Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (1977). Created from two short stories, "Mrs Dalloway in Bond Street" and the unfinished "The Prime Minister", the novel's story is of Clarissa's preparations for a party of which she is to be hostess. 78. Hunger Games, too, should be removed. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood (1964). The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1929). David Nicholls, who recently won a Bafta for his TV adaptation of the Patrick Melrose novels, made his name with One Day and excels at writing tender, funny books about love and friendship. Joseph Conrad’s masterpiece about a life-changing journey in search of Mr Kurtz has the simplicity of great myth. An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro (1986). Fans of crime fiction will love this drama that centers on the human impact of the opioid crisis. Labyrinthine and multilayered, Flann O’Brien’s humorous debut is both a reflection on, and an exemplar of, the Irish novel. Inspired by his lovely messages to his fans on Twitter, this illustrated collection of sayings will encourage you to seize the day, the night, and all of the other hours in between. 14. Joy in the Morning by PG Wodehouse (1946). Nathaniel Hawthorne’s astounding book is full of intense symbolism and as haunting as anything by Edgar Allan Poe. 89. They curl up with dark, chilling mysteries in the winter months and lay by the pool with light, cheerful fiction in the summer months. Max and Pip are devoted to each other but when their young son Dylan is diagnosed with a brain tumour they face an impossible choice – and they can’t agree. Set on the eve of war, this neglected modernist masterpiece centres on a group of bright young revellers delayed by fog. 68. What about if we’re about to have a baby? This affecting story explores the way race, class, and even well-meaning gestures can have real impact on people's lives. 39. Louise Candlish won the crime and thriller book of the year for Our House and her latest novel is equally gripping. This time round Brodie has moved to a quiet seaside village in the northeast, occasionally joined by his tricky teenage son and his ex-partner’s ageing labrador. 67. Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth (1969). So anyone who’s in love gets sad when they think of their lover. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850). This one's part crime thriller, part dark humor, and completely worth your time. 58. Helen Hoang’s #ownvoices novel is equal parts sweet and steamy. This book has it all: conflicted characters, teenagers learning who they are, a single mom having a steamy affair, and goats. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (1920). Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. When Charlie suddenly comes into money he decides to buy Adam, one of the first-ever synthetic humans – and a love triangle begins.