Even insomnia can be useful if you have an interesting book at hand. ELLE talks about eight ideal companions for an overnight trip: no matter if you're on a train, waiting for a flight at the airport, or just can't sleep at home, these books will definitely not let you get bored.

"Letter from a Stranger" by Stefan Zweig

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A poignant novella by the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig takes us to tiny apartment in an ordinary residential area of ​​​​Vienna, where a man lives, who one day receives a mysterious letter with a declaration of love. It was written by a woman with whom their paths had crossed one way or another over the years, but the man did not even know about her existence. In the letter, the woman describes all their fleeting meetings and leaves several riddles - they are gradually revealed by the hero. And in the end he will find out terrible secret women directly associated with him.

"Castle of Glass" by Jeannette Walls

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This book quickly became a bestseller and transformed the young journalist Jeannette Walls into one of America's most popular authors. Now they're making a movie based on the book, main role starring Jennifer Lawrence. Essentially, this is an autobiographical work - in it Walls talks about his childhood and growing up in an unusual family, where very shocking methods of education were practiced. The book is truly captivating and touches your heartstrings. By the way, many celebrities adore her, for example, Maria Sharapova.

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Nabokov is a master of words, so even in such a tiny book he was able to fit a story that will not leave any reader indifferent. The novel tells the story of art critic Kretschmar: he falls in love with 16-year-old Magda with a dark past and leaves his wife and daughter for her. Later, his daughter dies of the flu, and Kretschmar decides to go on a trip with his young lover and her homosexual friend Horn. However, it later turns out that Gorn is ex-lover Magda, and the story with his unconventional orientation was invented only in order to fool Kretschmar around his finger. In the end, all this leads to tragedy: Kretschmar finds out the truth, and then an accident happens to him. It is quite possible to find out what will happen next before dawn.

"The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

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A creepy and at the same time beautiful story about how 14-year-old Susie Salmon was raped and brutally murdered by a neighbor, whose guilt could only be established many years later. The book is interesting because the narration is told from Susie herself, even after her death - it is fantasy, but very believable and touching. The girl helps her family find the killer and a few years later a miracle happens. By the way, Peter Jackson filmed the novel in 2009; the main roles in the film of the same name were played by Saoirse Ronan and Mark Wahlberg.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray", Oscar Wilde

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The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of those classic books that you really can't put down: first-time readers will envy it, but it's also a great pleasure to re-read. Famous artist is inspired by the beauty of young Dorian Gray, and he, having seen the portrait, expresses the desire that the painting grow old, and he himself always remain young. This is what happens - now all the years, sins and vices are eating away at the portrait from the inside, and the young man himself remains just as beautiful.

"September Roses", Andre Maurois

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Main character- the aged writer Guillaume Fontaine, he has been married for 20 years, but his soul requires adventure. First he falls in love with a young artist, then with an actress and, of course, sees poetry in this. Of course, there is some drama. Guillaume evokes mixed feelings, but it is impossible to tear yourself away from the novel - Maurois so vividly describes the characters, their feelings and experiences.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne

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The action takes place during World War II. This is a story through the eyes of a nine-year-old German boy, Bruno, who lives carefree in a beautiful five-story house in Berlin with his family and friends. One day Bruno comes home to find his maid Maria putting his things in a suitcase, as the family is forced to move due to his father's new assignment. But Bruno doesn’t like the new place, he goes in search of a friend and one day meets a Jewish boy, Shmuel, who lives on the other side of the fence. It turns out that they were born on the same day and have a lot in common. To help his new friend find his father, Bruno climbs over to Shmuel.

Perhaps all the stories of the brilliant Russian writer and journalist Sergei Dovlatov can be read in one night (even less) in one sitting. These are sketches from life ordinary people: in this case, the story of Marusya Tatarovich and her entourage, representatives of the “third wave” of Russian emigration. Dovlatov knows how to portray the characters’ characters with amazing irony and speaks to the reader like a contemporary. You'll laugh until you cry all night.

