#59. "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

In the case of most war stories, there is violence caused by enlisting in the military and going overseas. While it's true that John Knowles' "A Separate Peace" ends with the characters finally being old enough to join, the majority of the 200 pages don't have a single bomb dropped. There is no great outbreak that directly impacts the characters. What Knowles chooses to focus on instead is the childlike wonder that slowly gets deconstructed because of what is unseen. The book is about friendships that end because of one mistake, reflecting a counterpoint to war that is itself just as heartbreaking as any battlefield. The story may be small by nature, but the emotions that fly through the book are real, managing to capture youthful angst that informs the rest of the characters' lives, long after the final chapter has finished. It's a touching book and one that proves that you don't have to be fighting in a war to have it impact you on a subconscious level.

#58. "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

It is safe to say that there haven't been too many writers like Kurt Vonnegut. Even when he tackles war as evident in "Slaughterhouse-Five," he doesn't choose to go an entirely conventional way. His approach involves alien invasions and time travel in a way that flies at breakneck speed, finding the audience jumping around a group of colorful characters lead by Billy Pilgrim. Long-time readers will likely remember figures like Kilgore Trout who make cameos in the book, adding to the strange texture of the novel. Still, with his own spin on war Vonnegut finds a way to turn the subject on its head, finding the ultimate sci-fi approach to PTSD and the feeling of regret that comes with it. Even at its most abstract, it's one of the most profound looks through satire that have ever been put to the page. 

#57. "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy

Ever since its release in 1869, "War and Peace" has been considered the greatest novel in world literature, if just for its daunting size. While this has created an ordeal as to whether it's an easy or enjoyable read, what Leo Tolstoy's story proves to those willing to travel through its 1,300 pages is that it isn't just about war and peace. It's about the very fabric of humanity of Russian society at war with France, making the violence feel frightening even as it presents small moments of kindness amid the blood. It's a novel that's as much about history as it is deconstructing its true meaning of why certain figures like Napoleon Buonaparte and Tsar Alexander I rise to fame remembered centuries later. Tolstoy isn't just an obsessive when it comes to the minutiae of 500+ characters, it's about the ethos and logos behind them. Why is it considered the greatest novel ever written? It's probably because it says everything that needs to be said about being alive. You don't need to have been alive in the 19th century to appreciate this book, you simply need to open your heart. 

#56. "Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls" by Dav Pilkey

The world of Dav Pilkey has been pretty sweet in the past few years. With his flagship series "Captain Underpants" now over 20 years old, it's strange to note how popular his work still is. Then again, nobody would expect the breakout spin-off series "Dog Man" to be nearly the hit that it now is (there is even a stage musical of it now). With seven books out, the series explores the misadventures of someone who is half dog, half-man, and all hero! The world only continues to grow into something stranger and more exciting as the supporting cast grows from initial villain Petey to feature adorable clones and henchmen shrunk to the size of fleas. "For Whom the Ball Rolls" continues to expand the absurd world in creativity while also establishing a deeper sense of purpose of characters. For a story featuring a superhero that eats nothing but cupcakes, the final results are rather touching.