Historical

Bohemians of the Latin Quarter by Henri Murger

The book had a significant impact on the romanticized image of the bohemian lifestyle, and its influence can be seen in later works of literature and art. Murger’s portrayal of the bohemians was highly popular and provided the inspiration for Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera La Bohème, which further cemented the novel’s place in popular culture.

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

Hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking, Colm Tóibín's sixth novel, Brooklyn, is set in Brooklyn and Ireland in the early 1950s, when one young woman crosses the ocean to make a new life for herself.  

Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton

takes place in a shabby neighborhood in New York City. The two Bunner sisters, Ann Eliza the elder, and Evelina the younger, keep a small shop selling artificial flowers and small handsewn articles to Stuyvesant Square's "female population."

Burning Daylight by Jack London

Filled with action and suspense, Jack London's Burning Daylight brings an exciting twist to the classic enemies to lovers storyline. Featuring two exciting settings--California and Alaska, Burning Daylight is an entertaining glimpse into the gold rush era of the United States. Through the use of amusing caricatures of hyper-masculinity and hyper-femininity, London's romance novel also provides intriguing insight on the early 20th century gender expectations. 

Cabbages and Kings by O. Henry

One of the most famous stories from this collection is "The Ransom of Red Chief," in which two kidnappers attempt to ransom a young boy, only for the child to turn the tables on them with his wild antics, leading to a comic reversal of the expected roles. This story exemplifies O. Henry's knack for irony and his ability to craft unexpected and humorous twists.

Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw

The play is rich with Shaw’s characteristic wit and criticism of contemporary politics and social norms. Shaw uses the historical backdrop to explore the manipulation of power, the nature of leadership, and the intersection of personal and political agendas. The comic tone, combined with sharp political insights, challenges traditional views of history and questions the idea of heroism, making Caesar and Cleopatra not only a lively piece of entertainment but also a deeper commentary on the na...

Candide by Voltaire

Candide is the story of a gentle man who, though pummeled and slapped in every direction by fate, clings desperately to the belief that he lives in "the best of all possible worlds." On the surface a witty, bantering tale, this eighteenth-century classic is actually a savage, satiric thrust at the philosophical optimism that proclaims that all disaster and human suffering is part of a benevolent cosmic plan.

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

 In Can You Forgive Her? Trollope inextricably binds together the issues of parliamentary election and marriage, of politics and privacy. The values and aspirations of the governing stratum of Victorian society are ruthlessly examined and none remain unscathed. Above all Trollope focuses on the predicament of women. 'What should a woman do with her life?' 

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

ter Blood, an Irish physician and soldier in England in the 1680's, is wrongly convicted of treason and sentenced to indentured slavery in the Caribbean. He escapes and becomes the most feared pirate captain on the Spanish Main, but all the glory of his adventures cannot help him, for the woman he loves cannot love a thief and pirate. Even when he destroys England's enemies, even at his most triumphant...but wait! What's that..

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

Silko's writing is known for its rich narrative style, blending prose with poetry and traditional storytelling techniques. "Ceremony" is highly regarded for its profound exploration of Native American experiences and its innovative approach to narrative structure and language.

Children of the Frost by Jack London

Children of the Frost is part of Jack London’s broader body of work that explores the themes of nature, survival, and human struggle. Much of London’s writing is marked by his deep understanding of the physical and emotional toll that the wilderness exacts on people, and Children of the Frost is no exception.

Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard

The story is set in the Ptolemaic era of ancient Egyptian history and revolves around the survival of a dynasty bloodline protected by the Priesthood of Isis. The main character Harmachis (the living descendant of this bloodline) is charged by the Priesthood to overthrow the supposed impostor Cleopatra, drive out the Romans, and restore Egypt to its golden era.