Classical Fiction

• Alexandre Dumas – The Count of Monte Cristo: A tale of wrongful imprisonment, escape, and elaborate revenge. Edmond Dantès is betrayed by his friends and sentenced to life in the Château d’If. After escaping, he discovers a treasure on the Isle of Monte Cristo, which he uses to exact revenge on those who wronged him.
• Ayn Rand – Atlas Shrugged: Set in a dystopian United States, the novel explores what happens when the world’s movers and shakers, the “men of the mind,” go on strike against the societal system that exploits their talents but offers them nothing in return. It delves into Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, emphasizing reason, individualism, and capitalism.
• George Orwell – 1984: A dystopian novel that introduces Big Brother and the totalitarian state of Oceania, where the government exercises extreme control over its citizens’ lives, including their thoughts. It explores themes of surveillance, individuality, and rebellion.
• Graham Greene – The Quiet American: A political and moral exploration set in Vietnam during the French Indochina War, examining innocence and idealism.
• Graham Greene – The End of the Affair: Set in London during and just after World War II, the novel explores the story of Maurice Bendrix, a burgeoning writer, and his affair with Sarah Miles. The narrative delves into themes of love, obsession, faith, and the complexities of human emotion and relationships.
• Graham Greene – Our Man in Havana: A dark comedy and spy novel set in Cuba before the revolution. It follows Jim Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman turned reluctant secret agent, who starts fabricating intelligence reports to earn extra money. The book satirizes intelligence services and their use of misinformation.
• Joseph Conrad – Lord Jim: A story of a young man’s struggle to recover his honor after a moment of cowardice at sea.
• Scott F Fitzgerald – The Great Gatsby: A critique of the American Dream, set in the opulent world of the East Coast during the Roaring Twenties. The story follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsession with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, exploring themes of wealth, class, idealism, and the decay of social and moral values.
• Ernest Hemingway – The Sun Also Rises: A tale of the post-World War I “Lost Generation,” focusing on the disillusionment and existential struggles of its characters.
• Ernest Hemingway – For Whom the Bell Tolls: Set during the Spanish Civil War, it tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American dynamiter attached to a Republican guerrilla unit. Jordan is tasked with blowing up a bridge to prevent the Nationalists from responding to an upcoming attack. Throughout the novel, Jordan grapples with the brutality of war, the complexities of love, and the fleeting nature of life.
• Oscar Wilde – The Picture of Dorian Gray: Wilde’s only novel tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young man whose portrait ages and shows the effects of his sins, while he himself remains young and beautiful. Seduced into a lifestyle of decadence and moral corruption under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian’s actions become increasingly cruel and hedonistic, yet his appearance remains untouched by the ravages of his lifestyle. The novel explores themes of vanity, moral duplicity, and the pursuit of beauty.
• John Masefield – The Box of Delights: A children’s fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Kay Harker, a boy who is entrusted with the magical Box of Delights by an old Punch and Judy man named Cole Hawlings. The box has the power to make one “go small” or “go swift,” and to travel into the past. Kay must protect the box from the villainous Abner Brown and his gang, who wish to use it to disrupt Christmas. The novel is celebrated for its rich descriptions, imaginative fantasy, and the blend of magic and adventure, making it a beloved story for generations of readers.
• J.D. Salinger – The Catcher in the Rye: A novel about teenage rebellion and alienation, following the experiences of Holden Caulfield in New York City.

Modern Fiction

• Iain Banks – Espedair Street. [9/10]: The novel follows the life of Daniel Weir, a former rock star who looks back on his life, career, and the people he has lost. It’s a story of fame, music, and the search for happiness beyond the trappings of success.
• Iain Banks – The Crow Road [10/10]: A coming-of-age story mixed with a family saga and a mystery. Prentice McHoan embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets and truths about his eccentric Scottish family, dealing with love, death, and the complexities of life.
• Huruki Murakami – Norwegian Wood. [10/10]: A nostalgic story of loss and burgeoning sexuality. The novel is a memory tale of a young man’s life in the late 1960s Tokyo, and his relationships with two very different women.
• Haruki Murakami – A Windup Bird Chronicle. [9/10]: A surreal narrative that weaves together the mundane and the mystical. Toru Okada’s search for his wife’s missing cat evolves into a quest that leads him into a web of interlocking stories and a complex examination of the human psyche.
• Donna Tartt – Goldfinch. [10/10]: A young boy in New York City, Theo Decker, survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by a wealthy friend’s family and clings to a small painting that reminds him of his mother, leading him into the art underworld.
• Donna Tartt – The Secret History [9/10]: A group of classics students at an elite college explore morality beyond the boundaries of the law, leading to tragic consequences. The novel explores themes of beauty and horror intertwined within the lives of intellectually gifted students
• Mick Herron – Slow Horses – A spy novel that follows disgraced MI5 agents relegated to Slough House, where they handle mundane tasks. However, they get caught up in real danger and intrigue, challenging their skills and redemption.
• Michael Ondaatje – The English Patient: A lyrical novel set in Italy during World War II, it tells the story of four people—a nurse, a sapper, a thief, and a badly burned Englishman—who come together in the shadow of war’s devastation. It explores themes of love, identity, and the scars of conflict. These summaries capture the essence of each book, highlighting their contributions to understanding personal growth, historical insights, philosophical wisdom, and storytelling.
• John le Carré – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: A masterful espionage thriller set during the Cold War. The story follows George Smiley, a disgraced British spy, as he seeks to uncover a Soviet mole within the MI6’s ranks. It’s a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and complex moral ambiguities.
• Italio Calvino – If on a winters night, a traveller: An experimental novel that begins with you, the reader, attempting to read the novel “If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler” by Italo Calvino. However, you find yourself embroiled in a literary mystery that involves reading the beginnings of ten different books, each leading you to the next. The novel explores themes of reading, writing, and the nature of narrative, as you and a fellow reader, Ludmilla, try to uncover why the books keep interrupting and who is behind it.

