The past year has been an extremely a good year of reading for me. I took my time and explored different genres and different writing styles. And around a few days ago, I decided to get down and make a list of all the books I have read so far. That’s when I got the idea to make a list of books which someone should read if they’re trying to develop a habit of reading. Because, let’s face it, reading requires patience. So here I have a list of books which have a compelling story as well as a simple enough language.

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye is a timeless classic. Set in the 1950s, the book is narrated by a young boy named Holden Caulfield. The narrative is as though Holden is conversing with the reader. Holden talks about his adventures and his struggles of growing up. The novel also highlights Holden’s mental health issues. It’s a brilliant coming of age book, which many readers will relate to.

2. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a story that highlights the hardships of women in Afghanistan. The story takes place between the years 1960–2005, drawing major references to the actual events that took place in Afghanistan during that timeline. The story’s lead character is Mariam, an illegitimate child who struggles to survive in a man’s world. The book tells a heartbreaking story. Filled with strong emotions and a stimulating plot, it is one of my favorite books.

3. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

The White Tiger is the debut novel by Aravind Adiga which won the Booker prize in 2008. It is a satirical story which highlights the gap between the rich and the poor in the India. The novel points out that the rich are oftentimes so ignorant of the hardships of the poor, they become so caught up in their world that they end up being corrupt. The novel is told from the point of Balram Halwai, who becomes frustrated with the discrimination of his caste and poverty, and ends up losing his morality. The exciting life of Balram Halwai is what makes The White Tiger a page turner.

4. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The Palace of Illusions is the rendition of the Hindu epic Mahabharata as told from Draupadi’s viewpoint, namely, that of a woman living in a patriarchal world. As most of us, have heard the story of the Mahabharata only from the Pandavas’ point of view, this new take on the story is truly intriguing.

5. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places is a heartbreaking book about the powerful effects of mental illness. The story centers around Violet Markey and Theodore Finch who are both teenagers dealing with their own mental health issues. The story switches between Violet’s and Theodore’s first person view which makes the writing style interesting. Again, a coming of age story with adventures and an element of romance.

6. I Hid My Voice by Parinoush Saniee

I Hid My Voice tells the story of a young boy called Shahaab who decided not to speak until the age of seven. Now 20, Shahaab tells us the story of his deciding not to speak and being called retarded and disabled by those around him including his father. The story highlights how lack of empathy from their family may affect the growth of a child.

Well, I hope you enjoy reading these books and do give reading a chance. Feel free to add to this list and share feedback if you have any.