“What should I read so as not to be put down?” - literature connoisseurs often think. The choice is sometimes extremely difficult - after all, hundreds of new book releases. Diary books, publications telling about life in different regions Russia, literature suitable for reading at certain times of the year, novels and detective stories. We will help you make a difficult choice!

"Spring" literature

Winter is over, but summer is still far away? Do you want to feel the warmth of the sun and the breath of spring? Ray Bradbury will come to the rescue! "April Witchcraft" is one of the most inspiring stories by this author. The book is perfect for those who are mired in everyday problems and worries. Bradbury will draw your attention to the unusual, hidden in the most common things, inspire and make you feel delight and love.

Another one incredible story this writer - “Fahrenheit 451”. Ray Bradbury describes a rather gloomy picture of the development of post-industrial society. Here firefighters burn books, television has become interactive and fools people, and an electric dog comes for those who do not follow the new rules. By the way, Ray Bradbury first published “Fahrenheit 451” in Playboy magazine.

Another incredibly spring book is “The Book of Complaints”, authored by Max Fry. Igor Stepin and (namely, this couple writes under the pseudonym M. Fry) offer readers a full-fledged novel in the fantasy genre. Despite the title, there are no complaints on the pages of the work. To the delight of readers, this book is filled with love experiences, subtle humor, philosophical questions and amazing adventures.

Black and "disgusting, disturbing yellow flowers", the first to appear in Moscow. This is exactly how the main character of Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita” appears before readers. Work on this novel began in 1928 and ended only with the death of Mikhail Afanasyevich. The reader will be captivated by two storylines. One takes place in Moscow in the 30s, the second is the protagonist’s story about Pontius Pilate. Patriarch's Ponds, the Literary Institute, the Griboyedov House, a “bad” apartment - the book “The Master and Margarita” invites readers on a journey through the special, “Bulgakov” Moscow. Mikhail Bulgakov left eight editions of the novel. The terminally ill writer dictated edits to the latter to his wife, Elena Sergeevna.

Summer under the cover

New fantasy releases take you into an extraordinary world full of incredible adventures and magic. Books from a variety of authors are ideal for summer reading.

Fifteen stories about the ancient wonders and secrets that the Time Lords pass down from generation to generation are hidden under the cover of the book Doctor Who. Tales of the Time Lord." Bleak and beautiful, with vibrant characters and twisted plotlines, Justin Richards' stories are filled not only with nightmare horrors, but also with heroic triumphs.

In 2017, Ransom Riggs' book Legends of the Strange was published. This work is a real gift for those who love new fantasy titles. Riggs' books in the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children series are a unique story about people with supernatural powers, ymbrynes, time loops and monsters. The new edition is a collection of legends, compiled and edited by one of the pupils of the home for strange children, Millard Nullings.

By the way, the Harry Potter series of novels also tells about children with superpowers. In the books, a young wizard faces the most dangerous villain, whose name cannot be spoken out loud. The series opens with the work “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” The book was written at the end of the last century!

On its pages, a lonely eleven-year-old boy learns that he is not like others, he is a wizard. Harry enters the School of Witchcraft and makes friends. It is worth noting that the original title under which the book appeared on display was “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” This name was suggested by JK Rowling, the author of the series. The fact is that Americans do not associate the word “philosophical” with magic.

Following the incredible fairy tale "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is a book about a young wizard and a chamber of secrets. It is followed by stories about the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Goblet of Fire, the Order of the Phoenix, the Half-Blood Prince and the Deathly Hallows. The series ends with the novel Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Books for autumn weather

When autumn comes into its own, the question “what to read so as not to be put down?” becomes sharper. After all, it is at this time of year that you want to wrap yourself in a big cozy blanket, stock up on a cup of aromatic cocoa, cookies and good literature. Stories about charming Moomins will come to the rescue. The collection “All About the Moomins” contains what is extremely necessary in the autumn cold - calmness, a sense of security and warmth.

