The 9 Best Modern Novels You Need to Add to Your Reading List
Reading is one of the most pleasurable activities that one can engage in. It is not only a way to pass the time but also a way to explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. Modern literature has been producing some of the best works of literature in recent years, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the new releases. In this article, we have put together a list of the 10 best modern novels that you need to add to your reading list.
1. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead is a remarkable work of historical fiction that portrays the life of a slave named Cora who lives on a plantation in Georgia. The story begins with Cora’s escape from slavery and her journey through different states using the Underground Railroad. Throughout the novel, the author vividly portrays the horrors of slavery and the violence and brutality that enslaved people faced on a daily basis.
The novel takes a unique approach to the Underground Railroad, portraying it as a literal underground train system that takes Cora on a perilous journey from one state to another. As she travels through different states, Cora encounters different forms of oppression and violence, including a state that has a sterilization program for Black people, where they are forcibly sterilized to prevent them from reproducing.
The novel is a powerful exploration of the themes of slavery, freedom, and the brutality of the antebellum South. It highlights the resilience of enslaved people and their determination to fight for their freedom, no matter the cost. The story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, leaving readers with a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
“The Underground Railroad” has received widespread critical acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 2017. It has been praised for its powerful storytelling, rich characters, and insightful commentary on the history of slavery in the United States. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the legacy of slavery and its impact on American history and society.
2. Normal People by Sally Rooney
“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a beautifully written novel that has captivated readers since its release in 2018. The novel centers around the relationship between Marianne and Connell, two teenagers who attend the same high school in a small town in Ireland. Despite coming from different social backgrounds, they share a deep connection that evolves over the course of the novel.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is how Rooney explores the power dynamics between the two characters. Marianne comes from a wealthy family, while Connell’s mother works as a cleaner for Marianne’s family. Despite this, Connell is the popular one at school, while Marianne is seen as an outcast. As they grow older and attend university, their roles begin to reverse, with Marianne becoming more confident and Connell struggling to fit in.
Throughout the novel, Rooney expertly weaves in themes of love, class, and power. She explores the complexities of relationships, and the ways in which our social backgrounds can shape our identities and our interactions with others. The novel is also a beautiful portrait of Ireland, with Rooney describing the lush landscapes and the quiet moments that make up daily life in a small town.
“Normal People” has been highly acclaimed since its release, and for good reason. It is a beautifully written novel that explores important themes in a thoughtful and nuanced way. It is a must-read for anyone who loves literature that delves deep into the human experience.
3. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments is a masterpiece of speculative fiction, exploring the lives of three women who are forced to navigate the oppressive society of the Republic of Gilead. The novel is a sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale, which was set in a dystopian future where women were stripped of their rights and reduced to reproductive vessels.
In The Testaments, readers are introduced to three narrators: Aunt Lydia, a high-ranking official in the Gilead regime, Agnes, a young girl raised in Gilead, and Daisy, a teenager living in Canada. As the novel progresses, their stories begin to intertwine, revealing the secrets and inner workings of the oppressive society they live in.
Atwood’s writing is poignant and powerful, exploring themes of power, control, and resistance. The Testaments is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers questioning the role of power and oppression in our own society.
The Testaments was published in 2019 and quickly became a bestseller, winning the 2019 Booker Prize. Atwood’s novel is a must-read for fans of the Handmaid’s Tale and anyone interested in exploring the role of power and oppression in society.
4. The Overstory by Richard Powers
The Overstory by Richard Powers is a beautifully written novel that has received critical acclaim for its exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. The book is structured as a series of interconnected stories that revolve around nine main characters, each of whom has a unique connection to trees and the natural world.
One of the key themes of The Overstory is the importance of trees and their role in our ecosystem. Powers weaves together scientific facts and mythic storytelling to create a narrative that is both informative and emotional. The book highlights the devastating impact of deforestation and the urgent need to protect our forests.
The characters in The Overstory are diverse and complex, ranging from a Vietnam War veteran to a scientist studying the communication between trees. Each character has their own unique connection to the natural world, and Powers expertly weaves together their stories to create a powerful and moving narrative.
In addition to its exploration of the environment, The Overstory also delves into themes of human connection, family, and the search for meaning in life. The characters in the novel are all searching for something, whether it be a sense of purpose or a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The Overstory is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. Powers’ writing is both lyrical and informative, and the novel’s exploration of the relationship between humans and nature is both urgent and timeless. If you are looking for a novel that will make you think deeply about the world around you, The Overstory is an excellent choice.
5. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is a novel that has received critical acclaim for its exploration of complex themes such as friendship, trauma, and redemption. The novel follows the lives of four college friends in New York City as they navigate the ups and downs of adulthood.
At the center of the novel is Jude, a man with a traumatic past that he keeps hidden from his friends. As the story unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through Jude’s life, from his childhood in an abusive orphanage to his successful career as a lawyer. Along the way, we see the impact that Jude’s past has on his relationships and how he struggles to come to terms with his own identity.
The novel is not for the faint of heart, as it deals with difficult subject matter such as abuse, self-harm, and suicide. However, it has been praised for its raw and honest portrayal of these topics. Yanagihara’s writing is both beautiful and devastating, and her characters are deeply flawed and human.
A Little Life was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by numerous publications. It has been praised for its emotional depth and its ability to make readers feel deeply invested in the lives of the characters. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and it is definitely one of the best modern novels to add to your reading list.
6. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is a psychological thriller that was published in 2015 and quickly became an international bestseller. The novel is set in London and tells the story of Rachel Watson, an alcoholic who has lost her job and her husband due to her addiction. Rachel spends her days riding the train to nowhere and fantasizing about the seemingly perfect lives of the people she sees from the train window. One day, she sees something that shakes her to the core: a woman she has been watching from the train goes missing, and Rachel becomes obsessed with solving the mystery.
As Rachel tries to uncover the truth about the missing woman, she becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and secrets. She begins to question her own sanity and her memories of the night the woman disappeared. The novel is told from the perspectives of three different women: Rachel, the missing woman, and Anna, the new wife of Rachel’s ex-husband. Each woman has her own secrets and motivations, and as their stories intersect, the truth becomes increasingly elusive.
One of the reasons The Girl on the Train was so successful is because of its fast-paced plot and gripping suspense. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats as Rachel becomes more and more determined to uncover the truth about the missing woman. The novel also explores themes of addiction, abuse, and trauma, and it is a powerful portrayal of the ways in which these experiences can shape a person’s life.
In addition to being a commercial success, The Girl on the Train has also been praised for its complex characters and nuanced portrayal of mental illness. Rachel’s struggles with alcoholism are depicted in a realistic and compassionate way, and the novel challenges readers to confront their own biases and assumptions about addiction.
The Girl on the Train is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that has captivated readers around the world. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring popularity of the psychological thriller genre.
7. Educated by Tara Westover
Educated by Tara Westover is a powerful memoir that explores the importance of education and the impact of family dynamics on one’s life. It tells the story of Tara’s upbringing in a strict Mormon family in rural Idaho. Tara was not allowed to attend school, and her father’s extreme beliefs and paranoia had a profound impact on her life.
Despite all the obstacles, Tara managed to educate herself and become a scholar. She learned to read and write at a very young age, and she eventually earned a PhD from Cambridge University. However, her journey towards education was not an easy one.
Tara’s father did not believe in formal education, and he did not trust doctors. He believed that the government was conspiring against him and his family, and he stockpiled food and weapons in preparation for the end of the world. He also subjected his children to physical and emotional abuse.
Tara’s mother was initially supportive of her education, but she eventually sided with her husband. Tara’s siblings also had a difficult time; some of them were able to leave home and get an education, but others remained trapped in their father’s world.
The memoir explores the impact of Tara’s upbringing on her life, and how she was able to break free from it. It also sheds light on the importance of education and the power of self-advocacy.
Educated has received critical acclaim and has been a bestseller. It has been praised for its powerful storytelling and its exploration of important themes such as family, education, and mental illness. It is a book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.
8. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
The Immortalists is a captivating novel that raises thought-provoking questions about life, death, and the power of choice. The novel begins in 1969 in New York City’s Lower East Side, where the Gold children, Simon, Klara, Daniel, and Varya, hear about a woman who can predict the date of someone’s death. Despite their reservations, the siblings decide to visit the fortune teller and each receive a date when they will die.
The novel is divided into four parts, each focusing on one of the siblings and their life leading up to their predicted death. Simon, the youngest, moves to San Francisco and embraces his sexuality, while Klara becomes a magician and moves to Las Vegas. Daniel becomes a doctor and moves to the East Coast, while Varya becomes a scientist studying longevity.
The novel explores themes of family, destiny, and the consequences of knowing when we will die. The Gold siblings must navigate their own fears and beliefs about death as they live their lives with the knowledge of their predicted deaths. The novel also raises questions about the power of belief and the impact it can have on our lives. Do the siblings’ predicted deaths become a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are their deaths predetermined regardless of whether they know the date or not?
Throughout the novel, Chloe Benjamin weaves a rich and complex narrative that examines the human experience with depth and sensitivity. The characters are flawed and relatable, and their journeys are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The Immortalists is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to think about their own beliefs about life, death, and the power of choice.
The Immortalists is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the human experience in a unique and compelling way. Through its rich characters, complex narrative, and thought-provoking themes, Chloe Benjamin’s novel raises important questions about the nature of belief, destiny, and the power of choice. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys literary fiction and wants to be challenged and inspired by a truly remarkable novel.
9. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
The Nickel Boys is a novel that exposes the harsh reality of a racially divided America during the 1960s. The novel is based on the true story of the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, which was a reform school in Marianna, Florida that operated from 1900 to 2011. The school was notorious for its abusive and often deadly treatment of its young inmates, many of whom were black.
In the novel, Elwood, a bright and optimistic young man, is sent to the Nickel Academy, a fictionalized version of the Dozier School. There, he experiences the brutal reality of the school’s segregated system, where black boys are subjected to harsher punishments and are treated as inferior to their white counterparts.
The novel explores the impact of institutionalized racism on the lives of young black men, and the toll it takes on their physical and mental health. Elwood, who had a promising future before his unjust incarceration, is forever changed by his experiences at the Nickel Academy. He is forced to confront the harsh reality of racism in America, and the brutalization of black bodies in the name of justice.
Whitehead’s writing is powerful and evocative, and his characters are fully realized and deeply sympathetic. The Nickel Boys is a haunting and deeply affecting novel that shines a light on a dark chapter in American history. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of those who have suffered under systemic injustice, and a call to action for all who seek to create a more just and equitable society.
Note: This article contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you make a purchase.
