readers digest books liststuart weitzman returns

Was it their throwing talent or their ERA? Rachel Carsons Silent Spring was first published as three installments in the New Yorker in the summer of 1962. Eager for a place in time to call his own, the narrator finds that what he hopes for himself will ultimately remain elusive, just as the truth behind the events that surround him remains ambiguous. More than a century ago, worlds collided on the African continent when European colonizers arrived to establish outposts for their respective queens, kings, and presidents. What he finds, however, are interactions with adults who leave him frustrated or dismayed. The powerhouse novel landed on our list for its overwhelming praise from readers and critics alike. During her treatment, Lacks cells were taken without her knowledge, and they became the first immortalized cell line. In another, its a sermon on the absurd and the power of human thought. Life is a set path thats followed precisely. She also has to help her uncle build a bridge to a parallel world. But once upon a time, that wasnt the case. In this magical realism novel, Salman Rushdie offers a timeless, enchanting story of family, heritage, and duty. RD.COM Arts & Entertainment Books Best Books & Must-reads. Its an important read in our modern, multicultural world. 291,597 ratings

The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive work of an era in American history when cultural, racial, and religious ideologies met at a pinnacle. 30 ratings Its a story so painful, youd prefer to think it is fiction. After more than a decade of research, Brown wrote this book to dispel the myth that vulnerability is a weakness. Though it also landed on our list of the best books by Latinx authors, its true place is here, among the best books of all time. Though the world of Middle-earth is entirely made up, the trilogy teases out universal themes of good versus evil that have resonated with readers of all ages and backgrounds. From the best fiction books to the best nonfiction books, there are so many excellent titles collected in libraries and bookstores around the world. Bren Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, throws everything we know about vulnerability and emotional exposure to the wind in Daring Greatly, one of the most groundbreaking self-help books of our time. published 1996, avg rating 3.83 published 1995, avg rating 3.97 published 1996, avg rating 3.97 This fast-paced historical fiction story covers a lot of ground: race, ethnicity, religion, class struggles, and more. Desperate to help the petite porker, Charlotte, a barn spider, hatches a plan that proves genius and life-altering for young Wilbur. These 1997 volumes were also published as Reader's Digest Select Editions, and all succeeding volumes were published as Reader's Digest Select Editions. In Mans Search for Meaning, Frankl shares the horrors he faced in those concentration camps. Pick up a copy to find out; it makes a great summer read, after all. 32 ratings This masterpiece is the memoir of a college senior whose life is turned upside down when he loses both of his parents within the span of five weeks and finds himself the guardian of his eight-year-old brother. published 1996, avg rating 3.39 Michael Pollan may ultimately be one of the biggest forces for changes in food systems, sustainability, and healthful living. published 1989, avg rating 3.89 Between 1942 and 1945, Viktor Frankl labored in four Nazi death camps. This important book about racism offers a clear understanding of how Black men and women have been ostracized and exploited by formal systems throughout history. In The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, one doctor finally did commit those episodes to paper.

Its a classic and a must-read quite simply because its been described as one of Dickens best works, an appraisal to which Dickens himself agreed. 4,500 ratings Scholars have tried to apply political, historical, and ideological theories to Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, but its quite simply the dreamlike story of learning to grow (or shrink) and explore, told through the eyes of a curious child. 7,539 ratings New York City has been home to big personalities, but perhaps none have been quite as powerful as Robert Moses. In his Pulitzer Prizewinning novel, Angelas Ashes, author Frank McCourt recounts his childhood spent in the slums of Limerick, Ireland: When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. Tim OBrien moves beyond the pain of war to examine the sensitivity and nature that each soldier brought with him on that long journey to Vietnam and the scars that returned with them. He won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature, and his 2005 publication of Never Let Me Go is at least one reason why. 1,761 ratings The novel is a monologue of a lust-ridden, mother-addicted young Jewish bachelor that details many awkward and cringeworthy moments alongside quests for identity. [4] Despite this popularity, old copies are notoriously difficult to sell. We recommend our users to update the browser. 58 ratings Leave any puritan tendencies at the door when you pick up a copy of John Irvings The World According to Garp. (Note: UK editions seem to have been somewhat different from USA editions. published 1996, avg rating 4.13 published 1997, avg rating 3.49 In this collection of short stories, Jhumpa Lahiri outlines the complex dynamics that exist when Indian traditionalism meets an American culture that often offers little respect for complex cultural dynamics it doesnt understand. Thats true of all the tomes on our list of the best books of all time.