Bunin’s collection “ Dark alleys" These are stories about love. About one that could become an episode of the past, the memories of which are bitter. Or about the one that changed a person’s life. Perhaps about a feeling that has become a touching legend. Each story is a real alley under the canopy of stars and ancient trees.

“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell is another book suitable for reading while the leaves rustle. Published over 70 years ago, it remains relevant today! The saga of the Civil War in the United States of America, about the fate of the wayward Scarlett O’Hara, is one of those rare books that you can’t put down and want to re-read. Unfortunately, this is the only work that came from Margaret's pen.

However, you can read the continuation of the story that takes place in the book “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell in the novel “Scarlett” by Alexandra Ripley. Indomitable and bright Scarlett suffers again, loves, fights fate and wins!

Winter mood

Winter is the most magical time of the year. This means that literature for winter reading should also be magical. And also warm, touching and full of secrets. In general, such as, for example, “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diana Setterfield. Critics awarded the debut novel of a modest teacher with the honorary name of “the new Jane Eyre.”

Events begin in a second-hand bookstore where the main character works. A girl named Margaret modern literature prefers the works of Dickens and the Bronte sisters. Suddenly the girl is invited by the most mysterious writer of our time - Vida Winter. She asks Margaret to become her biographer. This proposal surprises the girl, because Winter is a writer who has never told the truth about herself in an interview. Ghosts of the past, the gothic story of twin sisters, extremely close to Margaret’s heart, and the solution to a mystery that drove readers crazy - all this is under the cover of the book “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diana Setterfield.

Another wonderful winter story is hidden under the cover of the book by the famous German writer Hoffmann. “The Nutcracker” has the power to transport both children and adults into a world full of magic, transformations and miracles. To a world where cherished dreams come true.

There is no book more wintery than Smilla and Her Sense of Snow. The main character of the book, the author of which is Smilla Jaspersen, is half Danish, half Eskimo. Smilla was born in Greenland and lives in Copenhagen. Smilla also knows several dozen words to mean different ice. She feels snow and ice, understands its strength and structure. In addition, Smilla cannot stand untruth, and therefore steps on the thin ice of searching for truth. This detective story can be watched over several winter evenings.

Book travels

For some, traveling is the main objective life, for some it’s just a dream, while others prefer to read books about travel. What to read so as not to tear yourself away from the pages of a book?

Fans of oriental culture will be pleased with the work “Shantaram”. Its author is Gregory David Roberts. A stunningly accurate description of Indian slums, detailed reproduction of luxurious palaces, noisy metropolises and remote villages - the entire book is literally saturated with the writer’s love for amazing India. By the way, “Shantaram” is extremely dangerous: traveling through its pages, you can pick up love and tenderness for the eastern country!

Africa and Cuba, Scotland and Japan, India and America - Adrian Anthony Gill invites you on a trip to these countries. The collection of stories “On All Four Sides” is a kind of travel notes. Gill is no ordinary traveler; he is a critic and journalist. Thanks to his keen mind and unconventional view of the world, Gill notices what escapes the attention of overly enthusiastic or tired tourists.

Literary France

Nina George’s book “The Lavender Room” will help you travel to the very heart of Provence. The 2013 edition was translated into Russian for the first time. The novel is full of warmth and loss, mistakes and happiness. Critics recommend this book to those who suffer from chronic cynicism and everyday dullness. Caution: possible side effects. Some readers experience such side effects like love for lavender color and an inexplicable longing for the expanses of Provence.

Adventure books

Probably one of the most famous authors of adventure books is Alexandre Dumas. For more than 170 years, The Count of Monte Cristo has remained a favorite book of millions of literary connoisseurs. Sequels were written for this novel, it was filmed, and plays and musicals were staged based on it. By the way, this story is based on real events. The book “The Count of Monte Cristo” tells the story of a young Parisian who was jailed by his friends as a joke. Alexandre Dumas used the archives of the Parisian police for writing.

