Independent Novel Project Book Reviews by Elissa Ternes

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

mocanuraffaello22 — 2022-01-07 13:59:22 UTC

Despite Fahrenheit 451's short reading time, it's full of suspense and tension as throughout the book you follow the same person through his struggles with understanding the world around him. A really fun read for people who hate reading but want something interesting and not to difficult to do in an AP Lit class. - Raffaello Mocanu

The Leavers by Lisa Ko -MacKenzie

2022-01-07 14:00:00 UTC

The Leaver's by Lisa Ko is a rivioting yet emotional novel. Through the novel, Deming struggles with his emotional trauma while trying to navigate his multi-cultural identity. Overall, the novel is good, but the ending is trash. I also disliked Deming's adoptive parents. Not to mention, Deming was low-key on a path of self-distruction.

The Handmaids Tale

2022-01-07 14:00:09 UTC

This book had a great message and was very descriptive. The message was worth the read and it was very thought provoking. It is pretty graphic so that is a warning ( I would definitely look up the topics discussed in the book because some people may be sensitive to the content)

Claire

Everything I never told You - Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 14:16:50 UTC

Overall, the book was a very good book and kept me on my toes. The book was very shifty, meaning that the story changed from past, present, and future and also gave the point of view from every character instead of a main narrator.
The story starts with a murder and travels the path of societal standards on interracial couples during the 1970's while fighting discrimination from peers and such. - Bailey

Station Eleven by Emily St. John

hillisolivia22 — 2022-01-07 14:17:07 UTC

Olivia Hillis

This book is about survivors of a worldwide flu who are trying to navigate the new world while also holding onto the past. It balances broadly melodramatic scenes of emotion with more surreal moments of unexpected plot.

8/10. Definitely recommend reading!

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

fergusondrew22 — 2022-01-07 14:19:05 UTC

This book is a very graphic novel that represents the physiological and physical turmoil that soldiers endured during the Vietnam War. Each soldier has their own way with dealing with things and it is represented throughout the book through many stories as well as the physical things they carried to help them survive the war.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John

2022-01-07 14:19:15 UTC

This book was overall very interesting. It was very descriptive overall because of how it was set about flu, so it is very connecting because of what we are going through in the world right now. Your emotions can really show reading this book with the plots that you aren't expecting. I would recommend reading it! -Marlee

The Color Purple by Alice Walker - Elayna

2022-01-07 14:19:25 UTC

Alice Walker writes a touching story about the development throughout a young black womans life in the 1950's. It describes real struggles and challenges she faces as a colored woman in society and even in her own household. I would very much recomment this book to other people because it is easy to get caught up in Celie's story and although it is not personally relatable, it was easy to empathize with the characters.

Handmaids Tale by Margret Atwood

2022-01-07 14:19:41 UTC

This book delivers really important themes in ways that make you question how we face similar problems today. It is extremely graphic at times, but not unnecessarily. It is a great book for almost all prompts and was a really good read for me personally and I don´t like to read so that should be a testament to how well the book is written and delivered

9/10 - Will

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger-Josh

2022-01-07 14:19:42 UTC

The book the catcher in the rye is a satirical novel about a boy named Holden who is constantly dealing with things from his past. He does not want to grow up and makes it clear growing up is unfair throughout the book. I would recommend this book because of the action that happens and also the central theme of the book which is growing up.

Where the Crawdads Sing by: Delia Owens

2022-01-07 14:21:01 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing by: Delia Owens is a amazing coming of age story full of drama, adventure, and romance. I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure or who loves the outdoors. -Maura

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

2022-01-07 14:21:22 UTC

This book portrayed the life of a young black woman in the early 1900's. She has to deal with many life struggles and try to find her way back to herself. I would say the book is pretty interesting the middle is kind of slow, but the beginning and end have a lot that happen. The reader gets to follow along with her story and her struggles.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - Gavin

2022-01-07 14:22:41 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel where the government has hired 'Firemen' to burn books instead of saving houses from fires. This novel is shorter than most others, but it takes time to read due to the language and having to understand the meaning behind it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels and the struggle within the government.

Salvage the Bones-Jesmyn Ward

2022-01-07 14:23:12 UTC

This book was very descriptive and continually had plot twists to keep readers interested throughout. There are important lessons to be learned from the book and it depicts the struggles of a low income family during a natural disaster. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action and unexpected twists.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger-Ashlee

2022-01-07 14:40:17 UTC

Catcher in the Rye was one of the most difficult reads I've had. Not because it was a bad book but because of the book's satire. Catcher in the Rye was a really heavy read and I would highly recommend the book because of the well-developed and really real themes. The book is so well perceived it's hard to love the main character--Holden. Ultimately, the book is a tough but good read and would recommend to anyone who desires a reality check.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - Jack

paperajack22 — 2022-01-07 14:42:47 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel set in a world where books have been outlawed and emotion is almost nonexistent among society. It is a very enlightening short novel that makes you think of lots of complex moral and emotional ideas. It poses grand questions which only you can have the answer to, and I loved reading the book.

A Thousand Splendid Suns-Khaled Hosseni

2022-01-07 14:43:10 UTC

A Thousand Splendid Suns beautifully depicts the struggles of two Afghan women amidst the oppressive nature of the Taliban regime. The female perspective throughout the story engages readers to see Afghanistan through their eyes, and it is moving to see their courage and humanity that they so desperately clung onto despite their circumstances. The gut-wrenching story truly pulled at my heart as it pointed out the privilege in my own life that had never been made apparent to me. It is hard not to fall in love with Mariam and Laila, as they prove their relentless character from beginning to end.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - Laura

2022-01-07 14:51:53 UTC

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a very interesting book. It is full of adventure and touches on the ideas of society within the 1800's. This book was full of exploration, coming of age, and friendship beyond every barrier. Mark Twain beautifully constructed this new world, a reflection of our own world. However it's not personally the type of book I like, but I highly suggest it to those who want a more simple book.

The Road - Cormac McCarthy - Jordan

2022-01-07 14:53:42 UTC

The Road was overall a book filled with suspense and drama. Nonstop movement in the cold and rain, and nothing but terrible circumstances, it is a book about a father and sons journey south in what is assumed as the worlds end. The book was amazing in every aspect, but it definitely could have been expounded more on in the ending. Would suggest as a read.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - Sydney

2022-01-07 14:57:37 UTC

Great Expectations is one of my favorite books that I've read. It's most enjoyable and memorable quality is Dickens ability to characterize the book's subjects truly with life, setting, and motive. Another 'plus' is its British characters with their accents - I really like how silly they talk. The plot progresses and intersects throughout the novel in very interesting ways and I would never reject to suggesting this book.

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen~Rasa

2022-01-07 14:58:00 UTC

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was an interesting book to read. I enjoyed this book, however the slang was hard to understand at some points because it was written in the 1800's. The book was a romance novel, but again it was set in the 1800's its not like modern day romance. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a clean slate "feel good" no harm done kind of book.

