Friday, 4 September 2015

Wonderlist of 60 cities to visit before we go to heaven

The Ultimate Wanderlist: 60 Cities To Visit Before You Die

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It’s never too late to go on a holiday you’ll never forget. Or 60 holidays! Here’s a list of 60 of the best cities to visit, according to tourists around the globe. It will give you a little glimpse of each location with three suggested attractions or activities that are a must-see (or do!) while you are there. Read on and maybe you’ll be a little inspired to start planning the ultimate holiday.

1. Los Angeles, USA

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Sunny LA with all its energetic buzz of dreamers and go-getters, it can be superficial but also multicultural and complex. Visiting Hollywood, the birthplace of the iconic Mickey Mouse, and taking selfies on the Star Walk of Fame are just a snippet of the LA experience.
Things to do:

2. Marrakech, Morocco

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Pulsating with stunning mosques, fascinating crafts and luxury living, Marrakech is a very popular destination amongst travellers. Whether you’d like to circle the Koutoubia mosque or enjoy a culinary high with a side of modern art, it’s all here from the exotic to the hypnotic.
Things to do:

3. New York City, USA

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If you’re a first-timer, go ahead and be as touristy as possible. Visit the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Met, Central Park … But if you’ve got more time, be sure to delve into the neighborhoods because you’ll surely find quirky shops, delis and hole-in-the-wall bars. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to go behind the scenes here.
Things to do:

4. Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Chiang Mai is laid back, vibrant and reverential. Explore the famous Night Bazaar, the National Museum, and the Botanic Gardens to soak up as much of the culture and exquisite aromas of Thai orchids as possible. Spiritual vibes are also at an all-time high here with the city’s center being home to over 30 temples.
Things to do:

5. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a gem of Baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and Secessionist buildings to satisfy the architectural cravings of its eager visitors. Not your thing? Well, Budapest has more to offer, from the poignant scars of war and history, to an abundance of thermal and mineral hot springs, so the options are numerous.
Things to do:
  • Take a Danube cruise for a stunning panoramic view
  • Take a dip at one of Budapest’s famous baths
  • Walk across Chain Bridge and you’ll understand why it’s often called the ‘Pearl of the Danube’

6. Krakow, Poland

Krakow is Poland’s second largest city covering both banks of the Wisla River. To many first-timers it’s easy to feel at home very quickly in its old-world ambiance and charm. Old Town and Kazimierz’s streets are crammed with galleries, cafés, pubs and restaurants, all for your touristic enjoyment.
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7. Saint Petersburg, Russia

This is the Russia cultural heart, home to the architectural jewels of the Winter Palace and the Kazan Cathedral, with a side of the world-renowned art of the Hermitage. You’ve got everything from art and nightlife to fine dining here.
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8. Buenos Aires, Argentina

This is the seductive and energetic birthplace of the tango, with atmospheric neighbourhoods bursting with romantic restaurants and pumping nightlife. Embellished with European heritage in the architecture, boulevards and parks.
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9. Florence, Italy

The dream of every art historian, this city is filled with the work of Michelangelo, which grace the walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. The city appeals to photographers with its stunning views, and Tuscan cuisine is the cherry on top.
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10. London, England

The ultimate cocktail of history, art, fashion and food in one place, that’s London! There’s a little something for everyone from the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House for the art fanatics, Oxford Street shops for the ones willing to splurge, and Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum for the music and book lovers.
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11. Riga, Latvia

This city is the largest metropolis in the Baltics and it’s a compelling mix of Latvian traditions and influences from various other countries. Riga is funky and vibrant, trapping travelers long past their departure date. Riga manages to combine its steeples and turrets with an irresistible nightlife and restaurant scene. Old Town, once dubbed the ‘Paris of the East,’ is filled with lavish glass hotels and business centers.
Things to do:
  • Visit the living history of Old City
  • Take part in a day tour around the city
  • Go shopping at the Central Market

12. Montreal, Canada


The Quebecois cosmopolitan center, Montreal is home to an alluring mix of cuisine, festivals and culture with its irresistible pastries, breathtaking heritage such as the Notre-Dame Basilica, and its winter wonderlands of nearby ski resorts and ice hotels. Despite its modest size, it’s packed and you don’t want to miss out on it.
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13. Berlin, Germany

