Fiction- Harry Potter Series by J K Rowling

A seven-novel fantasy chronicle by J K Rowling, the series follows the lives of Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who are all students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series defined many generations and still holds a place in every millennial’s heart. If you haven’t read the books yet, I don’t know what else to tell you other than to read them!

Romance- Pride and Prejudice

Perhaps one of the best books to be ever written, this is the story of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters of a rural household, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy aristocratic landowner. To fall in love and marry, they must conquer their pride and prejudice respectively. Although the language can be a barrier for those who don’t read classics, you must give it a try!

Adventure- Life of Pie

This is a genre I rarely visit since I get my dose of adventure in fantasy novels, however, among the ones I have read, Life of Pie takes the cake here. In a lifeboat adrift in the middle of nowhere, Pi Patel finds a means to survive while a hyena and a male Bengal tiger are his sole companions on the boat. More than just a book about survival, this book gives some really important insights on life, unlikely friendships, and goodbyes.

Children’s Book- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Whenever I get a reader’s block, my first remedy is to grab a beloved book from childhood, and really it was between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda here on the list. Charlie, a little boy from a poor household, and four other children earn a tour of a magical chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka, an eccentric chocolatier, and his Oompa-Loompas. Now when I look back at the story, it has a very dark theme to it, but as a kid, I was rolling on the ground laughing at the same exact scenes. Anyway, moving on…

Crime- And Then There Were None

Of all the crime novels I have read, nothing has surpassed the thrill that And Then There Were None gave me. The plot follows ten strangers who receive an extraordinary invitation to a solitary mansion located off the coast of Devon. They are each accused of a horrific crime and are cut off from the mainland, with their kind hosts Mr. and Mrs. U.N. Owen suddenly disappeared. When one of the group members dies unexpectedly, they realize the killer is among them.

Thriller- Gone Girl

One of the most controversial books that have confused a huge population with its simple enough plot yet complex characters, this book is a must-read for everyone. When Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy Dunne, mysteriously vanishes on their fifth wedding anniversary and frames Nick as her killer, he realizes that the entire media spotlight has switched to him.

Biography- Diary of a Young girl

The Diary of a Young Girl, also called The Diary of Anne Frank, is a collection of Anne Frank’s writings from her diary, which she kept with her family during the two years of hiding from the Nazis. The diary is beautifully written and talks about a very important time in world history. I am pretty sure if Anne was alive, she would be a popular author.

Drama- Macbeth

A trio of witches prophecy to a Scottish general named Macbeth that he will one day become King of Scotland. Macbeth, mad over-ambition and prompted into action by his wife, Lady Macbeth, kills King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne. Although Macbeth is the protagonist, Lady Macbeth is the one you should look out for in this drama.

Horror- IT

The plot follows seven kids who are being haunted by an evil entity that they call IT. IT uses its victims’ fears to disguise itself and hunt its prey. One of the classics that will haunt you forever. The book is massive but all the details only add to how amazingly haunting the book is. Give it a read, it’s worth it!

Science fiction- Dune

I finished the series just when the movie came out and yes, this is a bulky one too but it is worth it! Only after reading it did I realize why it’s the best science fiction book of all time: world-building. It is the story of Paul Atreides, heir to a noble dynasty burdened with ruling a hostile world where the only item of worth is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of prolonging life and expanding consciousness.

Fantasy- The Lord of The Rings

A shy young hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a simple gold ring and learns the ring’s power and that he alone has the key to the world’s survival—or servitude. Frodo must now become the greatest hero the world has ever known to save the land and the people he loves, accompanied by a wizard, an elf, a dwarf, two men, and three devoted hobbit friends. This is one of those books that you just can’t not read.