Eliza Granville "Gretel and the Darkness"
Interesting books with an exciting plot (Read)
Late 19th century, Vienna. A well-known doctor in the city literally picks up a fragile young lady who has lost her memory on the street. The girl refuses to eat, tries not to talk to anyone and insists that she must destroy the monster. However, he cannot answer counter questions about the origin of this very monster. The doctor takes care of her, gives her a wonderful “flowery” name and really wants to help. But all attempts are broken against a wall of silence and misunderstanding. And only the young gardener Benjamin finds a common language with the young lady.
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Mid-20th century, Germany. Little Christa has everything her heart desires. Her dad pays for almost every whim. But he spends too little time with his daughter. Instead, an old nanny looks after her, frightening the girl with ancient folk tales. Who could have known that such an educational approach could turn into a disaster. Or salvation?
Book selection: books you can't tear yourself away from
112 “Americanha” by Adichie 113 “Shadow of the Wind” 114 “The Game of an Angel” by Saphon 115 “The Night Circus” by Morgenstern 116 “Leviathan” by Akunin 117 “The Longest Wish List” by Spielman 118 “In Her Eyes” by Pinborough 119 “The Survivor” by Palahniuk 120 “24-Hour Bookstore” Mr. Penumbra" Sloane ✔️ 121 "The Cider House Rules" Irving 122 "The Good Dog's Journey" Cameron Episode 123 "Angelica" Golon 124 "Falling in Love in 90 Seconds" Lavrinovich 125 "Asya" Woodworth 126 "Eliza and Her Monsters" Zappia 127 "The Deal" Kennedy 128 trilogy “The Last Namsara” Ciccarelli 129 “PS I Like You” West 130 “One Day in December” Silver ✔️ 131 cycle “Fever” Moning 132 “While You Awake” Bussy 133 “Beauty 13” Koli 134 “The Handwriting of Leonardo” Rubin ✔️ 135 “Return to Eden” Miles 136 “Cloud Atlas” Mitchell 137 “The Catcher in the Rye” Salinger ✔️ 138 “The Maze Runner” cycle Dashner 139 “Loving Again...” Auclair 140 “The Crimson Petal and the White” Faber 141 “The Days of Savely” » Servant 142 “The Light in the Ocean” Stedman 143 “Parisian Secrets” Sy 144 “The Key to Your World” Elizarova 145 “The Long Road” ✔️ 146 “The Best of Me” Sparks 147 “Perfume” Suskind ✔️ 148 “Shutter Island” Lehane 149 “ Siddhartha" Hesse 150 duology "Tobol" and "The Geographer Drank the Globe Away" Ivanov 151 "Young Man with a Glove" Goff 152 "My Beautiful Misfortune" McGuire 153 "Sneak" Hayes 154 "Scarlett" Ripley ✔️ 155 "Swamp Girl" Mastryukova 156 "Doctor Zhivago" Pasternak ✔️ Episode 157 “Lockwood and Prilepin” 159 “The Last Mrs. Parrish” Constantine 160 “The Gloomy River” Shishkov 161 “Lontano” Grange 162 “The Collector” Fowles ✔️ 163 “Recipes for Happiness” 164 “Tell Me About the Sea” Safarli 165 “The Case of Kukots” whom » Ulitskaya 166 “Euphoria” Lily King 167 “Secret Place” French 168 “Bella Figura, or the Italian Philosophy of Happiness” Mohammadi 169 “Dollangers” series 170 “Haven, Daughter of an Angel” Andrews 171 “If one day life takes you away from me...” Cohen . 172 “In the Dark, Dark Forest” Ware 173 “Witch’s Day. Footsteps Behind" Verkin 174 "Garden Enchantment" Allen 175 "South of the Border, West of the Sun" Murakami 176 "Pandora in the Congo" Piñol 177 "Keepers of the Pearl Rod" Kollberg 178 "Veronica Decides to Die" Coelho ✔️ 179 "Woman in window" Finn episode 180 "Vampire Academy" Mead 181 "Tango of Hate" Pepin 182 "Tomorrow there will be sun" Bianchini 183 "Orange Girl" Gorder 184 "Sweetness in the Pie Crust" Bradley ✔️ 185 "Blame the Sea" Clark 186 "Dear Friend" Maupassant 187 “My Sister Lives on the Mantel” Pitcher 188 “Movie Night” Pessl 189 “A Curse of Kings” Gregory 190 collection “Burnt Tongues” Palahniuk and others 191 “Stone’s Cutting” Verghese 192 episode “Veronica Speedwell” Rayborn 193 “The Exes” Krasnova 194 "Pax" Pennypacker
Joanne Harris "Five Quarters of an Orange"
