1. Afghanistan

 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This is the story of Mariam, an illegitimate harami, who is forced into marriage when she is fifteen. It is also the story of Laila who, in desperation many years later, is manipulated into marrying the same man. Laila and Mariam are enemies at first, but eventually build a strong bond.

What is shocking about this novel is the treatment of women under the Taliban, and their general lack of any kind of rights, voice or agency in the Muslim religion. Even though this is a sometimes upsetting read, it is difficult to stop reading - the writer's style really connected with me.