What to read for the soul: a list of the best books. The best modern books
Want to spend an evening with a good modern book, but don't know where to start? Below you will find a list of what to read from modern literature.
This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age
Have you already turned 18?
Often, after finishing reading an interesting novel, we wonder what we can read from the works that are being written in our time? Today is very interesting time for literature, because new items worthy of attention regularly appear on the book market. However, what is worth reading, and what, although it takes place on the annual list best works, but definitely not worth your time? Popular books are not always interesting. In addition, many exciting works are often received rather coldly by the mass reader, and as a rule, very in vain, because in a few years, when the next cycle of film adaptations is released, it may turn out that these are the most interesting novels and stories. In this article we will look at the best novels by modern authors by genre, so you are sure to find something worth reading here.
Fantasy
Dmitry Glukhovsky "Metro 2033". This is a dystopian novel that tells how, after the Third World War, the planet was destroyed and unsuitable for life. All that's left - these are metro stations that have become a haven for people. They turn into independent cities constantly at war with each other friend. A 20 year old Artem must go through all the stations to save his family, and at the same time all of humanity.
The action takes place in in the distant future, on planet Solaris, more precisely, on located on her research station. But 90% of the planet - this is the ocean, which, as it turns out, is a living organism, which has its own secrets.
Andy Weir "The Martian" The main character Mark Watney participates in an expedition to Mars. Due to a sandstorm, all crew members are urgently evacuated, but Mark's spacesuit is damaged, he cannot be found and is left on an alien planet. Waking up, Mark realizes: he is alone on a planet where there is no oxygen, he has no connection with Earth and a limited supply of food. How to hold out and stay alive, and is there any hope of salvation?
Peter Watts "False Blindness". In the future, humanity will realize that there are other civilizations in the Universe. But even the most terrifying fantasies about aliens pale in comparison to what they really are. This novel raises quite unexpected questions about man as a system of views and beliefs, and about the nature of himself. human consciousness. In addition, the background for this theme is a beautifully written setting with vampirism and space travel.
Historical novels
Sarah Waters "Delicate Work". A classic example of a historical novel, where the outline of the plot is spread out against the backdrop of real historical events, which are described with such meticulousness that it makes you admire the author’s vision.
- reconstruction of the events of the Battle of Agincourt - a turning point in Hundred Years' War, the story is told from the perspective of an ordinary archer.
About love
Jojo Moyes "Me Before You" A touching love story that has already become a bestseller and has received a film adaptation.
Jacqueline Susann "Valley of the Dolls." Three different destinies, three women who are simply looking for their place in this world and, of course, looking for love. This novel has become truly a cult favorite.
Books by contemporary authors for teenagers
Today large number publishing houses focus on the young adult segment - for young people. It is obvious that young people who have already completely said goodbye to childhood, but have not yet managed to fully become adults, want to read literature that would raise topics that are close to their spirit. This list presents the most controversial new genre works aimed at young audiences.
Nicola Yoon's All This World is a book about loneliness, self-discovery and love. The main character Madeline never leaves the house. She has rare disease And weak immunity. A collision with the outside world could lead to her death. IN next door from Madeline lives with a young guy who wants to make friends with her. What will the girl choose? — long life V four walls or short, but happy story?
Andrei Zhvalevsky, Evgenia Pasternak “While I’m on the edge” - a novel about those sharp corners teenage experiences that are rarely talked about, as well as people who find themselves in atypical situations.
is a coming-of-age novel that tells about a new stage in a teenager’s life and all the difficulties and experiences that come with it.
Lauren Oliver "Before I Fall" Imagine that you have made many mistakes, but you are given a chance to change everything. The main character... died, but something unfinished keeps her among the living. And Samantha lives the same day over and over again, trying to save herself. This is a novel in in which the topic is an objective look at yourself and his human qualities are intertwined with bizarre plot.
Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why is a novel about suicide. 17 year old a schoolgirl who left her boyfriend 13 tapes, which he must use to understand the reasons why she decided to commit suicide.
- the book, the film adaptation of which shocked the world, tells about the love between two teenagers who are sick, but at the same time do not cease to challenge the whole world.
Rating of books by modern authors
Of course, most of the tops are compiled from a rather subjective point of view, because preferences in literature vary extremely among both readers and literary critics. And the top presented here is no exception. It is also worth taking into account the increasing popularity of various authors in wide readership circles over time. Below will be presented the best 10 books that have already earned recognition from a wide audience.
