Reading is a beautiful experience, irrespective of seasons or time. Reading by the beach on a warm summer evening is a blissful experience. However, the best feeling is when you sit inside a blanket fort, sip a cup of hot chocolate, and read a good book when it is raining outside.
If you are a bibliophile as well, you will know how it feels to sit in a reading nook wrapped in a cozy blanket and read a good book. We have compiled a list of great books to read on a rainy day. What’s more, we have carefully picked each book from a different genre, so that you will be able to pick your favorites.
- Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte
Genre: Gothic Fiction
Published initially under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, Wuthering Heights is the only novel that Emily Bronte ever wrote. Despite having mixed reviews back then, this book is now considered as classic literature. The book has inspired adaptations, ranging from film to ballet.
The story starts with Mr. Earnshaw, a farmer from Yorkshire and the owner of Wuthering Heights, bringing home an orphan, Heathcliff. How the life of Heathcliff and that of everyones in Wuthering Heights change after the formers arrival in the town form the rest of the story.
Most of us would have read this novel at one point or other. In fact, some of you must have read a few snippets from this classic literature in high school. No matter if you have already read it or not, Wuthering Heights is an incredible book to read this monsoon.
- The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins
Genre: Psychological Thriller
The movie adaptation of this book is running at the cinemas now. If you haven’t yet read the book yet, now is the time. Consistently mentioned as the next “Gone Girl,” this book has some great reviews. This psychological thriller is one-of-its-kind, contemporary literature that any fiction lover would love to read.
The story revolves around the life of three women Rachel, Anna, and Megan. Rachel is the alcoholic girl on the train who watches and admires Megan’s life from the train’s window every day. Anna is Rachel’s ex-husband’s then-mistress and now-wife, who is afraid of Rachel and her aggressive behavior. Megan, who seems to be a happy girl from outside, hides a huge secret even from her husband, Scott. What happens when one of these girls go missing forms the rest of the story.
This novel is a fast-paced thriller that can be finished in one setting. The narration is so gripping that it will send shivers up and down your spine.
- Love Story Erich Segal
Genre: Romantic Tragedy
If you love reading romantic books, you are all sorted for your monsoon read as autumn is the time to read and re-read those dreamy love sagas. From Nicholas Sparks to Cecelia Ahern, the romantic novelists whose books we would like to recommend are countless. However, if you want us to pick just one, we would suggest Love Story by Erich Segal.
A romantic, funny, tragic tale Love story is the story of two college sweethearts who overcome their adversities through their love for each other. A typical 1970s romantic tale, this story is bound to make you shed a few tears, especially during the climax.
This book is one of the evergreen romantic stories that gives the same feeling every time it is read.
- A Game of Thrones A Song of Ice and Fire George R.R. Martin
Genre: High Fantasy
We all have watched and enjoyed the TV Series, but have we all read the books? If you haven’t read the book series yet, this monsoon is the time to curl up with the box set of A Song of Ice and Fire. Naturally, you must start with “A Game of Thrones” the first book.
The story takes place on the fictional continents known as the Westeros and Essos. As most of us already know, the story is an amalgamation of three major stories. Mainly based on dynastic war among different clans and families, this book series is interesting that it will keep you occupied for weeks.
While the genre is mainly fantasy, the book series has got a lot of positive reviews for its diverse portrayal of women and religion. If you have loved the GOT series, you might adore this novel series all the more.
Also, read this blog to know how to write a great book series like GOT, Harry Potter, etc.
- The Room on the Roof – Ruskin Bond
Genre: Indian Fiction
This year, the novel “The Room on the Roof was reprinted to mark its 60th anniversary. The very first literary fiction novel wrote by Ruskin Bond; this novel is a perfect monsoon read. Set in Dehradun, the story is about a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy, Rusty. Rusty was orphaned and had to live with Mr. Harrison.
Unable to put up with Mr. Harrison’s strictness, Rusty ran away from the European area of Dehradun to the locality where Indians live. How Rusty deals with the real life forms the rest of the story.
The scenic beauty of Dehradun narrated by Mr. Bond makes you fall in love with the book. The story keeps the readers hooked as there are many unexpected twists and turns. These unanticipated incidents make the book a fast-paced read.
- A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens
Genre: Novella
If you do not have all day to curl up with your book this monsoon, you pick this short, intriguing novella by Charles Dickens. This short novel is about the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge, who is a great businessman but not a good human.
This novella remains popular and has never been out of print. Furthermore, this novella has been adapted into films, stage plays, and even opera. The tale begins on a cold night when Mr. Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his friend Mr. Jacob Marley, who informs the former about his cursed spirit life. Further, Mr. Marley’s ghost also intimates Mr. Scrooge that he has only one last chance to evade the gruesome fate that Mr. Marley is facing. The way is quite peculiar as Mr. Scrooge will be visited by three other ghosts, who would show him his past, present, and future. What happens after Scrooge’s encounter with these three ghosts is the climax of this story.
A perfect read for both winter and monsoon, this book is something that is not just entertaining but enlightening as well.
- The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams
Genre: Sci-Fi Humor
Humor in sci-fi is not everyones cup of tea. However, this book is an exception. With simple narration and timely humor, “The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy†is bound to make you laugh out loud.
Unlike other sci-fi books that require you to be a Sheldon Cooper to understand the jokes, this book has been written for anyone who can understand simple logics. The best thing about this novel is that it is a series of five short comical stories. Therefore, you can read each story in leisure.
Nothing beats the feeling of laughing out loud while having a laid back day. Not convinced enough? Add a cup of coffee or tea to go with it!
- Harry Potter Series J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Monsoon is a magical season. How can we recommend best reads for this magical season without including the magical Harry Potter series? Be it your first read or your zillionth read, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is a perfect read to start your monsoon with.
While the story by itself is delightful to read, we recommend you put your imagination and creativity forward and pay more attention to the tiniest details in the narration. J.K. Rowling has indeed cast magic in the Harry Potter series through her writing. For instance, minute detailing, like “Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter ‘H’,” are more noticeable and enjoyable when you re-read the book.
- The Winter People Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Horror
For the bold bibliophiles out there, the most exciting thing that you can do this monsoon is to curl up and read a horror book. Our recommendation for the same is The Winter People.
The story revolves around Alice, the mother of two daughters – Ruthie and Fawn. Alice and her daughters have always preferred to live off the grid. Somehow, they end up in the mysterious Vermont, the city in which bizarre disappearances are quite common.
Ruthie, one morning, wakes up to realize that her mother has vanished into thin air. The 19-year-old finds that the house they live in belongs to Sara Harrison Shea, who turned up dead in strange circumstances back in 1908. Will the history repeat itself? This spine-chilling horror story is something that you will enjoy reading on a monsoon afternoon, but of course, you may not want to curl up with this book once you finish it as the climax is bound to leave you horrified.
What are you waiting for? Grab your Kindle or books and go to that reading nook! Also, let us know your favorite books that you might want curl up with this season.