"The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown

A popular world bestseller that was filmed. The protagonist of the detective story, Robert Langdon, a professor of the history of religion, receives disturbing news about the murder of the old caretaker of the Louvre. The killer left a secret message next to the victim. The professor takes up the investigation. The clues and mysteries hidden in the works of the genius Leonardo da Vinci lead him to an unexpected discovery.

"A Study in Scarlet" by Arthur Conan Doyle

Military doctor John Watson, by chance, settles in the house where Sherlock Holmes lives, a mysterious detective who can easily solve complicated crimes. In London at this time there are a number of murders following each other. The police are unable to prevent them. Then Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson take on the investigation.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist takes on the investigation of what seems to him a hopeless case. For 45 years, one elderly tycoon has been trying to uncover the mystery of a relative who disappeared at a young age and find out about her future fate. During the investigation, Mikael finds out that several murders are related to this case. As soon as the journalist gets closer to the solution, the hunt begins for him.

"The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris

A string of brutal murders, somehow connected to each other, swept across the western United States. The FBI involves Hannibal Lector, a talented psychoanalyst and a real cannibal, convicted of brutal murders, in the investigation. During an investigation, young police officer Clarice Starling becomes close to Lector in order to catch a brutal killer and maniac.

"Ten Little Indians", Agatha Christie

Ten strangers arrive on the island after receiving invitations from the Onim family. Finding themselves in an empty mansion, they try to find out why they were called here, but they find only 10 figurines of black children, as in the famous children's rhyme. Suddenly, the guests begin to die one by one, and with each death, one figurine disappears from the shelf. The survivors are trying to figure out this terrible sequence.

Historical chronicle

"Joseph Stalin. Death of the Gods", Edward Radzinsky

The diaries of Stalin's faithful comrade-in-arms highlight a whole kaleidoscope of events in which he took part. Here are the deaths of the fathers of the revolution, a football match on Red Square on the day of terror, the Munich Agreement, the fall of Poland, the fateful meeting between Stalin and Hitler. And finally, the camp hell, where Koba exiled his faithful friend and comrade-in-arms.

“King Henry IV Chronicles”, William Shakespeare

The work tells about the political life of England at the beginning of the 15th century, which was full of bloody conflicts and rebellious passions. With the coming to power of the first of the Lancaster family, King Henry IV, many heroes and figures appear in history, such as Henry Percy, Prince Harry, John Falstaff. The chronicle-duology is accompanied by detailed historical and literary comments.

"Rome", Wilhelm Wegner

The book describes the birth, expansion and fall of the great Roman empire. The chronicle of the Eternal City begins from its founding in 753 BC until the decline of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. Historical facts intertwined with myths and legends and the author's writing talent make the book extremely fascinating.

"Richard III Chronicles" by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's famous tragedy about the fate of King Richard and his posthumous glory. The hero is the most controversial character in English history. Defamed after his death as a usurper and murderer, he still causes controversy among historians. Who is he, a criminal or a victim of posthumous slander, is the main question that faces the reader.

“Gold of the Party”, Igor Bunich

This book has gained popularity over the past 10 years. In his creation, the author for the first time presented from the point of view of money, gold, despised metal, always relevant convertible currency, all the events, starting with the October Revolution, the coming to power of Lenin and his associates, as well as the next 70 years of the history of the USSR.

Classic

"The Master and Margarita", Mikhail Bulgakov

The novel is one of the most famous Russian-language works. In it, the fantasy of the witchcraft world is intertwined with the real, ordinary and gloomy Moscow. The mystical atmosphere makes you plunge into the world of illusions and hidden hints. Behind the eternal confrontation between good and evil, the novel contains a deep moral and political meaning.

"Crime and Punishment", Fyodor Dostoevsky

A difficult work about a person’s internal struggle with his conscience. Poor student Rodion Raskolnikov commits a double murder and faces painful remorse. Having gone on the run, he finds love, but this does not save him. Unable to bear the torment, the hero surrenders to justice.

Faust, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The work is based on the famous German legend about the alchemist doctor Faust, who made a deal with the devil, selling him his soul for eternal youth and worldly pleasures. But Mephistopheles will receive Faust's soul only on the condition that he exalts some moment of his life. Everyone is confident that they will remain the winner in the dispute.

The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens

The main character of the work is the orphan Oliver Twist. A boy with the appearance of an angel faces betrayal and baseness, experiences many adventures and becomes the epicenter of criminal events. What will his fate be?

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

The story of six generations of one family living in the small town of Macondo. In a mysterious manuscript, the gypsy of Melquiades predicted the death of the last of the Buendin clan at the moment the record was read. The recording was kept in the family for 100 years, but can now be deciphered...

Romance novels

Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

A cult novel that was filmed. This story is not only about the love of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, but also a story about the difficult destinies of ordinary people and the American Civil War with all its political squabbles. The novel has it all and can rightfully be called an instruction manual for seducing men.