Science fiction

• Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book: A young boy named Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered, learns about the living and dead worlds. The novel explores themes of family, friendship, and growing up.
• Neil Gaiman – The Ocean at the end of the Road: A man returns to his childhood home and recalls events that began forty years earlier. The novel delves into memory, magic, and the complexities of childhood from an adult perspective.
• Patrick Rothfuss – The Name of the Wind: The first day of the story of Kvothe, an adventurer and musician. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as an orphan in a crime-ridden city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic.
• Patrick Rothfuss – The Wise Man’s Fear: The second day of Kvothe’s story, delving deeper into his life at the university, his ventures into the wider world, and the search for knowledge about the mysterious Chandrian who destroyed his family.
• Frank Herbert – Dune: Set in a distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society, it tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only source of the universe’s most valuable substance, control of Arrakis is contested fiercely, leading Paul to become the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, destined to lead a revolution.

Biography & History

• William Manchester – The Last Lion: A multi-volume biography of Winston Churchill, covering his entire life from his early years to his leadership during World War II. It’s a detailed account of Churchill’s political career, personal life, and the impact he had on Britain and the world
• Yuval Noah Harari – Sapiens: A narrative history of humanity, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa to the present. Harari explores how humans have shaped the world through cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions, raising questions about where we might be headed.

Philosophy & Wisdom

• Kevin Kelly – Excellent Advice for Living – Insights and principles to live by.
• Matt Ridley – The Rational Optimist – A counter to pervasive pessimism, Ridley argues for optimism by demonstrating how innovation and the exchange of ideas have historically led to progress and prosperity, suggesting this trend will continue to solve current global issues.
• Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist – A philosophical book that tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of discovering a worldly treasure. His quest leads him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined, exploring themes of destiny, personal legend, and the essence of the universe.
• Marcus Aurelius – Meditations – A series of personal writings by the Roman Emperor, offering wisdom on Stoic philosophy. Aurelius writes on virtue, rationality, and the universe, providing guidance on how to live a good life amidst the chaos of the world.
• The Almanack of Naval Ravikant – A collection of insights from entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant, covering wealth, happiness, and the philosophy of life. It distills Ravikant’s wisdom on building wealth and achieving happiness into practical advice.
• Bertrand Russell – A History of Western Philosophy: Russell’s comprehensive account of Western philosophy from the pre-Socratic philosophers to the early 20th century, discussing the major thinkers and movements with clarity and depth.
• Charlie Munger – Poor Charlie’s Almanack: A compilation of speeches and wisdom from Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s long-time business partner. It covers decision-making, investment strategies, and life philosophies, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to thinking.

Economics & Investing

• William J O Neil – How to make money in stocks [9/10] – the best book re fundamental and technical investing in stocks; introduces the CANSLIM mental model.
• Ray Dalio – Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Dalio analyzes historical cycles and patterns to offer insights into the changing world order and principles for navigating the economic and geopolitical shifts.

Business Management

• Ben Horowitz – What you do is who you are [9/10]. A great read for anyone interested in improving teamwork and cultures.

Productivity & Health

• Bill Phillips – Body for Life [9/10] – really motivational re getting in shape
• Richard Koch – The 80/20 Principle – Explores the Pareto Principle, which posits that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. Koch applies this principle to business and personal life, suggesting ways to focus on the most productive activities.
• The Silver Spoon – Naples and the Almafi Coast: A culinary guide focusing on Neapolitan cuisine, part of “The Silver Spoon” series, Italy’s best-selling culinary bible. Offers recipes, traditions, and innovations from Naples, showcasing the richness of the region’s culinary heritage.
• James Clear – Atomic Habits: An exploration of the tiny changes that lead to remarkable results, focusing on how habits are formed and how they can be changed to achieve success and improvement in all areas of life.