Photo credit: NGUYEN THU HOAI VIA UNSPLASH

Books that will boggle the mind

Explore the depths of the surreal with these page-turners!

National Reading Movement (@readingnationSG)

Published: 1 October 2021, 2:55 PM

The human brain is almost possibly limitless in its imagination. 

Yet as we focus more on our academics and career goals, we tend to forget the almost childlike enthusiasm that comes with reading a book that stretches the bounds of what you think is possible. As youth, it is the best time to be creative, experiment beyond the normal, and explore new worlds which seem almost unreal.

Books have never failed to be the source of awe and wonder, but why not go even further? 

This month, we feature three books that venture into the realm of the surreal and fantastic.

“1Q84” by Haruki Murakami

1Q84-Haruki-Murakami
PHOTO CREDIT: KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP

 

From the great Japanese author Haruki Murakami comes what many consider to be his magnum opus, 1Q84. 

This callback to the Orwellian classic was ranked as the best work of Japan’s Heisei era by Japanese national newspaper Asahi Shimbun, and covers the tale of the young Aomame as she finds herself in a strange parallel world, trying to discover what is ‘real’.

Borrow the book here: eBook

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One-Hundred-Years-of-Solitude-Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez
PHOTO CREDIT: PENGUIN BOOKS LTD

 

Winner of the Nobel prize for literature, this timeless masterpiece is a must-read for any young reader, be you a seasoned bookworm or one just looking for a quick read.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez powerfully blends magic realism with various political themes, in a narrative spanning over a century (as the title says). 

Highly acclaimed for decades, this piece of world literature is definitely worth the read.

Borrow the book here: eBook

“Through the Arc of the Rain Forest” by Karen Tei Yamashita

Through-the-Arc-of-the-Rain-Forest-Karen-Tei-Yamashita
PHOTO CREDIT: COFFEE HOUSE PRESS

 

Through the Arc of the Rain Forest will take you on a bizarre journey through Brazil, with its equally strange retinue of characters. 

Without spoiling much, this comedic novel at once lambasts the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest while providing a surreal, fantastical twist. 

For youth concerned about climate change and the impact man has on the environment, this book is great if you’re looking for fictional allegories.

Borrow the book here: eBook

For more book recommendations, follow the National Reading Movement Facebook or Instagram, or use the NLB Mobile app to explore and download books for free.

You may like these

Trending