the eclectic authoress recommends...

46. "Cry, the Beloved Country", by Alan Paton is a heartrending story of South Africa, set only a few years before apartheid. It follows Stephen Kumalo, a Zulu pastor who travels to Johannesburg in search of his family. Written with excellent prose and the dialogue style of Steinbeck, Paton' work is certainly deserved of many honors.

the eclectic authoress recommends...

45. The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. Most people have heard of this story- some have even seen the movie- but few have read it. It's a very long book- thicker, I think, than Anna Karenina. But it is so good. A tale of revenge taken over more than a decade, The Count of Monte Cristo is absolutely thrilling. Despite its length, it isn't a difficult read. The story is fast paced, and every detail is important. While the size may seem intimidating, please, don't let it deter you; read The Count of Monte Cristo as soon as you can lay your hands on it.