Top 3 Favourite Books from the 20th Century

Since studying 19th Century literature in university, I find it difficult to find books that I enjoy reading. I don't enjoy reading trends -- such as the trilogies that are currently all the rage -- find that I like the style of writing that came from Jane Austen and the like. It's hard to find writing like that these days, but I want to share with you my three favourite books that are not from the 19th Century.

1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - I first read this book in high school. A fellow student in an English class did her book report on this book, and gave it a rave review -- so good, in fact, that she had a long list of people that wanted to read it. The Red Tent sucked me in from the beginning. Diamant really knows how to write a story that flows seamlessly through through three different parts.  I honestly couldn't put it down, and it is one of the few books that I have read again and again. The only daughter of Jacob, Dinah, is only mentioned in one chapter of The Bible, but Diamant turns her into one of the most fascinating characters that I have ever read about. 

2. Throne of Isis by Judith Tarr - Remember that book report that I mentioned earlier, well I had to do one too, and I chose this fantastic book by Judith Tarr. I had a fascination with everything Greek, Roman, and Egyptian during my high school years -- still do -- and settled on Throne of Isis for my book report. I was hooked on historical fiction from that point on. I have since read many more novels written by Judith Tarr, and plan on reading this one again soon. The story of Cleopatra and Antony has never been so raw and honest as the way Tarr writes it.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - A classic novel for young readers in high school, right? Wrong! I hated this book the first time I read it. Maybe it was because I didn't understand the importance of it. Maybe it was because I was forced to read it. I honestly couldn't tell you why I didn't enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird the first time I read it, but I gave it another chance in my early 20's and fell absolutely in love with it. A man like Atticus Finch is hard to find, but he makes for such a good read.

What is your favourite book -- from the 20th Century -- to curl up and read?