Medea

2022-01-07 14:59:13 UTC

Medea is a very old story that nowadays is in nearly every story and about a women who is left heart struck en when her beloved left her for another and pushes her over the brink of insanity and lay out her plans to destroy her once loved soulmate and what she does astonishes the entire world at the time

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - Cade

2022-01-07 15:00:19 UTC

Catch-22 presents itself in a way to the reader that is completely contradictory, often to a humorous result. It is a story of the brutality of bureaucracy to those who would never have a part in it, with the antagonist even being a general on the same side as the protagonist, Yossarian. I found its overall theme to be very intriguing and complex, however, due to its age, it gives several mannerisms that are difficult to translate, and in some places seems dry and incoherent, making it difficult to read. I would not discount the entire novel as such, and it is enjoyable in many places.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

2022-01-07 15:00:49 UTC

This was a great read entailing the adventures of a brother and sister who go through life wondering why they have yet to earn the love and respect of their father, who marries a evil step mother. From their mother leaving at a young age, and the nonexistent relationship they have with their father, all that Danny and Maeve have is each other. Told from the younger brother's perspective, the novel takes place all throughout their lives as they face many struggles. Overall it was a great read and I would recommend to anyone who loves a realistic family fiction novel.
Keelee

sing unburired sing- katie may

2022-01-07 15:02:17 UTC

Sing, Unburied, Sing is a novel that revolves around a small haunted family in deep Mississippi. Personally this book disappointed me. It sounded like just the kind of book I would love to read. It felt like I just kept reading and reading for it only to have a climax at the end. It left me with so many questions, and I hate when books do that. If you like to be confused at the end of a book, then yes I recommend. Otherwise, no I would rate it 6/10.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville - Dawson

2022-01-07 15:02:28 UTC

Moby Dick is an interesting story driven by revenge taking place in the 1830s. The main character captain Ahab sets on voyages with his crew searching for the sperm whale he believed to take his leg. Melville makes extensive use of numerous literary devices, giving particular prominence to allusions, similes, and alliteration. Imagery played a huge part in the develop of the story and characterization. However, the book being in an old time period makes it more difficult to read, its all the same a fascinating book.
8/10

Catch 22-Joseph Heller

2022-01-07 15:04:26 UTC

Catch 22 is a very comedic, emotional, and very personal. The story goes back when WWII was happening and goes through eight different military men points of view. Yossarian being main person in the story. If the reader has been a military brat or understand the military life there would many comical parts of the story and some parts would be understanding because of experiences that similar the characters went through. If you like a little history with a little military and very comical then you this is a story a reader would enjoy

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

2022-01-07 15:05:43 UTC

A Thousand Splendid Suns was an incredibly difficult yet very rewarding read. Difficult in the fact that the book has countess gruesome scenes of violence and cruelty that are very hard to make it through. These violent scenes throughout the book serve the purpose of emphasizing the theme of perseverance through cruelty and hardship. Both Laila and Mariam experience a number of unimaginable tragedies and go through many terrible things, yet both show that love prevails even in the darkest of situations. Reading A Thousand Splendid Suns provided me with a new outlook on life and the world around me, while also bringing an incredible story of companionship and motherly love. 9.5/10

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 15:05:57 UTC

Lydia is found dead and no one knows why. Her family is put through a hard time trying to figure out not only who did it, but why?
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng is a heart-wrenching book. Celeste Ng wrote it beautifully in the way of showing all the characters point of views and providing readers with a realism that they can relate to.
This story is truly impactful by bringing to light the problems interracial couples faced in the time period of 1970. Also the struggle for equality when faced against discrimination. The novel is a mystery that keeps the readers mind racing while also being able to relate to each character in their own way. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a little family drama, but also loves to see a family grow and overcome their differences.
J'Laine

Sing, Unburied, Sing- Jesmyn Ward

2022-01-07 15:05:58 UTC

This novel is set in rural Mississippi and depicts a poverty stricken family and their struggles to overcome drug addiction and the ghosts of their past. Personally, I would consider this book to be a slow read and ultimately disappointing. It was frustrating to read because the viewpoints were constantly shifting and when they did not much more detail was added. It was very repetitive and had a good plot, I just think it wasn't portrayed to it's full potential. I enjoyed reading about the topic but wasn't impressed by the book as a whole. 6/10

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2022-01-07 15:06:01 UTC

The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel set in Germany during the 1930's during World War 2. This book has a great overall theme about life that might be hard to accept and understand. This book is filled with interesting characters and gives good insight into the life of citizens of Germany when the Nazis controlled the country. I recommend this book to people who love historical fiction like myself. This book had a lot of action and suspense, but the downfall of this book in my opinion is how this book is 552 pages and is really lengthy and hard to get into in the beginning. This books rising action is significantly lengthy and can be hard to stay engaged throughout the story because of the length. I would recommend this book to people who love historical fiction, but I caution whoever reads it that it is very long and can get boring at times and you have to stay motivated throughout the story to be able to finish it and this books rising action I believe is the only downfall because of how long it takes to get to the climax of the book, and some readers will lose interest. -Jacob Mathis

Medea by Euripides-- Savannah

2022-01-07 15:07:23 UTC

Medea is an evocative and tragic play, offering a different perspective of a classic Greek myth. The play revolves around Jason and Medea as their marriage falls apart due to Jason's infidelity, focusing on Medea's plan for revenge at the expense of her humanity. It explores Grecian gender roles as well as themes of betrayal, familial obligation, and revenge. The titular character, Medea, grapples with her desire for justice over her sense of morality. Medea is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking read, but the ending was, in my opinion, weak compared to the rest of the play. However, it still provides readers with an opportunity to question societal norms and what happens when people are forced into submission and conformity.

Everything I Never Told You - Robyn

2022-01-07 15:09:28 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is about the disappearance of Lydia Lee, the middle child in the Lee family. The Lees were the only interracial family - and the only other race - in small town Ohio 1977. Many did not like this book because they were misled and believed that it was a mystery book, when I would consider it more of a family drama or family psychology. I would recommend the book to someone who is interested in the psychology of the family unit. I enjoyed the book and reading from a third person point of view.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

2022-01-07 15:24:21 UTC

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a novel that follows the stories of two Afghan women as they grow up in the middle of their country's wars, invasions, and struggles for power. This book is very heart wrenching to read, due to the many struggles the women face, and how vividly these struggles are described. I really loved this novel. I found myself extremely invested in this story-line, and sharing the grief, joy, and other emotions the main characters faced. Every character is complex, and the author does a wonderful job of clearly portraying the reality of the struggles women face in Afghanistan. The story is very realistic, which makes every hardship all the more heart-wrenching. I will definitely re-read this book in the future. - Meridian

Everything I Never Told You -Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 15:28:43 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is an eye opening book for readers to truly see how the way you communicate, affects your relationships. In this book, there is a lack of communication that negatively affects the characters relationships.
I personally enjoyed this book because it is written in 3rd person and I enjoy knowing all the characters thoughts, actions, and feelings. I was also able to connect with the characters in a few ways, such as the way the characters are discriminated and the way the family members are treated within the family. Reading a book that I can relate with makes me more interested in the book and to see how certain characters deal with certain situations that I may deal with.
-Rachelin Diley

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

putnamemily22 — 2022-01-07 15:29:39 UTC

The Handmaid's Tale is a fantastic yet tragic novel set in a dystopian post war world where fertile women have become rare. In this story all the women are rounded up and brainwashed, then they are handed out to wealthy families. they're trained to not have personal attachments, Their main purpose is to mate with their assigned Commander and bare a child for the wife of the house. The Handmaid's Tale follows the perspective of a women named Offred who had her family and everything she once believed was important stripped from her by the new government. Although this book can be graphic and scary at times, I really enjoyed reading it. It shows the true emotion and terror from Offred's perspective and it kept me wanting to know what happens next.
-Emily
9/10- Really great read if you like reading this kind of story

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens -Klaire

2022-01-07 16:44:06 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing

2022-01-07 16:46:10 UTC

This book was honestly one of the best books i've read. This book is about a girl who is abandoned at a very young age. She is left to survive and learn all on her own. The first chapters are a little slow but towards the end, you will not want to stop reading it. Honestly a great drama, and coming of age story.

