7 Books To Read Before You’re 40

Khuraijam Roger Singh
Sep 10, 2024

"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Harari’s exploration of human history traces the evolution of Homo sapiens from ancient times to the present, examining how cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions have shaped society.

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

The novel follows Esther Greenwood as she battles mental illness and struggles with societal expectations in 1950s America and provides a raw and insightful look into depression and the pressures faced by women.

"The End of Alice" by A.M. Homes

In this provocative novel, an imprisoned child molester begins a correspondence with a young woman fascinated by his crimes. The story delves into dark psychological terrain, pushing readers to confront uncomfortable truths.

"Possession" by A.S. Byatt

This literary detective novel follows two contemporary scholars who uncover a secret romance between two Victorian poets. Byatt’s intricate narrative weaves together historical research, romantic intrigue, and scholarly rivalry.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez

An epic tale follows the Buendía family over seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo, blending magical realism with historical events, exploring themes of solitude, destiny, and the cyclical nature of time.

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

In a post-apocalyptic world, the book details the grueling journey of a father and his young son over several months across a landscape blasted by an unspecified cataclysm that has destroyed industrial civilization and nearly all life.

"Beloved" by Toni Morrison

After escaping slavery, Sethe is haunted by the ghost of her deceased daughter, Beloved, who embodies the traumas of her past and delves deeply into the psychological scars of slavery and the struggle for self-identity and redemption.

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