A sobering and edgy reminder of the postwar atmosphere, from its fashion to its architecture to its history. But Berlin is a combo of museums, galleries, operas, guerrilla clubs and snack shacks that go beyond its dark history, making it almost reminiscent of 1980s New York.
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14. Lhasa, Tibet

The heart and soul of Tibet, deep in the Himalayan mountains, Lhasa remains to be a city of ancient wonder despite the modern Chinese influence. Its streets are bustling with people from all around the world and the city has become a cultural hybrid. Being seen as the ‘real Tibet,’ Lhasa deserves a week of exploration to fully capture the vibes it possesses.
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15. Cape Town, South Africa

Known as the ‘Mother City’ with all of Mother Nature’s beautiful wonders, the proudly multicultural community that coexists in harmony gives Cape Town an exotic and delicious touch. The Table Mountain National Park is the most important attraction and in essence defines the city as a whole, and the gorgeous metropolis is filled with chalets, parks, Afro-chic decor and restaurants for all tastes.
Things to do

16. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Being one of the largest religious complexes in the world, Siem Reap has become one of the most popular destination for tourists worldwide. The home of the temples of Angkor, Cambodia’s eighth wonder of the world, has reinvented itself into becoming the epicenter of the new Cambodia. With its temples, history, shopping stalls, food vendors, and  world-class spas, you might want to spend a little more than just a couple of days here.
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17. Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

One of Europe’s most riveting and multifaceted cities, with a very historic vibe derived from all that survives from Skopje’s Ottoman and Byzantine-era–from hand-carved ornaments to fortresses. This is accentuated with a very contemporary culture with its bars, clubs and galleries.
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18. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is one of the hottest tourist attractions around nowadays. With its mosques, bazaars, Turkish baths, restaurants, galleries and clubs, it’s been dubbed the ‘World’s Hippest City.’ There’s plenty to keep you busy during the day, from sightseeing to getting the ultimate Turkish treatment at a spa, but at night there’s this joie de vivre sensation throughout when the clubs and restaurants are buzzing with action.
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19. Hanoi, Vietnam

This exotic city blends medieval and modern as they co-exist in an urban center with Parisian chic and Asian pace. Having survived American bombs and Russian planners, Hanoi re-emerged after economic reforms and is now scattered with huge mansions, grand boulevards, lakes, and parks, not to mention the 600 temples and pagodas. The City of the Soaring Dragon awaits you.
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20. Vilnius, Lithuania

Curiously charming, eccentric and soulful. Lined with decadent and fragile Orthodox and Catholic churches, there’s more to this capital than meets the eye as the underlying magic is what creates its soul. The true essence of boho spirit lurks around the reminders of loss and pain that only make it more captivating.
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21. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is split into 50 unique districts filled with golden palaces, porcelain inlaid spires, and floating markets and food stalls. The old districts still possess the grit that the city used to have, which makes them a must-see for any first-time visitors. Thai cuisine is one to marvel at too with its diverse sweet, spicy, sour and salty flavors.
Things to do:

22. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan city, with its avant-garde chefs and its flamboyant street performers. Once home to Picasso, Barcelona has been revolutionary when it comes to art and despite the seeming aura of hedonism, its people are very dynamic and hardworking. The capital of Catalonia could keep you occupied for weeks so make sure you pay it a good visit.
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23. Venice, Italy

This is gondola central, with its canals, restaurants, romantic ambiance, Grand Canal palaces and marble churches. Venetians ignore the aqua alta and marvel in their paintings, wine, music and boho-chic trends. Always flowing with admirers at any time of the year, visitors appreciate its cuisine, art and espressos.
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24. Dubai, UAE

Home to the tallest building in the world, the only seven-star hotel and the largest artificial islands, Dubai is the multifaceted cosmopolitan center of the future. Constantly full of surprises, Dubai is ever changing with its multiplying shopping malls, extraordinary architecture and delicious gourmet restaurants featuring a taste of places from all around the globe. In addition, you have the desert to explore: just rent a dune buggy and go crazy.
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25. Miami, USA

