Doctor Jeckyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

This disturbing tale, set in Edinburgh is of a respectable upstanding citizen who transforms into a debauched, out of control, monster. The tale mirrors the city itself with its dark cobbled streets and underworld juxtaposed against the grandeur and stately tradition of the castle and the Royal Mile. Stevenson explores the duplicity that lies within us all – the good and evil that we all have the potential to let loose! http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/46/86/frameset.html

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

This novel, set in the First World War, follows a young German boy as he goes into the trenches to fight for his country. Paul sees many of his friends die on the battle field and starts to question the point of war, honour and what it is to be a soldier and a man. This is a classic, thought provoking novel which has lasted the course of time.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/allquiet/

The Ninth Life of Louis Drax by Liz Jensen

Louis Drax is a boy like no other. He is brilliant and strange, and every year something violent seems to happen to him. He has always managed to survive - to land on his feet, like a cat. But cats have only nine lives, and Louis has used up eight, one for every year." "On his ninth birthday, Louis goes on a picnic with his parents and falls off a cliff. The details are shrouded in mystery. Louis's mother is shell-shocked; his father has vanished. And after some confusion Louis himself, miraculously alive but deep in a coma, arrives at Dr. Pascal Dannachet's celebrated coma clinic." The Ninth Life of Louis Drax is the story of a family falling apart, told in the vivid voices of its comatose son and Dr. Dannachet as he is drawn into the Draxes' circle. Full of twists and turns, this is a tale of the secrets the human mind can hide.

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

This is basically the tale of a man who is approaching middle age but behaves like a teenager. He owns a record shop and loves making tapes and listing ‘top ten favourite …’ much to the disgust of his long-suffering girlfriend. The reader follows him through his gradual realisation that he can’t be 25 forever and maybe he doesn’t even want to. This book is very engaging and fun to read. It is narrated in the first person, so you really feel close to the main character (even though you might not like him very much!)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

On seeing a portrait of himself, Dorian Gray decides he never wants to grow old and makes a deal with the devil: Dorian maintains his external youth and beauty while his portrait ages. As his life becomes more and more debauched, so the portrait depicts Dorian’s real nature while he continues to charm people with his good looks. Self obsessed Dorian is counter balanced by his witty chum, Lord Henry who provides some light entertainment in this exploration of truth, beauty, mortality and the human spirit

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Although this novel is regarded as one of the ‘cannon’ of English Literature, when it was first written many people regarded it as fickle and trashy. Elizabeth Bennett has an embarrassing mother, desperate sisters, a frustrated father and a sinking feeling she will never find true happiness in her society. The book vividly depict the trials facing young girls of the 19th Century with humour (yes- honestly!) irony and a good dose of old fashioned romance.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Set in the near future this story examines the hideous consequences faced by mankind in a world where genetic engineering has run rampant. Though frequently grotesque and very dark there is a steady stream of humour that runs throughout the book, which means that although it is large its easy to read. It is a highly topical read and many of the fictional abominations created by the scientists in the book are now being talked of on the Internet as if they really exist. Who knows......

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

A dark collection of stories narrated in broad Edinburgh accents by the book’s main protagonists. Swinging from despair to hilarity in equal measure this book shows the bleak underbelly of Scottish society at its very worst. This book is not for the faint hearted and the language would have your granny turning in her grave!

Divided City by Theressa Breslin

This is the story of the friendship between two boys in Glasgow - one who is a Catholic and the other a Protestant. They must find their won answers and their own way forward in this world divided by differences.

Holes by Louis Sachar

This is the story of Stanley Yelnats who is, by his own admission, not the luckiest guy in the world. Stanley has been sent to camp Greenlake - a correction school for 'bad boys' where his punishment is to dig a five foot deep hole every day in the baking sun. The warden thinks this will make him good - or so he says, but could there be another reason behind it? This is a funny, unconventional novel with a mystery running through it that keeps you hooked until the last page.