"The Thorn Birds" by Clean McCullough

This story is about a family of poor people who rise to the top of success and the difficult love of a young girl and a priest. The book is divided into seven parts, and in each of them the character of the main characters is revealed. The novel keeps you in constant suspense, because until the very end the question remains open - what will the heroes choose, love or religion?

"Pride and Prejudice", Jane Austen

Despite the 200th anniversary of its publication, the novel has not lost its relevance. The love story between the poor noblewoman Elizabeth Bennet and the aristocrat Mr. Darcy is worthy of attention and thought-provoking. Events in the novel develop progressively: from an unpleasant first impression to mutual declarations of love.

“P.S. I love you, Cecelia Ahern

This is a modern love lyric. A romantic story that brings you to tears, it tells of a strong love over which even death has no power. After her husband's funeral, Holly does not leave the house and withdraws into herself. One day she receives a package of letters written by her lover with instructions on what she should do. Only after they are completed does the heroine begin to live on and enjoy every minute.

“Hello, sadness!”, Francoise Sagan

After the death of her mother, Cecile is forced to live at the monastery, but their strict boundaries and restrictions make the girl a rebel. Returning to a world without rules, she lives for her own pleasure and does not deny herself anything. She cannot overcome her selfishness, even when she meets love. At this time, a friend of her late mother appears in Cecile’s life, who can influence the girl’s future fate.

Adventures

Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts

The book is dedicated to the adventures of a fugitive criminal in the most mysterious, contrasting and contradictory country in the world - India. The main character divorces his wife and is deprived of parental rights, then becomes a drug addict and robber. The court sentences him to 19 years in prison, but Roberts escapes from a maximum security prison...

"The Diamond Thieves", Louis Boussenard

An exciting journey across Africa by three Frenchmen who are in mortal danger in search of treasure. Against them are the poisoned arrows of the native, and local bandits, and the police. Overcoming obstacles, friends again and again fall into the traps of the hot continent.

Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne

The imperturbable and eccentric Englishman Mr. Fogg, taking with him his efficient servant Passport, goes on a trip around the world on a bet. The heroes are trying to circumnavigate the globe as quickly as possible, while experiencing a lot of incredible adventures. The persistent detective Mr. Fix always follows on the heels of travelers.

"The Count of Monte Cristo", Alexandre Dumas

Betrayed by his friends and fiancee, young Edmond Dantes ends up in the Chateau d'If - the darkest and most terrible prison. Fate brings the main character together with an old abbot, who teaches the young man the sciences and talks about the riches of Cardinal Spada. Dantes manages to escape from prison and take possession of the treasures. Then a new world opens up before him, in which he himself becomes the arbiter of destinies.

"Journey to Kon-Tiki", Tour Heyerdahl

Six brave people decided to cross the Pacific Ocean on a raft from South America to Polynesia. But there is only one real sailor on the team, he acts as a navigator, determines the location of the raft based on astronomical observations and marks the course on the map. The book makes you experience real adventures with your faithful team, plunge into the ocean, amazing with its secret depths, and find yourself in the epicenter of the elements.

Modern prose

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

The dramatic and humane novel became a bestseller and was translated into 40 languages. The plot describes the events of the 60s of the 20th century. The main characters, namely two black maids and a white young girl who dreams of becoming a writer, are united by a heightened sense of justice and a desire to somehow influence the order of things.

"The Brand" by Cecelia Ahern

A young girl, Celestina, ideal in everything, one day finds herself in an unexpected situation, where she breaks the law at the call of her heart. Punishment cannot be avoided: either prison or a stigma. In a world where the ideal is valued above all else, and the slightest deviations are unacceptable and punishable, the girl decides to resist the system.

"The Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

After a family tragedy, sixteen-year-old Jacob ends up on a mysterious island. He finds the ruins of an ancient house in which very strange children with incredible abilities lived, and realizes that they may still be alive and very dangerous. Imagine his surprise when Jacob finds out that he is one of them.

“Manyunya”, Narine Abgaryan

A humorous story about childhood, soaked in the sun and the smell of a southern bazaar. The author tells about girls' friends Nara and Manyuna, as well as about Manyuni's grandmother and her relatives, who every now and then find themselves in all sorts of incidental situations. Such a warm and mischievous childhood, filled with fun adventures, gives a person happiness for life.

The Thirteenth Tale, Diana Setterfield

Margaret Lee receives an offer to become a biographer of the famous writer Miss Winter, who became famous for not telling the truth to a single journalist in her entire life. A gothic story about twin sisters unfolds before Margaret as soon as she finds herself in the writer’s gloomy mansion. In some strange way, this story echoes her fate and gradually leads to solving the mystery of the “thirteenth tale.”

Horror, mysticism

Pet Sematary, Stephen King

The book tells the story of the exemplary Creed family, who only needed a large old house to achieve complete prosperity and idyll. After the move, the life of all household members turns into a nightmare. Because in the forest that surrounds the new house, something terrible and powerful is hiding.