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. With the release of the first season of the film adaptation on Netflix, interest in this book has grown unusually. And this is not surprising, because the language in which it is written, and the atmosphere of a dark dystopia about a world in which a group of religious radicals seized power in the country and created a totalitarian state where human rights are worthless, is definitely worth reading.
One of the most striking works of the representative of “dirty realism” Charles Bukowski may be a little off-putting due to the excessive naturalism of individual scenes, but it does this type prose is even more interesting. If in previous books telling about the life story of the alter ego of the author Henry Chinaski, various everyday situations were mainly described, then this novel focuses its attention precisely on the protagonist’s relationships with women in all details.
Autobiographical book, main character which is a fugitive who went to India in an attempt to change his life for the better. According to the degree of development of the plot, the main character goes through all stages of cleansing from own sins, and all this in the surroundings of Bombay with the appropriate specifics.
Elchin Safarli “They promised me you.” The novel, which became a bestseller and is gaining increasing popularity over the years recent years. This book is about the pain of loss and what someone who has suffered something like this goes through when trying to cope with it. This novel can only be appreciated by a mature person who has had to lose something dear in his life.
Book based on real events, is about a man with multiple personality disorder. There are 24 separate personalities living in one person, and each has its own story and its own views on the world. Among them are adults and children, men and women, criminals and subtle artistic natures. And each of the personalities wants to occupy the hero’s body.
A book about a dark world where society is strictly divided into castes. The problem of the book is that as the plot progresses, all the vices of such an imperfect world are revealed with an eye to modern realities, which is extremely interesting to observe based on your own life experience.
A cult countercultural novel that tells the story of the hidden abomination of consumer society and the human self-discovery that leads to complete catharsis. This novel gained wide popularity among sophisticated readers and “acquired” its own film adaptation.
The novel, which became famous after the cult film adaptation, tells the story of a man who developed his own theory about the essence of love as a mechanism strictly related to time restrictions. However, over time, he becomes convinced of the inconsistency of this theory, but doubts still gnaw at him.
Abraham Perin at accused of raping a minor and sentenced to prison. But the author allows us to get acquainted with the past of this hero: first childhood, then student years, then life among the aborigines on one of the most mysterious islands. The tribe in which Perina lives knows the secret of longevity. To find out, any company will do anything, but is our civilization ready for such a discovery?
A novel telling about the measured life of a married couple. Everything changes dramatically when his wife disappears on the eve of their anniversary. This novel reveals such a problem as mutual distrust in relationships, and will also delight you with an unexpected ending.
Modern literature has different reviews. As they say, there are no comrades according to taste. But when wondering what interesting things to read from the works that have been published in recent years, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the list given above. There you will definitely find a book that will captivate you.
No matter how unusual it may sound, in the modern world of various gadgets, applications and IT technologies, our youth still read books, many modern authors with a new style and approach to writing books speak about this.
What kind of books are these, or rather, stories that excite the modern reader?
Let's find out which ones are the most interesting modern books. Although among huge amount interesting literature making a choice will not be easy, but we will still try to do it.
E.L. James - Fifty Shades of Gray
Well, how can we remember the most sensational and scandalous book under the intriguing title “Fifty Shades of Gray”? This half-romantic and half-erotic story of the touching and hot relationship between a journalist and a successful businessman created a real sensation, and also had the effect of an exploding bomb.
For the first time in many years, someone dared to write not only about sex, but also about the capabilities and desires of a person during times of lust and passion.
What a fitting title for this love story, it's a disaster modern world. Yes, yes, the Internet is a destructive web; it gives as many opportunities as it takes away. People meet, meet and communicate in the virtual world, forgetting about real emotions and experiences. And when, having met in the real world, they do not suit each other, they cannot understand what is the matter and why virtual love and sympathy are so different from real world, because everything was perfect on social networks...
George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire. Game of Thrones"
We couldn’t ignore the most discussed and popular novel of the 21st century. A whole series of fantasy novels captivated the minds of young people and made an entire generation fans of this trilogy. The plot of the book unfolds around the fictional continent of Westeros and its mysterious, and I would even say, slightly mystical inhabitants. A mysterious saga about the life of seven kingdoms, where love reigns, hate reigns and the war for the Iron Throne never stops. Here, as is customary in science fiction novels, there are dragons, magicians and fearless warriors. If you are no longer a child, but still love fairy tales, then this series of books about the Magic Kingdom is just for you.