Morven Callar by Alan Warner

This is the dark tale of a young woman who finds her boyfriend's unpublished novel after he commits suicide. She claims it to be her own and then decides to go on holiday with her best friend with the proceeds. Written in conversational Scottish dialogue, this book can be disturbing, confusing and unexpected.

Dracula – Bram Stoker

Bella Lugosi’s celluloid Dracula is an image we are all familiar with, and of course the more recent film remake starring Keanu Reeves has brought the tale into the limelight once again. The novel itself has even more power to terrify. The tension builds as the brilliant scientist Van Helsing employs every method possible to save those whose life blood is being drained away, but ultimately he may have to resort to ancient magic to destroy the power of the vampire. This novel is unusual in its form as it is written as a collection of diary entries and letters that describe the action, but it keeps the reader on the edge of his seat right to the end!

We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver

This is the chilling tale of an American teenager who shoots his classmates and teacher in a calculated attack. The novel takes the form of letters to his father, written by his mother, which reveal family history and circumstances, inviting the reader to question what would bring any one to commit such an act. This is an intense and disturbing book, but it raises interesting issues about the nature/nurture debate and the role of parents and society in developing the human psyche.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

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Christopher Boone finds his neighbour's dog lying dead on the front lawn, skewered through the heart with a garden fork. He likes dogs, so he decides to find out who has done this dreadful deed. Christopher has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, which means that he doesn't understand or relate to other people in the way that most of us do. His quest to solve this murder mystery is difficult and frightening for him, but using the methods of his hero Sherlock Holmes, he wins through in the end. This is an amazing book, which lets you get right inside Christopher's head. It's guaranteed to stay in your mind long after you've read the final page.

The Testament of Giddeon Mac by James Roberston

This Scottish novel unravels the story of a minister who is on the verge of loosing his faith. When his wife dies, he takes a walk and falls into a cave where he has a life changing encounter with the devil. This novel explores faith, belief, truth and the human condition and has been compared to Scottish classics such as 'Sunset Song'.

Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon

Sunset Song is the first book in Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s trilogy, A Scots Quair. The novel follows the fortunes of Chris Guthrie, a young girl growing up amid the harsh rural life in the north east of Scotland in the early part of the 20th century. As she matures she finds that there are “two Chrises” “within her – the one who loves the country life in spite of its constant back breaking toil, and the other Chris who excels at school, loves learning and dreams of moving away to fulfil her intellectual aspirations.

With the onset of WW1 and the social and economic upheaval it inflicts, Chris makes the decision to stay farming on the land that she loves with her new husband Ewan. To Chris the war seems like a distant happening, unlikely to impact on their little community, but ultimately nothing could be further from the truth……

Individually or collectively the books which make up the trilogy The Scots Quair provide plenty of scope for Higher or Advanced Higher Specialist Study.

The Life of Pi by Yann Martell

This is the magical tale of a young boy, Pi who is involved in a ship wreck. Apart from him, the only other survivors are the inhabitants of his father's zoo. The tale tracks Pi's journey as he sails the ocean in a lifeboat waiting to be saved. This booker prize winning novel is delightful and extraordinary.

After the Quake by Haruki Murakami

Seven short stories examining the effects of the 1992 Kobe earthquake on an assortment of people. The stories can be scary, sad or funny, and are always strange. For many of the characters the earthquake presents an opportunity to discover more about themselves such as the boy who, told by his mother that he is the son of God, goes to find his real father when his mother leaves to help the disaster victims. Some of the characters, however, find things that are best left uncovered.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

This dark comedy set in a mental institution in the US in the sixties, tells the tale of McMurphy who on his arrival takes it upon himself to resist and flaunt as many rules as possible. Up until his arrival the ward has been run by Nurse Ratchet who, with the help of mind-numbing medication and electric shock treatment, keeps the patients cowed and uncomplaining. McMurphy's attempts to change all this and rally the support of the others makes for a rollercoaster ride of humour and poignancy in turn.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

