#12. "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll

In most of literature, there hasn't been a novel that's more "curiouser and curiouser" than Lewis Carroll's journey down the rabbit hole. Compared to the fiction of its time, it was groundbreaking as well as confusing. Why was a story full of talking animals and a girl who shrank and grew going to be a story that resonated for over a century? To be fair, part of the charm of "Alice in Wonderland" is that it doesn't entirely make sense and that anyone's idea of symbolism - whether it be one of puberty or hallucinogenics - somehow fits into the tapestry that mixes prose with poetic rhyming schemes. It's no wonder that this children's literature mainstay has inspired so many film adaptations. It's such a fun experience, though it's in part because nothing could match the confusing wonder that lies on the page. Carroll's work may be at best wonky, but it's heavily endearing in its own assurance.

#11. "White House Diary" by Jimmy Carter

While America is over 240 years old, there have only been 45 men who could honestly call themselves President of the United States. It's a tough job, and one that will be scrutinized for the rest of history. However, there are few 21st century presidents as overlooked as Jimmy Carter: whose one term in office was seen as unexceptional compared to any president from a post-FDR world. It could be that his demeanor didn't rely on flamboyance or controversy. Instead, it relied on a can do spirit, and a desire to do what was morally right. In his book "White House Diary," he explores his time in office through personal memos that detail the literal day-to-day, often in detail, and gives a better sense not only of his achievements, but of his personal struggles and regrets while in office. It may not be the most exciting read, but it has plenty to offer in understanding Carter as president.

#10. "iRaza Si! iGuerra No!" by Lorena Oropeza

If there is one impressive achievement that happened throughout the 20th century, it was the cultural evolution of social justice. Along with several wars, American history evolved to be more inclusive and tolerant of those who weren't specifically white males. Among those that aren't often explored is the Mexican heritage, of which went about impressive changes in the decades following World War II. In Lorena Oropeza's nonfictional account of "Chicano Protest and Patriotism," she manages to find that the exploration of identity was a big part of their time finding ways out of the war. It's an informative and engaging read, and one that helps to add light to one side of civil rights history that is often ignored.

#9. "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness

There's no denying that one of the scariest literature constructs is monsters. There's something about their unknown certainty that has haunted audiences for centuries. Books like "Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus" or "Dracula" both represent something terrifying in ways that have defined the zeitgeist. But what if the monster isn't literal? What if he's something more symbolic and represents a struggle that is far less common than the boogeyman chasing you down a vacant hallway? What writer Patrick Ness does with "A Monster Calls" is an inventive twist on familiar territory that pits its young adult audience into a world far more traumatic and scary than any vampire or werewolf could ever be. What Ness does is make us understand the monster within everyone, who only comes out in times of grief. With precise language, his story clicks through the stages of grief with some of the most vibrant and exciting imagery that a depressing story can have. It's a terrifying book, just not in the way that you're expecting.

#8. "I Killed Adolf Hitler" by Jason

It is one of the most familiar premises in time travel lore. If you could travel back in time and kill Adolf Hitler, would you? Writer Jason decides to explore it through minimalist animation and an absurd tale where everything goes wrong. However, it's not a madcap comedy where everything is a slapstick nightmare. Instead, it is an existential drama where panels pass by with very little action, creating a deadpan comedy that features a punchline every six panels. With very little effort, he has created a delightful take on the what if tale that has an inspired twist at the end. It may not be the most exciting comic, but it's definitely one of the funner time traveling tales out there.

#7. "Old Man Logan" by Mark Millar

There's a lot to admire about Wolverine. He's a lone rebel who also doesn't age as quickly as everyone around him. It makes him a compelling adversary as well as a tragic figure who can't possibly escape his demons even as his skin heals. What Mark Millar set out to do was show what happens when old age finally catches up with him. In a neo-western pastiche, the answer is resolved in a depressing yet violent means. With a cast of familiar faces in a dystopian future, "Old Man Logan" is a story of superheroes with little to lose. In fact, Logan has only one thing in the world that means anything to him: is family. The rest is expendable in a story that manages to push grittiness to its largest extent and pose the question of what makes Wolverine tick.

#6. "X-23: Innocence Lost" by Craig Kyle & Christopher Yoost

With Logan marking the cinematic farewell of Wolverine, it also marks the beginning of the next generation. Played by Dafne Keen in the film, X-23 is the heir apparent to Wolverine's title for many reasons. The most obvious is because she shares a few DNA strands with him that lead to her having adamantium claws that grow out of her hands and feet. In her origin story "Innocence Lost," she gets a story that is a series of conflicting ideals. Is there anything that makes her human, or is she a mutant doomed to seek violent revenge for the sake of those who modified her? The answers aren't always clear, but it makes for a fascinating introduction to a character likely to gain more attention in the years to come.