It’s once again the perfect time of the year to delve into a new story. As summer gives way to autumn, as the heat dissolves into a cool breeze, what better way to listen to leaves fall than through an audiobook? The books listed below are all great works of modern literature. As a bonus, these are also suitable as Discovery related texts.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Chbosky’s epistolary bildungsroman narrates the life of fifteen-year-old Charlie as he enters his first year of high school. With specific regard to adolescent themes, Chbosky details Charlie’s journey from youth into adulthood as he makes unplanned discoveries about himself and others, leading him to speculate on new ideas with profound impact.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis opens with protagonist Gregor Samsa transformed into an insect. Through the text, Kafka portrays Samsa’s self-induced isolation that prompts his introspective thoughts and eventual self-discovery. By depicting Samsa’s journey to achieving self-peace, Kafka displays the sudden and complex nature of discoveries that can have a transformative impact on individuals.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness follows the story of a boy, Charles Marlow, up the Congo River. Framed inside Marlow’s narration of this journey to friends by the River Thames, Conrad draws parallels between African’s tribes and England’s “civilised” society, critiquing notions of imperialism and racism. In this text, discoveries are both physical and spiritual, can be unexpected, as well as evoke wonder.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
This bildungsroman centres the life of protagonist, Theo Decker. Having survived a terrorist attack at an art museum when he was thirteen, hope for Theo lies solely in a painting, The Goldfinch, that he took with him out of the museum. As the consequences of this unfold through the text, he experiences self-discovery at both the emotional and spiritual levels.
Audiobooks are a fun way to engage with new stories and broaden your knowledge. Through these specific stories, you will realise new things not just about the world, but about yourself too.