Markus Zusak - "The Book Thief"
A very touching story about a girl who was adopted as an adult. The plot takes place during the Second World War in a small German town, where everyone is afraid of death and repression. But a strong girl named Liesel finds strength and a great desire to comprehend science and read books that are interesting and beyond her age. Although she gets them in a not very honest and humane way, and simply put, she steals from the library of a person respected by everyone, but the end justifies all the means, doesn’t it? This book is a must read for everyone, it's easy to read and the plot is amazing.
John Green - "The Fault in Our Stars"
Love is the most important and primary feeling in our lives and throughout the world. At the same time very romantic and sad story love between two terminally ill people. Hazel Grace and August Waters meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. They know that imminent death will separate them, but they are happy that before leaving they experienced tender feelings and found happiness. An unusual love story, where pain is intertwined with tenderness and happiness, and which is a must read.
Pavel Sanaev “Bury me behind the baseboard”
Touching and very life story about how love turns into hatred and tyranny. The story is autobiographical, it is told by little boy, whom his own mother abandoned, leaving him in the care of his grandparents. And they, in turn, are not too happy about this prospect, but are ready to fulfill this duty of conscience without unnecessary feelings and emotions. The strict grandmother is confident that she will raise the boy to be an obedient and emotionless robot. Only Sasha Savelyev doesn’t think so and has his own opinion on everything... Yes, you wouldn’t dream of such a childhood... This story is on the list of books that are definitely worth reading.
Bernhard Schlink - "Reader"
Each of us has our own secrets and secrets. The book “The Reader” is a rather complex psychological story of love, passion, hopelessness and betrayal.
A fifteen-year-old boy and quite adult woman they start an affair, they are united by an interest in books, and an educated guy reads important and interesting, in his opinion, books to his illiterate beloved.
Stormy passion and unusual relationships end as unexpectedly as they begin. But fate is preparing another meeting for the former lovers, only the circumstances will not be too pleasant for them. For those who have not read this popular story, we highly recommend reading it, because this is one of the books that will make you think and touch every note of your soul.
Mitchell David - "Cloud Atlas"
The novel is on the verge of fantasy - that’s what critics dubbed it. The plot tells the story of six different people from different time periods, namely the past, future and present, but as it turns out later, they have one soul, it is simply subject to reincarnation and wanders, visiting first one body, then another. Everything is very confusing and storylines strongly intertwined, although meaning and morality are still present here. But what they are is up to you to decide. But to do this, you first need to read the book from beginning to end.
Moyes, Jojo - "Me Before You"
We all have our own past, and throughout our lives we all meet the right and important person for us, who will once and for all change it beyond recognition.
This touching novel is about exactly that. Already in the first weeks of sales, more than half a million copies were sold, and the book itself entered the top bestsellers according to the New York Times. And this turn of events is not at all surprising, because we all adore love stories, which end with a happy ending.
Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner
The story is about the friendship that two eastern boys Amir and Hasan carried through their entire lives, despite all the differences and social inconsistency, because they are from different social strata and classes. Life has scattered them around different places and forced to be different sides barricades, but despite this they are faithful to their conscience and friendship.
A very moralizing and life story, which came from the pen of a talented writer, showed the whole world how to value friendship, and no matter what, not turn into blood enemies and take care of friendly relations with all your might.
Sebastian Barry "Tables of Fate"
An interesting story about how a poor old woman, who was already a hundred years old, was living her old age in madhouse, keeps her own diary, where she writes down difficult and sad memories associated with her fate and the country in which she was born.
Ray Bradbury - "Dandelion Wine"
An ordinary life story that takes place in a small town. Every summer, two boys come to the village to visit their beloved grandfather and help the old man collect dandelions for his drink according to his own recipe. This interesting wine contains their family history, traditions and memories, as well as all-consuming love, friendship, quarrels and tragedies.
Colm Toibin - "Brooklyn"
The best novel of the year about a young girl and a real wanderer who returns to her native land after so many years of wandering and searching for herself. Life forces her to leave her native Ireland and settle in New York's Brooklyn. Maybe this is for the better, because the chance of finding love here is much higher.
Homesickness makes her thoughts constantly return to her native land, and when Eilis gets used to a foreign city and becomes her own in it, life circumstances return her to Ireland.
What is this? Joke or simple irony of fate? What will happen next and what trials does fate have in store for her? To find out the whole truth you need to read the most interesting novel of 2017.