10/10 a great read!!

Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway

2022-01-07 16:46:27 UTC

This book follows a man in the medic corps, and his travels through World War 1. In these travels he meets a nurse for which he falls in love with. In falling in love with the nurse, his objective changes from surviving the war to finding the nurse and starting their lives together. This book is a good read, graphic at times, but overall a compelling story about two people in love.

Ethan Hiland

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

2022-01-07 16:46:39 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is an amazing novel about coming of age novel. A girl is learning from the land around her. The novel shows how isolation can influence your behavior and thoughts. I really enjoyed this book; however, it did take a little bit to get into, but once I did, I was not able to put the book down until I finished it. This is the perfect book for anyone that likes nature and a little bit of romance. - Victoria

Brave New World - Malerie Wilson

wilsonmalerie22 — 2022-01-07 16:47:39 UTC

Brave New World is a science fiction dystopian novel in which a "World State" controls and suppresses emotions and individuality. It follows different characters throughout and how the rebel and become a part of this society and conveys human nature very well. While it had a good message and very interesting ideas, I didn't like the book very much. It was very slow and the writing style isn't one that kept me interested throughout the novel.

The Road By: Cormac McCarthy - Brayden Felling

2022-01-07 16:47:45 UTC

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a Novel about the travels of a boy and his father to the south set in the post apocalyptic world. This book to me was okay but it could of pick up the pace a little faster because you have to really get far into it for it to get interesting.

Everything I never Told you

2022-01-07 16:48:08 UTC

The writing was precise and beautiful how the author describes every moment of doubt, anxiousness, pain, disappointment, comfort, fear is truly amazing. Something that really touched me was the focus on the little things that pushes a person to the edge. The book also highlighted Racial discrimination and the unstaggering thought of not fitting in. The book was an emotional roller coaster definitely a good read.
Alexis Cantu

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2022-01-07 16:48:09 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing was an amazing book. It was different from most books and the story line was almost just crazy. It covers struggles with family, growing up, relationships, and self discovery. It tugs at your emotions and you can take many valuable lessons from it. I would 100% recommend this book.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-07 16:50:58 UTC

This book is amazing at pulling heart strings when it comes to the love of a father and son. It's also full of suspense never knowing what's going to happen in what's left of the dark cold twisted world. I loved it, very much recommend reading this novel.
- Mazzi

Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor

2022-01-07 16:51:04 UTC

Wise Blood is a southern gothic style book set in rural Tennessee. It follows the life of Hazel Motes, a man who has lost his faith due to the wars that have been happening recently. He finds a "blind" street preacher, Asa, that begs for money. Hazel is enraged and founds a church called the "Without Christ church" in spite. His friend, Enoch Emery, follows Hazel throughout the story and uses his Wise Blood to navigate through the world. This book was so detailed to me. It had lots of times where I wanted to continue for the plot. But I had a really hard time connecting and relating to the book though. Some of the characters struggle with faith and even found a new "anti christ" church. I find that a little offensive to me.

6/10- Eli

The Iliad by Homer

2022-01-07 16:51:43 UTC

I would definitely recommend reading this book, I am super interested in Greek mythology so this book was perfect for me. However, if that isn't really your thing I can see how someone could get bored with the tedious explanations of the Greek gods. The majority of the book is very interesting but a few sections are quite stale since they cover uninteresting topics.

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

2022-01-07 16:51:52 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a futuristic dystopian novel set in the early 2000's where firemen are tasked to burn books as books are banned to control the public and promote sameness. Guy Montag is the firefighter that the novel follows and several decisions lead to the eye opening revelation that many readers enjoy to understand the purpose of the short novel. I would recommend if you like dystopian novels, but prepare for the novel being slow at first! - Jackson Spears

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-07 16:52:26 UTC

The Road is a gut wrenching novel, there is no safe space. This book is set in a near future post apocalyptic world. A Boy and his Father embark on a long journey to the East coast. Their path of travel is referred to as "the road". As they go along on their journey they face challenges and they have to fight to overcome those challenges. Overall a 8/10, it is a good book and I reccommend this to anyone looking for a book about life.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2022-01-07 16:53:53 UTC

The Book Thief is a heartbreaking book about a young german girl in Nazi germany. She experiences a lot of hard things and gets through them by learning to read and write, and develops an attatchment to books as suggested in the title. The book has many alluring characters and funny moments. It is also told from the point of death which is obviously different and unique. At first the idea of death narrating was confusing but I ended up enjoying it. It is also unique in that it shows the point of view of a germans being forced to accept nazi ideals instead of a jewish perspective. It definitely highlights the evil vs good idea as you connect with these german people but also realize what they were generally responsible for. Definitely recomend this book!
Emily McKinney

The Handmaid´s Tale by Margaret Atwood

2022-01-07 16:54:29 UTC

This book is an extreme - and in some societies, accurate - satire of the patriarchy and religious domination. While this story is very symbolic, it also engages in its own action and drama apart from the theme. Some parts can be difficult and uncomfortable to read, but overall very crucial message.

Erin

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller -

2022-01-07 16:54:56 UTC

This book is amazing in many ways starting out in 1945 WW11 on a small island of the coast of Italy. This book demonstrates the illogical sense of military bureaucracy and explores the conflict within Yossarian main character in humorous ways. Overall this book is definitely worth the time to read it.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

2022-01-07 18:05:20 UTC

The Awakening was book ahead of it's time. It covers how women were mistreated yet did what they wanted. How not every woman wanted the stay at home life but even if you run from the past of staying at home, you can never really get away from the life you once had.

The Road By Cormack McCarthy

2022-01-07 18:05:21 UTC

Very interesting book. The commentary is a little lacking in my opinion but still has great detail and shows true hardships these character must face. Makes you believe that even in a world of darkness that there is still hope and goodness.-Hayden

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 18:05:31 UTC

Everything I Never Told You shows the change a family goes through when losing the daughter that held the family together. I enjoyed seeing the impact that Lydia had on everyone and how differently everyone saw her. I also enjoyed seeing the parents reactions and how they dealt with the grief of losing their daughter. However I wish the book would have elaborated more on certain situations and showed the reader more about Jack.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2022-01-07 18:05:38 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a suspenseful book about a young woman named Kya Clark. Kya is known as the "marsh girl" and she is discriminated against for living differently until a young man named Tate shows her how to live. When Kya is a young adult, Chase Andrews is found dead and the town tries to figure out how, who did it, and why.
Personally, this book was very hard to get into. It took me a while to actually sit town and force myself to read it but in the end, I'm glad I did. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and made me want to keep reading even when the book was over.

Purple Hibiscus- Reese Myatt

2022-01-07 18:06:17 UTC

Purple Hibiscus was novel so deliberately written to express the religious and family struggles a young girl experienced. It presented complex situations and was so captivating. It was so different than any other book I have read, because it was set in Nigeria and the characters faced issues between traditionalist and the white religious ideologies. I loved this book, 10/10.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger-Reid

2022-01-07 18:06:21 UTC

The Catcher in the Rye is a very complicated yet good read once you understand and realize the messages the story brings to you. The main character is honestly very hard to love and like specifically because of who he is and his beliefs. The book goes through Holden's life and all of the situations he goes through and how he deals with them. I do recommend this book if you are interested in longer stories as well as harder to read information.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

2022-01-07 18:06:53 UTC

This book is very captivating and an easy read. It's not difficult to get into and it's not slow. There is something interesting happening throughout the whole book and there are a lot of good messages regarding civilization in it. This book mainly follows a young girl, Kirsten, in her journey through a world taken over by sickness.