Sun-kissed, sultry and shimmering. By day, it’s a must to hit the beach, walk about Miami’s colorful Art Deco architecture, or dare to hit the envious South Beach celebrity scene. West of the city is the Everglades, the most eccentric ecosystem in North America while to the North you’ve got the infamous Fort Lauderdale with its yachts and martinis. Miami is sweaty but glamorous and the party is always on, you take your pick!
Things to do:

26. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

History with an urban flair, that’s Amsterdam. The gentle canals are a beautiful backdrop for the Jordaan and Rembrandtplein Square, and no one should miss out on the most moving experience of the Anne Frank House. Amsterdam is cosy and surrounded with artistic treasures like the Van Gogh Museum. Although many tourists are only there to see the Red Light District, be sure to explore the rich history in all the houses that date back to the Golden Age.
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27. Phuket, Thailand

With its colorful blend of cultures, rubber trees and tin mines, Phuket has attracted entrepreneurs from all around the world. The Old Town has become infused by current art, food and music and attracts a very hip crowd after having its shophouses and homes renovated. This is a surreal vacation that is perfect for the tourist on a budget.
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28. Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is the magical destination that draws tourists to Agra like mad, but that’s not the only attraction worth the visit. There are also the fascinating tombs and mausoleums that are scattered around the city, along with the many vibrant and bustling chowks (the marketplaces).
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29. Varna, Bulgaria

This maritime capital is by far the most interesting and cosmopolitan town on the Black Sea coast as it is a combination of port city, naval base and seaside resort. How could it get any more interesting? Beautiful enormous parks, historic feel, Roman baths, museums and a buzzing restaurant scene, that’s how!
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30. Bali, Indonesia

The saying that the best things come in small packages is very true when it comes to Bali because it is more than just small, it’s an Indonesian paradise. Listening to your body’s needs and pleasuring it with a massage on the beach or a sybaritic spa is first on your travel checklist. Then comes the shopping, the cuisine and the beautiful, lively nightlife, you will never get enough of the frangipani trees or the enchanting temple ceremonies.
Things to do:

31. Brussels, Belgium

For every fan of the unknown, here’s a bizarre but interesting mix of French and Flemish and café culture. Renowned for great shopping, fab restaurants, sublime chocolate shops, and history dusted and polished into the walls of the historic and decaying buildings. Are you seduced yet?
Things to do:

32. Bucharest, Romania

Most don’t speak too fondly of this capital, but it’s perplexing. That’s its point! It’s medieval and home to many of Romania’s most historic churches. This is the place to leave your comfort zone and just go exploring all the elegant vibes of the 20th century, French-influenced architecture. Stick around for more than a day, and it’ll just make sense.
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33. Lima, Peru

Lima is for those willing to delve deep into a city to truly understand and unravel the beauty underneath the foggy and chaotic atmosphere. Lima’s beauties are humble, hiding amid the high rises where the pre-Columbian temples and colonial mansions lie. Lima also makes up for the aesthetics with a multitude of experiences, from museums filled with poetry to golf clubs and crowded nightclubs. This is what you’d call a hot mess, don’t miss it.
Things to do:

34. Zürich, Switzerland

A major destination for all things shopping and contemporary art. Some say the city’s Protestant modesty is truly what saves it from getting just a little carried away with its vibrant collection of bars, restaurants and clubs with the most buzzing nightlife you’ll see. If it was once seen as dull, it surely isn’t anymore!
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35. Shanghai, China

Shanghai is the chance to acquire a taste of the past, present and future in one dynamic cosmopolitan center in the world’s fastest-changing nation. Exhilarating, and obsessed with the latest fads, fashions and technology, this city has got European-style cityscapes and a sci-fi skyline, so don’t miss out on it.
Things to do:

36. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is the home to masterpieces of religious architecture, beautiful temples, exalted gardens and decorated shrines. There are said to be over 1,000 Buddhist temples along with a varied range of excellent restaurants, ancient specialty shops, and a feel for all the seasons in one.
Things to do:

37. Siena, Italy

This Tuscan town will take you back in time with its marvelous marble floors, artwork and heritage from the Middle Ages. The city’s artistic glories are largely Gothic and that is transcendant in its cathedrals and the medieval tradition that involves bareback riders (dangerously) racing on cobblestones. It’s thrilling: a must-see for any avid traveler.
Things to do:

38. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin wears everything on its Irish sleeve, from its fascinating history to its brilliant personality and with all Georgian elegance aside, Dublin is not like the other European capitals. It’s amiable and witty and leaves you all at ease with its charismatic and multicultural soul.
Things to do:

39. Hiroshima, Japan

Despite its name evoking the memory of 6 August, 1945, Hiroshima has a lot more to offer like the Peace Memorial Park. But Hiroshima with its wide boulevards and laid-back vibes is anything but depressing. Take a couple of nights to check out its thriving community.
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40. Cusco, Peru

Visit this cosmopolitan Inca capital with its cathedrals, temples, cobblestone streets, and most importantly the awesome llamas and alpacas. This city of the Inca Empire is the archaeological destination of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest inhabited city.
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41. Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is edgy, Victorian and swamped with the best bars to tickle your taste buds. The hedonistic culture will encourage your nocturnal side and get you head banging along to the live music scene. The city is in the midst of a transformational era, and you want to be there for it.
Things to do:

42. Nadi, Fiji

This tropical paradise is very popular amongst travelers looking for a holiday of beautiful beaches and gorgeous ancient cultural sites around Sigatoka. Nadi is building its identity while incorporating elements of a city, a business hub and a tourist junction, and even if it never makes up its mind, you should still give it a visit!
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43. Oslo, Norway

This Norwegian capital has been here for a thousand years, how have you not gone there yet? It’s a visual delight when it comes to the variety of museums it offers, from Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream,’ to the unforgettable Viking Ship. There’s a rapidly growing café, restaurant, nightlife and opera, jazz and indie rock culture, so Oslo appeals to all the tastes out there!
Things to do:

44. Panama City, Panama

Home to the natural riches of Panama, with a thriving international banking and trade sector along with a sultry skyline of glistening towers, that is Panama City. The city has architectural, cultural and ethnic diversity, which means there is something for everyone. So with a little touch of salsa beats and adventurous activities from hiking through the rain forests or taking a train along the jungle, you’ve got yourself the ultimate Panamanian experience.
Things to do:

45. Havana, Cuba

The Caribbean’s largest city with its romantic vibes and contagious energy, 500 years of an exciting history has led to making Havana (or Habana) a culturally unique society. You’ve got mambo, salsa, Che Guevara, rum and the unconventional beauty it’s known for. Its appeal lies in the abstract.
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46. Bruges, Belgium

A picturesque, fairy-tale, medieval town with dreamy, soaring towers and exceptionally photogenic canals, historic churches and whitewashed almshouses. The tourists never leave, but if you can visit midweek or in the gorgeous spring, you should have a little of its flair to yourself.
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47. San José, Costa Rica

San José is often seen as a collection of outdated commercial buildings, but beyond this extremely superficial and uninformed analysis this is is a cosmopolitan city filled with department stores of all sorts, chic cafés, and fast-food restaurants making it the nation’s cultural hub.

48. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is a delicious cocktail of German, Mediterranean and Slovene influence seasoned with the old town’s Baroque, Art Nouveau and Renaissance buildings. The biggest perk has got to be everything is such a short distance away, just go for a walk or take a bike! The ‘beloved’ city is also a student community, which means the alt-lifestyle gives it a different vibe.
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49. Copenhagen, Denmark

What was once a Viking fishing settlement has transformed into the “coolest, most cosmopolitan and most exciting” city in Scandinavia, while holding on to the traces of Norse explorers that keep its culture and history truly rich. Like all the best places, it has a blend of modern and historic, making it not just a great tourist destination but also one of the world’s most livable cities.
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50. Rome, Italy

Ravishing, radiant and remarkable, that’s Rome. The city will continue to amaze you every time you see the Colosseum or a breathtaking baroque church. It embraces its historic legacies, fine art and absolutely delicious food. Rome is intriguing and will have you experiencing excitement with all your senses.
Things to do:

51. Singapore, Singapore

One of the most enjoyable, seemingly science fiction comic inspired cities in Southeast Asia from beginning to end. You begin at one of the world’s best airports and take a zippy MRT train line without a single care given for the traffic. Whether you’re up for a stroll through fashion emporiums and antique shops, or you’re more interested in the city parks or the city’s clubs, Singapore has got it all. The city is colorful, soulful and has a thriving creative environment!
Things to do:

