Books to Read for 2016

Classic Literature Contemporary Literature

Books for the new year banner, graphic by Books on the Wall

Happy 2016! For so many of us, the new year represents the start of a new chapter, the perfect time to acknowledge the past and consider the future. As our celebratory spirit recedes and 2016 creeps on, we’ve been reflecting on the symbolism of this time of year, basking in the mix of nostalgia and forward motion that January evokes.

And what better way to capture these feelings than by reading a perfectly suited book?

We’ve made a list of books that embody just a few of our many feelings about the new year—books about change and determination, about setting off on your own path, about looking back and moving forward. We tried to choose a variety of books for this list; some are uplifting, and some, more somber, but we find that each book resonates particularly clearly in the context of a new year.

Eight Books to Read in 2016

In no particular order, here are our picks for books to read in the new year.

The Awakening, Kate Chopin
Like the title suggests, The Awakening is a book about waking up, coming to know yourself, and deciding to live on your own terms without regard to tradition or expectation. One of the first novels to examine feminist issues and perspectives, The Awakening still resonates as the struggle for gender equality continues.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Brave New World is another classic novel in which characters wrestle with the reality of their existence and decide to wake up and actively live, even if this means questioning everything they know. Brave New World‘s exploration of the role of technology, government and social class in society remains particularly relevant to our culture today.
The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro
Winner of the 1989 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, this contemporary novel beautifully delves into memory and nostalgia. Told primarily as recollections of the past and happenings of the present, The Remains of the Day embodies the perspective of the new year.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer
Another contemporary novel, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is about looking back on tragedy, loss, opportunity and happiness—and ultimately finding a way to fit these pieces together and move forward. This novel’s unique narrative voice and tragic-comic tone make it both accessible and profound.
The Alchemist, Paulo Coehlo
Perhaps the most obvious choice for a new year book, The Alchemist is an uplifting allegory that relates the story of a simple shepherd setting off in search of gold and his own Personal Legend. The most translated work by a living author, this novella encourages readers to find their own paths and allow the universe to help them along way.
Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse
Originally written in German, Siddhartha follows the journey of spiritual enlightenment of the main character Siddhartha, whose name means “he who has found meaning.” Siddhartha’s journey, however meandering, is the perfect reminder that every action, choice and experience can contribute to enlightenment and that satisfaction is ultimately found within ourselves.
The Road, Cormac McCarthy
The Road is an extreme example of a fresh beginning (and certainly not the beginning we’d want for our new year). Despite its horrific post-apocalyptic setting, The Road is a beautiful and profound study of violence, memory, and love. The novel ends with uncertainty but also with the hope of a new world.
The Library of Babel, Jorge Luis Borges
This last one’s our wildcard pick. The Library of Babel is both short story and philosophical thought experiment: what if there were an infinite library full of an infinite number of books containing a random assortment of every possible combination of letters? Though most books would contain utter nonsense, there would necessarily also exist every book that’s ever been written. Equally disorienting and fascinating, this short story is so great because it pulls you out of ordinary thought, making you consider the nature of language, the human need for meaning and the concept of infinity. Crazy, right? (There’s also an awesome online version of Borges’ library.)