4 Books You Have to Read!!!

There are a great variety of enjoyable, romantic, cunning and reputable novels that express a certain interest in many differentiating genres. Books provide a great release for those who are in need of a creative license or remedy for an apathetic attitude. The stories that we read reflect how our personal taste imitates the things in which we enjoy each day. We are able to experience a new world, perspective and characters that alter our perception of specific events or procedures. The books we have listed below showcase these features of reading;

The Trap - Melanie Raabe

This novel is a highly rewarding, complicated read that highlights a particular sense of distorted reality due to an overcrowded presence of anxiety and paranoia. ‘The Trap’ showcases the story of Linda , who struggles to interpret the intensity of her sister’s death, even after years of reflection and speculation of her killer. Through her occupation as an author, Linda experiences a change of heart and decides to write a crime novel based on her sister’s murder. As the novel progresses, Linda obsession with catching the killer turns into a powerful drive and habit. She becomes engrossed in the trap that she is carefully placing down, hoping to finally conclude her desperate fight to decline her constant sense of mania and delusion. But what Linda doesn’t know is that the man who killed her sister might be closer than she cares to believe.

Shift - Hugh Howey

‘Shift’ showcases the life of Olive, a self-reliant and autonomous character that claims that she doesn’t “need a life-saver boyfriend” to lead the most independent life that she can. Whilst suffering bouts of depression and anxiety, Olive learns to believe that her supposed ‘best friend’ is not what she thought and progresses to associate with a crowd that condones the type of life that she never assumed she wanted. As Olive’s sense of morale declines, she is faced with a heartbreaking realisation, but never fails to justify to herself that she doesn’t need help from anyone. Hence the title of the novel, Olive’s life is completely changed and as her relationship with the Queen B Miranda becomes twisted and cruel, she struggles to climb out of the dark hole that she has dug for herself. Through the progression and evolvement of her character, Olive learns that truly trusting your acquired sense of eccentricity and intuition can take you further than any rumour, gossip or uneducated lie will ever lead.

A thousand splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini

This confronting and emotionally demanding novel demonstrates a particular exploitation in the life Afghanistan and the corruption regarding the arranged marriage system. The novel begins with the life of Maryam, a young Afghani girl who was the so called ‘resented’ product of a powerful courtier and lowly house maid. As Maryam and her mother live in a deprived slum, her father dwells in a gorgeous estate near the city. She eagerly awaits her father’s weekly visits and therefore desires his company, informing her mother of her increased craving to live with her father on his domain. A destroying heartbreak sends Maryam to her father by the means of custody and obligation instead of longing and celebration of a fresh start. As her father’s many wives grow tired of Maryam’s presence, she is sent to live with Rasheed, who is 30 years her senior. As Maryam experiences a journey of self-discovery and true discomfort with her life, she learns to understand the importance of friendship, sacrifice and love.

And the Mountains echoed - Khaled Hosseini

Similar to A Thousand Splendid Suns, this novel is set in Afghanistan, recounting the lives of many that reside there. Khaled Hosseini has written a story about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. As the story progresses, the characters explore how families can betray, nurture, honour and sacrifice for those that they love. This emotionally gripping novel expresses a sense of love and ambition for the future. 

Written by Skye Nugent.