Its a requiem about love (and, yes, lust), in all its maddening forms. 3,173 ratings Whether you end up loving or detesting this classic, dark romance, its worth a read. At the intersection of a failing marriage, a dark past, and a secretive underground, Toru Okada encounters an untold number of bizarre people and experiences as he longs for answers that may never come for himor even for you, the reader. Camus, for his part, wrote, I summarized The Stranger a long time ago with a remark I admit was highly paradoxical: In our society, any man who does not weep at his mothers funeral runs the risk of being sentenced to death. I only meant that the hero of my book is condemned because he does not play the game.. In The Omnivores Dilemma, Pollan shows how the meals we choose to eat impact everything from our health to the worlds ultimate outlook. published 1996, avg rating 3.73 What unfolds, however, is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. Slaughterhouse-Five is a science-fiction-infused, anti-war novel that follows American soldier Billy Pilgrim. The book made waves as an anti-war anthem and representation of the individual versus society. ", "Remembering the Reader's Digest Condensed Library", "Readers Digest Condensed Books as diffiult to dispose of as bins of radioactive waste", Clayton Library: "We DONT ACCEPT Readers Digest Condensed Booksthey do not sell. We considered best sellers, award winners, and books that are highly rated by readers and critics alike. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication. Instead, as Michael Lewis reveals, the real secret to winning baseball has little to do with skills and more to do with statistics. In her vast collection, And Then There Were None frequently rises to the top. 31 ratings published 1997, avg rating 3.99 Many have snagged spots on other best of lists published by the likes of the New York Times,The Guardian, NPR, PBS,Time magazine, and more. Zamperini soon found himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean and adrift thousands of miles from help. If you havent read it already, grab a copy of this slim little work and prepare to be swept away by madness, intrigue, and bitter fate. Our list of the best books of all time filled up quickly with fiction. Thats why youll find Stephen Kings The Shininghere. published 1995, avg rating 3.28 31,222 ratings Despite his betrothal, Archer finds himself taken by Countess Ellen Olenska, Wellands unconventional cousin. In the case of Wuthering Heights, yes. Its early success is due in large part to the relatable nature of its narrator, a young, nameless Black man who has to navigate levels of 1950s American culture that are fraught with hate and bias. 101 ratings

