Literature Bargain Book Box 20 (17 Books)

Literature Bargain Book Box 20 (17 Books)

This eclectic collection of seventeen novels offers a deep dive into the world of contemporary and classic literature. This box features everything from Nobel Prize winners and beloved series finales to sharp modern satire and historical epics. Whether you’re looking for the surreal landscapes of Helen Oyeyemi, the heartwarming history of Annie Lyons, or the wit of Alexander McCall Smith, this selection has something to challenge and delight every serious reader.

1. Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling A gripping literary mystery about four friends who spent a magical, illicit summer at an abandoned manor house. Decades later, they are forced to revisit the past—and the game they played—to find a missing diamond and uncover the truth about what really happened that summer.

2. Sanderson's Isle by James Clarke Set in the 1960s, this is a psychedelic, noir-tinged adventure. An alcoholic television presenter flees London for a remote island, only to find himself entangled with a strange community and a series of events that blur the line between reality and hallucination.

3. Hark by Sam Lipsyte A biting satire on modern wellness culture. Hark Morner is a failed stand-up comic who accidentally becomes a mindfulness guru. As his "Mental Archery" movement gains a cult following, he struggles to keep control of the monster he has created.

4. Where Tigers Are at Home by Jean-Marie Blas de Robles A sprawling, encyclopedic French novel that weaves together the story of a kirsch-drinking journalist in Brazil with the biography of a 17th-century Jesuit scholar. It’s a dazzling literary puzzle about history, memory, and the search for meaning.

5. Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham A "national US Bestseller" that reimagines the coming-of-age story for the 21st century. Set against the backdrop of a historic presidential campaign (mirroring the Obama era), a young man navigates the corridors of power, race, and religion in America.

6. The Antarctica of Love by Sara Stridsberg A haunting and heartbreaking novel narrated by a murder victim. From the afterlife, Inni watches over the people she left behind—her children, her parents, and even her killer—in a lyrical exploration of life on the margins of society.

7. The American No by Rupert Everett A collection of stories from the actor and writer Rupert Everett. Known for his sharp wit and observational skills, these tales traverse the globe, offering an "eccentric and exquisite" look at Hollywood, high society, and the human condition.

8. Your Inner Hedgehog by Alexander McCall Smith The latest installment in the Professor Dr von Igelfeld entertainments. The hapless German philologist returns to deal with academic rivals, terrifying colleagues, and the problem of how to properly appreciate one's own "inner hedgehog."

9. Picasso's Lovers by Jeanne Mackin A sweeping historical novel that explores the lives of the women who loved and inspired Pablo Picasso. Through the eyes of an aspiring journalist in 1950s France, the book delves into the complex, often toxic, relationships behind the great art.

10. The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons A heartwarming WWII story set in London. When a bookshop owner loses her husband, she finds solace in forming a book club with her neighbours. As the Blitz rages, stories become their lifeline, proving the power of community in the darkest of times.

11. Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi A surreal and mesmerizing tale about a couple who take a trip on a mysterious train called The Lucky Day. The train is vast, inhabited by strange characters, and seems to be travelling deep into their own psyches and secrets.

12. Ghost Chilli by Nikkitha Bakshani A sharp, funny, and chaotic novel about a young woman trying to navigate modern life, love, and ambition. It’s a story about the heat of the moment and the lingering burn of bad decisions.

13. Everest by Ashani Lewis Shortlisted for the 2025 Jhalak Prose Prize. This novel explores the allure of the world's highest peak, not just as a mountain, but as a symbol of conquest and the extreme lengths people will go to feel alive.

14. Burger's Daughter by Nadine Gordimer A masterpiece from the Nobel Prize-winning author. Set in South Africa during apartheid, it follows Rosa Burger, the daughter of martyred anti-apartheid activists, as she struggles to define her own identity outside her parents' looming shadow.

15. The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kim A dual-timeline novel centered on a dark chapter of South Korean history. It tells the story of a girl and her mother sent to a state-run "reformatory" in the 1980s, and the lingering scars that surface for the survivors decades later.

16. The Wise Women by Gina Sorell A witty and warm family drama about two adult sisters and their mother, a famous advice columnist. When their lives hit rocky patches, they are forced to move back in together and realize that the person who gives the best advice often has the most trouble taking it.

17. The Days of Anna Madrigal by Armistead Maupin The ninth and final novel in the beloved Tales of the City series. The legendary Anna Madrigal, now 92, embarks on a road trip to Burning Man, reflecting on a life of secrets, love, and the family she built at 28 Barbary Lane.