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2022-01-07 18:06:53 UTC

"Where the Crawdads Sing" is about a girl who was abandoned and left to raise herself. A basic coming to age novel but with a slight twist. It becomes also a murder mystery novel. But the murder mystery aspect is written poorly and doesnt bring much excitement as anticipated. Story line gets kind of weird at the ending chapters. 6/10 novel.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 18:08:44 UTC

This book is a suspenseful and eye-opening story which encaptures a family who struggles to put their life back together after Lydia is found dead. It uncovers the secrets of the family and is very interesting to read. It is frustrating how the story is drawn out and now elaborated on in some aspects as well as what happens after Lydia's body is discovered.

1984 by George Orwell

2022-01-07 18:08:46 UTC

The book 1984 gives its readers a perspective of what George Orwell believes society is going to become. The way he sees the world in 1949 when the book was published was on the verge of becoming the society he had a vision of. The main character is Winston and he lives in the world of a totalitarian government where all of his rights are gone. He hopes to live in a free world one day and strives to find others that think the same as him. This book was a 9/10 for me, it was interesting from start to finish and I never wanted to put the book down.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 18:10:41 UTC

The novel is set in a discriminatory time against races and genders. The reader learns immediately that the oldest daughter of the Lee family, Lydia, has died and no one knows why. The journey throughout the book is slow at first; however, it picks up pace near the end and turns into an incredible book. I would rate this book an 8/10 because of how long it took to draw me into reading.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2022-01-07 18:10:57 UTC

The book Salvage the Bones is intriguing to see the perspective of a family preparing for hurricane Katrina, told in the perspective of a fifteen-year-old girl, Esch. She is consistently putting herself in situations to help her family while being pregnant, but is kept in secret from everyone. She has lost her mother at an early age leaving her to live with her three brothers, and her alcoholic father. This book will tug on your heart strings while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. I recommend this book if you are interested in stories that have graphic details, as well as stories that have constant action happening.
-brittni cupit

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 18:12:40 UTC

This book is about Lydia, who is the favorite of the three children, mysteriously dies. Throughout the story, her family seeks out how she died while also trying to work through this experience as a family. I overall enjoyed the book; however, it is quite a struggle to understand the structure when beginning. Once you understand the order of the story you can then start to enjoy it. I first thought this book was going to be a mystery book all about the death of Lydia but it is more about the family conflict of it all and how they can come back together. - Ashley M

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 18:13:19 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is the story of a family going through the trials and tribulations of being a mixed race family in the 1950s. After the death of their daughter, Lydia, they must learn to find a new normal and the reader slowly finds out how their daughter died. I really liked the book, especially how it jumps around in time to reveal more about each character. It was a little difficult to figure out when the scenes were taking place, but once the time is established, it is a very captivating novel.

Where the Crawdads Sing By: Delia Owens (Hailey Connell)

2022-01-07 18:13:35 UTC

This book is very easy to read. It's so easy to fall in love with this book. "Where the Crawdads Sing" shifts to many different time periods throughout the story, giving us a look at the present and past. The mystery of a young boy found dead in the woods is what intrigues the reader to read more. The main character Kya has a mysterious life and this story shares all of the experiences she encounters. I really love this book and I think many students and adults will too.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

browncatherine22 — 2022-01-07 18:13:59 UTC

The kite runner is beautifully tragic story of two childhood friends living in 1970s Kabul, Hassan and Amir. Told by Amir in a flashback. He describes the tragic events that took place in his childhood and the mistakes he made that he still lives with today. This books shows the discrimination between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and the devastating reality of people's lives in Afghanistan. This book was a 9/10, because it told a beautiful story of two friends and the message it makes is an important one. However, there are some graphic scenes that can be unnerving.

Catie

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

nealchrista22 — 2022-01-07 18:14:06 UTC

"Pride and Prejudice" is a phenomenal book that gives the reader a new perspective on how to view others and one's self. It goes along with Elizabeth Bennett and her family and is set in the 1800's. The story evolves around Elizabeth's prejudice mindset on Mr. Darcy and over the course of months, Elizabeth starts to see the lies unfold and she finds the truth of who Mr. Darcy. In my opinion, I loved the story not only because I am a sucker for romance stories, but it offers a classic love story that shows the development in the main characters. I would rate this book a 9/10 and y'all should definitely read this book if you like books revolved around romance. -Christa Neal

Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2022-01-07 18:14:33 UTC

Americanah follows a young Nigerian woman named Ifemelu who immigrates to America, learning a great deal about American culture, specifically our treatment of woman and people of color, along the way. The story and structure of the novel jumps between continents and periods in Ifemelu's life, making it an interesting read that never gets too monotonous. Throughout her time, from Nigeria to America and back again, she attempts to juggle an initially unsuccessful career, a troubled love life, and the reality of what Americana truly means.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-07 18:14:36 UTC

The Road is a great but depressing book. A journey South with a Man and his Boy drags them in to many dangerous and depressing situations. The continuation of the journey and the relationship between the Man and the Boy keeps the story interesting.
Carter

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-07 18:15:10 UTC

The Road is a chilling book, taking place in an apocalyptic world where everything is dead and the main goal is to survive. The book follows a man and his son, traveling along a road, and occasionally passing by others. I would say this book is not for the faint of heart, focusing on the ideology of is man the true monster when the world ends. I would strongly recommend this book if you are the type of read that loves apocalyptic stories and worlds. My rating of this book is an 8/10.

Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

2022-01-07 18:15:22 UTC

Where The Crawdads sing is very adventurous and filled with strong emotions which truly make this book breathtaking. Kya is abandoned by her mother at a very young age and is forced to live with her abusive father. This leaves Kya to raise herself with no help other than from the marsh she lives in. By reading this book, you will learn about independence and how to stay strong in tough situations. I would definitely suggest this book.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

2022-01-07 18:33:12 UTC

Station Eleven is a very interesting book to read and starts off with a hook. This story is very easy to relate to our world today because it takes place during a flu pandemic and you get to follow each character as they face their world falling apart.

Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel

2022-01-07 19:30:15 UTC

I really enjoyed reading Station 11. It is easy to read with a great amount of background information as well as background information so you aren't confused. Both the protagonist and the side characters are very interesting. I have always enjoyed books like this.

Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-07 19:32:22 UTC

Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West is a haunting novel which follows the exploits of a gang of scalp-hunters in the great american desert. McCarthy is a true master of the English language, utilizing words, phrases, and punctuation in near impossible ways. His use of the pen is entirely unique, a talent for prose and technique unseen since Shakespeare. The countless themes and ideas expressed by the deeply scored characters and their desolate surroundings combined with the haunting aura of it all creates an unforgettable and life changing effect that has easily made Blood Meridian my favorite book thus far.

Everything I Never Told You

2022-01-07 19:32:48 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is an incredibly family oriented book that emphasizes the importance of communication and family. It really makes you think about your everyday life and how your actions might affect those around you, and it is overall a great book. The book immediately starts off by captivating the readers and pulling them in, adding new surprising details all the way until the book ends.

