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India.com
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Weird, Wacky & Unforgettable: 7 Weirdest Books I've Read—And Why You'll Love Them Too
photoDetails english 2928587 Weird, Wacky & Unforgettable: 7 Weirdest Books I've Read—And Why You'll Love Them Too, this takes you on a journey through some of the strangest and most unexpected reads out there. These 7 unique books defy genres, challenge norms, and leave a lasting impression with their odd plots, eccentric characters, and mind-bending storytelling. These are perfect for curious readers seeking something different. This list of 7 books celebrates the beauty of the bizarre and shows why these unconventional reads are worth adding to your bookshelf. Updated:Jul 08, 2025, 02:27 PM IST House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski 1 / 7 House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski This book isn't just a story; it's an experience. The plot follows a family discovering that their house is mysteriously larger inside than outside. But the story is told through bizarre footnotes, overlapping narratives, and text that twists, flips, or spirals across the pages. It's unsettling, haunting, and unique. You don't just read it, you decode it. The Vegetarian by Han Kang 2 / 7 The Vegetarian by Han Kang It begins with a woman's decision to stop eating meat after a disturbing dream, but it quickly spirals into obsession, alienation, and surreal imagery about plants and human bodies. It's eerie, dark, and very metaphorical. It explores themes of control, freedom, and madness in a short yet powerful read. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami 3 / 7 Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami It features talking cats, mysterious disappearances, raining fish, and bizarre prophecies. Reality and dreams blur completely in this coming-of-age fantasy. Murakami's poetic writing and surreal world make this weird ride oddly comforting. Night Film by Marisha Pessl 4 / 7 Night Film by Marisha Pessl This creepy thriller revolves around the mysterious death of the daughter of a reclusive horror filmmaker. The book mixes regular narrative with photos, news clippings, and web pages, creating an unsettling, interactive vibe. It's like falling into a dark rabbit hole, perfect for fans of eerie mysteries and metafiction. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer 5 / 7 Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Part of the Southern Reach Trilogy, it explores a mysterious, ever-shifting area called 'Area X.' The story is filled with bizarre creatures, hallucinations, and cosmic horror. It's a short but deeply unsettling exploration of nature, identity, and the unknown. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien 6 / 7 The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien This surreal Irish novel blends murder mystery, philosophy, and absurd humor. It features a world where bicycles merge with humans, time loops, and lots of existential confusion. It's mind-bending, hilarious, and unlike anything else you'll read. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 7 / 7 Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders The novel takes place in a graveyard, where the spirit of Abraham Lincoln's deceased son interacts with a bizarre cast of ghosts, all trapped between life and death. It's emotional, experimental, and strangely beautiful—a weird mix of history and ghost story.
India.com
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
From ‘Norwegian Wood' to ‘Men Without Women': 7 Best Works Of Haruki Murakami Everyone Must Read Once
photoDetails english 2909478 Haruki Murakami's literary world is a mesmerizing blend of the surreal and the deeply human, where everyday lives intersect with mystery, memory, and metaphysical questions. He was born in 1949 and his works have been translates into more than 50 languages and his most popular works are Norwegian Wood, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore and more. Scroll down to read more about his works. Updated:Jun 01, 2025, 03:33 PM IST Who is Haruki Murakami? 1 / 8 Haruki Murakami is a Japanese writer born in 1949 is one of the most celebrated literary voices of times. His works have been translated into more than 50 languages. His characters often feel alienated from society, drifting through love, loss, and parallel realities. With his global fan base and numerous literary awards, Murakami continues to captivate readers with stories that are as strange as they are emotionally resonant. Norwegian Wood 2 / 8 Published in 1987, this is one of the most popular books, this heartbreaking novel explores the themes of love and grief, the book is set in the 1960s in Tokyo. It remains one of his most accessible and emotionally raw novels, showcasing his ability to explore human fragility without leaning on the surreal. Kafka on the Shore 3 / 8 This amazing read was published in 2002, 'Kafka on the Shore' is a perfect blend of fantasy, metaphysics, and philosophy. The book is full of riddles, double meanings, and classical references, this novel invites interpretation and rereading, and is often named among his most inventive and iconic works. 1Q84 4 / 8 The book was first published in three volumes 2009-10, this book explores the themes of love, destiny, and alternate realities are explored in depth. The book follows the story of an assassin and a math teacher as they become entangled in a mysterious parallel world. Men Without Women 5 / 8 This is a collection of short stories which was published in 2014 and each story explores the emotional solitude of men who have lost or been left by women, touching on loneliness, heartbreak, and the quiet ache of everyday life. Dance Dance Dance 6 / 8 This is Murakami's sixth novel and was first published in 1988, this book centres around the life of an unnamed narrator who is drifting through a Tokyo filled with lost connections, odd jobs, and supernatural encounters. After Dark 7 / 8 This amazing novel was published in 2004 and it explores the themes of alienation in the urban world. It revolves around the stories of insomniacs, runaways, and a girl who sleeps in suspended animation, the novel feels like a dream you wake from feeling haunted. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle 8 / 8 The novel was first published in 1994-95, it is one of Murakami's most powerful novels. The book follows an unassuming man whose search for his missing wife leads him into a surreal underworld of war stories, psychic experiences, and deep personal reckonings.