Could a book you read in high school really be considered one of the best books of all time? It stands apart for its form, quietly shocking characters, and acknowledgment of how the world keeps spinning madly, whether we keep up with the pace or not. published 1993, avg rating 3.60 The other married an Englishman and built a life of wealth and prestige. Lacks family, however, knew nothing about this. In a world rife with paperback mysteries and e-books, Agatha Christie remains one of the most popular, well-known mystery writers of all time. The book is brimming with characters who will stick with you, which is what makes it one of the best books to read when you want to deeply feel something. In The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson combines meticulous historical research with a bit of period storytelling to generate a truly captivating nonfiction murder mystery that also shares a lot of history about one of the worlds greatest marvels. This is a tale of love in the time of rigid societal requirements of New York Citys upper class. Its the story of love, regret, and identity, as experienced by a Nigerian immigrant to the United States. The stories intersect through time, revealing each characters pastand the way time changes us all. Its also one of the most widely read classics all over the world. Its Me, Margaret. If you read this as an adolescentand considering its often taught in schools, theres a good chance you didits time to reread Are You There, God? This is a beautiful, riveting tale that helped make the horrors of World War II fresh again for readers who learned about it from history books. 752 ratings Eight-year-old Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, find themselves enmeshed in the trial of a Black man accused of raping a White woman. His award-winning book is widely considered one of the best memoirs of all time. This American classic tells the story of one Harlem mans spiritual and sexual reckoning. 37 ratings While the Bennett sisters wit and humor keep the pages flipping, the classic story, which is widely considered one of the best romance novels, also serves as a harbinger for hasty mistakes and erred judgments. Much of Slaughterhouse-Five is autobiographical, but that hasnt stopped pushes for censorship because of the books irreverent tone and unfiltered depictions of sex and profanity. Marion and Shiva Stone, twin brothers born of a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon, are orphaned at a young age by their mothers death and fathers disappearance. Albert CamusThe Stranger has long lived a dual life of meaning: In one way, its a story of mystery, murder, death, and destruction. Theres a reason Readers Digest counts it among the best feminist books. The book is the recounting of a wild, long weekend in Las Vegas, where he and his Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo, are sent to cover a bikers race in the deserts of Nevada. If you oppose banning books, this is the novel for you. Charlottes Web remains a touching, great read for families. Zadie Smiths debut novel tells the tale of two women whose lives are forever changed by what they experienced together during World War II. So, whats all the hubbub about? A Newbery Medal winner, this science-fantasy novel follows troublesome and stubborn Meg Murry as she confronts her fathers mysterious disappearance with a collection of peculiar neighbors: Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Irreverent and bold, The Fault in Our Stars is a funny, captivating, and gut-wrenching story.

The 1893 Worlds Fair brought the globe to Chicagobut it also brought a cunning serial killer, H.H. Her husband is frail from disease, and her childrens lives are falling apart or swirling down the drain. Louisa May Alcotts story of the March sistersJo, Meg, Beth, and Amytraverses their lives from childhood to adulthood. They stay with us long after the last page is read. The book simultaneously weaves a beautiful tale while revealing truths about the African diaspora that many American readers might not already know. 55,101 ratings ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reader%27s_Digest_Condensed_Books&oldid=1097459587, Articles needing additional references from January 2017, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 July 2022, at 21:17. 40 ratings The book brims with beautiful sentences and a riveting story, but it also received critical acclaim for its important themes and depiction of cultural identity. The irresistible waitress and roaming orphan embark on a wildly fanciful but tortured and tormented affair. The roaring twenties still captivate the imagination of many, so dive into The Great Gatsby for a fantastic story and a historical trip that will leave you reeling. Readers will fall in love with the riveting story of two sisters with very different fates. Abraham Lincoln upended the political landscape of the 1850s when he won the Republican presidential nomination over a field of well-known, privileged men. The ripple effects of his jealousy even carry over into the next generation. Despite that ominous start, the book manages to be wildly funny with an irreverently honest take on learning to live with death. Mary Karrs The Liars Club is a darkly humorous story of life in east Texas in the 1960s with a family that could give anyones family a run for its money. Where the Sidewalk Ends is truly one of the best poetry books of all time because of its staying power for children and adults alike. Winston Smith, the books leading character, must navigate the Party, Big Brother, and his thoughts, which grow more criminal by the day. Most science books, even well-written ones, read a bit too much like textbooks. avg rating 4.14 Shakespeares Montagues and Capulets can barely hold a handle to Louise Eldrichs Kashpaws and Lamartines. published 1997, avg rating 4.14 This work has spawned an entire collection of other pop culture, from Disneys The Lion King to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard. Political junkies of all stripes will relish the words of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they recount the experiences and events of Watergate. 110 ratings While this book may have seen an uptick in interest thanks to the 2018 film starring Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, and Reese Witherspoon, Madeleine LEngles A Wrinkle in Time has long been held as a must-read for its fantastical telling of splitting the fabric of time and space. Dont let this books size fool youits one of the most compelling short books weve ever read. You cant go wrong with anytheyre all must-read books. Its a classic whodunit.