"The Black Cat", Edgar Allan Poe

A story on behalf of an alcoholic who, in fits of insane anger, kills his beloved cat and from that moment on, devilry begins to happen to him. His house burns down, and the silhouette of a cat appears on the surviving wall. An alcoholic picks up a similar cat in a tavern, but strange things begin to happen to the new pet. And no matter how hard the hero tries to avoid him, the cat is always nearby.

The Exorcist, William Peter Blatty

Something tries to take possession of the soul of a sweet and innocent child and turns the little girl Regan into a monster with a scary face and a wild voice. The girl’s tender soul shudders from pain and horror and is no longer able to resist the too strong devil, who is ready to celebrate the victory.

"Lullaby", Chuck Palahniuk

7,000 infants die each year from sudden death syndrome. The doctors shrug their shoulders, and reporter Carl Streator begins to investigate. It turns out that the children are dying after an old African lullaby is read to them, which was previously read only to the sick and hopeless in order to free them from a painful death. Streator proves that the lullaby still works today.

"It", Stephen King

One day, seven teenagers witnessed terrible events. But as they grew up, they forgot what they once saw. However, strange things begin to happen in their hometown, which the friends decide to figure out, not even expecting that they will have to fight an insane, merciless, cruel creature with no name.

Fantastic

"The End of Eternity" by Isaac Asimov

The organization “Eternity” is engaged in adjusting human destinies, controlling time and reality. The main character, Andrew Harlan, is interested in the primitive history of mankind and, like no one else, is suitable for the position of Chairman of the Council of Times. But love for a simple girl becomes the reason for the fall of Eternity.

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

The work describes a single society of the state of planet Earth, which exists for the purpose of consumption. New generations in this state are raised in factories, the institution of marriage is completely absent, and parents instill in their children a love for their caste from childhood. Disdain for the lower strata of the population and admiration for the higher caste is considered the norm.

"1984", George Orwell

Oceania is a country with a ruthless totalitarian regime, whose inhabitants are deprived of civil rights and individuality. In a state where most feelings are despised, an aversion to love and sexual relations is instilled, and marriages are concluded exclusively for reproductive purposes, a rigid social hierarchy operates and all power is concentrated in the hands of a single party.

Solaris, Stanislaw Lem

The novel describes events taking place in the distant future. The work is based on two plot lines: the work of Doctor Kelvin on board the research station and the documentary narration of the history of the discovery and study of a new planet. The latter is presented in the book in the form of a library at the station.

Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley

Doctor Victor von Frankenstein managed to resurrect a unique man whose body was made up of parts of dead people. Subsequently, the professor renounces his creation, which turned out to be an ugly and monstrous creature. The scientist leaves the city, but a vile monster is hot on his heels.

Fantasy

"The Lord of the Rings", John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

The story of the Great War for the Magic Ring. The one who receives the ring will gain power over the world and will take the side of Evil. The hobbit Frodo and his friends travel to the Fire Mountain of Doom to destroy the ring. The heroes will have interesting adventures that will change the lives of each of them forever.

A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin

A sensational multi-volume saga about the amazing lands of eternal cold and the edges of endless summer. The novel tells of the valor of knights, distant tribes and the confrontation between the powerful clans of the Seven Kingdoms in the Great War for the Iron Throne. But in addition to people, an unprecedented army of the living dead enters into a mortal struggle.

The Chronicles of Narnia, Clive Staples Lewis

A series of 7 books loved by children and adults. A good fairy tale about a fantasy world where good fights evil and animals can talk. Children find themselves in a magical land called Narnia through an old wardrobe. In the magical world, incredible adventures and amazing acquaintances await the heroes.

A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula Le Guin

A young man named Ged overcomes difficult trials and difficulties on his way from a village blacksmith to a powerful wizard of Earthsea. Here he meets true friends, learns true joy and pain. If he manages to make it to the end, he will have to face his most dangerous enemy.

The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny

The main contender for the royal crown in the Amber City - Prince Corwin - loses his memory and ends up in the abandoned shadow of Amber in the Ocean of Chaos. The local inhabitants call this shadow the Earth... From here begins the prince’s difficult magical path in a rich, vibrant and diverse world, full of difficult mysteries.

Here are the best books of 2017 - reader rating. You will find out what to read so as not to put it down. New bestsellers for the last two years - 2016 and 2017 - are the first ones worth reading. Here are only the most modern and popular books, and not only fiction books for reading have joined our list of the best and most interesting, but also books for self-development (Russia and foreign ones).

