10 BOOKS EVERY GIRL SHOULD

READ
Not that guys shouldn't read

Books
Books can be your best-friend and if you're a girl, then you're completely spoilt for choice when it comes to 'pick-me-up' literature. Inspiring storylines from books should motivate you towards positive action. Pick up some of these inspiring books for a great reading session!

TEN BOOKS

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

One of Jane Austen's best romances, Pride and Prejudice delights the readers with its comedy and characters. The story of the spirited and quick-witted Elizabeth Bennett whose mother's focus is only on getting Elizabeth and her sisters married into good families. It doesn't matter if you're a young girl or an adult woman, it would be hard for anyone to resist the tantalizing chemistry between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. The book is guaranteed to keep you captivated till the end.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is a touching story of sisterhood, love and hardship. The bond shared by the March sisters is almost tangible through the book and is certain to touch the readers' heart. Mr. March, the girls' father, Laurie their neighbour, John Brooke and Professor Bhaer are the men in the book who help keep the plotline ticking. At the heart of the March family is Marmee, the girls' mother who teaches her daughters to face troubles and good tidings with grace and dignity. The book will make you laugh and cry and will make you wish that you too came from a family of four sisters!

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina, the leading character of this classic tale of love by Tolstoy, is a beautiful married woman. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a powerful government official, Anna pursues an affair with the wealthy and elegant army officer, Count Vronsky. The book gives us insight into the strict philosophy of a patriarchal Russian society and the price that Anna pays for this forbidden love, is being ostracized by society and her family. Emotionally broken, how Anna deals with the mess that is her life is what makes up the rest of the book.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Famed for being the girl who at the end of it all wrote, ''Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.'' Anne Frank and her family were Jewish in Nazi Amsterdam, they went into hiding and it is during this time that Anne was given a diary that she addressed as ''Dear Kitty...''. Readers are taken on a tearful yet inspiring journey as they get to know the everyday trials and triumphs of the 13 year old Anne Frank and her family.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

This famous tale of love and loss, of the ruthless Scarlett O'Hara and the handsome soldier, Rhett Butler has long been regarded a classic. The story is set against the Civil War and Reconstruction years. As the narrative unfolds, the structuring of society on the basis of class and gender, and the survival strategies adopted by the civilians of Georgia during the war is beautifully essayed. The fickle Scarlett leaves an indelible impression in the mind of the readers and emerges as one of the strongest characters literature has ever seen. This Pulitzer Prize winning story created two of the most famous lovers in English literature, after Romeo and Juliet.

Love Story by Erich Segal

Erich Segal's Love Story is a Harvard love story between Oliver Barrett IV and Jenny Cavilleri. Oliver is the rich jock, while Jennifer is a working-class beauty. Opposites in every way, they are both attracted to each other and eventually, defying all obstacles, get married. But their life soon takes a tragic turn when they find out that Jenny is affected with leukemia. As strong as they are as a couple, and as individuals, they cannot overcome this obstacle. The reader can be young or old, a romantic or a cynic, but this book will never fail to leave you in tears.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A highly acclaimed novel, it tells of the passionate but doomed love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Their passion goes on to destroy them and the people around them. The unpredictable Catherine, the gentle Linton, the impulsive Heathcliff - are all given very raw portrayals against the rugged beauty of the moor. Wuthering Heights takes you on an unforgettable journey into the deep recess of hearts where love takes myriad forms of unconditional love, anger and regrets. The book has been adapted to films, operas, dramas and song following wide popularity among its fans.

Memoirs of the Geisha by Arthur Golden

Arthur Golden takes his readers through a fantastic literary tour through the streets of Japan as he tells the story of Sayuri; the most celebrated geisha of her time. As you turn the pages, the circumstances that make possible little Chiyo's metamorphosis into Sayuri makes for fun and fastpaced reading. As a geisha, Sayuri is slave, goddess, courtesan and performer to some of the most powerful men in Japan. She is a strong woman protagonist and is an inspiration to all women everywhere.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

When first published, Rebecca was classified as a gothic romance and was dismissed. But Daphne du Maurier's story is far more than a mere gothic romance'. The story explores the power and control that women have over each other and over their possessions. This is a dark tale of love and hatred, about the innocent narrator who is never named, and the war she's waged with the decadent memory of Rebecca, her husband's first wife. The other dominant woman in the story is Mrs. Danvers, the eerie and authoritarian housekeeper of Manderley. When you're done reading Rebecca, you will be sure that this was never some frothy romance novel but a work of literature with a strong feminist twist.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

This is a touching account of an eighteen year friendship between Victoria Leonard (Vix) and Caitlin Somers. The two friends, though very different from each other in personality and background, become each other's best friend and confidant through those unpredictable teenage years. Cracks appear in their relationship as they become two very different women and the story takes surprising twists and turns. As a reader, the first thing you will want to do when you finish the book is call up your best friend and that is essentially what all great books do; elicit action.

HAPPY READING