The elderly and lively lady Framboise returns to her hometown in the heart of France, where she opens her own cafe. Her baked goods attract many customers. Residents line up to buy fluffy pies for breakfast. Their recipe is kept strictly secret, namely in a cookbook written by the woman’s mother. But not only the ingredients and cooking time are recorded there. Between the lines slips the semblance of a personal diary, in which the heroine’s parent described her experiences and events that occurred throughout her life. And the owner of the establishment is transported in her thoughts to her childhood, the most vivid memories of which came during the years of the terrible and merciless war. And who could know how the past would affect the current present? Then she managed to go through many trials.
Neil Gaiman "The Graveyard Story"
An unknown person enters the house where an exemplary family lives peacefully. His goal is to kill those who sleep quietly in their beds. He manages to carry out his plan. With the exception of one tiny detail: the two-year-old boy managed to wake up and figured out to hide from the intruder. And then he got out and was able to walk to the old cemetery on the other side of the city. Once in the tomb, the boy found himself surrounded by the inhabitants of the graveyard. The ghost meeting ended with the adoption of the new arrival. The Owens couple took the foolish child into custody, promising him a decent upbringing. And the ancient and strong vampire Silas came to his defense, vowing to teach him and tell him about the world around him. The baby received the name Nobody, and began to explore nature and life. He can see and hear the dead, but does not feel the line between two parallels. But the criminal is still looking for the missing boy. And who knows what his search will turn out to be.
Mario Puzo "The First Don"
Interesting books with an exciting plot (Read)
15th century, the heyday of Catholic power. The Pope dies in Italy. A vacancy has become vacant, and a serious battle is unfolding between cardinals and bishops for the right to have privileges. The main contender is a native of Spain, the notorious Senor Borgia. Despite the cassock, this man has a wife and children. Formally, he is not married, and therefore the rest of his “colleagues” cannot make an official claim against him. Using bribery, flattery, intimidation and even poisoning, the man achieves his goal - the conclave appoints him to the desired position. Yes, only intoxication with power can bring sorrow and suffering. Intrigues, conspiracies, gossip, debauchery, deaths and wars - all this will surround him throughout his reign.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Victor Hugo's historical novel Notre-Dame de Paris opens the list of the most exciting and interesting books. The masterpiece describes the historical events and architecture of the Middle Ages, against the backdrop of which the fate and life of one of the ugliest creatures, the bell-ringer Quasimodo, is shown. In love with the local beauty Esmeralda, the poor freak understands perfectly well that his beloved will never be with him. Despite his outward unattractiveness, Quasimodo has a beautiful, not embittered soul, capable of doing good deeds.
Tom Rob Smith "Child 44"
Moscow, post-war years. A fair and stern MGB employee Lev works honestly for the good of the country. Its main task is to identify enemy spies who may pose a potential danger. He has a wonderful wife, he is valued by management and colleagues, and the state needs him. However, soon the son of his subordinate was found dead near the railway tracks. Traces of violence were found on the boy’s body, and his father is sure that the crime was committed by a maniac. But Demidov assures that this incident is suicide, since the infallibility of the authorities does not imply antisocial actions. The events that follow such a strange fact will drag the man into such a rapid whirlpool that he will have to reconsider his views.