Dan Brown. Origin

Edward Kirsch is a famous futurist and billionaire who decided to open his research to the whole world. He is going to tell you that all religions can be easily exposed. Having organized a ceremony at the museum, he invited all the famous scientists. It was at that moment when Kirsch was already giving a speech that an unknown person kills him. Among the guests was Robert Langdon. This is a Harvard professor who is familiar with the professor's research. Now he wants to restore the scientist's work and find his killer. Langdon will travel through Catalonia, church secrets and ancient codes. Further

Mark Manson. The subtle art of not giving a damn: A paradoxical way to live happily

In modern society, success is promoted: you need to be richer, smarter and better than everyone else. On social networks you can read a success story about how to earn millions in one day, and your feed is full of photographs of people who live better than you. However, such positivity once again reminds us of what we have not yet achieved. Is it possible to be happy under such circumstances? Mark Manson, a famous blogger, talks about his philosophy of life. He will teach you the art of not giving a damn. You will learn what you really need to be happy and how to cut out the unimportant in order to enjoy life and not show it to others. Further

Mikhail Zygar. The Empire must die

Revolutions don't happen just like that, and empires don't fall overnight. After 1917, we were able to understand why the empire demanded internal changes and why not everyone decided to make such changes. On the pages of his book, Mikhail Zygar will talk about how the once famous empire moved toward disaster. The focus is on Russian society. The Russian Empire was born, developed and disappeared in 1917. After reading the story from a hundred years ago, you will understand why such events occur today. Further

Tatiana Ustinova. Earth gravity

Before us are four heroes: a pilot, an art critic, an Altai shaman and a Moscow artist. Everyone leads their own lives, but an unusual situation arises that brings them together. They need to complete a task. It turned out that the director of the Tambov library died, and after this unusual phenomena began to occur: the library was destroyed in order to find world treasures. Apparently the library staff were under surveillance. But what is hidden in these books? Why are there only four of these people? The heroes know how to drive unusual vehicles, perform complex surgical procedures, solve codes and shoot perfectly. They will answer all your questions and unravel the tangle of events. Further

Victor Pelevin. iPhuck 10

Boris Akunin. Asian Europeanization. History of the Russian state. Tsar Peter Alekseevich

Tsar Peter Alekseevich carried out reformatory changes that could not but influence world history. All the circumstances that were present in his personal life, the nature of his mind, personal phobias and addictions became part of the national heritage and are perceived as something universally Russian. From this book you will learn how the Russians did not follow history, created it, and why they did it on a whim. Further

Alexandra Marinina. Price issue. Volume 1

The program fights against the System. And the System is omnipotent and corrupt. She has her own price, but at the same time she is not able to appreciate anything. Sharkov, a general of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, knows very well that the controlled program is his last chance to restore order in law enforcement agencies. However, one of the radicals disappears. After this event, strange double murders began to occur. Now it has become known that the fanatic killer is at large, and the program will be destroyed. What should General Sharkov do to restore his life’s work? Further

Jo Nesbø. Thirst

Harry Hole stepped out into the sun on an ordinary June day. He felt balance and a certain harmony. This is how Nesbø’s novel “The Police” ended. However, Detective Harry was deceiving himself all this time. The world is still cruel, imperfect and requires a strong hand to bring order to it. Harry Hole returned to Oslo to continue his police service and resume the hunt for a serial killer who attacked girls on dates using a dating site. However, having picked up the trail of a famous criminal, the detective will plunge into his own dark past. Further

Andrey Cruz. The land of the extra. Kommersant

If a battle is won, this does not mean that the war has been won. Alexander Barinov managed to fight off the Albanians, but this does not mean that now his existence has become calm and quiet. He still knows how to control the situation and is responsible for his actions. However, everything in life does not work out as planned, and the outlined path turns from theoretical to practical. Further

Dmitry Bykov. June

Dmitry Bykov knows how to experiment. In this novel you will learn about three different stories that are united by a single place and time. The thirties of the 20th century - this time intersects in an incredible way with the middle of the 41st year. The philologist - a former student of IFLI - returned from emigration, and it seems he decided that now he can influence what is happening in the country. There is already a war in the air, which some are afraid of, while others are rushing. And it seems that the beginning of the war will cut all the knots and provide all the answers. Further

Dmitry Glukhovsky. Text

Dmitry Glukhovsky wrote his first realistic novel called “Text”. This is a story about how generations collide, how love can become impossible and why retribution is futile. Moscow in modern times. The phone stores all the memories. There are photos and videos of our favorite moments here. In the mail you can find information about business negotiations and instructions from the mother. The browser stores what is interesting and hides it from others. In the chat we confess our love, say goodbye and seduce. This is our time. The phone is us. If someone gets the phone, he will turn into its owner. But by the time others notice, it will be too late. Further

Tatiana Polyakova. Time is the judge

After my mother disappeared, very strange phenomena began to occur. Four years have already passed. The official investigation remained unsuccessful, and private investigators failed. But my father and I have long come to terms with what is happening. But now I didn’t even know what to think. Did I really see my mother? Or maybe it's just a woman who looks like her? Every time I wanted to approach her, I ran away. Clearly someone was playing a cruel game with me. Now it's time for your own investigation. I now have an assistant, Leo Berzin. He is a successful businessman, handsome, and there have always been strange rumors about him. But can I trust him? Further