published 1995, avg rating 4.16 Despite his own personal desires, Archer marries Welland as he has promised but continues to see Olenska. Guy Montags existence in Fahrenheit 451 might hit a little close to home: Hes a fireman in a futuristic dystopian world whose job is to find and destroy the illegal commodities of a world whose sole focus is television: books. published 1996, avg rating 3.89 Nearly a decade after he first published this book, Pollans call to deeper thought and conversation about our food systems continues to shift the way we eat, grow, and share our food. Widely read and widely taught, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to spark discussions of race in classrooms and libraries across the country. If all you know of this American literature classic is the colloquial expression about decision-making, pick up Catch-22 for a dark and comedic good read. Through this powerful graphic novel, Satrapi tells the story of her childhood in Tehran during the overthrow of the Shah, the rise of the Islamic Revolution, and the destruction of the Iran-Iraq war. In a few cases, new editions of older works (Up from Slavery, published originally in 1901 (Autumn 1960), A Roving Commission: My Early Life, published originally in 1930 (Autumn 1951) or Goodbye Mr. Chips, published originally in 1934 (Summer 1961)) were also among the condensed selections. Its about learning to feel love, enjoy being alive, and live a bold life despite circumstances beyond your control. Philip Marlowe befriends a down-on-his-luck veteran, but several clever plot twists later, Marlowes friendship with the vet leaves him in the eye of investigators and a gangster. Youre never too old to visit with Charlotte, Wilbur, and Templeton. Great Britain has fallen and given way to Airstrip One, a province of the fictional superstate Oceania. 5,732 ratings

He was a force to be reckoned with, taking into his control much of the citys development and prosperitythat is, until he finally met his match in Nelson Rockefeller. published 1996, avg rating 4.03 Lewis wrote and published numerous nonfiction and fiction books throughout his lifetime, but none have seeped so soundly into pop culture as those in the Chronicles of Narnia series. The Oakland Athletics were written off, discarded, and ignored.