Jean-Christophe Grange "Forest of the Dead"
Interesting books with an exciting plot (Read)
Zhanna is a district investigative judge who devotes all her strength to her work. There is practically no time for her personal life, but she has a boyfriend whom she trusts and hopes for a serious development of the romance. Soon she gets her hands on a strange case that draws her in headlong. The attacker is a real psychopath. He brutally deals with his victims, dismembering them and eating their flesh. The investigation initially comes to a standstill, until the authorities give the woman a few more folders. She carefully studies the materials and decides to wiretap all possible suspects. But she also asks to add “bugs” to the psychologist her lover visits. It is thanks to her ingenuity that she will pick up the maniac's trail and start a hunt for him.
Criteria for choosing a book.
Before you begin to analyze the available authors, as well as their works, it is worth determining what criteria to use in this choice. In addition to being informative, a book should also have an aesthetic meaning. If it is disgusting to pick up, or the language of presentation causes a “swirling” of convolutions, then you should think about the advisability of such a waste of time. When thinking about which book to read, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the following factors:
- Appearance – signals the quality of the publication’s preparation, including text content;
- Abstract – briefly describes what will be discussed, helps to form a first idea;
- Information about the author – makes it possible to evaluate the writer’s experience, his “track record”, and the expected level of professionalism;
- Reviews – show the opinions of other readers, their conclusions and successes in applying the written information;
- “Internal response” is a subjective indicator, which should not be ignored either, since intuition rarely fails those who have learned to listen to it.
So, the cover has been chosen, the topic seems to be interesting, the author’s wisdom is beyond doubt, thousands of readers have flooded the Internet with laudatory odes, and even the “internal censor” is eagerly “rubbing his hands”, anticipating future reading. But what if you liked several publications at once? What book should you read first? This question is rather rhetorical. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the topic of self-development. Thematic articles on our website are suitable. This will help to form a superficial understanding of the topic and highlight the main areas of improvement.
Then, it is worth ranking the books according to their logical sequence . Let's say someone wants to learn time management, which consists of goal setting, prioritization, planning, etc. This means you should immediately read a book about goals, then literature about priorities, and supplement all this with planning. This is a hypothetical example, but it reflects a real algorithm of actions.
It happens that several books are equally interesting or useful. In this case, you can rely on your inner voice. Choose the publication that aroused more interest.
For those who want to become better, we give a hint which books are worth reading for self-development.
Take the self-esteem test
Harry Gray "Once Upon a Time in America"
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States was overwhelmed by Prohibition. Under these conditions, bootleggers began to appear out of nowhere, selling contraband under the counter. Most of them were able to “grow up” into mafia families that kept large areas of the cities firmly in check. Smart boys grew up on one of these streets, dreaming of becoming fabulously rich. It all started with simple courier tasks. But as they grew older, they took on more and more responsibilities. A close-knit group of loyal friends could not imagine that a split would ever occur and they would stop trusting their neighbor. The long and thorny path to what I wanted turned out to be colored red and green, and the consequences of difficult actions were not long in coming.
The best authors on the topic of self-development.
The issue of self-improvement has always worried people. Philosophers and religious leaders have created hundreds of thousands of various works on this topic. Gradually, a business arose that began to absorb, like a sponge, many effective recommendations on a person’s self-development, wanting to make him more successful and efficient. It is worth noting that the advice described in business literature is not always useful for the individual, since the pursuit of profit sometimes distances a person from his real calling.
Since the advent of coaching, the line between business and self-development has blurred significantly; many coaches and authors began to popularize comprehensive development . Their advice helps to harmonize a person’s life, make him more successful, while maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
The most famous authors, whose books have captivated audiences of hundreds of thousands of readers, include Brian Tracy, Stephen Covey, Robert Kiosaki, Mark Manson, Barbara Sher, Sue Hadfield, Richard Branson, Robin Sharma, Napoleon Hill, John Maxwell, Dale Carnegie, Timothy Ferriss . Let's get to know each of them. Let us clarify in advance that the order of placement does not at all reflect a decrease in the value of the works. It is simply impossible to place all the writers on one line. So, if you are wondering what books are worth reading, we suggest the following authors.
