Beyond the Syllabus: 10 Must-read books before you hit your 20s

The 20s are the actual formation years for all humans, and it's the time when you are just out of college and are trying to make something of yourself. There are a few books that allow a person to be a realist, an idealist, and a fundamentalist. Agreed, TV and internet shape and sculpt our thought process primarily, but these mediums can’t make us think and question norms like books can. At the age where we are just starting out in life and are looking to burst the little bubble of our existence, there are many books that provide inspiration, motivation, expand our world-views and challenge commonly-held perceptions. There are books that make you laugh or cry or make you want to go out and do something incredible with your life. There are books on everything from life and love to productivity.

Before you step out into the real world, away from the boundaries of classrooms and college halls, you need to have an idea of what the world has to offer and must mould your expectations accordingly. Here is a list of books compiled by us at Shiksha.com that everyone must read before they hit the 20s.

1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

This is a first-person account of Christopher, a fifteen-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome/Autism (the author never made it clear) and a talent for mathematics. He writes a book about his investigations of the murder of a neighbour’s dog. He has to overcome some of his deepest habits and fears, and he also uncovers some unexpected secrets. This novel is funny and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world literally as it appears.

2. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

The book portrays the Mahabharata in the context of the Indian independence struggle and a few decades after the independence. All the important characters of Mahabharata represent prominent real-life personalities in this book. Tharoor superimposes major events from Indian political history, such as British colonial India's war for independence, the partition, fledgeling Indian democracy, dark years of the Emergency and its chaotic aftermath with major characters and situations from the Mahabharata. The Great Indian Novel is a unique take on Indian history. As insightful as it is funny, it offers a new way of interpreting the events of yesteryears, and a delightful opportunity to learn from them.

3. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

This is a long book, but it is a very engaging read. A Suitable Boy takes place over the course of a year in India which is adjusting not only to independence but to partition. Through the stories of some of the major families of Brahmpur, we observe and participate in not only the day to day activities of individuals but the workings of government, developing industry, the existence of caste, religious hatred, and the search for love and marriage. There are beauty and violence, humour, festivals, and riots. It is a very full year. A Suitable Boy does require an investment of time and effort but for most definitely repay anything you put into it.

4. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

This Ayn Rand work is about her philosophy of Objectivism, and won immediate worldwide interest and acclaim. This book helps you realize the pain and agony of a person who stands with his own beliefs, defying the social rules and so-called modern world culture. This book will make you think and reconsider your assumptions about how society functions and how it expects you to adjust into the bigger scene. This book has the ability to garner fascinating discussions!

5. The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This book contains five classic novels from Douglas Adams's beloved Hitchiker series. This series is easily the best and original science fiction ever written, and it just happens to be hilarious. The story starts off with the absolute destruction of the earth for no other reason than the fact that it was in the path of a hyperspace highway that was soon to become obsolete with the advent of the improbability drive. If you are a fan of science fiction, this is a must read for you, and even those not into this genre should pick this up and explore the crazy ride Adams takes you on. Of course, to read this, a sense of humour is required. Without it, you will undoubtedly be lost.

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez

The novel tells the story of the rise and fall of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of a family. It is a rich chronicle of life and death, and a tragicomedy of humankind. Gabo, as he was fondly known, was one of the first writers to use “magical realism,” a style of fantasy wherein the fantastic and the unbelievable are treated as everyday occurrences. Most people who read for relaxation and entertainment will hate this book, but if you feel like pushing your brain to its max- read it. Get ready to work harder on understanding something more complex than you ever have before in your life.

7. The Complete Adventures of Feluda by Satyajit Ray

‘Feluda’ is a collection of short stories about Prodosh Chandra Mitra, who goes by the nickname Feluda and works as a private investigator. He's assisted by his young cousin Topshe and his friend Lalmohon Ganguli. The stories aren't particularly deep, but they are fun and have exciting settings. Most of the stories take place in Calcutta, but there's also one in Rajasthan, and another in Bombay and the rural area to the east. It is a must read series for those looking for the originality of Ray’s writing (plus, these are quick reads).

8. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Primarily, this novel is an autobiography- along with being a graphic novel. Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. The details of Satrapi’s homeland, Iran, function mostly to describe the main character, not the country or turmoil therein.  It shows the human and forward thinking side of Iran, and also the repressive and fanatical side. The media doesn't show nearly enough coverage of the majority non-extremist and humane side of Muslim countries — more of it should be shown, it'd be one way to help relations between every different culture. This book helps bridge that gap.

9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde spares no liberties in discussing morality, religion, society and the depths of the human condition. It is a deeply moving and inspiring novel centring around the defining power of art. The story itself focuses around a young man, Dorian Gray, who through the influence of others around him is led into moral disillusionment. He becomes obsessed with a picture of his young, vibrant body that reflects his mortal perfection while at the same time living a decadent and corrupt lifestyle. By some unknown curse, his image begins to grow old but he physically stays as young as ever. And all this leads to a fascinating climactic moment. Overall, it is not only a well written and deeply characterized book that makes the reader think.

10. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

This story tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which centre on Okonkwo of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first of these stories traces Okonkwo's fall from grace within the tribal world in which he lives. The second story concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world through the arrival of aggressive European missionaries. Achebe writes out of the lived experience of his characters and we can only either choose to sit on the sidelines and observe, or enter in and begin to sense a little of their pain.

If you are a literature fan and wish to join the literature colleges abroad, you might want to take an expert opinion to choose a college and realise your dream. Also, check:

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• Do College Rankings Matter?
• How to select the right college abroad
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• How should students shortlist colleges & look beyond rankings