Youll see compassion and forgiveness bloom between the Pevensie siblings. Perhaps the greatest book of fiction on Vietnam, The Things They Carried is a powerful story about war, memory, death, imagination, the importance of storytelling, and the human spirit. According to the New York Times Book Review, this masterpiece by Gabriel Garca Mrquez is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race. One Hundred Years of Solitude recounts the evolution of an entire fictitious town, Macondo. published 1995, avg rating 3.37 published 1985, avg rating 4.10 That is precisely the moment India became an independent state. In J.K. Rowlings first installment of the beloved series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, you will be introduced to many of the storys most importantand entrancingcharacters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and more. As the population of Gilead falls, a womans value becomes contingent upon her fertility and ability to reproduce, and those who can procreate are stripped of their independence. This book landed on our list for its explosive popularity and deep impression on the fantasy genre, as well as its manymemorable quotesthat will stay with you. [1][2] The series was published from 1950 until 1997, when it was renamed Reader's Digest Select Editions. Oliver Sacks recounts stories of patients with a variety of neurological disordersincluding, as the name suggests, a man who mistook his wife for a hatthat leave them physically here but mentally miles away. The book captured readers attentionfor both its modern forma graphic noveland important, close-up peek at a country most Americans only know about from the news. This story highlights the life of T.S. George Orwell certainly couldnt have known how prophetic his words might have been when he wrote the dystopian novel 1984 in the mid-20th century. Franks humanity and grace in light of her circumstances are inspiring and heartbreaking at once. 1,992 ratings published 1984, avg rating 3.91 Toni Morrisons Beloved stares down the horrors of slavery and transforms a narrative you think youve read a hundred times into a towering tale of pain, agony, triumph, and freedom. Deemed highly controversial and too explicit when it was first published, Philip Roths Portnoys Complaint is a vividly brash look at sexuality, obscenities, masturbation, and identity. 22,000 ratings This laugh-out-loud collection of short stories makes for great leisurely reading. But its powerful prose has won awards, resulted in film and musical adaptations, and earned a spot on best of lists everywhere. Her weapon of choice? In one of the most deeply sad books, Lee tells the events, revelations, and lessons through the eyes of a young child. While there are many, many Baldwin texts to recommend, Go Tell It on the Mountain landed on this list because of its semi-autobiographical nature. As their American-born daughters grow up, the women struggle to reconcile their identities, cultures, and more. Welcome to the wizarding world, muggles. It remains a landmark published piece in American literature, and after you read it, youll most certainly never look at a piece of liver the same way. And most have had profound impacts on literature, culture, or the world in general. It offers readers a glimpse of a very specific place and time in history. So what really happened? published 1996, avg rating 3.88 In later years they added a Volumes 5, and then a Volume 6, going to a bi-monthly schedule by the early 1990s. In a world made small by 24-hour news and lightning-speed technology, this is a must-read for understanding the plight of fellow humans. Garp, the bastard son of a feminist and activist. Their livesand their careersare equally bright and fanciful. What happened to the countries, the natives, and the settlers was nothing short of cataclysmic and tragic. Our editors agree that its one of the 100 best books of all time. published 1995, avg rating 3.93 published 1996, avg rating 3.26 [3], The series was popular; a 1987 New York Times article estimated annual sales of 10 million copies. 55 ratings Tolkien. It tells the touching story of two boys in modern-day Afghanistan: one wealthy, the other poor. After 50 years of marriage, Enid Lambert is looking for a little excitement, but it seems the universe is working against her goals. Published just months before President Richard Nixons 1974 resignation, the book outlines all the evidence against Nixon and his cohort of political operatives that the two accomplished reporters unearthed during their investigations. Sign up for one of these book subscription boxes. When Alice Walkers award-winning novel was first published in the 1980s, it was quickly censored. Its a deeply moving nonfiction book for kids and adults alike. The result is a bold, clear call to upend current racist systems and strive for a truly fair society. The story behind Unbroken is so unbelievable and so improbable, its difficult to accept that its the real story of Louis Zamperini. 3,103 ratings 23,580 ratings Awkward and inelegant as they may be, sixth-grader Margarets questions and quests (to grow bigger breasts, for example, while also seeking out her preferred religion) lead her to greater understanding and self-appreciation. published 1996, avg rating 3.88 He faces scenarios so outlandishly awful and painful, you cant help but laugh, cringe, cry, and cheer. If all you know of Lewis Carrolls Wonderland is the zany but sanitized version of the 1951 Walt Disney animation, its time to flip your perspective on its headmuch like the Cheshire Cat might flip himself. The book is arguably the most well-known work depicting this time. Later in life, Frankl became a psychiatrist and practiced what he coined logotherapy, a theory that our lives are primarily driven by the discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful. Garps world is a roller coaster of extremesemotional, physical, and sexual. 93 ratings Based on Louise Erdrichs grandfathers life, the story is about one Native American night watchman who fights for his right to land and identity in the United States. Enjoy the journey! When eligible young men arrive in their neighborhood, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett must prepare their five eager daughters for the role of a lifetime: wife. But McBrides son, James, discovers that shes actually a White woman who was born in Poland, and he unearths the many painful reasons she has for hiding from that truth in this powerful, National Book Awardwinning memoir. Where other men may have accepted their fate, he fought with hope, toughness, and humor to triumph. Its one of the best historical fiction books in existence. It takes uncovering a family secret (and an astonishing genetic history) to understand why. Many have been made into blockbuster movies. For more deeply moving fiction, join an online book club and discuss your reads with like-minded book lovers. From The Hunger Games and Divergent to The Handmaids Tale and The Giver, twisted tales of societies gone wrong have practically become de rigueur. published 1997, avg rating 4.01 This is a must-read for its portrayal of enduring friendship, its questions about medical science, and its masterful writing. Calliope Helen Stephanides was born in Detroit in 1960, the heyday of Motor City, to a Greek American family who lived a quintessentially suburban American life. published 1996, avg rating 3.67 Many words have been committed to paper to commemorate and honor the United States race to the moon and the men and women behind those missions. Any fan of womens fiction has likely read Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club. This is often considered a model for the best true crime books, regardless of the time period.