52. Lisbon, Portugal

Indulge in fresh pastries, window shopping, espressos and the warmly lit 1930s-era cafés, or take a walk along the seaside. At Bairro Alto you’ve got many restaurants with jazz and reggae vibes filling the air and nightclubs scattered all over the town. Lisbon’s Gothic cathedrals, monasteries and museums all accentuate this lovely city.
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53. Split, Croatia

Within the atmospheric walls where Split came to life, you’ve got a balance of tradition and modernity with many many bars, restaurants and shops. Its coastal mountains are the perfect backdrop to the Adriatic, where you can chill and appreciate the cityscape. While people used to cross Split to get where they wanted to go, the city has renovated itself to become exactly where people want to be.
Things to do:

54. New Orleans, USA

Vibrant, old-school and filled with precious architecture. After Hurricane Katrina broke the levee, New Orleans has managed to rebuild itself with echoing sweet jazz and blues beats, spontaneous dancing and mouthwatering aromas from unexpected corners. It’s a great city for late afternoon walks, meant for the ones willing to admire its subtle charm.
Things to do:

55. Cairo, Egypt

This constantly pulsating and hypnotizing metropolis will surprise you with the chaos at your arrival, but soon you’ll get drawn way too deep. As long as you’re not looking for solitude, the City of the Thousand Minarets is the perfect place to explore and experience Egyptian history and culture.
Things to do:

56. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is attractive at any time of day, so keep your eyes wide open! It’s famous for its National Parks and its super eventful evenings of undercover bar hunting, sporting events to support, underground bands to check out or a super crazy party to crash. The city’s glamorous but oh-so-casual at the same time making it such a relaxed but vibrant environment. Everybody loves to tan at the beautiful golden beaches, enjoy the exciting food scene and explore the very subtle touches of history.
Things to do:

57. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a very interesting mix of everything from night markets to the infamous K-Pop, but of course it goes beyond what we all vaguely know about it. The city is filled with temples, skyscrapers and majestic palaces everywhere in addition to the 21st century urban edge in design and culture. Ten and a half million people reside in this metropolis and it almost never goes to sleep because the day is for a lovely morning visit to a temple followed by a visit to a teahouse, and the night is for the night markets and the Hongdae or Itaewon party life!
Things to do:

58. Milan, Italy

The world’s top fashion capital means glamor, grace and Gucci. Milan is a well-dressed and chic engine room for the country’s economy. Filled with true treasures like da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” showing just how much Milan’s creative ‘streak’ has an impact. Everyone has been here on the runways from Prada to Versace to Dolce & Gabbana, so why not get dressed up and come along?
Things to do:

59. Chicago, USA

The Windy City will blow you away, trust me. There’s always something going on here, from high-flying architecture to peanut butter and banana topped waffles for breakfast, could things get any better? Chicago is great festivals and Lollapalooza is a must-see because when everybody’s head banging to the beat, you really don’t want to miss out on the fun. Art museums come in all genres: impressionist, psychedelic or outsider? Take your pick! Chicago will surely keep you busy and entertained.
Things to do:

60. Prague, Czech Republic

Super bohemian and fairytale-like for the travelers who want to immerse themselves wholly into another culture. Prague is a European hotspot with art galleries ranging from Gothic pieces to collections of 20th-century surrealists, constructivists and cubists. The city is also quite famous for making some of the world’s best brews so grab a pint and head on an urban exploration of the alluring and rather quirky Prague.
Things to do:
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Hiba Argane

25 Incredible Novels You Must Read At Least Once In Your Life

LEISURE LIFESTYLEBY  
A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading. —William Styron
Books open doors in our minds, allowing us to live an entire lifetime and travel the world without even leaving the comfort of our chairs. When we read a book, we step into someone else’s shoes, see the world through someone else’s eyes, and visit places we might never otherwise go, whether a tiny village in India or the green fields of Narnia. Books teach us about love, heartbreak, friendship, war, social injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Here are 25 books you should read at least once in your life.

1. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Told against the backdrop of the changing political landscape of Afghanistan from the 1970s to the period following 9/11, The Kite Runner is the story of the unlikely and complicated friendship between Amir, the son of a wealthy merchant, and Hassan, the son of his father’s servant until cultural and class differences and the turmoil of war tear them asunder. Hosseini brings his homeland to life for us in a way that post 9/11 media coverage never could, showing us a world of ordinary people who live, die, eat, pray, dream, and love. It’s a story about the long shadows that family secrets cast across decades, the enduring love of friendship, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

2. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This Newbery award-winning novel tells the story of Annemarie Yohansen, a Danish girl growing up in World War II Copenhagen with her best friend, Ellen, who happens to be Jewish. When Annemarie learns about the horrors that the Nazis are inflicting on the Jewish people, she and her family stop at nothing to protect Ellen and her parents, as well as countless other Jews. Lowry’s novel is a powerful reminder that cultural and religious differences are no divide between true friends and that love shines all the brighter against the darkness of hatred.

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The opening line of this classic novel, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” is one of the most recognizable first lines of fiction. Yet Jane Austen’s most famous work is more than a comedy of manners about the marriage market and the maneuvers of navigating polite society in 19th-century England. Pride and Prejudice remains one of the most enduring works of English Literature not because we find such rewarding pleasure in watching sparks fly between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy (though that’s certainly reason enough). Readers embrace the novel because Austen candidly captures the human character with all of its beauties and its imperfections. Pride and Prejudice is a novel about overcoming differences of cast and class, about learning to laugh at life even when it’s grossly unfair, and about recognizing that loving someone often means accepting them in spite of rather than because of who they are.

4. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Hinton penned this novel when she was only 16 because she was tired of reading fluffy romances. She wanted a story about the harsh realities of being a teenager in mid-20th century America, and since none existed, she wrote one herself. Told from the perspective of orphan Ponyboy Kurtis, this multiple award-winning young adult novel tells the story of a group of rough, teenage boys on the streets of an Oklahoma town, struggling to survive and stick together amidst violence, peer pressure, and broken homes. The novel reminds us that growing up is never easy and that pain, loss, friendship, and love are universal experiences that both create and dissolve socio-economic boundaries.

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A richly written novel with a cast of memorable characters, Little Women invites us into the warm, comfortable home of a 19th-century American family. Everyone can find a character trait that resonates with them, whether Jo’s temper, Meg’s vanity, Amy’s mischievousness, or Beth’s shyness. The novel is a coming-of-age story that follows four sisters (the March girls) from girlhood to womanhood in Civil War America. Together they learn about the harsh realities of poverty, illness, and death, and how to dream, love, and laugh through it all. This is a heartwarming, timeless classic about the importance of family and the simple, home-spun comfort of never being alone.

6. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

While this is far from a light read, it’s one of the first novels I suggest whenever someone asks me for a book recommendation because it really packs a punch. Right to the solar plexus. The novel looks at a single day in the life of George Falconer, a middle-aged English professor grieving the loss of his partner, Jim. As George struggles against the grip of his depression and wonders what the point of life is any more, he gradually learns, through a dinner with his best friend and a heart-to-heart with a student, the gift of being alive with all its trials and its triumphs. Through the snapshot of a single day in a man’s life, Isherwood reminds us that every moment counts. His clear, direct prose will grab hold of you, snap your head around, and challenge you to stare your mortality in the face.

7. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

OK, let’s lighten things up a bit. Who doesn’t love a novel about talking animals? A Laura Ingalls Wilder Metal winner, E.B. White’s children’s classic about Wilber the pig and his host of barnyard friends from Charlotte the spider to Templeton the rat flings wide the door to imagination and makes us wonder what a world where animals could talk would be like. On a more serious note, it challenges us to ask ourselves how we’d treat animals if they could talk. If they could tell us their joys and their fears, would mankind treat them more humanely? White’s novel is a lesson for children and a reminder for adults of the beauty of nature, the cycle of life, and the importance of remembering that every creature has its place on this earth.

8. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Set in late-20th Century Germany, this novel boldly confronts long-standing German national guilt over the Nazi war crimes of the Holocaust through the strange, intergenerational relationship between 15 year-old Michael Berg and 36 year-old Hannah Schmitt, an illiterate tram operator and former Auschwitz prison guard. As Michael teaches Hannah to read books, Hannah teaches Michael to read the human character, and he comes to learn about the nuances between good and evil and of living with the consequences of one’s choices. The Reader is a story about personal as well as national guilt, about the consequences of keeping secrets, and about the power of redemption.