Brian Tracy
A well-known Canadian writer and consultant who himself worked his way to the top almost from scratch. Through his personal example, Brian proved that perseverance and work bring results. He outlined his thoughts and observations in more than six dozen books. The most popular of which are:
- “Get out of your comfort zone”;
- “Leave disgust, kiss the frog”;
- "Full involvement";
- "Negotiation";
- "Achieving the maximum";
- "Million Dollar Habits"
- “Change your thinking.”
Stephen Covey
An American management consultant who studied the secrets of efficiency in detail, setting out his observations in a series of world-famous books. One of the author’s most popular works is “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” which has become a reference book for many successful managers. It was followed by a sequel - “The Eighth Habit - From Effectiveness to Greatness.” But in order to “master” it, it is better to first familiarize yourself with other works of Stephen Covey: “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families”, “Super Job. Super career”, “Achieving priority goals”, etc.
Robert Kiyosaki
A popular author and speaker who uses his personal example to show how to build a successful business. The most famous was the provocative work “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” written together with Sharon L. Lecter. It outlines the fundamental principles and skills needed for success. While still a student, Robert began to wonder why some people study a lot and diligently, subsequently earning pennies, while others achieve results much earlier. The results of his thoughts formed the basis of this book, as well as a series of subsequent works: “Cash Flow Quadrant”, “Second Chance”, etc.
Mark Manson
American blogger, writer and businessman, whose audience is measured in millions of readers and subscribers. His works are devoted to topics of psychology, relationships, and life choices. One of Mark Manson’s most popular works is considered to be the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. A Paradoxical Way to Live Happily,” which suggests taking a break from being fixated on success and paying attention to other, more important values in life.
Barbara Sher
Popular German writer of American origin, who has published seven books dedicated to the art of goal setting. Her work, co-authored with Annie Gottlieb, “It’s Not Harmful to Dream,” became famous. How to get what you really want." The first book sold more than three million copies, being published for 35 years. And the third book, entitled “What to Dream About. How to understand what you really want and how to achieve it,” was included in the list of the most popular books, according to the authoritative New York publication.
For those who are busy with employment issues and are looking for a book to read, “The Job of Your Dreams” is suitable. How to make money doing what you love."
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Sue Hadfield
A teacher, writer and coach who shares her ideas for positive life change in the pages of the book What's Stopping You. This work can be regarded as a practical guide to making your dreams come true. It will be useful as a motivator or a “magic kick” that helps you live the way you really want.
Richard Branson
The British billionaire, whose books reflect his success story, provide effective advice on leadership and business issues. Some of his most popular works are considered to be: “To hell with everything. Take it and do it”, “Naked business”, “My rules. Listen, learn, laugh and be a leader.” They will be useful both to entrepreneurs and to a wider audience who want to achieve results, become more successful and happier.
Robin Sharma
Literature on motivation and personal growth does not have to look like a manual or textbook. Thus, a Canadian writer with Indian roots, Robin Sharma, published a popular parable about self-development, “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.” It is dedicated to the vicissitudes of a wealthy lawyer who is forced to reconsider his life due to the onset of a spiritual crisis. Together with other works of the author, such as “Inspiration for Every Day” or “Leader Without a Title,” it will be useful for people who ask the question of what book to read in order to find their own path and succeed in it.
Napoleon Hill
One of the best authors on the topic of success. The monumental work “Think and Grow Rich” allowed many thousands of its readers to become more successful. Napoleon Hill was even an adviser to American President Franklin Roosevelt, which naturally proves his authority and competence. In the writer’s works you can find useful advice on personal growth and development, which form a real formula for success. Recommended to everyone who feels ready to make the transition to a qualitatively new level.
John Maxwell
An author dedicated to exploring leadership issues applicable to work, business, and personal life. Among his popular works:
- “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”;
- “21 Essential Leadership Qualities”;
- “Cultivate the leader within you.”
