3. Demian - Herman Hesse
My mom insisted I read this book because she thought (and still thinks) that Herman Hesse is a genius. When I usually start a book, I skim through it, but it was impossible to do so with Demian. The book intrigued me in ways I didn’t expect, pulling me into a thought-provoking exploration of identity and self-discovery.
4. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
At first glance, Anna Karenina stood out as one of the longest books (other than textbooks hehe) I had ever considered reading. As I moved through the story, its resemblance to a makjang (막장) K-drama captivated me, and caught me into the scandalous lives of its characters.
5. Vegetarian (채식주의자) - Han Kang
On a visit to my grandparents’ place, I saw this book and picked it up right away. I usually avoid dark books, but this one captured me in a way I can’t quite explain. Its haunting prose and complex themes drew me in and left a lasting impression on me. But, both my mom and I constantly suffered from nightmares after I finished the book, so I wouldn’t recommend it to a younger audience due to its intense and mature content.