No less popular is Gulliver's Adventures. This work, which looks so much like a funny fairy tale, is actually an allegory. Its author, Jonathan Swift, is a true master virtuoso. artistic word. Good-natured humor and subtle irony, angry sarcasm and sharp ridicule - the writer uses a variety of techniques in his book. Gulliver's Adventures is both a dystopian novel and a utopia (especially its last part). By the way, this book has four parts in total. The main character makes four incredible journeys that last more than sixteen and a half years. So if you are interested in the question of what to read to keep you busy, pay attention to this book.

Those who like large-scale works should pay attention to the stories about Sherlock Holmes. The adventures of this are a collection of 56 short stories and 4 novellas! The first story about this unique detective was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. The author did not consider the work to be good literature; the enthusiasm of the readers seemed stupid and inappropriate to him. However, when the writer decided to complete the story of Sherlock, thousands of readers, among whom, according to rumors, was Queen Victoria herself, literally forced Conan Doyle to “revive” his hero and continue writing about him. So stories about Sherlock Holmes came from the writer’s pen until 1927.

for children

Young adventure lovers will surely enjoy the story of a boy who did not want to grow up. Yes, we are talking about Peter Pan! The hero of the book of the same name by James Barry once accidentally flew into the window of the house where a girl named Wendy and her two brothers lived. All together they went to a magical country, whose name is Neverland (or Netine will be). Here the guys meet mermaids and Indians, fairies and pirates. Exciting adventures await both heroes and readers!

Detective stories

If it seems to you that modern Russian detective stories are third-rate and frivolous literature, you are seriously mistaken. A mixture of writing skill, fantasy, logic and all the requirements of the genre gives rise to unique works. Fans of fascinating and mysterious stories should pay attention to Russian detective stories. Books by Boris Akunin, for example, are recognized as the most popular works in Russia in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Readers met the hero of this writer, the brilliant detective Erast Fandorin, in 1998. The first book, Azazel, was a conspiracy detective story. The second - "Turkish Gambit" - is called a spy detective. The third novel, called “State Councilor”, is already a political detective story. Akunin did not stop at three stories. “The Counselor” was followed by “Death’s Mistress,” “Pelagia and the White Bulldog,” and “Spy Romance.”

However, not only Akunin can write Russian detective stories. Anna Malysheva's books are also very popular in Russia and even in other countries. This writer has more than twenty books on her list. The most popular are psychological detective stories: “The House at the Last Lantern”, “The Night is Dangerous”, “The Taste of Murder”. By the way, a popular television series was even filmed based on the latter!

Breaking boundaries and borders: fantasy books

There are works that contain an element of the unusual, a denial of rules, conventions and boundaries. What kind of books are these? Fantastic! The origins of this genre lie in fairy tales and folklore. Fantastic works have been known since ancient times, but the heyday of this genre occurred in the first half of the 20th century. One of the most popular authors - H.G. Wells. “The Time Machine”, “The Invisible Man”, “The First Men on the Moon” are examples of high-quality science fiction. Another author popular not only in this genre is Stephen King. His best fantasy story, according to both readers and critics, is “11/22/63.”

The main character, an ordinary teacher from a provincial town, gains access to a time portal to prevent the most mysterious crime of the 20th century - the assassination of President Kennedy. What happens if a terrible catastrophe is prevented? The answer to this question is hidden under the cover of this book. Science fiction is a genre in which Victor Pelevin is very popular. His works “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf”, “The Lamp of Methuselah”, “The Life of Insects” and “The Love of Three Zuckerbrins” deserve special attention.

"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 for the sake of capture. brutal killer and a 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 political life 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 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, despicable metal, always relevant convertible currency, all events starting from 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 complex destinies of ordinary people and civil war in America with all the 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 loses 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 get around as quickly as possible Earth, 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 it opens before him new world, 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 ruins old 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. Since in the forest that surrounds 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

From the syndrome sudden death 7 thousand infants die every year. 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 addicted to primitive history of humanity 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 ruthless totalitarian regime, whose residents are deprived 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 interesting adventures, which will forever change the lives of each of them.

