Month 1: Classic Literature
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen – Explore the witty and satirical world of the Bennet sisters as they navigate love, societal expectations, and personal growth in Regency-era England.
“1984” by George Orwell – Enter a dystopian society ruled by a totalitarian regime, where Big Brother watches over every aspect of citizens’ lives, and explores themes of surveillance, propaganda, and individual freedom.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Immerse yourself in the glittering Jazz Age of 1920s America, as Jay Gatsby pursues his elusive American Dream and themes of love, wealth, and the corruption of the American Dream are explored.
Month 2: Plays and Dramas
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare – Witness the tragic downfall of the ambitious Scottish general Macbeth as he resorts to murder and deceit to secure and maintain his power.
“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller – Dive into the life of Willy Loman, a disillusioned salesman, as he grapples with the elusive American Dream, identity, and the consequences of his choices.
“A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams – Enter the world of Blanche DuBois as she clashes with her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, exploring themes of desire, madness, and the fading Southern belle archetype.
Month 3: Poetry and Verse
“The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot – Delve into this modernist masterpiece, exploring themes of disillusionment and the fragmented nature of modern society.
“Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman – Immerse yourself in Whitman’s epic poem from his collection
“Leaves of Grass,” celebrating the unity of all humanity and embracing themes of democracy, individuality, and nature.
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot – Encounter the musings and inner turmoil of Prufrock as he contemplates life, love, and his own inadequacies in this influential modernist poem.
Month 4: Postcolonial Literature
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe – Witness the tragic story of Okonkwo, a respected warrior in a Nigerian village, as he confronts the collision of traditional Igbo culture with colonialism.
“The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy – Enter the world of twins Rahel and Estha as they navigate love, caste barriers, and family secrets in the postcolonial setting of Kerala, India.
“The Shadow Lines” by Amitav Ghosh – Explore the complexities of identity, memory, and borders through the interweaving narratives of the protagonist and his family across India and Bangladesh.
Month 5: Historical Fiction
“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas – Embark on a tale of revenge, betrayal, and redemption as Edmond Dantès seeks justice against those who wronged him in 19th-century France.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – Follow Liesel Meminger’s journey as she discovers the power of words and finds solace in books during World War II.
“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead – Accompany Cora, a young slave, as she escapes from a Georgia plantation and traverses a literal underground railroad in search of freedom.
Month 6: Modern Fiction
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger – Follow the rebellious and introspective Holden Caulfield as he navigates adolescence and grapples with the complexities of authenticity and identity.
“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini – Enter the world of Amir, a young Afghan boy, as he grapples with guilt, redemption, and the consequences of his actions against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan.
“Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro – Explore the lives of Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy as they grow up in a seemingly idyllic English boarding school, gradually discovering the dark truth behind their existence.
Month 7: Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley – Venture into the world of Victor Frankenstein and his creation, exploring themes of scientific ambition, morality, and the nature of humanity.
“Dune” by Frank Herbert – Immerse yourself in a far-future universe where interstellar politics, religion, and ecology collide, following the journey of Paul Atreides on the desert planet Arrakis.
“Kindred” by Octavia Butler – Witness the gripping time-travel story of Dana, a black woman who is mysteriously transported between her present-day life and the pre-Civil War era, confronting the harsh realities of slavery.
Month 8: Non-Fiction and Memoirs
“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley – Follow the transformation of Malcolm X, from his troubled youth to his influential role in the Civil Rights Movement, as he reflects on race, identity, and activism.
“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank – Gain insight into the life of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl in hiding during the Holocaust, through her poignant and intimate diary entries.
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari – Explore the history of humanity from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the present day, examining the development of civilizations, religions, and scientific progress.
Month 9: Poetry and Short Stories
“The Complete Poems” by Emily Dickinson – Explore the profound and imaginative poetry of Emily Dickinson.
“Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri – Delve into a collection of short stories that explore the lives of Indian and Indian-American characters.
“The Collected Stories” by Katherine Mansfield – Immerse yourself in the brilliant and innovative short stories of Katherine Mansfield.
“Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman – Experience the iconic collection of poems that celebrate the beauty of life, nature, and the human experience.