64 Comments
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Munanawashe's avatar

I‘d also love to suggest The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A terrific read!

Darrel Yeo's avatar

Ahhh I love The Book Thief!

Sofia's avatar

That book is superb! I read it twenty years ago and I still remember how meaningful that book was and still is.

Haig Moses's avatar

My brother was obsessed with this book and made me love it too!!

Read & Riot's avatar

I love that book so much! One of my favorites for sure!

Carolina's avatar

Loved this one!

Layla Belle's avatar

Adding some of them to my reading list. Thank you.

allie's avatar

About 85% into NTTWH and Lispector is a master of shifting tense and thought to create a dream like effect. It's mesmerizing and I already know I need to, and plan to, re-read it soon!

Anoushka's avatar

I love love love this list so much!!!! been wanting to read Baldwin and Ishiguro since absolutely forever! I've just added all of these to my list now though, you make them sound so amazing 😭 love how there's so many completely different books on here, from dark academia and literary fiction to haunted mansions and a man who murders because of a scent obsession (like,, wow??) thank you for compiling this <3

Darrel Yeo's avatar

Thank you so much !!! Omg you have to read Baldwin you won't be disappointed :)

Amara Rose 🕯️🥀's avatar

I was so happy to see perfume on here. Easily one of the my favorites books.

DK's avatar

agua viva is amazing

passion according to G.H. is my fave of hers

some others:

Some Prefer Nettles - Junichiro Tanazaki

Correction - Thomas Bernhard

Vampires In the Lemon Grove - Karen Russel

Darrel Yeo's avatar

Thank you for these recommendations! I'm actually so interested in reading passion according to GH <3

lilly 🌻's avatar

Definitely adding some of these to my TBR pile thank you ☺️

sunbunam's avatar

I personally didn't find the secret history to be that impactful, but tartt's "the goldfinch" is her work that i will always recommend to people because her ability to make the reader feel like they're growing up with the protagonist is quite legendary, and shines the most in that one !!

Olivia's avatar

I personally loved "the Secret History" and as someone who majored in classics in college, it was kind of a surreal read for me. But I totally agree about "The Goldfinch." I'm just over halfway through and am completely entranced. You feel like you're growing up and going through all the ups and downs and terrifying realizations right alongside the protagonist. I keep finding myself reading a chapter, then pausing and thinking, "how the heck did she do that?" Then I go back and skim it again. Tartt is truly a master of storytelling.

Dina's avatar

I thought about the same! The Goldfinch feels more like something that changes your thoughts and stays with you for a while, The Secret History on the other hand didn't had same effect on me. It was interesting but touched me way less than The Goldfinch. Thinking about re-reading it now

Read & Riot's avatar

I totally loved the remains of the day!! I also recommend “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera

Marife's avatar

Perfume is so underrated in the English-speaking world. I couldn't think of another novel that gave the sense of smell the literary treatment it deserved.

Muse Alea's avatar

What makes a book a modern classic?

Esther Sio's avatar

I love Clarice!!

Living Outside the Algorithm☁️'s avatar

The Secret History is the best thing since sliced bread

Carolina's avatar

Thanks for the tips!! If you’re into books (and art overall), please check my substack: amongwords.substack.com

Mindbodyhealing's avatar

These are great thank you for sharing! Not a classic but I think you would like shadow of the wind by Carlos Ruiz zafón :)

Emaan.'s avatar

Hey, if you’ve read the secret history then then I would love for you to check out my first post:

https://substack.com/@sippinglife/note/c-166871502?r=5r1o7k&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action