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2022-01-07 19:33:34 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing shares the sad reality of those who face discrimination, survival, and coming of age, all while being alone. Kya is left to teach herself the lessons of life, which is observes through nature. When faced with adversity, she realizes on her instincts to guide her through. This novel shares how the town identifies Kya as wild, and lets her abandonment define their perception of her. Overall this book will leave you shocked and amazed by the profound word choice Owens includes.

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

2022-01-07 19:34:10 UTC

Cat's Cradle is a satire about advancing technology, organized religion, purpose, and the arms race. I enjoyed this novel and its balance of humor and thought provoking material.

Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury

dearingtyler22 — 2022-01-07 19:35:01 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel in which books have been all but destroyed. The ones who destroy said books are the Firemen, saviors turned burners. Guy Montag, the protagonist, must navigate between what he sees as right and what his society deems correct, and ultimately choose a side. I am a sucker for dystopian settings so this book was perfect for me. It mixes a bleak, fast-paced society with a journey of self discovery perfectly.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

2022-01-07 19:35:05 UTC

Brave New World paints a bleak picture of the world in the far future, controlled under an authoritarian regime. Long before 1984 made its mark, Brave New World revolutionized the dystopian genre and, rather than leaving the reader with a clear ending, the novel leaves readers questioning what will happen to the society following the book’s conclusion. The novel excelled at characterization and worldbuilding and was a fun ride from start to finish, posing many questions about the world we live in decades after it was released. The novel follows Bernard Marx and his discovery and subsequent integration of John the Savage, breaking down the core of the society portrayed in the book and portraying many similarities to our own.

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien

2022-01-07 19:36:17 UTC

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is a defying book of tales about soldiers during the time of the Vietnam war. This book goes through stories of how soldiers carry physical burdens to keep them alive, but also mental burdens that are keeping them from reaching their full potential. The main character is a fictional character named Tim O'Brien who narrates not only the war stories, but the story of his upcoming, and how he got into the places he was. This book really helps you realize how much a burden can affect your mental state, and your decision making to the fullest extent. I really enjoyed this book because it took me a little bit to realize how the author was coming across, and how he truly meant not only the title, but the meaning as a whole. This was a great read, and I recommend it to all who would like to learn more on how war takes a toll on our nations soldiers

The Book Thief

2022-01-07 19:38:26 UTC

The Book thief is a beautiful and heart breaking story of a German girl´s life told by the narrator, Death. This book shows how she deals with the up and down of living in a new house with new people, And how she handles the consequences of being in Germany during World War Two. The Book Thief does a amazing job of showing the thoughts and emotions of not just the main character, but the people of Molching, and the political divide between people who agree with the Nazi Party and the people who does not. This is a amazing book that jumps from being heartfelt and fun to sad and depressing. 8.7 out of 10

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

2022-01-07 19:39:30 UTC

The Handmaid's Tale is a novel centered around the struggles of women in a very misogynist society and focuses on the physical and mental abuse that occured. The novel sheds light on how a persons physical appeatence and how they act is no true representation of how they feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that will potentially change their point of view on the world. As a disclaimer this book is very gruesome and brutal.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2022-01-07 19:40:12 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 is about a dystopian future. The government is very oppressive and controlling in order to maintain power. It is told from the perspective of Guy Montag, a fireman in a large city. Montag realizes the injustice that the people are facing, and begins to dream of a better world. I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books like George Orwell's 1984.

Brave New World by Aldrous Huxley

2022-01-07 19:40:25 UTC

Though it does have a slow start, Brave New World is very captivating and eye-opening about the dangers of a lack of individuality and independence within a society. I found it to be very interesting, and as somewhat of a warning of what our world could become in decades to come. The book has a unique structure, shifting between different points of view, and focuses on characterization of a variety of characters.

1984 by George Orwell

2022-01-07 20:25:48 UTC

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale written by George Orwell. The novel takes apart the reality that would have been had the axis powers won World War II. Nineteen Eighty-Four brings out the evil in every human being, sometimes it can be the ones who are trusted the most. The novel also sheds light on the brutality that was the axis powers and brings out the control in which they had used.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Lydia Dunlap

2022-01-07 20:26:11 UTC

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a book focusing on the hardships and pain that two women faced in the Middle East from the 1950s to 2000s. This story tracks 2 women from completely different backgrounds whose lives soon become interwoven through tragedy. Combating miscarriage, domestic life, the Taliban, and domestic abuse, these protagonists show their resilience through determination, sacrifice, and love.

For Whom the Bell Toll by Ernest Hemingway

2022-01-07 20:26:19 UTC

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a novel that deals with the horrors of war and the effect that it has on people. We meet many characters throughout the novel and we see how each have been affected by the ongoing war. The story is gut wrenching, and doesn't shy away from the horrors of war, but you are able to come away with an understanding of how awful war is.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

2022-01-07 20:26:28 UTC

Wuthering Heights was a very intriguing novel, full of romance and revenge. My only complaint was that the beginning of the novel is slightly difficult to get into because many of the names are repeated, and the book has very old phrases. Otherwise, this book had me hooked the entire way through and had me thinking about it long after I finished. I highly recommend this book to everybody, especially those who like a satisfying ending.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2022-01-07 20:28:02 UTC

The Things They Carried is a story about a soldier fighting in the war of Vietnam and how it had affected his life after the war. The story allows the reader to see the unethical and wretched tasks that these soldiers perform and the amount of pain that these soldiers have to carry with them. The novel is a great read and allows the reader to connect with the character as he goes along the treacherous path of a soldier and his life after the war.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

2022-01-07 20:28:20 UTC

Sense and Sensibility is a romantic novel about two sisters' journey to finding love. Elinor and Marianne are very different, but they hold on to each other. Both girls experience ups and downs, while they search for a match they can be satisfied with. The pressures of society challenge both girls throughout the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a love story. While it does have challenging language, the story is worth reading.

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

2022-01-07 20:28:56 UTC

Station Eleven is a beautiful novel that pictures a world stricken by a deadly pandemic and follows several characters as they journey through their life searching for home in a changed world. I enjoyed the captivating point of view and the way that the novel didn't seem to lack anything. It is a story of hope out of bad circumstances, and while you may not leave at the end with a happy feeling, you will have a new perspective on what civilization, hope and home really mean.
-Ameleah

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

2022-01-07 20:30:12 UTC

All the Light We Cannot See is a war novel telling of events between multiple characters during World War II. It was a good read, although difficult to read, with it going back and forth in time and characters, once you began to understand how to go about reading it was entertaining. The amount of detail that Doerr goes into is amazing, it really helps readers to be able to image what is going on. All together it was a very good read. -Noah

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

2022-01-07 20:30:21 UTC

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a sad tale told from the perspective of two girls in Afghanistan. Their names are Mariam and Laila. Two girls that come from completely different backgrounds that end up coming together. They live their years during war and face many different challenges. In this book, you see how women were treated not so many years ago and how different their culture is. You will want to cry and you will get really mad reading this book. It has four different parts and will always have you wanting to read more. I usually don't like reading books like this, but this was an absolutely amazing book.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

2022-01-07 20:32:11 UTC

Little Women is a novel centered around a poor family in and around the civil war and focuses on the trials of growing up and adulthood.I loved this book I think it had stuff that people still struggle with today.My only complaint is that there was one chapter that focused on marriage, and the husband treated his wife was off putting to me.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 20:32:37 UTC