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. 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.

I'm sure you're missing a book that will captivate you so much that you won't want to return to reality. We decided to make things easier for you and have compiled a list of books that you simply won’t be able to tear yourself away from.

Arthur Haley. "Airport"

One of best works Arthur Haley. Explosion on board an airplane. Urgent landing. The airport is cut off from the outside world by a snowstorm, making landing almost impossible. You'll probably think this is a script for some blockbuster. But this is just one day in the life of a giant airport. A kind of microcosm in which people work, feud, quarrel and strive for success.

Alice Munro. "Runaway"

The book is a collection of amazing stories about love and betrayal, unexpected turns of fate and a complex range of personal relationships. There are no banal plots or familiar patterns here.

Khaled Hosseini. "The Kite Runner"

I shed a lot of tears and laughed just as much over this book. The author made me walk along the same streets Kabul, along which the main characters of the book, boys, walked Amir And Hasan. The book is very insightful about their friendship, despite the fact that one of them belongs to the local aristocracy, and the other to a despised minority. Each has their own destiny, but they are bound by strong bonds of friendship.

Tom McCarthy. "When I Was Real"

This avant-garde novel is unlike all others before and after it. The main character, waking up in the hospital, receives multi-million dollar compensation for damage and paranoid uncertainty about reality. today. He spends a fortune recreating the “real” paintings that lie dormant in his mind. It all starts with the construction of a whole house, in which the team special people recreates the smell of fried liver, the sounds of music from a pianist above and cats walking on the roof.

Jojo Moyes. "See you soon"

A sad story about impossible love. main character Lou Clark loses his job in a cafe and gets a job as a nurse for a bedridden patient. Will Traynor was hit by a bus, and, even despite rehabilitation, he had no desire to live. Neither of them knows how life will change after this meeting.

Clive Lewis. "The Chronicles of Narnia"

The book consists of seven fantasy stories telling about the adventures of children in a magical land called Narnia, where animals can talk, magic surprises no one, and good fights evil. I am sure that the book will make you forget about sleep and will not let you out of its magical embrace for a long time.

Laura Hillenbrand. "Unbroken"

One of the main bestsellers of the decade, according to the magazine Times, about a man who survived. The plot is based on an incredible biography Louis Zamperini, a street boy who was raised to be an Olympic runner. Afterwards he became a pilot during Second World War. Having survived a plane crash, this man drifted on a raft in the ocean for a month and was eventually captured by the Japanese. But no one and nothing could break him.

Gillian Flynn. "Gone Girl"

The book is perhaps the main bestseller of our time. This psychological thriller contains so many unexpected plot twists that even the most experienced reader will be satisfied. According to the plot, on the fifth wedding anniversary he disappears Amy- wife Nick Danna. The circumstances of her disappearance are extremely suspicious. And the victim Nick soon turns into a suspect.

David Mitchell. "Cloud Atlas"

A bright and exciting novel, the plot of which takes place in the mid-19th century. Your attention will be presented to six stories in which there is a place for betrayal and murder, love and devotion. Everyone will understand this book in their own way - it is like a mosaic from which different people they create completely different pictures.

George Martin. "Song of Ice and Fire"

This novel does not require a separate introduction. There is hardly anyone who has not watched the series of the same name or at least heard about it. The events of the book take place on the continent Verteros where there is a struggle for the throne. Royal intrigues, conspiracies and war haunt the reader throughout the novel.

When a person has free time, he might 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. Important aspect 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 the details and small parts at the right moment, they can really hook readers.
• Story line. Well thought out and planned story line can pull a book into the ranks of bestsellers 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 strongly in comparison with other cultural phenomena that their works are studied throughout the entire period of education of the individual, from kindergarten, to university.

Neither cinema, nor animation, nor architecture, nor fine art, nor even music can be compared. Some of these phenomena occur in passing, of course. secondary school. 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?

This ancient art has developed into a very diverse 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 volumes scientific information, but 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” . Fiction book, which 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 private territory personality, 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: