Shuggie Bain
By Douglas Stuart
Winner of the 2020 Booker Prize, Shuggie Bain is a heartrending portrait of 1980s working-class Glasgow. The novel follows young Shuggie as he grows up amidst poverty and addiction. Central to the story is Shuggie’s relationship with his mother, Agnes—a proud but troubled woman battling alcoholism. As Shuggie struggles to care for her, he also grapples with his own burgeoning awareness of his sexuality and a harsh world that fails to accept him. Both a tender coming-of-age tale and a profound exploration of class and identity, this novel is a modern masterpiece.
A Little Life
By Hanya Yanagihara
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, A Little Life is a deeply moving exploration of friendship, trauma, and resilience. The story follows four friends—Willem, Jude, Malcolm, and JB—from college in Massachusetts to adulthood in New York City. As their bonds deepen, Jude’s troubled past and struggles with his own demons take center stage, testing their endurance and loyalty. Widely hailed as a transformative reading experience, this book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
White Noise
By Don DeLillo
Blending social satire with existential musings, White Noise is an unmissable work of modern fiction. The story centers on Jack Gladney, the creator of “Hitler Studies” at a small liberal arts college. His seemingly absurd life takes a dark turn when a chemical spill triggers an “Airborne Toxic Event,” forcing Jack to confront his mortality. DeLillo’s novel is a biting critique of consumerism and media obsession, delivered with wit and originality.
American Psycho
By Bret Easton Ellis
A chilling depiction of 1980s Manhattan, American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker by day and a deranged killer by night. Beneath his polished exterior lies a disturbing existence consumed by materialism and violence. Ellis crafts a haunting psychological thriller that doubles as a scathing critique of yuppie culture, exposing the darker impulses lurking beneath modern society.
Blood Meridian
By Cormac McCarthy
Set against the chaotic backdrop of America’s westward expansion, Blood Meridian follows “the Kid,” a 14-year-old Tennessean swept into a brutal world of violence along the Texas-Mexico border. McCarthy’s prose is both poetic and savage, rendering this novel a mesmerizing and profound exploration of humanity’s capacity for cruelty. Widely regarded as one of the most important works of American fiction in the last century, it’s a must-read for literary enthusiasts.
The Line of Beauty
By Alan Hollinghurst
This Booker Prize-winning novel captures the essence of the 1980s through a tale of desire, politics, and privilege. When 20-year-old Nick Guest moves into the affluent Feddens’ home in Notting Hill, he is swept into their glittering world. As he navigates his own aspirations and identity, Nick must confront the limitations of belonging to a world that isn’t truly his. Hollinghurst’s elegant and sensitive prose makes this novel a standout.
Americanah
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Americanah is a powerful story of love, identity, and globalization. Ifemelu and Obinze, young and in love, are separated when they leave Nigeria—Ifemelu moves to America, while Obinze faces an undocumented life in London. After 15 years, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, where they rekindle their relationship and reflect on their experiences. Spanning continents and lives, Adichie’s fearless novel is a must-read for its exploration of race, belonging, and resilience.
The God of Small Things
By Arundhati Roy
This Booker Prize-winning novel follows Rahel and Estha, fraternal twins growing up in 1960s Kerala, India. Amid familial chaos and societal expectations, they create a childhood filled with wonder and innocence. However, a single event during a family Christmas visit changes their lives forever. Roy’s lyrical storytelling weaves themes of love, madness, and loss into a haunting tale that will leave readers spellbound.
These literary works offer profound insights into the human experience and are essential additions to any reading list.
