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My Personal Novel Hall of Fame

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The following books have shaped my perspective on storytelling, ideas, and emotional depth—each one leaving a lasting mark on how I see the world. These selections stand as towering achievements in literature, chosen not just for their acclaim but fo...
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Yler Mabbun profile picture
A masterful satire and a ferocious, hilarious, ambitious, inspiring piece of writing.... An important book.
American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
First published in French as Vingt mille lieues sous les mers in periodicals in 1870 and the first English version in 1872. It is still considered one of Verne's greatest works as well as one of he earliest science fiction novels. It describes the jo...
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1875)
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Yler Mabbun profile picture
In Tenderness, two lost souls collide on a journey that feels like salvation—but something darker is always just beneath the surface. As their bond deepens, you’re left wondering: is this fragile connection their escape… or the beginning of something...
Tenderness
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Yler Mabbun profile picture
In The Shining, a family’s winter retreat in an isolated hotel slowly turns into a nightmare as unseen forces begin to whisper—and one man starts to listen. As the walls close in and reality fractures, you’re left wondering: is the true horror the ho...
The Shining
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Yler Mabbun profile picture
The students at Hailsham know they’re special—but not in the way most people would hope. As Kathy begins to unravel the truth about their purpose, a quiet, haunting question emerges: what does it really mean to be human when your fate is already seal...
Never Let Me Go
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
I just finished I, Medusa and honestly, it stuck with me. It’s this dark, gripping take on mythology, but feels fresh and modern. The writing pulls you in, and the story’s full of twists you don’t see coming. If you like complex characters and storie...
I, Medusa: A Novel
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
Picked this up out of curiosity and ended up really liking it. It’s one of those stories that quietly pulls you in and makes you care without trying too hard.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A novel
 
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This one’s a bit heavy at times, but the storytelling makes it hard to put down. The voice feels so real that you end up rooting for the main character the whole way through.
Demon Copperhead: A Novel
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
This one is intense in parts, but the storytelling really pulls you along. It’s the kind of book that stays on your mind long after you finish.
The Underground Railroad: A Novel
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
This one moves between timelines, but it’s easy to follow and really satisfying to piece together. It’s more about people and connection than the apocalypse, which made it stand out for me.
Station Eleven: A Novel (National Book Award Finalist)
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
A bit slow at times, but the overall story makes it worth sticking with. It’s one of those books that feels more like an experience than just a plot.
The Goldfinch: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
 
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The artwork adds another layer to an already powerful story without taking anything away from it. It’s a good pick if you want something meaningful but easier to get through.
The Kite Runner Graphic Novel
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
It’s a fast, immersive read that doesn’t drag at any point. Easy to get into and even easier to keep reading.
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Book One)
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
The writing is simple but very sharp when it comes to people and emotions. It’s the kind of story that slowly pulls you into someone else’s world without you noticing.
My Brilliant Friend
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
A simple story on the surface, but it hits a lot harder than you expect. The relationship at the center carries everything and makes it feel very real.
The Road: Pulitzer Prize Winner
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
The writing feels honest and unfiltered, making the story really easy to get lost in. It’s one of those memoirs that makes you think long after you finish.
Educated: A Memoir
 
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This book isn’t afraid to show the messy parts of life, and it’s better for it. It’s absorbing and unpretentious in how it tells its story.
Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
The format is unusual, but it works perfectly for the stories being told. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and think long after you finish.
Citizen: An American Lyric
 
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It’s a long read, but the characters make every page worth it. The story lingers in your mind without feeling forced or melodramatic.
A Little Life
 
Yler Mabbun profile picture
This one really drew me in with its voice and perspective—the characters feel vivid and alive. It’s thoughtful without slowing down the story, and you end up caring about where it all goes.
Americanah: A novel