Must Reads

Now, suppose a stranger approached me in a bookstore and asked for a recommendation for a novel he or she should read. Aside from any classic or any novel by one of the contemporary authors I listed, what one novel would I recommend? (Though the stranger wouldn’t be disappointed with any number of novels I could offer from those lists, the point of this list is to introduce incredible books by lesser-known contemporary authors.)

For a man, I’d recommend Gates of Fire, by Stephen Pressfield. For a woman, I’d recommend Handyman, by Linda Nichols. But what if those two books aren’t in the store? (Well, order them!) But pretend you’re in a rush. What else would I recommend? Below are some of my recent and long time favorite books with a quick note on why I enjoyed them.

Recent Recommended Reads by Nicholas

Thinking, Fast and Slow

by Daniel Kahneman

It’s a fascinating study of the mind, how people make decisions, and how the decision-making process can be improved.

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

A wonderful read for all ages.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

by Christopher McDougall

The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean

by Susan Casey

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

Defending Jacob

by William Landay

Don Quixote

by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

The best novel of all time.

Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

by Steven Pressfield

Historical fiction at its finest, this novel recounts the fames Battle of Thermopylae, when a vastly outnumbered group of Greek soldiers took a heroic stand against the powerful Persian Army.

Tell No One

by Harlan Coben

When a man receives a mysterious email from his deceased wife, he sets out on a quest for answers. One of the all-time great thrillers.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

by Lionel Shriver

In a series of letters, Shriver’s protagonist Eva Khatchadourian comes to terms with the crimes of her high school-age son. Riveting.

Lisey’s Story

by Stephen King

As Lisey Landon reminisces about her husband after his death, she begins to confront some strange—and beautiful—truths about who he really was.

The Passage

by Justin Cronin

Cronin combines two classic and overused literary elements—vampires and the end of the world—and spins them into something entirely fresh and new. To me, it’s an amazing accomplishment.