John Maxwell, in addition to his work as a writer, founded several organizations that have helped develop leadership skills for more than five million people.
Dale Carnegie
A cult American psychologist, writer and teacher, whose books were also in great demand in post-Soviet countries in the nineties. They have not lost their relevance to this day. The main theme of his work is the art of effective communication and networking. Despite some criticism of the described approaches in the context of the manipulative nature of the methods, the concept of communication is very useful. Some of the most famous books include: How to Win Friends, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, and How to Build Confidence and Influence People by Speaking in Public.
Timothy Ferris
A young American writer, investor and speaker who published the book “How to Work Four Hours a Week,” which will be useful to all freelancers and people who work for themselves. This work updates knowledge from the field of time management and related disciplines. Allows you to optimize the workflow in order to get maximum effect with minimal loss of time and effort.
Before asking the question “Which book should I read?”, you should understand for yourself why you should do this. What is the purpose of the upcoming reading? A lot of professional literature has been published. On any topic. If we are talking about issues of self-development, then it is more complicated. You should trust those authors who, through personal example and audiences of thousands of grateful readers, have proven the correctness and effectiveness of their recommendations.
Take the test: Self-Esteem Scale
Terry Pratchett "The Unadorned Cat"
Has anyone ever wondered what a cat thinks? Or what dreams do they have? What do these homeless, motley, graceful representatives of the fauna do? A funny classification from the perspective of a furry, nameless terrorist is the best you can find. He carefully brings to the truth, clearly telling how animals should really be treated. It will show all the “genuine catness”, without any unnecessary details. Can a fashionista or a smart guy be called a real cat? No! Only bright and characteristic personalities deserve the proud title! Therefore, every person on earth is obliged to know all the ins and outs.
"Blood Sisters" by Jane Corrie
genre: thrillers
One morning, the stepsisters and their girlfriend go to school. Along the way, they get into a terrible car accident in which a friend dies, one of the sisters becomes disabled, and the other miraculously remains unharmed. 15 years later, one of the sisters gets a job in a local prison and from that moment on, terrible things begin to happen. Both sisters begin to be followed and receive constant threats through anonymous notes that someone knows well what actually happened many years ago.
Anthony Burgess "One-Armed Applause"
Interesting books with an exciting plot (Read)
Howard and his beautiful wife live near the capital of England. The young man tries his best to provide his charming lover with everything she needs. But it’s always not enough for her, she demands more, although she does not openly express her thoughts. The husband has one feature - a photographic memory, which he decides to take advantage of. After winning some money on a television show, he bets money on horse racing. The expected result comes immediately - the couple becomes rich before their eyes. Soon he meets a homeless poet and becomes eager to help him. He gives him shelter, work and trust. However, after a short time, his presence begins to strain the compassionate guy, and subsequent events completely ruin all plans.
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Markus Zusak "The Book Thief"
Death is also subject to emotions. That's why she watches a girl named Liesel. The notorious “old woman” is interested in the life of this child, who has suffered a lot. Having lost her family, a girl and her brother go to the emergency room, but on the way the boy dies. During the funeral, the orphan picks up her first book in her life. The couple who sheltered the poor thing accepts her quite favorably. Life moves forward, despite the turbulent wartime. New friends and acquaintances appear, study and help for the new mother. But can't peace be disturbed? Moreover, if Nazi troops are engaged in a continuous battle for world domination.
Pride and Prejudice
The novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen takes fourth place in the ranking of the most exciting books. At the center of the work is a couple in love - Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Before the main characters find themselves together, they have to go through the envy and intrigue weaving around them. People around us are characterized by envy, who cannot look calmly at other people's happiness. But despite all the machinations, the lovers were still destined to reunite. The book is distinguished from other works of the same genre by the absence of sugary sighs, long pouring love speeches and hot kisses. Each line of the story reveals simplicity, brevity, subtle irony and deep psychologism of the main characters.