This is the true account of a murder which took place in 1959 in Kansas. A farmer, his wife and two children were killed in cold blood by two young men. Truman Capote vividly conjures up the details of the killings, the atmosphere in the town, the characters of the two killers and most importantly the effect the actions of two people on one day had on the world around them.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Unremarkable Arthur Dent survives the destruction of the planet Earth, by hitching a lift with a green bug eyed monster. So begins his journey through the galaxy. With his companions, the infamous Zaphod Bebblebrox, Marvin the paranoid Android and the lovely Trillian, Arthur travels the length and breadth of both time and space in this witty, funny and unusual adventure.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This novel tell the story of a group of schoolboys whose plane crashes into the sea and they are washed up on a remote island. Life seems a breeze at first as they are unfettered by any kind of adult rule or intervention. this idyllic existence soon begins to pale however as petty schoolboy arguments and temper tantrums seem to take on monumental proportions in the island environment. Splits in the group start to emerge and a killing frenzy begins culminating in the deaths of three of the boys. Golding's description of the boys decent into savagery can be horrifying but at the same time it is scarily believable!

Fleshmarket by Nicola Morgan

This book is set in Edinburgh in the gruesome 1820's. Life is hard for Robbie who, when he was younger, had witnessed the death of his mother who had been operated on without anaesthetic, as was the norm in the early years of pioneering surgery. When his drunken father leaves Robbie is left to look after himself and his young sister as best he can and takes to working as a lookout for grave robbers, Burke and Hare. It is during this time that he once again comes face to face with his mother's killer as he sees him and sets out to take revenge.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

When the animals of manor farm overthrow their human master, they look forward to a life of equality. But soon, a new regime is in place which is just as bad as the old one. How could animals turn against each other? This book was written was published in 1945 and examines the effects of the betrayal of political idealism and how power so often goes hand in hand with corruption.

Stepford Wives

Welcome to Stepford - a land where women are programmed to be happy, content, beautiful, live for their husbands and above all, never question anything. When Joanna and her family arrive they can't help but feel there is something amiss. but thinking is a dangerous occupation in this town and soon, Joanna and her friend Bobby find themselves face to face with a secret that may cost them their lives - or at the very least, their souls.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

This is a chilling novel set in the future. In a world damaged by radiation, a regime takes over which demands that women be covered by red veils, live in communes and all those with working ovaries should breed or be publicly hanged. The power of this book is that the voice of the narrator is so compelling that the reader themselves can feel hatred for this suffocating regime. This is not a light read but gives plenty of food for thought and shivers down your spine!

Listen to Margaret Atwood here:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=margaret+atwood+handmaid%27s+tale&aq=0&oq=margaret+atwood

Notes on A Scandal by Zoe Heller

This is a gripping, sometimes chilling novel which has recently been made into a film. It unravels the story of a teacher who has an affair with one of her pupils and is told through the diaries of one of her colleagues. As well as the issues it addresses regarding the main characters, this novel also explores questions of the nature of truth and the authority of the narrator.

To Kill and Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Scout Finch lives with her older brother Jem and lawyer father Atticus in 1930s Alabama. When Atticus is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of the rape of a white girl, Scout can't understand the hatred directed at Tom and at her own family, for wanting to help him. Alongside this story runs the parallel story of Scout and Jem's friendship with Dill and their attempts to entice Boo Radley, a recluse, from his house. This is a most wonderful, touching book, which makes you think deeply about racism, prejudice and growing up.

Listen to Atticus' speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TgqenWW0I

The Girls by Lori Lansens

This is the story of Ruby and Rose, conjoined twins who were abandoned by their birth mother and adopted by the nurse who delivered them. As they approach their 30th birthday, Rose, who has aspirations to be a writer decides that the time is right to tell their story. Ruby, who is less academic finds this process tiresome, but also decides to add her own version of events. The girls make a deal not to read each others writing and so the book is told by two people, who are joined as one, but have two different versions and recollections of the 'truth'. This is a warm novel, which explores human nature, love and relationships as much as it looks at the lives of these unusual siblings.

