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Modern Literature
2001: A Space Odyssey
By Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most celebrated names in modern sci-fi writing. In 2001, he has created a tale that follows human evolution from man-apes, to the spaceship Discovery, on its mission to Saturn to investigate the first signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. A classic of science fiction, it is an exhilarating journey through space exploration and the dangers of technology.
Genre: Science Fiction
Difficulty 7/10
Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most celebrated names in modern sci-fi writing. In 2001, he has created a tale that follows human evolution from man-apes, to the spaceship Discovery, on its mission to Saturn to investigate the first signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. A classic of science fiction, it is an exhilarating journey through space exploration and the dangers of technology.
Genre: Science Fiction
Difficulty 7/10
Dune
By Frank Herbert
Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or "spice", a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. Therefore it is highly sought after, and conflict seems inevitable, with many others desperate to control the spice trade.
Genre: Science Fiction
Difficulty 8/10
Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or "spice", a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. Therefore it is highly sought after, and conflict seems inevitable, with many others desperate to control the spice trade.
Genre: Science Fiction
Difficulty 8/10
Educated
By Tara Westover
The captivating memoir of a woman who grew up isolated from society on a rural farm in Idaho, to strict Mormon parents. Despite abuse by her family, and zero childhood education, she broke the restraints of her father’s twisted worldly views and earned her Ph.D. at Cambridge and Harvard University.
Genre: Autobiography / Realism
Difficulty 8/10
The captivating memoir of a woman who grew up isolated from society on a rural farm in Idaho, to strict Mormon parents. Despite abuse by her family, and zero childhood education, she broke the restraints of her father’s twisted worldly views and earned her Ph.D. at Cambridge and Harvard University.
Genre: Autobiography / Realism
Difficulty 8/10
Fahrenheit 451
By Ray Brdabury
This story is set in a dystopian future America, with a government that burns books in order to 'protect' the public from dangerous ideas and unhappy concepts. It tells the story of Guy Montag, a fireman who questions the book-burning policy and undergoes extraordinary suffering and transformation as a result.
This book holds up a mirror to society in such a unique and honest way, in particular critiquing society's seeming celebration of ignorance and hunger for shallow, mind-numbing entertainment.
This story is set in a dystopian future America, with a government that burns books in order to 'protect' the public from dangerous ideas and unhappy concepts. It tells the story of Guy Montag, a fireman who questions the book-burning policy and undergoes extraordinary suffering and transformation as a result.
This book holds up a mirror to society in such a unique and honest way, in particular critiquing society's seeming celebration of ignorance and hunger for shallow, mind-numbing entertainment.
Life of Pi
By Yann Martel
The truly unique story of a young man who survives a harrowing shipwreck and months in a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
A witty and candid portrayal of man's relationship with religion, spirituality, and the animal kingdom.
Genre: Adventure
Difficulty 7/10
The truly unique story of a young man who survives a harrowing shipwreck and months in a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
A witty and candid portrayal of man's relationship with religion, spirituality, and the animal kingdom.
Genre: Adventure
Difficulty 7/10
The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak
A story narrated by a compassionate Death, who tells us about Liesel, a girl growing up in Germany during World War II. She steals books, learns to read, and finds comfort in words., all the while forming an unlikely relationship with Max, the Jewish man her family is protecting.
Genre: Adventure
Difficulty 6/10
A story narrated by a compassionate Death, who tells us about Liesel, a girl growing up in Germany during World War II. She steals books, learns to read, and finds comfort in words., all the while forming an unlikely relationship with Max, the Jewish man her family is protecting.
Genre: Adventure
Difficulty 6/10
The Curious incident of the Dog in the Night-time
By Mark Haddon
The narrator of the story is a young boy with autism, called Christopher. One night he discovers his neighbor’s dog, dead in her yard, murdered with a pitchfork. He then sets out investigating the crime, but due to his condition, his adventure is unpredictable and humourous, but also eye-opening and informative.
Genre: Realism / Dark Comedy
Difficulty: 6/10
The narrator of the story is a young boy with autism, called Christopher. One night he discovers his neighbor’s dog, dead in her yard, murdered with a pitchfork. He then sets out investigating the crime, but due to his condition, his adventure is unpredictable and humourous, but also eye-opening and informative.
Genre: Realism / Dark Comedy
Difficulty: 6/10
The Outsiders
By S. E. Hinton
The Outsiders is about a fourteen-year-old boy named Ponyboy Curtis. Ponyboy is part of a gang called the Greasers, who are known for the trouble they cause. The novel follows Ponyboy as his life gets thrown off course after a rival gang, the Socs, beat him and one of his friends up.
Genre: Realism / Youth Culture
Difficulty: 7/10
The Outsiders is about a fourteen-year-old boy named Ponyboy Curtis. Ponyboy is part of a gang called the Greasers, who are known for the trouble they cause. The novel follows Ponyboy as his life gets thrown off course after a rival gang, the Socs, beat him and one of his friends up.
Genre: Realism / Youth Culture
Difficulty: 7/10
Things Fall Apart
By Chinua Achebe
Okonkwo is an influential leader of the "Ibo" clan of Umuofia. He is a respected warrior and a local wrestling champion. The first part of the story describes his family, personal history, his violent exterior and tortured soul, and the customs and society of the Ibo. The latter part of the story looks at the influence of European colonialism and Christian missionaries on Okonkwo, his family, and the wider Ibo community.
Genre: Realism / Dark Comedy
Difficulty: 7/10
Okonkwo is an influential leader of the "Ibo" clan of Umuofia. He is a respected warrior and a local wrestling champion. The first part of the story describes his family, personal history, his violent exterior and tortured soul, and the customs and society of the Ibo. The latter part of the story looks at the influence of European colonialism and Christian missionaries on Okonkwo, his family, and the wider Ibo community.
Genre: Realism / Dark Comedy
Difficulty: 7/10
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