Are you planning to read more this 2018? We've got you covered! If you're looking to find a retreat from the busy and fast-paced lifestyle you employ, we round-up some well-loved books you can revisit that are not only interesting, but moreover, memorable in both their exquisite craft and beguiling narratives. For your next Friday night in, slow it down in a cosy nook, with a warm cup of tea or a glass of wine and a book in hand. Scroll on to find out what novels you can read this year:

1. Something Classic:&nbsp;<br />The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde

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This best-selling classic has continued to captivate audiences worldwide having been adapated numerous times both in theatre and film. First published in a magazine named "Lippincott's Monthly", Oscar Wilde initially found difficulty with censorship, with words minced and deleted before its publication. Now known as a pivotal work under the movement of "art for art's sake", the Irish author has definitely made his mark in the world of literature. A quick albeit sensible read, The Picture of Dorian Gray is one that is always a joy to revisit, with every reading proving to be more enlightening that the last. 

2. Something Educational:&nbsp;<br />A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) by Khaled Hosseini

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More primarily known for his 2003 breakthrough novel, The Kite Runner, Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini proves that he is not a mere one-trick pony. With A Thousand Splendid Suns, the author explores themes of self-worth and identity in a time of war, all the while challenging the idea of what it means to be a woman in a heavily patriarchal society. A must-read for those who want to know more about the difficulties in Kabul, Afghanistan during the early 21st century, this novel tackles arduous and emotional topics. Still it is quite difficult to put down once you start! 

3. Something Mind-boggling:&nbsp;<br />Rayuela / Hopsctoch (1963) by Julio Cortazar

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An edgy and artistic exploration of the fiction genre, Argetinian writer Julio Cortazar has created in Rayuela (Hopscotch in English) a "counter-novel". The book begins with a set of instructions, aiding the reader in what will be an adventurous read. The novel follows a character named Horacio Oliviera as he explores an intellectual's life in Paris. However, the book is written to be read in different ways, at some point jumping from one chapter to another, excusing linearity from the equation. If you're aching for a more exciting read, try Rayuela and create your own story!

4. Something Romantic:&nbsp;<br />Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair (1924) by Pablo Neruda

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If you're feeling a bit of melancholy, no better book will serve as better company in your misery. This collection of poems is not for the faint of heart. Indulge in poetry as Chilean writer and Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda, strings you along with endless lines of romantic verse and eloquent confessions of love, regret, and sorrow. "Love is so short; forgetting is so long" -- the famous line immortalized in the poem "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines" finds a home in this romantic collection. Pair this read with a glass of Chilean wine perhaps, as an ode to the famed poet. 

5. Something Thrilling: <br />The Turn of the Screw (1898) by Henry James

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If you're a fan of horror flicks, this might be a good late-night read for you! The novel follows a young governess who is hired to take care of two young children, a boy Miles and the younger Flora. As the new governess stays in the vast estate, she begins to encounter strange situations that stir her curiosity and fear. It turns out, there is more to the job than she bargained for. A forerunner of the "ghost story" novels of the gothic literature era, British-American writer Henry James brings readers a thrilling classic that will leave you bothered, if not scared. 

6. Something Fun and Comedic: <br />This is How You Lose Her (2012) by Junot Diaz

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For a lighter read, go by the way of Dominican wrtier Junot Diaz. His work This is How You Lose Her employs self-deprecating humour as the narrator explores the many failed romances in his life. Written with sardonic and casual language, this is surely a good read for those who are looking for something easy to digest and enjoy. As it is a collection of short stories, it's also a nice book to carry around in your daily commute, offering you bite-sized insights into the nature of love, sensuality, and rejection. 

7. Something Philosophical:&nbsp;<br />L'Etranger / The Stranger (1942) by Albert Camus

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This French classic is one of the pivotal works that shaped the "Existentialist" movement during the turn of the century. Ruminations on the essense of humanity, death, and purpose, L'Etranger or The Stranger is a relatively short novel, but it carries with it a philosophical punch. With Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus at the helm, readers are in for a treat as he explores the daily mundane life of the indifferent French-Algerian character: Meursault. Give L'Entrager a read and start up a vibrant conversation at your next dinner party about the novel's irrefutable and memorable musings.