Bel Canto Patchett’s critically acclaimed novel that won the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. More
The Corrections Winner of the National Book Award in 2001 and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 2002. More
The God of Small Things Winner of the 1997 Man Booker Prize, making Roy the first Indian woman to receive the award. More
Barometer Rising The first novel by MacLennan, one of Canada’s most significant novelists of the mid-twentieth century. More
Susan Elizabeth Phillips Why do I read? Seriously? I’m supposed to provide an intelligent answer? More Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Room Winner of the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize regional prize; made into a major motion picture. More
One Hundred Years of Solitude This landmark of magical realism sparked a wave of interest in Central and South American literature. More
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith This 1972 Booker Prize–nominated novel was also made into a 1978 Australian film. More
Pilgrim A finalist for the Giller Prize and a Canadian bestseller that surpassed the author’s own impressive sales records. More
The Hours Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award; made into an Oscar-winning film. More
Caroline Overington I read to observe the world as it is seen by others; to walk the planet as strangers do; to breathe a story that is not my own. More Caroline Overington
A Soldier’s Tale Enduring novel that has met with critical acclaim and been reprinted many times since its first release. More
Girl with a Pearl Earring Multimillion-copy global bestseller that won critical acclaim for its beautifully wrought depiction of innocence corrupted. More
Shilpi Somaya Gowda At every stage of life, since being a kid with a flashlight under the covers, reading has always been my favorite activity. More Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Love and War in the Apennines The early life story of a man who would become one of Britain’s best-loved literary adventurers. More
Jacqueline Winspear I read because I love language, the way the joining of words and the rhythm of a story can make me laugh, cry, or take me out of my world or immerse me in the lives of others. More Jacqueline Winspear
Heather O’Neill A book that influenced me and why: A Season in the Life of Emmanuel by Marie-Claire Blais More Heather O’Neill
A Woman of Substance With her unforgettable heroine Emma Harte, Bradford popularized the rags-to-riches family saga. More
Namita Gokhale I read to share the world, to treasure words, to learn and intuit and recognise experiences to which I have no direct access. More Namita Gokhale
Brenda Jackson Of all the books I’ve read, it was a romance story that influenced me the most. More Brenda Jackson
The Shipping News Highly acclaimed international bestseller; winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. More