This book is about an interracial family living in a small town in Ohio. Their community is not very accepting of them and there are many deep rooted family issues that we see throughout the novel. The book starts with the death of Lydia, the oldest daughter in the family, and continues on to show us the lives of each family memeber and how that may have led to her death. The book was constantly switching point of views and time periods and it made it interesting to try and piece together the puzzle throughout the book. - Ashley Brown

The Turn of the Screw

wilsongavin22 — 2022-01-07 20:35:23 UTC

The turn of the screw is a uniquely set Gothic novel detailing the narrative of an unnamed governess new charges and the lengths she would go through to protect them from perceived supernatural forces. This novel is an exhilarating read and personally one of my favorite novels. I find its rather... controversial interpretations to be one of the more interesting aspects. Once completed it is most definitely worth a re-read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2022-01-07 20:36:29 UTC

Pride and Prejudice is a romance novel set in the turn of the 19th century. The novel discusses both the pride and the prejudices of the upper class society. The main protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, meets Mr. Darcy at a party one evening and is immediately in disapproval of him because he insulted her before even getting to know her. As the story progresses and the plot thickens, they start to become closer as they get to know each other better. I would give this an 8/10 but only because it has some slower sections, but I really enjoyed it

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2022-01-07 20:51:34 UTC

I truly enjoyed this novel more than expected. It was an easy read being published in 2018. Although the first few chapters were a bit slow it was worth reading. The novel follows the story of a maturing girl. Being a coming of age novel it was quite relatable. I found Kya(the main character) to be very inspirational and empowering. I'd rate it a 8/10.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-07 21:24:33 UTC

Everything I Never Told you is a fairly short novel based around the death of a young girl named Lydia. Lydia's family seems perfect, until her death. The family begins to crack under the pressure of figuring out why something like this could happen. The book focuses more on the value of family and a healthy upbringing rather then the actual death itself. But, it is interesting to find out what happened to Lydia. I do recommend this book to some because it had a decently good story line. However, I would only give the book a 6 or 7, at the most, out of 10. I didn't enjoy some of the characters actions and I feel like the author could have picked a better way to convey her message. The story line towards the end begins to get a little confusing and I was a little lost. But as far as a mystery novel goes, this book is a pretty safe option.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-11 14:00:17 UTC

The Road is a novel centered around a father and his son trying to survive in a post-apocalyptical world. They travel along a long road across the country, to the beach in Georgia. Their journey is filled with countless challenges, as they encounter many environmental obstacles and other people struggling to survive just like they are. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an action filled story with an amazing read. - Bryce Allison

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-11 16:59:09 UTC

The Road is a very dark twisted novel that essentially makes every reader, young or old, question their view on humanity and opens the viewers eyes to more of the world. This book is an excellent change in pace from the popular books with a "happily ever after" as this book shows a world where there is no hope and a world where there is little to no civilized humanity left in people. This book is an amazing option for someone who is interested in seeing more points of view.

Where The Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens

2022-01-11 19:57:20 UTC

Where The Crawdad Sings, truly representational to the "coming-of-age" genre, follows the life of main character, Kya Clark, who is left alone at a young age and grows up distinctly different than most children. With no family and hardly any friends, Kya makes need based decisions and learns quickly to live sustainably and provide for herself.
Individually, this book kept me interested and involved since the beginning. I personally enjoyed it, saying as you find out something new about the characters and the plot as you turn each page. With Kya being so young at the start of the book, I felt a lot of empathy towards her and her situation, which left me wanting to keep reading!

Station Eleven by Emily Mandel

2022-01-12 18:21:18 UTC

This story is told in a non-linear 3rd person omniscient narration, switching back and forth through time to bring the lives of many characters into one amazing story. Station Eleven is a story of peoples lives pre and post flu that killed 99% of the population. All connected to main character Arthur Leander, Station Eleven tells a hopeful story of survival in a dying world. Characters past lives shape their outcome when met with the life-altering circumstance the flu brings.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2022-01-12 20:29:50 UTC

The Road is a nerve racking novel about a father and his son trying to escape the harsh northern winter, to the less harsh southern winter. They travel along an old highway filled with dangers. They encounter ruthless blood cults, and cannibals. They also battle starvation and the will to keep pushing. Their journey is filled with highs and lows that you definitely feel with them. I would recommend this book to anyone that is wanting a thrilling dark book to read. - Parker Thomas

The Handmaids Tale By Margaret Atwood

2022-01-12 20:39:51 UTC

The Handmaids Tale is full of symbolism and universal connections to our world today. I would compare it to Hunger Games, Divergent, books like that. I enjoyed the strong female characters. Although, I cannot say that I liked the main character. I also personally feel like the book moved a little slow. But there was plenty of great connections and possible themes. It also doesn´t have much dialogue and the structure can get confusing as the main character does alot of flashbacks.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2022-01-18 14:10:23 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing is a very good book. It is a coming of age story filled with adventure. This book is an easy read, with tons of imagery. After Kya is abandoned, she is left to survive in the Marsh on her own. There are many lessons that can be learned as you read.

Where the Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens

2022-01-18 15:52:38 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a captivating novel that really draws in and keeps readers wanting more. The novel features the story of a girl named Kya who grows up in the marshlands of North Carolina with no family and only one friend. Throughout the novel readers learn the importance of acceptance and love but in a different way than ever before.
This book had me craving more and wanting to find out what happened next! I enjoyed the mysteries that came a long with the story but also the relationships that Kya formed with different people around the marshland. Owens uses great detail to ensure that readers feel a great connection with the main character and want to continue reading!

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2022-01-18 16:26:11 UTC

Everything I Never Told You starts off at the most important part of the novel. The death of Lydia. The book then shows you all the events that led up to this. The narrations jumps from before her death to after her death. It brings up many important social problems like racism, depression, and sexuality. I did not enjoy the organization of the novel but I found that the beginning really hooked me. I felt like an investigator trying to figure out what happened to Lydia and what the family's secrets are. Overall this book was alright, but I would probably not read again.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2022-01-19 15:21:36 UTC

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel that is classy and fun to read. It is set in the early 1800s so you can imagine what the roles of women were at the time. The Bennet family, a family of 5 girls, starts to look for husbands. The two eldest, Jane and Elizabeth, are the two that the family believes needs to find a husband. Since the Bennet family had only girls, the family's estate is passed on to their cousin, Mr. Collins. Now that the family will not have anything when Mr. Bennet passes, it creates a large weight to put on both Jane and Elizabeth. In the first few chapters, Jane is seen with Mr. Bingley-- a rich and handsome man. Mrs. Bingley throws parties once he settles at Netherfield. Accompanied with Mrs Bingley is his close friend, Mr. Darcy. Darcy is a prideful man, a man who no one in the area cares for. As Elizabeth sets out for a husband, Mr. Darcy begins to love her from afar. As the novel comes to an end, Elizabeth starts to see a new light in Darcy. I loved the organization of this book, although it did have a very slow start. It is definitely worth a read!