Gillian Flynn - "Gone Girl"
The detective of the decade will tell us how you can live with a person for five years and not know him at all. Married and, at first glance, happy couple is preparing to celebrate her wedding anniversary, but in an instant everything changes.
The thing is that the main character disappears without a trace, leaving a lot of bad evidence pointing to her death and even more questions. But we will find out the answers to them only when we read this most interesting book.
Gregory David Roberts - "Shantaram"
The story of an Australian guy who chose the wrong one life path and went to prison. By chance, he manages to escape, and to get out of sight, he goes to Bombay. In India, a guy named Lindsay does not reform and again becomes a swindler and deceiver. The moral of this novel is “people don’t change.” This is such a strange life story, but we will not reveal all the secrets and will give you a chance to read this book yourself.
Bernard Werber - "Empire of Angels"
We all ask ourselves the question: “Is there life after death and what awaits us beyond that?” A story that touches on this topic and gives us a chance to reflect and realize what evil and good are, why we were given life and how to use it correctly.
The main character of a science fiction novel named Michel Panson goes to heaven after death (that's lucky), and becomes a Guardian Angel and receives three wards.
It turns out that it is not so easy to watch worldly life and be on the other side of the screen, and new profession He doesn't have it easy. This is the author’s imagination that brought him and his novel worldwide fame. The topic is simply very interesting and in demand. After all, we are not eternal...
What should a book be for summer reading - exciting, witty, light? AiF.ru introduces new book releases, which are nice not only to take with you on vacation, but also to tell your friends about them.
Modern Russian prose
Vacation - the right time, to catch up and read the unread. If you agree with this statement, then pay attention to current books by modern Russian authors.
"Aviator" Evgeniy Vodolazkin
Quote from the book: “Nothing is impossible during a person’s life—impossibility comes only with death. And even then it’s not necessary.”
Prize winner's novel Big book" And " Yasnaya Polyana"Evgenia Vodolazkina's "The Aviator" today ranks first in the ranking of the most popular books in the genre " fiction" And if you are not yet familiar with the current book of this season or the author who is already called “Russian” Umberto Eco", it's time to start reading The Aviator.
The hero of Vodolazkin’s new novel is a man who one day woke up in a hospital bed and realized that he didn’t remember anything. Now he has to restore it bit by bit own life. The strangest thing is that the calendar says 1999, and his memories are limited to St. Petersburg at the beginning of the twentieth century.
“Vera” Alexander Snegirev
Quote from the book: “Having made a choice, you recognize the path, and every path leads in one direction.”
This winter, Alexander Snegirev received the most prestigious Russian literary award “Russian Booker” for his book “Vera”. His novel is a story about a simple woman named Vera and her unsuccessful search for a real man in modern Russia.
Despite the fact that the choice of the Russian Booker laureate came as a surprise to many, Snegirev’s novel itself was definitely one of the most notable books of 2015. And those who have not yet had time to get acquainted with “Vera,” which reflects Russian reality, should hurry up and form their own opinion about it.
Detectives
If you like solving riddles, the detective genre is what you need. But keep in mind, psychologists say that detective stories, like scientific books, are taken up by those who find it difficult to relax even on vacation and need to maintain the usual level of tension.
"In the Service of Evil" Robert Galbraith
Quote from the book: “If you stop and look closely, beauty can be found almost everywhere, but when each new day is fought, you somehow forget about this free luxury.”
Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith is none other than the author of the cult saga about Harry Potter. JK Rowling. In the Service of Evil is her third book and the final installment in the series about private investigator Cormoran Strike. The “Harry Potter Mom” herself admits that “In the Service of Evil” is the only work that gives her the worst nightmares (while working on the manuscript, Rowling had to re-read a bunch of police reports and stories about serial killers).
The adventures in "Evil Service" begin with Strike's assistant Robin receiving a package containing a severed woman's foot. Now detectives have to unravel the name of the terrible criminal.
"Lontano" Jean-Christophe Grange
Quote from the book: “It’s only in the movies that a billionaire’s wife sleeps with a heroic and underpaid policeman. IN real life she prefers to stay by her pool.”
The book of the French journalist and writer Jean-Christophe Grange “Lontano” is today one of the most popular on Russian market. And the secret is not even in the name famous writer and a journalist or in his regalia, but that the author, as usual, has come up with a first-class thriller with complex and exciting intrigue.
