1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: This contemporary young adult novel tells the story of two teenagers who meet and fall in love at a cancer support group. It explores the themes of life, death, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity.
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: This classic American novel tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who yearns for the love of a woman who has married someone else. It delves into the themes of wealth, love, and social status in the Jazz Age.
3. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: This novella tells the story of two migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression. It explores the themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life during economic hardship.
4. The Color Purple by Alice Walker: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the journey of Celie, an African-American woman in the rural South who faces hardship, abuse, and racism. It's a powerful and poignant portrayal of resilience, sisterhood, and hope amidst suffering.
5. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien: This collection of short stories recounts the experiences of a platoon of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. It captures the horrors of war and the emotional toll it takes on soldiers, grappling with themes of courage, loss, and the nature of truth.
6. Atonement by Ian McEwan: This novel tells the story of two families during World War II and the lasting consequences of a single impulsive act by a young girl. It explores themes of guilt, regret, class divisions, and the impact of human actions on others.
7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Set in Afghanistan, this novel delves into the complex friendship between two boys from different social classes and the fallout from a traumatic incident. It explores the themes of betrayal, guilt, and redemption, along with the effects of conflict on individuals and communities.
8. The Overstory by Richard Powers: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel intertwines the lives of various individuals with the stories of different tree species in the United States. It explores the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, addressing themes of environmental degradation, loss, and the importance of protecting our natural world.
9. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: This emotionally intense novel follows the life of Jude, a lawyer haunted by a traumatic childhood. It grapples with themes of friendship, trauma, self-discovery, and the search for meaning in the face of suffering.
10. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro: This novel unfolds through the eyes of an English butler, reflecting on his life of service in a grand English country estate. It delves into themes of loyalty, duty, regret, and the cost of emotional restraint.