Camilla Jessen
These 10 books are perfect for your holiday reading list.
Whether you’re into wartime reflections, existential drama, or rich fantasy, here are ten standout novels to make your vacation reading list unputdownable.
1. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
This masterpiece about World War I remains shockingly relevant nearly a century after its publication.
Thanks in part to the recent Oscar-nominated film adaptation, Remarque’s 1929 novel is once again at the center of literary conversation.
2. Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
Hesse’s cult classic explores the inner turmoil of Harry Haller, torn between his bourgeois life and his untamed “wolf” nature. Steppenwolf is a gripping journey through loneliness, self-discovery, and social critique.
3. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
This haunting novel gained worldwide fame through the film starring Kate Winslet.
The Reader tells the story of a complex love affair between young Michael Berg and the older Hanna Schmitz, who is later tried for war crimes.
4. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
Born without a personal scent but gifted with an extraordinary sense of smell, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille becomes obsessed with creating the perfect perfume — using the scent of young women.
Set in 18th-century France, this dark tale is unforgettable.
5. The Tin Drum by Günter Grass
With The Tin Drum, Günter Grass created one of the most important postwar novels.
Grotesque, satirical, and profound, the story of Oskar Matzerath is a landmark of modern German literature.
6. Homo Faber by Max Frisch
Although Swiss by nationality, Max Frisch’s Homo Faber is firmly part of the German literary canon. Engineer Walter Faber believes in logic and technology — until fate tragically challenges everything he stands for.
7. The Trial by Franz Kafka
On his 30th birthday, Josef K. is arrested — for reasons never explained. What follows is a nightmarish struggle against a surreal and oppressive system.
Kafka’s The Trial delves into guilt, freedom, and the fragility of identity.
8. Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin
Alfred Döblin’s Berlin Alexanderplatz paints a vivid portrait of Weimar-era Germany.
After being released from prison, small-time criminal Franz Biberkopf tries to go straight — but ultimately fails.
9. Mephisto by Klaus Mann
Klaus Mann’s Mephisto follows the rise of actor Hendrik Höfgen, who thrives under the Nazi regime — at the cost of his conscience.
Based on the real-life figure Gustaf Gründgens, the novel is a ruthless critique of conformity, opportunism, and betrayal of artistic integrity.
10. The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende
A fantasy classic that has enchanted generations.
Young Bastian escapes into a mysterious book — and becomes part of the story himself. In the magical world of Fantastica, he must help the young hero Atreyu save the realm.
This list is based on ratings compiled by Esquire.