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

This play was written by Miller in the two years following World War 2 and was based on a true story which had been widely reported by the American press. The action of the play takes place in less than 24 hours, which makes it compelling and pacey. It tells the story of Joe Keller, a factory owner who has, several years before, knowingly shipped out plane engine parts and as a result has caused the deaths of American pilots. In order to save his own skin and keep his business he lies in court, and as a consequence a colleague and close neighbour is imprisoned.

The play deals with the impact on both of the families, as the truth eventually emerges, and Joe attempts to justify his actions. Some of the themes prevalent in this play, and which echo through all of Miller’s work, are father and son relationships and the conflict between business ethics and personal morality.

Vernon God Little - DBC Pierre

In this contemporary novel we look through the eyes of a 15 year old hicksville Texas boy, Vernon 'God' Little who has been unfairly implicated in a local murder. He details his riotous adventures in his own style, with more than a hint of dark comedy. This novel would work well on its own or as a comparative study with both Catcher in the Rye and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a comparative study.

War Poetry by Wilfred Owen

“All a poet can do today is warn. That is why the true poets must be truthful.”

Wilfred Owen was born in Oswestry on the 18th March 1893. He died aged only 25 years old having served on the Western Front during World War 1. His letters to his mother describe clearly the hell that was trench warfare, but it his poetry which evokes an even more horrific picture of the life and death of soldiers on the Front.
Poems such as The Send Off, Anthem for Doomed Youth, Futility, Dulce et Decorum Est, and Strange Meeting all show the tremendous mental and physical impact which the war had on both Owen and his comrades.
If you fancy attempting a Specialist Study essay which involves less reading but more in depth analysis then poetry such as Owen’s can offer such a challenge!

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

When we think of “Frankenstein” the vast majority of us will immediately hark back to the black and white film images of an oversized, square - headed monster with bolts in its neck, terrorising numerous fainting maidens! The novel however reveals a sensitive and intelligent creature desperately trying to be accepted into a world which he can never be part of. His subsequent rage and quest for revenge is an emotional rollercoaster ride which turns the life of his creator and those he loves into a nightmare.

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

This play was written by Miller in the two years following World War 2 and was based on a true story which had been widely reported by the American press. The action of the play takes place in less than 24 hours, which makes it compelling and pacey. It tells the story of Joe Keller, a factory owner who has, several years before, knowingly shipped out plane engine parts and as a result has caused the deaths of American pilots. In order to save his own skin and keep his business he lies in court, and as a consequence a colleague and close neighbour is imprisoned.

The play deals with the impact on both of the families, as the truth eventually emerges, and Joe attempts to justify his actions. Some of the themes prevalent in this play, and which echo through all of Miller’s work, are father and son relationships and the conflict between business ethics and personal morality.

1984 by George Orwell

This book was the first to coin the phrase 'Big Brother.' Written in the 1950s this is an apocalyptic view of a future where the truth of the world is controlled by Big Brother who is always watching . The central character finds the regime stifling and try to rebel, but with cameras everywhere, there is no where to hide. This is a frightening tale for a modern audience, especially in the summer when we are glued to our TV screens watching its namesake.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Imagine a world where owning books is illegal and where, if you are found out, your house will be burned down. In this chilling world of the not too distant future, no-one much cares anyway, as they are all too busy watching their wall-to-wall televisions and listening to their 'seashell' in-ear radios. Sound familiar? It's hard to believe that this book was written back in 1953. Ray Bradbury sounds a warning about the dangers of censorship and the 'dumbing down' of society which is hugely relevant today. Read it and be amazed.

See a clip of the movie here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9n98SXNGl8

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

This play was written at the height of the McCarthy Witch Hunts in America. Arthur Miller himself was a suspect at this time when the government were on the look out for communist sympathisers. The action is set in Salem Massachusetts in the late 17th Century. Some of the girls in the village have been accused of taking part in witchcraft and the accusations affect every member of the village including John Proctor, the local farmer who had an affair with one of the 'accused'. The play climaxes in a trial where the truth is so confused, and people are so scared of being accused that they falsely accuse others to save their own skin. The accusations build to an almost ridiculous level until the main character stands up for truth and the importance of living by your word.