages to stick to its roots.

“This is my child. I planted it. I saw it grow. I loved it. Don’t cut it down…”

9. The Hound Of Baskervilles- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Detective Fiction

Everyone knows Mr.Holmes. This dry,calculative,eccentric detective solving crimes with his reasoning prowess. While all the stories of the detective’s adventures are fascinating,this particular novel has some unique enigma. Best part is, you will never be able to predict the end till you actually reach its climax.

“He burst into one of his rare fits of laughter as he turned away from the picture. I have not heard him laugh often, and it has always boded ill to somebody.”

10. Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling
Fantasy

When I was a kid, I remember my father scoffing at me for reading Harry Potter. For him this was some stupid book about magic. Little did he know or as a matter of fact little did I know back then that it was more than just about magic. Its a modern classic. Filled with symbolism, foreshadowings, love, courage and ah,yes magic, this seven book series never lets you down. Equally memorable characters in Harry, Ron, Hermione,Dumbledore,Voldemort, Snape, Sirus Black, Dobby etc., reading this series is an advernture in itself.