Dina Rubina. Indian wind

In this story, the main role is given to the woman. In her youth she was a skydiver and hot air balloon pilot. She had a personal tragedy that forced her to take up another business in another country. She went through the looking glass, where she works as a cosmetologist and lives in New York. The heroine is constantly faced with fantastic events, which are sometimes very discouraging. Everything you read in this book should be classified as 40+, because it is written cynically, intimately and as sincerely as possible. And it's all about love. Further

Mikhail Zygar. The entire Kremlin army. A Brief History of Modern Russia

From the book you will learn about the history of Russia during Putin's reign from 2000 to 2015. To write the book, the author used documents, reliable sources, unique interviews and information from the president’s inner circle. Here are brought together facts, events, opinions of various heroes who will tell about the complete picture of life in the Kremlin. Why did he suddenly turn from a pro-Western president with a liberal direction at the beginning of the 2000s into an authoritarian ruler and an ardent opponent of the West? Further

Marina Komissarova. Love. Secrets of defrosting

Marina Komissarova is a journalist, blogger and psychologist with 20 years of experience. She developed a unique system for working with personality - psychoalchemy. Her audience is constantly growing, and her blog has been translated into dozens of languages. You will learn how to unfreeze and pump up your love resources. Thanks to this book, hundreds of people have already overcome their personal life crisis. It is enough to refine yourself a little to increase your energy resources and achieve success by controlling your destiny. Further

Nadezhda Kuzmina. Firewind Witch

Life has always been amazing. You never fully know what awaits you around the corner, whether good will be bad or bad will be good. Did you become an orphan very early? Have you wandered around a lot and for a long time, trying to find a suitable job? So it's bad for you. But if you are young, pretty and have already found your place in the sun in the capital, then this is good. If you are slandered by a former boyfriend, then this is bad. But if someone managed to clear your good name, then that’s just great. But it turns out that you are a witch yourself and can learn magic at the Academy of Magic. If everything works out, you will live happily. Do you think it's too good to be true? What is truly valued by magicians? Honor, power, or knowledge? Will you eventually have to choose between your own freedom and security? Further

Galina Gromova. Bay of Hope. The task is to survive

Death has settled in the world. Civilization has disappeared, and its place has been taken by zombies, destroying everything in the area. Fear and destruction reign. There are only three survivors here. And each survivor will have to make a difficult choice that will determine his life path. Further

These were the best books of 2017. The reader rating (mainly Russia) will help you figure out what to read so as not to be put down. New bestsellers of 2017 and 2016 are now always at your fingertips. Add modern and popular books to read and the list of the best and most interesting to your bookmarks. Share in the comments which book you liked the most. 😉

When a person has free time, he may want to read. But what to read so as not to stop reading for a minute? What could be so exciting? Let's consider some aspects.

Reader interest

Mostly, people read for pleasure.. There are some exceptions, such as reading special technical literature or textbooks, but we won’t talk about that. The most successful books are those that hold the reader's interest until the very last pages.

A arouse interest man, here are the following moments in literature:

• Elaboration of heroes. An important aspect of fiction. It is interesting to read when you worry about the characters and imagine yourself in their place. The more the character's character resembles a real person, the better.
• Colorful descriptions. When the environment in a work is described in too much detail, it can harm perception. Balance is important here. But details and small details at the right moment can really hook readers.
• Story line. A well-thought-out and planned storyline can propel a book into the bestseller ranks, even with bad characters.

Comparative literature analysis

Characteristic	Movie	Video games	Literature
Story.	Cinema has been around for just over a hundred years.	Video games began to become widespread about 30 years ago.	Literature has existed since the invention of writing - thousands of years.
Labor costs.	Making a film requires the coordinated work of several hundred people. The plot, the scenery, the actors, the cameramen, the special effects specialists, and so on.	The production of any video game requires a team of a hundred people. Game designers, programmers, artists, marketers, beta testers and so on.	Writing a new fiction book requires two people - a writer and an editor.
Financing.	Budgets amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.	Budgets in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What does the user get?	An hour and a half of leisure time. A slight emotional uplift if you liked the picture. You can only observe.	From an hour to several weeks of immersion in an interactive universe where you can influence the course of the plot and make decisions.	From one evening to months of reading and thinking. The imagination builds its own pictures and its own images. The reader is immersed in the world that he imagines, in accordance with what is written.

The Cultural Significance of Reading Books

The importance of literature so much in comparison with other cultural phenomena that their works are studied throughout the entire period of an individual’s education, from kindergarten to university.

Neither cinema, nor animation, nor architecture, nor fine art, nor even music can be compared. Some of these phenomena, of course, take place in passing in secondary schools. Specialized universities study their aspect in more detail, but this is not about them. This state of affairs clearly indicates that reading is the foundation of personality development.

