BRAINY, ETC.

01

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

One of the most compelling series of fantasy I've ever encountered, even as an adult.

 

02

Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham

This was a coming of age story of a boy, limping through life trying to keep up with his whims, his passions and his philosophies on life. Though your heart cringes for his in some moments, you know you are reading an authentic piece of literature because you feel you are reading the story of your life.

 

03

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre beats out Elizabeth Bennett for me purely because of her strength of character and unfailing sense of self. The tenderness of her love for Rochester was sweet in the end, and the fact that she took him back after he had been knocked around by life and freed from his erratic senses to me just emulates what authentic, non-fairytale love looks like.

 

04

Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen

Elizabeth Bennett has always represented the strong woman I strive to be. It's no wonder I want to believe in her 'incandescent happiness'.

 

05

1984

I'm a sucker for Distopian literature, and this one is just the best of them all.

 

06

The Book of Laughter & Forgiveness

A compelling modern novel, with fresh commentary on what it means to have lived.

 

07

Cat's Cradle

One of the most unique novels I've ever read, with really keen insight into how the origins of 'evil' are less moral and more of a child of human stupidity and carelessness.

 

08

The House of Mirth

Lily Bart comes at the perfect time for anyone dabbling in a Post-Modernist worldview.

 

09

The Da Vinci Code 

A thrilling what-if spin off to the history of one of the most famous stories of mankind.

 

10

A Tale of Two Cities

I felt the rage of the Rebellion, the innocence of Lucie Manette, the psychological distress of Dr. Manette, and the sacrifice of Sydney Carton so perfectly. Dickens is a literary gift.