By Ellie-Louise Style
Here’s a list of some of the best-written books of all time, which everyone should read.
The majority of the population love to read great written literature, but when you’re sitting in the bookshops studying each and every blurb on the back of a book, it can be hard to decide which one you want to buy, let alone read first. So here’s a handy guide for advice on the top 10 books you should consider reading in your lifetime!
10. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
This book has to be one of the classics, and it’s only a short read, so you won’t find yourself bored halfway through! Based in California during the 1930’s Steinbeck really does create one of the most loving and simple characters, Lenny. But I won’t give away any spoilers, all I’m saying is you might need a tissue or two at the end.
This has to be one of the most interesting reads out of the list, as you can easily see how Disneyhave manipulated some of the original fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, for example when Cinderella’s step sisters cut off parts of their feet so they can fit into the glass slipper. However, it’s probably best Disney cut out some of these parts otherwise the children watching them might have nightmares!
8. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
We all know this was one of the best films that captured the glitz and glamour of the 1930’s back in 2013. Plus it had Leonardo DiCaprio in too, and no film can beat that. But the book is even better as you get a greater feel for the characters, and your sympathy for Nick Caraway increases as you see him get dragged into all of the mischief that Daisy and Tom create.
7. The Shining by Stephen King
Known as one of the best horror films of all time, and written by one of the 21st century’s best authors Stephen King, the book is really worth the read. This book will really leave you wanting to read more when you eventually put it down, although I wouldn’t read it before going to bed because you don’t want to have nightmares of being in that hotel with Jack!
This has to be one of the most well thought out books of all time! And it is a very enjoyable but worrying read, with the whole idea of ‘Big Brother’ and the dystopian future. Not only that, but the fact the government in the book spy on everyone. Winston Smith (one of the main characters) doesn’t agree with the way everything is run, so there are quite a few consequences for him. However, you’ll have to buy the book to find out more of what happens. In some countries this book is banned, and Stalin took a disliking to it during the 1950’s and banned it in Russia (which was then the U.S.S.R.), so be careful where you read it!
5. Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Set in between 1835-1845 before the civil war, there’s a boy called Huckleberry Finn who sets off on an adventure with Jim up the Mississippi River so Jim can’t be separated from his family, as Miss Watson wants to sell him in New Orleans. This isn’t the only book Huckleberry Finn is in, as in Mark Twain’s previous book ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ Huck and Tom are both good friends.
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield finds it difficult growing up and sticking to schools, after the sudden death of his brother. In this coming of age novel written by the brilliant Salinger we see Holden’s story of his struggle and how he ended up in a psychiatric unit.
3. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This book has to be the most tear jerking of all on the list, as it unveils the truth on what happened to a particular Jewish family, during the Second World War when Hitler and the Nazi’s were in control of Germany. Anne Frank’s diary will give you the best insight into what life was like for her during that period when she was hiding from the Nazi’s, before she got forced into a concentration camp.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This was Harper Lee’s first ever novel, in which she wrote, and I can assure you it’s one of the best of all time. This book is a typical coming of age novel, and it shows it’s audience how Scout and her brother Jem grow throughout the story, as their father Atticus tries to fight the battle in court of Tom Robinson getting accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Absolute classic.
1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Everyone knows of Emily Bronte’s most famous book Wuthering Heights, and the romantic story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. But all doesn’t end well for them, as it should do, and it’s clear that this book doesn’t have a happy ever after like you’d expect in most romantic novels. Written between 1845-1846 this book really does capture what heartache can really be like, especially for poor Heathcliff.
