10 Books to delve into on sleepless nights

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

1/10
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Narrated by Christopher, a 15 year-old boy with Aspergers, this witty and fun novel offers surprising insights our daily lives that we often fail to notice. After being accused of killing his neighbour's dog with a garden fork, Christopher decides to investigate the dog's death to prove his innocence. You'll see that he makes some unexpected discoveries along the way, but eventually grows into a stronger person while learning about life, love, and forgiveness.
2/10
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Niffenegger's debut novel, the Time Traveller's wife is a romantic story of a man whose genetic disorder causes him to travel in time at erratic moments, much to the chagrin of his wife. At once magical and moving, this text is sure to lull you into a quiet, contemplative state.
3/10
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Watched the movie and seen the musical? Well, why not read the book too! If you want to experience the gritty romanticisms of 1800s France, nobody does it better than Hugo. Not only are each of his characters incredibly well-developed and distinct, they are also painfully human and flawed, making it easy to relate to them on the most fundamental of levels.
4/10
White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Few authors are as witty as Adiga is, and even fewer as incisive about the underlying ills of the modern Indian society. Be prepared to be transported from the rural village of Laxmangarh to the bustling, disorganized metropolis that is New Delhi. Rich, colourful, and dynamic - this delightful novel is sure to sweep you off your feet.
5/10
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Plunge yourself into a landscape of sakura blossoms, trickling fountains, and Shinto temples - all part of the charming 1900s Kyoto that Golden describes to us. In this celebrated coming-of-age story, we follow young Chiyo's journey as she grows from bullied geisha house apprentice to the most popular geisha in the Gion district. If this oriental gem does not charm you, we don't know what will.
6/10
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Set in the communist-run Czechchoslovakia, this modern classic is an existentialist exposition of love and sex. The protagonist, Tomáš, is a quiet intellectual and ardent womanizer who believes that he can have sex with a lot of women but only love his wife. Even so, he vacillates between his quiet wife Tereza and closest friend and mistress, Sabina. If you're in for an immersive reading experience, then this thoughtful and contemplative text will definitely satisfy.
7/10
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
If you think you're too old for Alice in Wonderland, think again. With its twists and masked social satire, this read promises to delight adult readers as much as it wows the children. So rediscover your childlike side as you join Alice on her trip down the rabbit hole, where you know you will discover some amazing people and things.
8/10
Kafa on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Seemingly defying choronological documentation, this metaphysical mind-twister alternates between two intertwining plots. One involving a disturbed teenager, Kafka who's intent upon finding his mother and sister, and another of Nakata, the seeker of lost cats. Murakami's suspenseful writing will definitely draw you into his magical realm, where love, loss, and religion beautifully intersect.
9/10
Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
This humourous text follows nine year-old austistic genius Oskar Schell as he tries to cope with the aftermath of his father's death... by going on a hunt through all of New York City to find the lock that fits the key his father left behind. Light-hearted, wildly creative but also unimaginably poignant, Foer's prose is guaranteed to bring out the child in everyone.
10/10
1984 by George Orwell
Immerse yourself in the bleak Orwellian dystopia, where cameras and hidden microphones in every apartment allows the Thought Police to monitor and sieve out anyone with anti-establishment intentions. But even though Big Brother is always watching, the jaded protagonist, Winston Smith, still tries to plot against the Party and have an affair with a woman from work. We're not going to tell you if he manages to do it, but successful or not, we're sure that you'll enjoy this most famous dystopian novel of all time.

It's 4a.m. and your room is silent except for the incessant ticking of the clock, but however hard you try, you can't seem to lull yourself into a blissful and gentle slumber. Sounds familiar? Well, insomnia can be a bitter pill to swallow, and it tends to creep up on us at some point or another.

Luckily, you don't have to suffer alone. A good book can easily become your trusty companion for those sleepless nights. Our top 10 recommendations feature some incredibly diverse authors and writing styles, but all of them have one thing in common - a plot that'll promise to transport you to a whole other universe and essentially induce a dreamlike state.

If you're not an avid reader, why not start now? It's more interesting than you think, and the choices are vast. So go on and pick up something from our list and allow your mind to wander into the depths of the pages' world.

Yijie Zhang

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