What kind of literature is there?

Such ancient art has developed into a very versatile phenomenon. Let's consider the most main directions:

• Historical- chronicles, magazines, chronicles. These are all documents confirming some events in the past.
• Documentary- a description of some events that actually happened.
• Artistic- description of events that are partially or completely fictitious.
• Academic- encyclopedias, textbooks, manuals, guidelines.
• Legal- constitution, bills, rules, charters.

1. Orson Scott Card - "Ender's Game" . The brightest representative of combat science fiction. The book tells the story of the brilliant boy Andrew Wiggin, who was brought up in post-war society as a future military leader. The book was adapted into a 2013 film of the same name.
2. Gordon James - "Why We Don't Fall Through the Floor" . A book for those who love physics and technology. Although it contains large amounts of scientific information, it reads like fiction. Describes the events of World War II from the perspective of materials science. Very light style and clear descriptions. Changes all ideas about surrounding objects.
3. Evgeny Zamyatin - “We” . Popular science fiction dystopia. The main character is one of the many inhabitants of the State, which is separated by a wall from the outside world. All citizens are so standardized that their names are shortened to a single letter, and the society is almost completely equal and has no free will.
4. Yuri Alkin - “The Price of Knowledge” . A fiction book that examines the philosophical side of the issue of immortality and the causes of aging. The main character finds himself in a secret social experiment related to immortality. It will be interesting for those who like to think about what they read.
5. JK Rowling - "Harry Potter" . World bestseller. A series of novels telling about the fate of a boy wizard. Films and computer games were made based on each of the books. This book is about heroism, friendship, good and evil. It will be especially interesting for teenagers, but should not be underestimated. Adults also enjoy reading these novels.
6. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings . Fantasy story about the adventures of the hobbit Bilbo. Films have been made based on these stories and an entire culture exists. People from all over the world come together to participate in joint events dedicated to the author or the plots of the novel.
7. Mikhail Bulgakov - “Heart of a Dog” . A fantastic story about Doctor Preobrazhensky and the dog Sharik. A professor experiments with a dog's brain, turning it into a human. The story touches on issues of morality, personality traits and communism. A film was also made based on it.
8. Dave Wolverton - "On the Way to Heaven" . A novel in the genre of adventure fiction and cyberpunk. Extremely eventful and dynamic. Raises questions of the private territory of the individual, the meaning of certain memories and morality. Connoisseurs of Isaac Aizimov and Stanislav Lem will especially like it.

The list can be continued endlessly, because many masterpieces have been written over the thousand-year history of literature. Therefore, what to read in order not to tear yourself away from the book depends entirely on your choice.

Below the video, blogger Nastya Skripkina will talk about the best books in her opinion, which are simply impossible to tear yourself away from:

And here Polina Martsinkevich will talk about the most interesting books that she has read over the past few years:

22 fascinating books that won't let you sleep

If you suffer from insomnia, or you simply don’t know what to do in the evening before bed, then start reading! But be careful, because some books are so interesting that you won't even notice the morning comes!

Photo: goodfon.ru

So, a list of fascinating books that will interest both “avid readers” and novice “book lovers”:

“The One Who Has Come in Large Numbers”, Narine Abgaryan

This is a tragicomedy about a young and ambitious girl who, at the beginning of the difficult 90s, decided to leave her native small mountainous republic and conquer the capital. And she immediately realized that each visitor, whom the author calls “who came in large numbers,” has his own Moscow. Some people see it in the millions of people scurrying through the streets, while others get the opportunity to get close to such people. And some of them protect, protect, care, help, support and simply love. The author of the book talks about his small piece of that very “common” life of a newcomer, which many indigenous residents of big cities have no idea about. And there is room for heroic deeds, the most important of which is to decide to emigrate and accept a new place as it is, and to sincerely love it. And then Moscow will certainly reciprocate.

"The Collector" John Fowles

This is the author’s debut story, and for many it almost chills the blood, because this is a real psychological thriller that excites the mind. The plot is the destinies of two people connected with each other. He is a butterfly collector. There is an emptiness in his soul that he strives to fill with beauty. And one day Ferdinand finds himself a beautiful victim - the girl Miranda. It’s as if she was created to create and enjoy freedom. And he understands that he will give everything to have her. And so, Miranda becomes Ferdinand's prisoner. But will he be able to keep real Life, Beauty, Freedom and all the most beautiful things that can be in the human soul within the walls of the castle?

The story is built on the delicate relationship between the victim and the villain and allows you to rethink many of the stories of world classics that seemed to have long been worn out.

