There was 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. This novel reimagines the story of the Greek mythological figure Circe. It's a beautifully written exploration of power, femininity, and the role of the outcast in a mythological world.
Another great 2018 novel is 'The Mars Room' by Rachel Kushner. It delves into the life of a woman in prison, providing a searing look at the criminal justice system, motherhood, and the search for redemption within a harsh environment.
One more from the list could be 'The Great Gatsby'. It shows the decadence and hollowness of the American Dream in the 1920s through the story of Jay Gatsby and his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. It has beautiful prose and complex characters.
A really good 2015 novel is 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It's a long and complex story about friendship, trauma, and the human condition. It follows the lives of four friends in New York City over several decades, delving deep into their personal struggles and how they support and sometimes fail each other. The characters are very well - developed and the writing is quite powerful, making it a memorable read.
One of the great mystery novels could be 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a classic with Sherlock's brilliant deductions and the interesting cases he solves in Victorian London.
One great Christian novel is 'The Pilgrim's Progress' by John Bunyan. It's a classic that follows the journey of a man named Christian as he makes his way through various trials and temptations on his path to the Celestial City, representing salvation. It's highly regarded for its spiritual insights.
One great modern novel for the list could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It deals with important themes like racism and justice in a small southern town. The characters are vivid and the story is both engaging and thought - provoking.
Some well - known novels in such a list might be 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in 19th - century England. Another could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, which deals with racial injustice in the American South. And '1984' by George Orwell, a dystopian novel that warns about totalitarianism.
One great food novel is 'Like Water for Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel. It combines love, family, and Mexican cuisine in a magical way. The recipes are interwoven with the story, making it a delicious read.
Another is 'The Sixth Sense'. Although it's a movie adaptation, the novel has the same great twist. The fact that the main character can see dead people, and the final revelation about his own situation is a huge and unexpected twist.
One great philosophical novel is 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It delves deep into themes like morality, faith, and the nature of man. Another is 'Siddhartha' by Hermann Hesse, which follows the spiritual journey of the main character. Also, 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky is a classic; it explores the psychological and moral consequences of a crime.
Another notable one could be 'Paradise of the Blind' by Duong Thu Huong. This novel delves into themes of family, society, and the challenges faced in Vietnam. It shows the complex relationships and the impact of historical events on the lives of ordinary people. Through vivid descriptions, it paints a picture of the Vietnamese way of life and the struggles that come with it.