The Road by Cormac McCarthy: A haunting post-apocalyptic survival and fatherhood journey

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Heartbreaking tale of friendship, betrayal, and redemption

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: Art, loss, and survival intertwine in gripping story

Life of Pi by Yann Martel: A spiritual adventure of survival at sea

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: Magical duels unfold in a surreal traveling circus

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: A gripping alternate history of escape from slavery

Atonement by Ian McEwan: A lie alters lives in this emotional drama

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: A multigenerational saga of identity and transformation

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: WWII-era story narrated by Death with poignant beauty

Normal People by Sally Rooney: Intense connection between two people shapes their lives

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts: Epic adventure set against Bombay’s vibrant underworld

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell: Six interlinked stories span different times and genres