9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Bronte’s classic novel tells the tale of a young girl’s struggle to make something of herself in the world, from the tyranny she endures as a poor orphan under her Aunt’s roof and the deplorable conditions she lives in at Lowood school to the dark secrets she encounters in her role as Governess at Thornfield Hall, the home of the enigmatic and alluring Mr. Rochester. Strong-willed and resilient, Jane longs for the independence that Victorian England denied women, and her story stands as a timeless example of a woman’s determination to choose her own path in life in the face of hardship and ridicule.

10. The End of the Affair by Graham Green

This is another one of those books filled with nuggets of truth that you might cut your teeth on, but that we all need to learn to swallow. The End of the Affair tells the story of the brief but life-altering adulterous relationship between Maurice Bendrix and Sarah Miles. Set in part against the turmoil of World War II, the personal battles of love, hate, guilt, and the search for truth and redemption are all the more poignant. The story of Maurice and Sarah reminds us that the things we do for love can trigger an inexorable pull of fate that carries our lives on a passionate and sometimes perilous journey and that while love doesn’t always last forever, the lessons we learn from it do.

11. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This one’s gotten a lot of attention with the recent announcement that Lee will be releasing a prequel this summer, so even if you’ve read it before, now might be a good time to revisit it. Told through the point of view of the 6 year-old Scout Finch, the story recounts a crisis that rocks her Alabama hometown when the African American Thom Robinson is accused of raping a young white woman. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, is the lawyer appointed to represent Robinson. Alternately humorous and brutally honest, the novel looks critically at social issues of class, race, and sex politics and the sometimes ironic injustice of the American legal system.

12. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

OK, who am I kidding? Read all of them, but you have to begin at the beginning, right? The Wizarding world of Harry Potter has captivated children and adults alike. The story of the Boy Who Lived, a downtrodden, emotionally neglected orphan who discovers he’s a wizard, ticks all the big boxes on must-read lists. It deals with the enduring love of friendship, the pain of loss, the triumph of good over evil, and the reality that sometimes the fiercest battles we fight are within ourselves.

13. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A beloved children’s favorite about little Mary Lennox, who goes to live in the English manor house of her reclusive uncle after her parents die of Cholera, The Secret Garden is a timeless classic about the beauty of nature, the healing power of love, and a belief in magic. As the Yorkshire sunshine softens Mary’s hard little heart and she befriends the animal charmer Dicken, her invalid cousin Colin, and a host of gentle creatures, you’ll laugh with her and cry with her as she learns how to love, how to trust, and how to reach outside herself to nurture the world around her.

14. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

When Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy slip into the magical land of Narnia, befriending talking animals and battling the White Witch, they discover the bonds of family and the value of bravery. This is more than a story about an entire world tucked away in an old piece of furniture. It’s a novel about the boundlessness of the human imagination. Set against the backdrop of World War II England, the land of Narnia represents the timeless hope in a better, brighter future.

15. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

When 11 year-old orphan Anne Shirley goes to live with the middle-aged brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, she discovers that there’s been some mistake and that they had actually wanted to adopt a boy. While this debacle initially drops Anne into a world where she fears being rejected and unloved, you’ll ultimately be rewarded as Anne’s spirited imagination and kind heart win over everyone whose life she touches. This is a heartwarming story of love and friendship and a poignant reminder that sometimes life not working out the way we want it to is actually the best thing that can happen.

16. The Girl Who Fell From The Sky by Heidi Duro

This novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and black father. When Rachel, her mother, and her younger brother fall nine stories from an apartment building, Rachel is the only survivor, and she’s taken in by her black grandmother in a predominantly white Portland neighborhood. With her brown skin and blue eyes (a white girl’s eyes in a Black girl’s face) Rachel faces the challenge of learning what it means to be biracial in a black-and-white world. Duro offers a masterful novel that interrogates the cultural construction of race in America and challenges us to confront our own prejudices.

17. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

A prevailing pop culture icon since her debut in 1996, Bridget Jones has been a symbol of everyday feminism for women all over the world from the UK to Japan. Her self-deprecating, candid cataloguing of dating and dieting debacles, her struggle with body image, and her desire for personal and financial independence resonates with readers because we’ve all been there at some point in our lives. Humorous and heartwarming, Fielding’s novel offers comical but critical commentary on what it means to be a woman in today’s world and reminds women (and men) that feminism is less about bra-burning and defying marriage statistics and more about standing up for yourself and loving yourself just as you are.

18. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

A well-known abolitionist novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a political and puritanical indictment of American slavery. Stowe weaves together the stories of several slaves from the fierce Eliza who will stop at nothing to rescue her son from being sold to the meek, modest Uncle Tom who bears his burden calmly and quietly, serving his masters with the faithful honesty of a man for whom freedom is as much a state of mind as a physical condition. This is a novel about the endurance of the human spirit and the moral obligation to fight for right.

19. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar is a hauntingly realistic novel based on Plath’s own life and tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a talented young woman who gains a summer internship at a large New York magazine and discovers that instead of enjoying the glamorous New York lifestyle, she finds it frightening and disorienting. Lifted from Plath’s own struggle with depression, the Bell Jar is an authentic look into the human psyche and sheds light on the realities of mental illness.

20. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

A classic work of Victorian Children’s Fiction, this is a whimsical tale of magic and nonsense in which Alice finds herself in an imaginary world after chasing a white rabbit she sees while sitting quietly on the riverbank. Opening this novel invites you to fall down the proverbial rabbit hole and into a world of talking animals and magic mushrooms that cause Alice to grow or shrink depending on which side she eats. This novel has delighted children and adults alike with its blurring of the boundaries between real and make-believe and the all-too real sensation of trying to find our way around a world we can’t make sense of.

21. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

In this chilling novel, the titular character, Dorian Gray, is the subject of a portrait by painter Basil Hallward, who is enamored of Dorian’s beauty. Knowing that his youth will fade eventually, Dorian wishes to sell his soul for beauty and youth, and his wish is granted. As Dorian grows more beautiful, his painting mysteriously takes on an increasingly monstrous appearance. Hauntingly descriptive and delicately crafted, Wilde’s novel challenges us to look within ourselves and acknowledge the darker side of human nature and the struggle between good and evil that each of us faces.

22. Murder on the Orient Expressby Agatha Christie

In one of Christie’s most compelling mysteries, the luxurious Orient Express is stopped in a snowdrift in the dead of night, and the next morning, a grumpy, dislikable American passenger is found stabbed twelve times with his door locked. Only the other passengers can have been the killer with the possibility of it being an outside job highly unlikely because of the snowstorm. As Detective Hercule Poirot investigates, a tangled tale is woven around the murdered man as each passenger is revealed to be connected to him. With her usual flare for intrigue, Agatha Christie gives us a mystery that blurs the boundaries between legal and moral justice, challenging us to decide when, and if, it’s ever justifiable to take the law into our own hands.

23. The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

The most-translated book in the French Language, The Little Prince is the story of a little boy who falls to Earth from an Asteroid after visiting several other asteroids to try to understand mankind. In his travels he meets a series of strange and delightful characters, including a king with no subjects, a drunkard who drinks to forget about the shame of being a drunkard, and an untamed fox. The Little Prince is an allegory about the foolishness of man and man’s tendency toward self-destruction through violence, as well as a heartwarming tale of the transformative power of friendship and trust.

24. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

A Compelling, touching story, The Fault in Our Stars recounts the experiences of Hazel, a teenager with cancer, and the experiences of the other teens in her cancer support group. As together they share their fears and their joys, readers come to appreciate the fragility of life through these young voices whose lives are at once burning with intensity and flickering on the point of dying. Green captures the struggles of terminal illness with tenderness and amazing authenticity, reminding us that love, friendship, and faith transcend all, even death itself.

25. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

A classic novel about adventure and magic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz tells the story of what happens to little Dorothy Gale when she and her dog, Toto, are caught up in a cyclone and whisked away from their Kansas farm to find themselves in the land of Oz, where they meet a host of colorful characters including the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion. Together they journey to the Emerald city to meet the celebrated Wizard in a quest for knowledge, love, courage, and a search for home. Immortalized in its famous adaptation starring Judy Garland, the novel is a heartwarming story about friendship and bravery, about appreciating what you have, and never forgetting that home is where your heart is.
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Francesca Marinaro

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