A newer addition that students might like is 'A Closed and Common Orbit' which has some interesting concepts related to bio - chemistry and the nature of identity. It's part of a series that combines science fiction elements with thought - provoking themes.
Among students, 'Things Fall Apart' is quite popular. It's often studied in literature and anthropology courses. The way it presents the Igbo culture and the impact of colonialism is very educational. Another popular one is 'The Clan of the Cave Bear'. The prehistoric setting and the story of the main character's survival and adaptation fascinate students. 'The God of Small Things' is also liked for its vivid portrayal of the complex social hierarchies in India.
Among students, 'Pride and Prejudice' is quite popular. Its story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is engaging, and students can learn a lot about the social norms of the UK in the 19th century. 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain (although an American author, it has a connection to the UK in terms of historical context) is also liked as it shows a different era. Another popular one is 'Oliver Twist' by Dickens, which reveals the dark side of London in the 19th century.
Popular historical fiction AR books among students include 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond'. It's set in colonial America and tells a story of a young girl's struggle to fit in. 'The Secret Garden' is set in Victorian England and has elements of that time period's society and culture. And 'The Bronze Bow' which is set in the time of Jesus and gives a view of the historical and religious context of that era.
Well, 'Watership Down' is also liked. It's about a group of rabbits and their journey to find a new home. It may not seem like a typical biology - related book at first, but it actually has a lot of details about rabbit behavior, which is part of biology.
Among students, 'Johnny Tremain' is quite popular. It follows the life of a young apprentice in Boston just before the American Revolution. It's a great way to learn about that time period in an engaging fictional story.
Among students, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain is quite popular. It gives a fun look at life along the Mississippi River in the 19th century. The escapades of Tom and his friends are both humorous and revealing of the times.
I think 'Ender's Game' is popular among students. The physics - related military strategies in the book are very interesting to students who like to think about strategic problems. 'Snow Crash' is also popular as it has a cool concept of virtual reality which is related to modern technology and physics. 'The Martian' is another popular one as it shows how practical physics knowledge can be used in extreme situations, and students can learn a lot from the protagonist's problem - solving methods using physics.
I would also mention 'The Disappearing Spoon' by Sam Kean. It's not a traditional novel but more of a collection of stories about the elements of the periodic table. It uses interesting anecdotes and stories to bring the elements and their properties to life, and it's a very engaging read for anyone interested in chemistry in a fictional or semi - fictional context.
Among the top 50, 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' is quite popular. It has a very relatable story of a girl's coming - of - age in a tough environment. 'Of Mice and Men' is popular as well. Its simple yet profound story of friendship and broken dreams touches many readers. Also, 'Anne of Green Gables' is loved by many for its charming characters and idyllic setting.
Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' is very popular. It has been widely read and studied for its in - depth look at African culture and the impact of colonialism.