Forrest Gump, Winston Groom

This is the story of a mentally retarded guy, which he himself outlined on the pages of a now legendary book, which formed the basis of the film of the same name. The plot can be called practically the embodiment of the myth about that very “American Dream” that disturbed the minds of millions of young people who lived in the second half of the last century. But at the same time, this is a sharp and even slightly cruel satirical parody of the society of that time, which was not ready to accept people who were somehow different from the mainstream. Forrest Gump was different and therefore became an object of ridicule. But this boy is not crazy at all. He is different, and he has access to what others cannot see and feel. He's special.

Amsterdam, Ian McEwan

The author of the book is one of the representatives of the “elite” of modern British prose. And for the work, which became a real world bestseller, he received the Booker Prize. Viktor Golyshev, who translated this creation into Russian, also received the award. It would seem that the story is simple and very relevant. But how many nuances there are in it, how many thoughts, how many doubts! The main characters are two friends. One of them is a successful editor of a popular newspaper. The second is a brilliant composer of our time who is writing the “Millennium Symphony”. And they enter into an agreement on euthanasia, under the terms of which, if one falls into a state of unconsciousness and ceases to understand what he is doing, then the other will take his life.

"Amendment 22" by Joseph Heller

Although more than half a century has passed since the release of the first book, this work still remains legendary and one of the most popular, and many publications included it in the list of the best novels.

This is not your typical story about US Air Force pilots in World War II. They all find themselves in absurd situations, encounter absurd people and rash actions, and commit incomprehensible acts themselves. And all this is connected with a certain amendment No. 22, which actually does not exist on paper, but states that every military man who does not want to carry out a combat mission is completely normal and therefore fit for service. But in fact, in this story one can see not so much an anti-war novel, but a deep and global mockery of modern everyday life, of society and current laws.

"A Conspiracy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

The author of this book, who, by the way, lived to see the Pulitzer Prize awarded for this creation, was able to create a literary hero unlike any described in satirical literature. Ignatius J. Riley is a creative, imaginative and eccentric personality. He fancies himself an intellectual, but in reality he is a glutton, a spendthrift and a quitter. He is like a modern Don Quixote or Gargantua, who despises society for its lack of geometry and theology. He is reminiscent of Thomas Aquinas, who began his own hopeless war against everything and everyone: representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation, the excesses of the century and even intercity buses. And this image is so interesting, unusual and, unfortunately, relevant that everyone can see a part of themselves in it.

“Monday begins on Saturday”, Strugatsky Brothers

This book is a real masterpiece of Russian science fiction, a kind of embodiment of the utopia of the Soviet era, a kind of artistic fulfillment of the dream of the possibilities of modern man to learn, create, understand and solve the mysteries of the Universe.

The main characters of the book are employees of NIICHAVO (Research Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry). They are masters and magicians, real pioneers. And they will encounter many amazing events and phenomena: a time machine, a hut on chicken legs, a genie and even an artificially grown man!

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

This book became a real bestseller. This is a mysterious and fascinating story of a girl, Rachel, who, from the train window, watches, as it seems to her, ideal spouses. She even gave them names: Jason and Jess. Every day she sees the cottage of a man and a woman and understands that they probably have everything: prosperity, happiness, wealth and love. And Rachel had all this, but not so long ago she lost it all. But one day, approaching an already well-known cottage, the girl realizes that something is going wrong. She sees frightening, mysterious and disturbing events. And then the perfect wife Jess disappears. And Rachel understands that it is she who must reveal this secret and find the woman. But will the police take her seriously? And, in general, is it worth interfering in someone else’s life? This is for the readers to find out.

"The Book of Life: Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

In the last months of his life, the old professor managed to make several important discoveries.

He realized that death is not the end at all. This is the beginning. And that means dying is the same as preparing for something unknown and new. And this is not scary at all, but even interesting.

Before leaving for another world, the old man passed on such knowledge to everyone who was with him in the last minutes of his earthly life. What's next? Will we find out?

"The Trial", Franz Kafka

The author is one of the most beloved, mysterious, readable and popular writers of the last century. He managed to create a unique artistic Universe, in which everything is completely different from real life. She is sad, dreary and almost absurd, but incredible and bewitchingly beautiful. Her characters constantly become participants in strange adventures, they search for the meaning of life and try to get answers to questions that have long tormented them. The novel “The Trial” is the work that will allow us to most clearly understand the mysterious nature of Franz Kafka’s work.

Lord of the Flies, William Golding

This book can be called strange, scary and incredibly attractive.

In the story, boys brought up in the best traditions find themselves on a desert island. The author told readers a philosophical parable about how fragile the world is and what can happen to people who forget about kindness, love and mercy. This is a dystopia with some symbolic overtones, which explores the behavioral characteristics of children who find themselves on a desert island during wartime. Will they be able to maintain their humanity or will they submit to natural instincts?

