The things they carried was written by Tim O'Brien and published in March 1990. The novel is a war and psychological story. This novel is full of short stories that are all connected and are about American soldiers serving in the Vietnam War. This book explores all of the things that soldiers carried with them, that being physical supplies, vivid memories, guilt, and emotional baggage. This novel provides a view of the soldier's lives, their fear and heavy psychological tolls of combat. It is a heavy book showing the human costs and lasting impacts of war. 

    American psycho was written by Bret Easton Ellis and published in March 1991. This novel is a horror, dark comedy and psychological fiction. The story is narrated by a self-centered, wealthy investment banker living in Manhattan. On the surface he is a materialistic yuppie obsessed with his looks and power within his colleagues. However beneath this facade the banker is a viscous serial killer. This book makes fun of the greed and materialism in others. It's a dark but comedic book about the duality of human nature and the extremity's of societal violence. 

     The Secret History was written by Donna Tartt and published in September 1992. This is a psychological fiction novel.  The Secret History is set in a small Vermont college. The story follows a group of six peculiar classic students who became entangled in a dark and unexpected situation. This books follows themes of morality, guilt and the lengths people will go through for their own desires. It dives into the students obsession with ancient Greek culture and as well in complex character study. 

     Trainspotting was written by Irvine Welsh and published in 1993. This novel is a dark comedy and urban fiction. This book follows a group of boys called the "Skag Boys" who are involved with a bunch of drugs and other junkies.  This book is from multiple perspectives of different characters. The protagonist of the story is a heroin addict and tries multiple times throughout the book to quit. This book follows dark themes of addiction, gender norms, society, friendship, and identity. 

Captain Corelli's Mandolin was written by Louis de Bernieres and published in 1994. It is a historical fiction, romance and war novel. This book is set in a Greek Island during World War II when it was occupied by Italian forces. This book follows the island's residents and how they are impacted by the Italian captain and his mandolin-playing soldiers stationed there. It centers around the relationship of the Italian captain and a local girl that is already engaged. Despite the war, the captain is able to show his love for music and brings joy to the islanders. This book involves themes of love, friendship, and the human spirit against war as well as an insightful look at how ordinary people's lives intertwine with historical events beyond their control and capacities. 

The Ghost Road was written by Pat Barker and published in 1995. The Ghost Road is another historical fiction and war story, as well as a biographical fiction. The Ghost Road is the final novel in the Regeneration trilogy. This trilogy takes place in World War I, it follows several characters grappling with the physical and psychological trauma of the war. The Ghost road depicts the battle of Somme and its lasting impact on the soldiers who fought there. It explores themes of mental illness, loyalty, courage and the struggle of making sense of the senseless violence of trench warfare. This book portrays the brutality of combat and its lingering effects in their memories. This novel is a strong anti-war statement while also showing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of war. 

The Green Mile was written by Stephen King and published in March 1996. This novel is a horror, fantasy fiction and magical realism. This story is set in the 1930s and told through the memories of a former superintendent of Cold Mountain Penitentiary's death row. The former superintendent comes across an unusual inmate, a gentle giant accused of a terrible crime. Despite these accusations, the inmate is shown to have a supernatural gift in attempt to show his innocence. This novel explores themes of injustice, courage, innocence as well as loss of innocence and the possibility of miracles. It is a cruel drama showing complex relationships within everyone in death row. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is written by J.K. Rowling and published in 1997. This entire series is a fantasy fiction. This book follows a boy who discovers he is a wizard on his eleventh birthday. He is then sent to Hogwarts, a school full of witches and wizards. He finds himself making many friends and enemies while also discovering that his name is quite known throughout the whole school. He and two friends unravel the mystery of the sorcerer's stone and encounter magical creatures. This fantastical novel follows themes of friendship, courage, battle between good and evil and discovery of identity. 

Holes is written by Louis Sachar and published in 1998. Holes is a YA and children's literature as well as adventure fiction and mystery. The story follows an unlucky boy who is falsely accused of a crime and sent to an eccentric juvenile detention camp in the Texas desert. At the camp, the boys are forced to dig holes in an attempt to modify their past actions. The boy tries to discover the mystery of these holes while the narrative switches between past and present about the boys family curse. This book explores themes of racism, friendship, and perseverance against all odds. 

The Perks of being a Wallflower was written by Stephen Chbosky and published in February 1999.  This book is a young adult and coming of age story. This book is told through a series of letters written by an introverted and emotionally troubled high school student. The boy writes about his struggles with mental health, sexuality and the trials of adolescence. He befriends two seniors who take him out of his shell and introduce him to many new experiences. This story explores heavy themes like trauma, grief, self-discovery, and embracing life.