11 Eye-Opening Books That Examine The Human Condition

	Title	Author	More by the Author
1.	Freedom	Jonathan Franzen	The Corrections	Purity
2.	Who Asked You?	Terry McMillan	I Almost Forgot About You	Mama
3.	Little Do We Know	Tamara Ireland Stone	Click'd	Every Last Word
4.	The Art of Racing in the Rain	Garth Stein	A Sudden Light	Raven Stole the Moon
5.	How Do You Like Me Now?	Holly Bourne	It Only Happens in the Movies	What's a Girl Gotta Do?
6.	California	Edan Lepucki	Woman No. 17	If You're Not Yet Like Me
7.	In Twenty Years	Allison Winn Scotch	Between Me and You	The Song Remains the Same
8.	The Almost Sisters	Joshilyn Jackson	The Opposite of Everyone	Gods in Alabama
9.	Water from My Heart	Charles Martin	Send Down the Rain	The Mountain Between Us
10.	All the Ugly and Wonderful Things	Bryn Greenwood	Lie Lay Lain	Last Will
11.	Still Alice	Lisa Genova	Every Note Played	Left Neglected

Philosophy Around the World

Philosophy is a way of thinking about the fundamental nature of reality. Throughout time, many different cultures have approached this study in a variety of ways. Here are a few books that will introduce you to different systems of thinking about life:

The Philosophy Book by DK Publishing
Early Greek Philosophy by Jonathan Barnes
Classic Asian Philosophy by Joel J. Kupperman
I Am Because We Are by Fred Lee Hord & Jonathan Scott Lee
Philosophy in the Islamic World by Ulrich Rudolph

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

In Depth

Books that explore human existence are always satisfying reads. They tickle the imagination of readers, featuring various topics such as birth, psychology, morality, and purpose. From a huge selection, we have gathered some of the best novels that focus on the essentials of life. In no particular order, here is our list of eleven.

At the #1 spot is "Freedom." Winner of the John Gardner Fiction Award, this is a 2010 novel by author Jonathan Franzen. It tells the story of an American family, the Berglunds, and their friends and lovers. The first part of the book centers on Patty and Walter, the parents. They live a normal life, until Richard Katz comes into the picture. He is a rock musician who develops a love affair with Patty. As the pages are turned, the setting transitions through several time periods, following the lives of more family members.

Coming in at #2 is "Who Asked You?" Written by Terry McMillan, this novel is a mix of fun, sadness, and tragedy. The story begins with Trinetta leaving her two young sons with her mother, Betty Jean, who already dealing with other family issues. She takes care of an ill husband, deals with her adult children, has two opinionated sisters, and had to postpone her dreams while holding down a job as a hotel maid. This book features drama and humor with a memorable set of characters.

This book features drama and humor with a memorable set of characters.

Next, at #3 is "Little Do We Know." This is a tale of two young women who have different personalities, but have been best friends and next-door neighbors since childhood. After a bitter argument, they don't speak to each other until Hannah finds Emory's boyfriend Luke unconscious in front of her house. They reevaluate their friendship, piecing together the story of their lives with the help of a boy who is caught in between. In this book, author Tamara Ireland Stone touches on heavy issues, including religious beliefs, sexual harassment, and taboo love.

At #4, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein is a touching story of loyalty and hope, told from a dog's point of view. The plot revolves around Denny Swift, a race car driver, and his canine buddy Enzo, who thinks that animals can be reincarnated as humans. Enzo prepares for it, spending his days watching television, learning about racing, and relating everything to life. His biggest role is to help Denny go through emotional ups and downs. This book is sure to entertain anyone who believes in the love between man and his best friend.

At the #5 spot is "How Do You Like Me Now?" Featuring the story of Tori Bailey, this volume explores the emotional roller coaster of a woman in her thirties. Tori's life seems perfect. She is a bestselling author and has an awesome relationship with her long-term boyfriend. However, things are not the way they look. She faces middle-age issues. While waiting for a marriage proposal that never happens and seeing her friend build a family, she feels left behind. Written by Holly Bourne, this is an exploration of love told in a funny and brutally honest way.

Featuring the story of Tori Bailey, this volume explores the emotional roller coaster of a woman in her thirties.

Coming in at #6, "California" is described as post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction. Characters Frida and Cal are a young couple who fled a nearly-destroyed Los Angeles to live in an abandoned house in the wilderness. When they discover that Frida is pregnant, they decide to seek the help of the nearest community. However, the place is filled with guarded and paranoid settlers. In this novel, author Edan Lepucki offers a glimpse of a frightening future, in which family safety is deeply valued.

Next, at #7 is "In Twenty Years." The plot begins with six Penn students cohabitating harmoniously in one house. All of them believe that their friendship will last. However, after the death of their ringleader, Bea, they start to drift apart. Two decades later, the remaining five reunite in the place they once called home, confronting the issues of their past and future. This novel by Allison Winn Scotch is a tale of acceptance, responsibility, and love.

At the #8 spot is "The Almost Sisters." Author Joshilyn Jackson creates this tale of family, belongingness, and race. It follows the life of Leia Birch Briggs, a graphic novelist who, after a tequila-filled night, finds herself pregnant. Upon realizing that she will give birth to a biracial baby, she hesitates to tell her loved ones. Yet, she has to go home to take care of her ailing grandmother who apparently has some dark secrets. The title gives the book much of its surprise and subtlety, engaging readers to the end.

Upon realizing that she will give birth to a biracial baby, she hesitates to tell her loved ones.

Taking the #9 spot is "Water from My Heart" by New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin. In the story, protagonist Charlie Finn is an intelligent young man who is Harvard-educated, but also stone-hearted. He has no emotional ties except to his boss who is a drug lord. Charlie is sent to Costa Rica to find his boss' son. There, he is exposed to simple living. He learns that kindness and honesty make for a more meaningful life.

Next, at #10, "All the Ugly and Wonderful Things" is the story of two lonely people who find their place in each other's arms. Wavy is a young daughter of a drug dealer who develops a romantic relationship with her father's runner, Kellen. These atypical heroes experience peace and steadiness when they are together, ignoring the complications that exist in their lives. In the pages, author Bryn Greenwood writes about how an innocent friendship can become long-lasting love.

Finally, at #11 is "Still Alice." This book by author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova follows the story of Alice Howland. She is a 50-year old cognitive psychology professor at Harvard who suffers early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Her condition affects her relationship with her family and all the people in her life. This novel was adapted into a 2014 film, starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, and Kristen Stewart.