"Rita Hayworth or the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King

The plot of this book is the story of a man whose terrible dream suddenly became a reality. He, innocent of anything, was thrown into prison, into a real hell in which he would spend the rest of his life. And no one has ever managed to escape from this terrible place. But the main character does not intend to give up and put up with what was destined for him by fate. He took a desperate step. But will he be able to not only escape, but also get used to freedom and the new world, and survive in it? By the way, this work by the real king of fantasy Stephen King served as the basis for the film of the same name, which starred Morgan Freeman and Tim Robinson.

The events take place in England in 1960. Jennifer Sterling wakes up after a terrible car accident and realizes that she can't remember who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t remember her husband either. She would have continued to live in ignorance if she had not completely accidentally found letters addressed to her and signed with the letter “B”. Their author confessed his love to Jennifer and persuaded her to leave her husband. Next, the author takes readers to the 21st century. Young reporter Ellie finds one of the letters written by the mysterious “B” in the newspaper archives. She hopes that by taking up the investigation, she will be able to unravel the mystery of the author and recipient of the messages, restore her reputation, and even understand her own personal life.

"A Lady with Glasses with a Gun in a Car" by Sebastien Japrisot

The main character of the book is blonde. She is beautiful, sentimental, sincere, deceitful, restless, stubborn and clueless. This lady, who has never seen the sea, gets into a car and tries to escape from the police. At the same time, she constantly repeats to herself that she is not crazy.

But those around me do not agree with this. The heroine behaves more than strangely and constantly finds herself in ridiculous situations. She believes that wherever she goes, she can be harmed. But if she runs away, she will be able to be alone with herself and free herself from what she hides, from what worries her so much.

The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

The author wrote this book for ten whole years, but it became a real masterpiece. It tells us that art has power and strength, and sometimes it can radically change and literally turn our lives around, and quite suddenly.

The hero of the work, 13-year-old boy Theo Decker, miraculously survived the explosion that killed his mother. His father abandoned him, and he is forced to wander around foster families and completely strange homes. He visited Las Vegas and New York and almost despaired. But his only consolation, which, by the way, almost led to his death, is the masterpiece of the Dutch old master, which he stole from the museum.

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell

This book is like a complex mirror labyrinth, in which seemingly completely different and unrelated stories miraculously echo, intersect and overlap each other.

There are six main characters in the work: a young composer who is forced to sell his soul and body; 19th century notary; a journalist working in California in the 70s of the last century who uncovers a conspiracy of a large company; a clone servant working in a modern fast food establishment; a modern small publisher and a simple goatherd living at the end of civilization.

"1984", George Orwell

This work can be classified as a dystopian genre; it describes a society in which a strict totalitarian regime reigns.

There is nothing more terrible than the imprisonment of free and living minds in the shackles of social foundations.

"Blackberry Winter" by Sarah Gio

The events take place in 1933 in Seattle. Vera Ray kisses her little son good night and heads off to her night job at a hotel. In the morning, a single mother discovers that the entire city is covered in snow, and her son has disappeared. In a snowdrift near the house, Vera finds the boy’s favorite toy, but there are no traces nearby. A desperate mother is ready to do anything to find her child.

The author then takes readers to modern-day Seattle. Reporter Claire Aldridge writes an article about a snowstorm that literally paralyzes the city. By chance she learns that similar events already took place 80 years ago. As Claire begins to explore the mysterious story of Vera Ray, she realizes that it is somehow mysteriously intertwined with her own life.

"Blindness", Jose Saramago

Residents of a nameless country and a nameless city are faced with a strange epidemic. They all quickly begin to go blind. And the authorities, in order to stop this incomprehensible disease, decide to introduce strict quarantine and move all sick people to the old hospital, taking them into custody.

The main characters of the work are an infected ophthalmologist and his pretending to be blind wife. They are trying to piece together the world and find order in this chaos that is gradually enveloping everyone.

“Three apples fell from the sky”, Narine Abgaryan

This book is the story of one small village, which is located somewhere high in the mountains.

Its inhabitants are all a little grumpy, a little eccentric, but at the same time, real treasures of the spirit are hidden in each of them.

This is a witty, sublime and unusual dystopia about a modern consumer society, which is programmed at the genetic level. And in this world unfolds the sad story of the Savage, whom the author regards as the Hamlet of our time. He still retains remnants of humanity, but people, divided into castes of social consumption, do not want to recognize him or simply cannot do so.

If we list noteworthy books by contemporary authors, we cannot fail to mention the work “Social network “Ark” by Evgeny Vetzel, which consists of three parts.

The main character falls from the roof, but is reborn again. Having lived a little in the 11th century, he finds himself in the distant future - in the 36th century in Moscow. The author touches on many interesting devices, psychology and sales techniques, modern reflections on life, and reasons to think seriously about rhetorical issues. The second book describes life in America and the theory of one of the variants of a worldwide conspiracy. And the third part tells about the adventures of the hero on another planet where white angels live.

These were the most interesting books that are worth reading even for those who think that they don’t like to read. They will change your views and even your ideas about the world.

P.S. What books do you remember most?