This time the boss's family is at the center of the detective story. French police, which is subject to daring attacks. What kind of criminal is operating in France and why the blows fall on the family of policeman number one is not so easy to guess, because Grange is famous for being able to keep readers in suspense until the very last page.
Memoirs and biographies
It has long been proven that reading memoirs and biographies satisfies not only people’s interest in peeping through the keyhole, but also secret narcissism (we all involuntarily look for ideal images of ourselves or our loved ones in great people).
"Jackie Chan. I'm happy" Jackie Chan, Mo Zhu
Quote from the book: “I am ordinary person, who has the courage to do something unusual."
This sincere book will be of interest not only to fans of Chan's talent, but also to everyone who likes works about brave people who are not afraid to make and correct their own mistakes.
« Chicken broth for the soul: 101 best story» Canfield Jack, Hansen Mark Victor, Newmark Amy
Quote from the book: “If you need to cut down a tree with an ax, and you hit it every day with five strong blows“Even the biggest tree will fall to the ground in time.”
Sales of the most anticipated summer series, “Chicken Soup,” are starting in Russian bookstores. Interestingly, in 1993 this collection of small real stories no one in life wanted to publish it, and by 2016 the book, which was rejected by 144 publishing houses, became one of the most successful projects in the history of book publishing.
The collection “Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Best Stories” is called so for a reason - it contains hundreds of poignant stories that can heal emotional wounds and strengthen the spirit. The authors introduce readers to the most unexpected characters, among them a failed actress who finds true happiness after learning that she has cancer; the most beautiful girl city who falls in love with a hunchback after just two sentences and a 13-year-old girl who sold 45,526 boxes of cookies to make her mother's dream come true.
Romance novels
The fashion for novels in the “Fifty Shades of Gray” format has finally passed, and it’s time to look for new books and discover the names of authors not yet familiar to you.
"After You" Jojo Moyes
Quote from the book: “I doubt that happiness is a thing that can be earned.”
At the end of 2015, a continuation of the global bestseller “Me Before You” was published in Russia, which still remains the best-selling book in the country’s bookstores. New book Jojo Moyes 'After You' talks about what happened to the main character saga of Lou Clark after the death of her lover.
As Moyes herself admitted, she did not intend to write a sequel, but work on the script for the film adaptation and an endless number of letters asking how Lou’s future life turned out did not allow her to forget the characters of the popular novel.
“Sorry...” Janusz Wisniewski
Quote from the book: “Some things remain in memory and evoke appropriate associations only when they are correctly named.”
One of the most popular writers in modern Poland and the author of one of the most reprinted romance novels, “Loneliness on the Internet,” has written a new poignant story. “Forgive me...” by Janusz Wisniewski is told from the perspective of a man who suddenly discovered his wife’s infidelity. The man cannot forgive the betrayal and becomes obsessed with revenge.
It seems that this fantastic story is just a fiction of the author, but in fact the book is based on real events that occurred in the early 1990s in Krakow: the popular jazz singer Andrzej Zauha and his companion Zuzanna Leśniak were shot dead by a jealous husband. Vishnevsky does not simply retell this tragic story, he carefully examines the feelings of the characters.
"Bartleby and Company" - not really work of art, rather something between a full-fledged novel, a diary, an article and scientific work. This is a kind of study of the so-called “No direction,” writers who voluntarily abandoned their activities. From literature. The reasons are different, the talents are different, but the research of Enrique Vila-Matas is the same.
It is also necessary to note that before reading “Bartleby and Company” it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the original work, the name of the main character of which was borrowed by Vila-Matas - this is the story “Bartleby the Scribe” by Herman Melville, which is quite interesting in itself. It tells about a certain office worker whose life's motive was the word No. Remember how in the movie with Jim Carrey Always say yes. Something similar here, only in reverse.
About the book "Drinking Time" - Philippe Delerme
Novel " Time drinker"Philippe Delerme is the literature of the stream of consciousness. In other words, all events, as well as descriptions and actions in it, are subordinated to the flow of the author's mental activity: what Philippe Delerme thinks about, he writes. Without thinking about what he writes, he writes further. And further , and further. At first glance, everything is simple, but it’s not so.
Reading such literature is incredibly difficult, since it is almost completely devoid of plot. Or it is such that no meaning can be found in it. Suffice it to say that the main character of Philippe Delerme's novel is the man from the bubble from Folon's painting. If this doesn't scare you, half the battle is over.
