My Love of Reading : 10 books For the Top Shelf by the Fireplace

Apart from oft quoted lines that liken the 'book' to the doorway or portal to another realm, to a different conscience, to dreams and nightmares alike - I take the liberty to add my definition regarding them - ' Books are nothing but manifestations of our deepest unspoken desires, for what cannot be said can be scribbled in a shaded corner and still be professed' 

Here is a list of some books whose words have stayed with me long after I had perused the book. Some because, they represent movements and creations unprecedented and some plainly because they leave subtle messages entangled in their stories.

1.  Long Walk to Freedom. One of the most moving narratives of the anti-apartheid movement. As I have said earlier, I do not regard this text to be an autobiography of an individual, rather, it represents the struggle as a whole often sidelining the protagonist. It has important lessons to teach - some which come to us naturally and others which are hard to justify till one has experienced them individually.
2. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. This book though small in length tells the extraordinary journey of one of the most brilliant men in history. His life as a writer, inventor, politician, planner, diplomat among others is narrated in his own words. Ben Franklin sets an example to the enormous possibilities of accomplishments and achievements that one can aspire for in this short span of mortal existence.
3. Shantaram. A radical departure from all such tales ever told. I remember being stuck to the book for hours. (Considering the length they were plenty). A masterpiece of a tale.
4. Unbroken. The heroic tale of an Olympian who served in the War and later suffered as a POW in Japan. The tale is more touching because of the careful listing of individual feelings and thoughts of each person involved, even the camp officer who reserved the protagonist as a special outlet for his hate.
5. Train to Pakistan. We won our independence but at costs much greater than could have been imagined at the time. The tales of horror and of inhuman actions are scars that are still fresh in our hearts as a nation. This book departed from the traditional political reporting to touch upon the lives of the lakhs that were slaughtered in the name of nation and religion.
6. Three Men in a Boat. Some may wonder that this book is in striking contrast with its predecessors on the list. But, I shall be too reserved in the matter and take immediate offence as this text happens to be my favorite and has been ever since I read a small piece of it in my literature classes in school. The piece was titled " Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture". The comic narrative that it turns out to be is unmatched even by the likes of Wodehouse. This ladies and gentlemen is a masterpiece.
7. Ajaya-I. Having completed this book only recently in the summers, I have come to realize that there is a completely different way to approach the Great Epics. In deeper sense, it takes a crack at the rigid caste system deeply rooted in Indian society of ancient times (And as is prevalent in the modern era). It is a personal recommendation to all who come by it.
8. LOTR Trilogy + The Hobbit. There isn't much to say. The magical world of the middle-earth is more than a fantasy. It is by far the finest creation in the world of fiction and fantasy and a tale that inspires courage, determination and brotherhood. To get so much from a piece that was written as one for fantasy is an achievement that has no contenders.
9. Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A timeless classic. 
10. A Christmas Carol. The story of Ebenzer Scrooge is one of the most popular tales narrated in times of Christmas. It embodies the importance of sharing and compassion. A soft story with a long message.

There are many others that I would recommend to readers like The Godfather, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, Harry Potter series, A Prisoner of Birth, Murder on the Orient Express, The Mousetrap among tens of others. These are some names that I could remember and have hence mentioned.

Looking forward to continuing with my journey of the Russian Classics, of which I have completed but one small leg in the form of Anna Karenina. Going back to Karamazov Brothers now!