Anna Maria Richards
Literature is everywhere—from everyday life to academic tasks asking students to write their own fictional stories. Whether creating a unique plot is your formal assignment or a life goal, be sure to get some help from this article. Below, you’ll find 10 books of different genres and styles that show how an aspiring writer can captivate their audience.
1. “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac
This one’s a classic. Set in the USA, the novel embodies the famous metaphor “life is a road.” This is an excellent example of the originality no money can buy, despite a seemingly trite concept. The protagonist travels across America, meeting archetypal characters who represent the versatile culture of this country.
Indeed, this book by Kerouac did more than several ethnographic essays combined, taking each reader on an exciting trip where they can feel the full range of human emotions and think about their own life goals. Each college student will find something relatable in this novel, so it can be really useful to analyze its key components.
2. “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo
One of the greatest written works out there, this novel is all about the representation of different social classes. You can find the elements of a perfect blockbuster there—love, death, chases, noisy companies of youngsters who become revolutionaries and fight the unfair governmental order.
Sure, there are a few lengthy descriptions you’ll want to skip, but defining such elements and analyzing what is wrong with them is a priceless exercise. You’ll surely impress your editor with a custom approach after reading this novel.
3. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
If you want to observe the master of subtlety, try this novel. Zusak approaches one of the most intimate and tabooed topics, mortality, by having Death himself narrate his book. This somber figure becomes more of a tired service person than a terrifying spirit but never loses the cold logic he’s ready to apply to every customer.
The readers find out that Death is a real killer only when it comes to sarcasm that helps each “observer” break free from their deepest fears. This is, without exaggeration, one of the most unique experiences ever captured on paper.
4. “The Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan
Students often read this short story during classes but they aren’t always encouraged to focus on the writing methods of the author in their reviews. The female Asian American writer Amy Tan strikes a seemingly impossible balance between the truthful representation of her community and the versatility of her culture.
Being the “weird kid in the normal company,” the heroine who also does the narration shows everyone how different generations of Chinese immigrants see the reality through “insignificant” details. It’s all about the language, beliefs, and conflicts that may remain irresolvable forever.
5. “The Blue Bird” by Maurice Maeterlinck
This work might seem like a children’s play, but in fact, that’s an innovative use of very mature metaphors and ideas. You embark on the journey along with two children, sister and brother, who are trying to find a cure for their hopelessly ill friend.
Searching for the blue bird that should help their friend recover, they visit their dead grandparents in the Land of Memory, and also the Palace of Happiness, and the Kingdom of the Future. After all the efforts, they need to start from scratch, but also realize that life is a journey, not a destination.
If you feel you’d struggle with your own analysis of this complex work, AdvancedWriters is a reliable and professional service with essay writers who can help you do this online.
6. “Chocolat” by Joanne Harris
If you’re looking for inspiration to start writing in the style of magic realism like a real professional, this book is for you. The story is simple, bordering on boring—a woman is trying to set up a business in an extremely conservative village, with a priest opposing her.
However, did you read a lot of books where mothers can “see” the imaginary friends of their children, and magic comes from mystical rites combined with culinary research? If you’re interested in creating this kind of immersive text, try finding “Chocolat” online and reading it first.
7. “Horns” by Joe Hill
“Horns” is a dark fantasy work, the official genre of this year, and this isn’t one of the books you’d read for an essay. It tells about Ignatius Perrish, the guy whose girlfriend was killed by a maniac.
However, he can’t get through the grief, mostly because everyone is sure he’s the murderer. The devilish horns that appear in his head one morning hardly help. If you want to understand how to write plot twists and personalized descriptions of your characters, this novel is just what the doctor ordered.
8. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Multiple papers have been written about the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen, and for a good reason. A novel about how society works could never be more useful for a young writer. It’s like a third-person omniscient narrator tutorial.
You can see what the author tells her readers instantly and what waits for the grand reveal. In addition, you’ll definitely notice that mistakes in relationships never come cheap, no matter the century. It’s learning through experience, something no generalized article from a random website can provide.
9. “The Magician’s Nephew” by Clive Staples Lewis
This book is about how Narnia emerged, a top reimagination of the standard fairytale formula. While reading this fascinating novel, you seem to know exactly what comes next, but Clive Staples Lewis still manages to surprise you.
He masterfully chooses each word, so it might even seem that you’re reading an ancient language of a forgotten kingdom, not English. Perhaps that’s why adults keep revisiting this children’s book and many brands base their services on the characters from the series.
10. “Squaring the Circle” by O. Henry
This is a funny and heartfelt short story by one of the best 20th century writers you can ever read. O. Henry is a sarcasm expert, so it’s expectable that he decided to describe a blood feud between two American families that lasted for generations.
This work answers the question “what can appease old enemies?” in an unexpected and believable way that deserves a thorough review. If you’re training to craft lifelike but unique plots without additional assistance, you should definitely check this one out.
These Books Don’t Just Teach, They Inspire
While some books on this list may appear old-fashioned, they’re sure to teach aspiring writers a few useful tricks. The message behind each plot focuses on modern values and social justice, showing that quality literature is always topical. That’s why these novels and stories will definitely inspire you to create your own original and interesting text.
