I have always been an avid reader - and Covid shut down gave me a ton of extra reading time. I've never limited myself to one genre so this really is the ultimate list - hopefully with a little something for everyone!
Memoirs
Probably my favorite genre, here are a few of my favorites
The Elephant Chaser's Daughter by Shilpa Raj - This book is really interesting if you have any interest in social/ class relations, Indian culture, or just education. It is the memoir of a girl who was chosen to attend a special school and receive an education despite her low position in the Indian caste system.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - This book is obviously a classic, and its message is so relevant right now with its discussion of growing up as a person of color at a time with a lot of racial tension.
Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas - A great read if you are interested in Cuban or Latin American politics and issues of human rights. This is the memoir of a writer who was put in prison for his ideas under the reign of Castro.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - I only read this book because it was the only English book I was able to find in a Hungarian bookstore, but it is an interesting exploration of the culture of Japan and the true identity and experience of a geisha.
Inside the Jihad: My Life with Al Qaeda by Omar Nasiri - A great book for anyone interested in politics or in the middle east. This is a memoir of a spy who joined Al Qaeda, who gives a look into the minds of people becoming part of terror organizations.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - I found this book very powerful because I am super interested in law and justice. It is a good look into the American prison and legal system and the injustices that occur in this system.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey - Quick and interesting read! I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did but I COULD NOT put it down!
Becoming by Michelle Obama - Another book I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. This book gave me a whole new respect for this first lady and was a really interesting perspective on politics.
Travel:
On the Road by Jack Kerouac - I read this book for the first time a few years ago, while I was feeling a little bit lost about what I wanted to do. I think that Jack Kerouac writes in a pretty relatable way that made me feel better about the uncertainty in my journey - also the story behind this book is just cool.
Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer - This is a super interesting read for anyone interested in Buddhism and Asian religion and culture.
The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara - I love love love this book because I am super interested in South American culture and politics, and this gives a really interesting inside look at human rights and the social class/ economic struggles faced in many of these countries. I really like this book as well, because I think it gives some background for the political and social struggles that still exist in this region!
Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams - I read this book right before I went to Machu Picchu and found it really interesting because it explains a lot of this history of all of Peru! A good read even if you aren't visiting Peru!
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - I love the way Elizabeth Gilbert writes because it is super relatable and she offers an interesting perspective on things - also totally encourages living in a non-traditional way! I read this book in like two days I loved it so much!
Sports:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall - This book is extremely interesting if you are a runner, because it explains a lot of cultural and historical aspects of running along with an explanation of the anatomy.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - I loved this book, even though I am not a climber, because it explained a lot of the culture of and history of climbing Everest in the background of a disastrous trip up the mountain.
Fiction:
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende - My favorite book by one of my favorite authors, this follows the life of a young girl and gifted storyteller growing up in South America.
11 Minutes by Paulo Coelho - This is my all-time favorite book. The plot line is relatively simple as it follows a beautiful girl who moves from Brazil to Europe and becomes involved in sex work, but has a really deep message as it explores the relationship and differences between sex, pleasure, feelings, and love.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Another classic book, this is probably Coelho's most famous book which follows a simple story of a boy traveling, but explores the meaning of life through his journey and encounters.
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Women by Balli Kaur Jaswal - My roommate recommended this book to me because it is one of her favorites, it is a mystery that explores sexuality and the position of women in Indian society.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - I actually had to read this for my high school English class, but the storyline is super thought provoking and the minimalist style was totally different than anything else I've read! Basically, its a post-apocalyptic book following the journey of a son and his father as they try to survive.
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler - If you are a fan of Fitzgerald like me, then this is a great book for you! It follows the life of Zelda Fitzgerald, and gives so much clarity to F Scott's books!
Jane Steele by Lindsay Faye - I am a huge fan of Jane Eyre, so I liked this book a lot which was basically just a twist on that plot!
The Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy by Kevin Kwan - These books are a super light and funny read - perfect for the beach or a chill day at home. Also, the movie is fantastic :)
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger - I think everyone has probably seen the movie, but have you read the book? This is just another light and fun read!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - I usually don't like Holocaust or World War II books, but this book literally gives me chills just thinking about it. A super powerful story of a young German girl living through the Holocaust.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - I could not put this book down, and everyone who saw me reading this commented that it was one of their favorite books.
Classics:
I've read a lot of classic American and European literature both for school and pleasure, but these are the three that have really stuck out to me, that I could read again and again!
The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Others:
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt - I didn't really know how to categorize this book, as its the story of a murder that took place in Savannah - one of my absolute favorite cities in the US!
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer - Obviously, as a vegan, I'm going to call this a must read. It does give a lot of interesting insight to the cultural and ethical aspects of choosing to eat meat or not.
Into the Wild by John Krakauer - If you are a fan of Jack Kerouac, this reminded me of a more modern On the Road, told from the third person.
Health, Healing, and Beyond by T.K.V. Deskachar - I had to read this book as part of my yoga teacher training program, and read way ahead (finishing in two days lol) because I loved it so much. It's a biography of Krishnamacharya, but also explains a lot of the history and health benefits of yoga.
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