Must Read Modern Classics
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RECENT AWARD WINNERS
Modern African Literature: Key Authors, Themes, and Trends
African Literature
Better Booklist’s top 10 French novels recently published in English
European Voices, French Literature
Siang Lu’s Ghost Cities Wins Australia’s 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award
Australian Literature, Awwwards
12th Grade Reading List
POSTED ON 09/28/2025 IN
Most 12th grade reading lists out there are predictable and dull, recycling the same ten or fifteen titles without much thought. This guide takes a different approach. Instead of sticking to a narrow Western canon, we’ve built a collection of books that truly changed literature and thought across continents; from Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment in…
Most Anticipated Literary Fiction Books of Fall 2025
POSTED ON 09/06/2025 IN
Dive into the most anticipated contemporary and literary fiction books of Fall 2025! From Thomas Pynchon’s new novel Shadow Ticket, to Han Kang’s poignant We Do Not Part, this curated list blends rich storytelling with global perspectives. Expect lyrical prose, bold narratives, and translated gems that explore love, identity, and resilience. Discover your next must-read…
George Saunders Wins 2025 National Book Award
George Saunders, the master of satirical yet heartfelt storytelling, has won the 2025 National Book Award for Distinguished Contributions to American Letters. From his unconventional journey—geophysical engineering to literary icon—to his genre-defying works like Lincoln in the Bardo and Tenth of December, Saunders redefines modern fiction. With his upcoming novel Vigil set for 2026, his…
Labor Day Reading Guide: Stories from the Working Class
POSTED ON 08/29/2025 IN
Global Labor Day reading guide featuring novels about workers’ struggles, resilience, and solidarity. Explore classic and international literature that highlights the lives of laborers, migrant workers, and peasant communities across history and continents.
Tennis Novels to read for the US Open Season
POSTED ON 08/24/2025 IN
As the US Open ignites New York’s Flushing Meadows, tennis isn’t just about the electrifying rallies on court, it’s also a rich metaphor in world literature. From David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest to Álvaro Enrigue’s Sudden Death, this list explores how tennis becomes a stage for rivalry, ambition, love, and existential struggle. Discover the books…
08/17/2025
/ African Literature
Modern African Literature: Key Authors, Themes, and Trends.
Let’s look into the vibrant world of modern African literature, where stories of resilience, identity, and innovation unfold against the backdrop of a dynamic continent. From Chinua Achebe’s groundbreaking Things Fall Apart to the Afrofuturist visions of Nnedi Okorafor, this in-depth exploration traces the evolution of African storytelling. Discover key authors, recurring themes like tradition versus modernity, and 21st-century trends shaping 2025’s literary scene.. This is your guide to post-colonial African novels.
08/01/2025
/ European Voices, French Literature
Better Booklist’s top 10 French novels recently published in English.
Read about the top recently published French novels translated into English, featuring books by Maylis de Kerangal, Hervé Le Tellier, and Nicolas Mathieu. From coming-of-age tales to Goncourt Prize winners, explore modern French literature that delves into art, identity, and societal change. Perfect for book lovers flexing their French lit taste
07/27/2025
/ Australian Literature, Awwwards
Siang Lu’s Ghost Cities Wins Australia’s 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award.
The 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award celebrates Siang Lu’s Ghost Cities, a daring, satirical novel on diaspora and identity. Discover the six shortlisted books, including works by Brian Castro, Michelle de Kretser, and Winnie Dunn, and dive into the award’s rich history, past winners like Patrick White and Tim Winton, and bios of this year’s authors. Explore the best of Australian literature brought to you by Better Booklist!
07/16/2025
/ Book Lists
The master list of most prestigious literary awards in the world.
Let’s talk about the world’s most prestigious literary awards. Explore top book prizes from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania, featuring recent winners. Find your next great read on Better Booklist!
07/12/2025
/ War Novel
5 books similar to Catch-22 you should read.
Discover 5 must-read books like Catch-22, featuring dark comedy and anti-war themes. From satirical novels by Jaroslav Hašek, Kurt Vonnegut, to Thomas Pynchon, and Vladimir Voinovich, each offering absurd humor and profound critiques of war and bureaucracy, these novels are perfect for fans of Joseph Heller’s classic..
Saul Bellow – a witty writer and a womanizer
POSTED ON 07/08/2025 IN
I love Saul Bellow, the witty Nobel Prize-winning American novelist who in his soul-searching novels a la Herzog or Henderson, the Rain King tackled modern man’s big life questions, all while his five marriages added a dash of romantic adventure to his intellectual escapades!
A Quick Look at Some of the Great English Language Novels of the 21st Century
POSTED ON 07/06/2025 IN
The 21st century has seen a proliferation of great literature, with numerous novels capturing the attention of readers around the world. Here are some of the best English language novels published since the year 2000. The Road by Cormac McCarthy – This haunting and beautifully written novel is a bleak, but ultimately uplifting, meditation on…
The Use of Man – one of the greatest books to come out of former Yugoslavia
POSTED ON 07/05/2025 IN
The “Use of Man” is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel, filled with stark poetry and immeasurable sadness. It is considered to be one of the greatest books of the 20th century.
Master and Margarita – Diving into Bulgakov’s Masterpiece
POSTED ON 06/12/2025 IN
Unravel the mysteries of Mikhail Bulgakov’s Master and Margarita, a masterpiece of Russian literature. This summary and novel analysis dives into the love story of the Master and Margarita, the enigmatic Woland, and the satirical critique of Soviet society, revealing the timeless themes that make this novel a must-read for literary enthusiasts.
Letters from the Nordic World: Examining the Best of Nordic Countries Literature
POSTED ON 05/05/2025 IN
Dive into the captivating world of Nordic literature and read the best works from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland—uncovering the cultural, historical, and philosophical themes that shape the literary legacy of the North.
Bride and Groom by Alisa Ganieva: A Modern Russian Love Story
POSTED ON 04/05/2025 IN
Alisa Ganieva’s Bride and Groom is a compelling modern love story set in Dagestan, Russia, blending romance with political tension, cultural conflict, and the struggle between tradition and personal freedom in a changing society. It is a must read if you want to understand the Russian life today.
Five books to read for Women’s History Month
POSTED ON 03/05/2025 IN
Discover 5 must-read books by women authors for Women’s History Month! From Annie Ernaux’s poignant memoir to Alisa Ganieva’s vibrant love story, explore diverse narratives on identity, resilience, and culture. Celebrate female voices in literature today!