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

2022-01-21 18:35:42 UTC

The Crucible takes place in the 1600's during the Salem Witch trials. I particularly took interest to this novel because of its allegorical connection to the red scare and McCarthyism. It's written in play style, but it's not difficult at all to understand, and you're taken through the viewpoint of 3rd person. It tackles topics such as government control, idealism, religion in government, and so much more. This politically thrilling novel is an interesting read if you're one for dramatized real life events.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

2022-01-24 14:35:15 UTC

Station Eleven is about a pandemic called the "Georgia Flu" that kills 99.9% of the population. All that is left now is broken down, abandoned buildings and the survivors who are finding ways to live through this collapse. The narration shifts between different times in the world throughout the novel. All characters are connected to Arthur Leander, which makes the book come together and keeps it interesting seeing as how it is a small world after all. This book would be a great read for anyone after living through our own version of a pandemic, it gives you an intake on what the world could become if the pandemic became worst.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

ternese — 2023-01-05 19:35:16 UTC

The Vanishing Half follows twin sisters, Stella and Desiree Vignes who run away from home, a small all black town where people pride themselves on being light skinned to New Orleans. Stella then abandons Desiree to become "white." The story tracks both twins' lives and then the lives of their daughters who don't know the other even exists. Each character is real, believable and complex. You feel for each of the characters as their lives unfold. This book really explores keeping secrets from those we love and lying. If a person lies long enough, can they make the lies the truth?

Our Missing Hearts - Celese Ng

ternese — 2023-01-05 19:44:57 UTC

Noah is a twelve year old boy whose mother is a famous Chinese American poet, but she abandoned him when he was nine years old. His white father is broken because of it. This book is set in the near future in Cambridge, Connecticut in a world where students are no longer allowed to read books in school and people are turned in for "unAmerican" activity that goes against the organization PACT. Children are taken from homes that teach ideas that criticize the decisions of the U.S. government. Noah is dealing with all of this while trying to understand why his mother would have abandoned him. While part one takes some time to get going, I really enjoyed the second half of the book. This book is one I am still processing as it made me question how easy it is to ignore wrongdoing when we are not personally affected by it.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2023-01-11 14:02:02 UTC

The Kite Runner is a fantastic book about a boy coming of age in Pakistan. As a boy he makes a choice that haunts him for all his adult life. He becomes an immigrant at 18 and is faced with a whole new set of challenges all while facing the ones he left in Pakistan as a boy. The book is centered on the idea of redemption for his past.

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

2023-01-11 14:02:10 UTC

Novel is about Guy Montag, a firefighter in the future who sees the wrong in society. It is an interesting story, with some twists and turns throughout the novel. It wasn't super long, so it wasn't insufferable. But if you have to read a book, it isn't a horrible option. It is better than the movie though. caleb

Everything I Never Told you- Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 14:03:46 UTC

This book follows the death of a girl named Lydia and shows her families life as an interracial family with a bit of generational trauma and what leads to her death. I really liked reading this book and liked the structure, it focuses on different characters at different points of the book, but some things in the plot made me a bit frustrated to read. It was really easy to see the overall theme and what the author was trying to say about society. Overall its a great book.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 14:04:03 UTC

Circe follows the Greek goddess of the same name as she makes her way through the world of the immortal gods and titans. This novel incorporates new ideas of the goddess while also taking the old tales into account. This leads to a refreshing story with unexpected twists that will keep anyone captivated. This novel is a definite 10/10 and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

2023-01-11 14:04:34 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing was one of the best books I have read alone, that keeps you hooked and questioning what will happen next. The movie and the book are pretty similar in story line, but the book gives greater detail and makes Kya a relatable underclass girl, trying to find her identity, to discover the world around her. When she comes into a conflict trials and tribulations come into play, but the ending of the story leaves the readers questioning everything.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2023-01-11 14:04:35 UTC

A captivating yet heartbreaking story filled with tragedy and the horrors of war. Set during Vietnam, it follows the experiences of Tim O'Brien as a soldier in all facets of war. Here, O'Brien documents his fellow soldiers, dead and alive, and the traumatizing reality they faced during deployment. The novel is filled with anti-war sentiments, and truly brings to the front of the mind: is war worth it? A rewarding read, The Things They Carried is a novel that should be read by everyone, from the everyday joe to military sergeants.

1984 by George Orwell

2023-01-11 14:05:55 UTC

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel set in a society ruled by a single, corrupt party. The story follows Winston Smith, an average member of the so-called 'lower party' (what might be called the middle class) who internally rebels against the stifling grip of the party. 1984 was an incredibly stimulating read, one which had me internally reflecting as much as it did waiting in anticipation for the next plot beat. Orwell crafts a beautiful diorama of the modern human condition, seamlessly interweaving primal desire and fear to create a masterpiece of fiction.

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 14:06:36 UTC

The Song of Achilles takes a turn on a classic Greek story. It examines a different relationship between hero Achilles and Patroclus. After a tragic accident, Patroclus was exiled to Phthia to be one of many boys King Peleus took in. Peleus' son, Achilles, had never grown close to boys his father cared for. Until Patroclus. The boys, while complete foils of each other, quickly grew close. Both were sent to train in battle under Chiron. Achilles' skills were quickly revealed, as well as his prophecy. The sudden capture of Helen of Sparta creates a war within the region. Both boys are required to fight. This book creates a new story of a classic we have heard several times; while also examining the consequences of having extraordinary talent. The well-developed plot and writing style are one of a kind in this carefully crafted book.

Everything I Never Told You-Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 14:07:39 UTC

Ashlyn H- "Everything I Never Told You" is a coming of age novel that follows Lydia and her mixed oriental family that live in the suburbs of a white community. The book shows all perspectives of the trials each member of the family goes through, before and after the mysterious death of the oldest daughter Lydia. This book is very suspenseful and goes through many emotions. The reader is taken through the family's past a present. Each detail of the family gives clues to what happened to Lydia. Without Lydia in the family, each member goes through many trials and tribulations. They have to figure out healthy ways to cope with Lydia's death, and eventually move on. This book triggered many emotions, and left me on the edge of my seat not being able to put the book down many nights. There are so many chronological shifts that lead to so many twists that you would never see coming. I recommend this book for any young adult that enjoys mysteries or just a really good book to sit down and read during your free time. This book will forever be one of my favorites.

The Things They Carried- Tim O'Brien

2023-01-11 14:08:19 UTC

"The Things They Carried" illustrates what life was like during the Vietnam War. O'Brien recalls personal traumatic events that he deals with in his life back home. I highly recommend this novel to anyone that enjoys action packed reads. This novel always keeps you on your toes, and highlights the struggles that soldiers face during and after the war.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

2023-01-11 14:09:06 UTC

This historical, emotional book was intriguing from the first page. Beautifully crafted chapters narrate the unique stories of two characters: Mariam and Laila. They come from simple, yet different beginnings. Throughout the struggles of Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban, they learn to work together to overcome abuse and death. Highly vivid imagery and great storytelling makes this book captivating and one you cannot put down. Heroic and inspiring, the plot of this novel will compel every reader to truly see the perspective of women in Afghanistan and desire change for women around the world.

Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austen

2023-01-11 14:09:23 UTC

Pride and Prejudice is a timeless tale that has captivated audiences for centuries. Set in rural England in the 1800s, the story focuses on the Bennett family, and namely, the iconic Elizabeth Bennett. The phenomenal novel goes to show Elizabeth and her love affair with the ignorant, indignant Mr. Darcy. For Bridgerton fans, this novel is a delight, and is a fun, enjoyable tale, and will you leave rooting for these two easy-to-love characters.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2023-01-11 14:10:29 UTC

Daisy Jones and The Six follows the perspectives of members of an 80's rock band called The Six as well as Daisy Jones and many others who play a role in the story. Daisy Jones is the epitome of women in the music industry. The Six are a unique bunch of musicians who have come together to form a monumental rock band. This shows the truth of the character's lives, warts and all. From addiction to failing marriages, it shows everything. Overall, I truly loved this book. It had a great fast pace and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see the perspective of all of the characters. The book exudes the true 70's and 80's music industry. It is able to accurately portray the in-depth personalities of all of the characters.

Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 14:10:45 UTC

In this novel, Everything I Never Told You starts off with the death of Lydia Lee. As the rest of the story is based around putting the pieces together of how this happened. The story jumps around to the day of the death and events leading up to this from the eyes of Lydia we get her point of view as well as her family point of view. The story brings light to many racial and societal issues. This book is good at hooking you in during the first chapter, but as the story goes on it gets harder to keep engaged. I did enjoy the book and would recommend it,but don't think I would read it again.

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

2023-01-11 14:11:24 UTC

The Road follows the story of a man and his son as they journey through a dystopian America. As they travel South, they encounter different situations that put their survival instincts. This book is an amazing read because it discovers the deeper thoughts of humanity as they spiral towards disaster. It keeps you on your toes, you never know what to expect.

The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger

2023-01-11 14:11:47 UTC

The Catcher in the Rye is a coming of age story that follows a disenchanted 16 year old named Holden Caulfield. Holden gets kicked out of his private school Pency Prep. Most of the book covers the experiences Holden has during the time he spends in New York. Throughout the book Holden meet many different people that give him and insight on what it means to be an adult. I really enjoyed the book. Holden makes an interesting protagonist, and I thought what the book had to say on the nature of maturing, and what we have to give up to function in a civilized society, was very compelling.

Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 14:23:40 UTC

Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles is a modern adaption of Homer's Iliad told from the perspective of Patroclus. The book follows the relationship of Patroclus and Achilles as they deal with gods, destiny, prophecy and the Trojan war. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Greek mythology and/or fantasy. The story and mythology is easy to follow and the book is full of great figurative language and vivid imagery.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'brien

2023-01-11 14:25:23 UTC

The Things They Carried follows the author's life and turmoil experienced throughout the Vietnam war. From the memories O'Brien vividly remembers to the ones he tries not to. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat and is a thrilling war story. I highly suggest anyone to read this book but it is quite vivid in detail describing gore and events are not on a chronological time line throughout the book.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 14:26:58 UTC

The novel, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine follows a 30 year old woman who is still wading through trauma from her childhood. The reader follows Eleanor in her journey of finding herself and understanding why exactly she is the way that she is. I would rate this book a 7.5/10 for the fact that it started out slow and took awhile to get into, but after that point, the book takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. This book brings awareness to mental health and how childhood trauma can affect psychological development as an adult.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2023-01-11 14:27:47 UTC

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction about a little girl named Liesel. She is a young girl living in Nazi Germany. The book is a little hard to understand at first because the story is told by death himself. This book isn't about happy endings and good heartfelt love and joy. If you are wanting a heartfelt book where everything bad turns out okay in the end then The Book Thief is not for you. As you read the book you learn about Liesel's struggles and hard times. She goes through so much, but she is a hard headed girl who pushes her way through this cruel world. It is a great story and a great point of view. Death does a great job of telling us about this girl's life. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a perspective of a child's life during Nazi Germany. The book is full of details and gives a great picture of her life. You will feel like you are going through her life with her. The Book Thief is a great book with a great story.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 14:39:41 UTC

This historical fiction novel is set in ancient Greece and follows the classic story of Achilles and Patroclus. Instead of the classical story from the Iliad, Achilles and Patroclus explore themselves and develop their relationship through many trials of war and hardship. An accident leads to Patroclus' exile to Phthia, where Achilles and Patroclus first meet. This thrilling novel leads to a trip to a mountain for training and quickly leads to the Trojan War after Helen of Sparta is apprehended. Achilles being the best warrior alive is exhilarating to follow and this book contains many turns that shocked me as I read. I definitely recommend it.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 14:52:38 UTC

This Greek mythology historical fiction novel follows the journey of young Patroclus and his lover Achilles. Instead of the original telling, it dives deeper into the lives of the two boys and how they discover themselves through tribulations, trials, and touch. Patroclus and Achilles meet after an unfortunate happening in Patroclus' home kingdom forces him to be exiled. Soon, the two boys bond, and are sent to the mountain to become men. Afterward, the Trojan War begins after Helen of Sparta is arrested. The story is a thrilling retelling of Achilles and Patroclus' journey to find themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to others.

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

2023-01-11 14:59:29 UTC

This story takes twists and turns as it tells the story of a girl who is growing up in a not so nice time period. This story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat as she battles a difficult marriage and racial issues. I will say sometimes it's difficult to keep up with the story line as it shifts the point of view periodically. Although it is definitely a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested.

The Handmaid's Tale

2023-01-11 14:59:58 UTC

The Handmaid's Tale is an emotionally striking story featuring the tension between gender roles. It is an empowering book for women, and displays many hardships in which, strong women are viewed as the lowest class, however, by the end women are shown as extremely powerful. This book fictionalizes very important yet realistic themes, that make you think about the past of women's rights as well as the present and future. I am not a reader and truthfully I enjoyed the show more than the book. This novel was missing a certain depth that the show had making it lack a little character. In speaking, this book was published before the show was made, and for the time period is was one fantastic novel.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 15:01:08 UTC

The novel "Circe" follows the life of the goddess Circe and the struggles she experiences as she finds herself and gains the forced independence from her family.I really enjoyed this book and felt over all that it was an easy read. The story just consumes you into her world and everything she is going through. Most of the time I forgot I was reading for class because I enjoyed it so much. I highly recommend reading this book for anyone that's interested, it's a very good read.

Where The Crawdads Sing By: Delia Ownens

2023-01-11 15:02:17 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a fun read. It's easy to follow along with the plot as it consistently list the current date and time. The structure of the book is definitely a mom book but overall I enjoyed it and think anyone who reads it would also have a good time reading this book. The book centers around Kya growing up in the marsh and how she overcomes obstacles thrown at her, it also is a coming of age story. Overall this book would be a good pick for any reader.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2023-01-11 15:02:23 UTC

Salvage the Bones is a thought-provoking and entertaining novel about the reality of poverty in societies. This book is centered around a fifteen-year-old girl named Esch and her family who fights for survival as Hurricane Katrina ravishes their home and community. Esch fights off self doubt and insecurity as she discovers she is pregnant by someone who is well known in the community. The family lost their mother at a young age, so Esch fills the motherly role while also trying to find out who she is herself. This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. While it can be slow progressing at some points, I do recommend this book for everyone.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 15:03:14 UTC

This book takes you on an adventure of a young girl and her relationship with nature. You watch her experience love, loss, heartache, abandonment, and so much more. Kya goes through so much more than any person should have to deal with. I personally found the book to be hard to get into, but a little before halfway through became locked in and enjoyed the book. It becomes a page turner and you begin to feel very invested in what happens, especially at the end.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 15:03:53 UTC

This novel is set in Ancient Greece and is a modern retelling of the story of Achilles from Patroclus point of view. This beautifully written story takes you on adventures with the boys through a castle, through the mountains, and even through the Trojan war. Through this new perspective we get a deeper understanding of the boys relationship and the hardships they faced together. I definitely recommend this book, I find it to be beautifully written.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

2023-01-11 15:04:47 UTC

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is a fantastic read that follows a chaotic, dysfunctional family and the children's journey on how they are affected by a parental affair. The book continues to jump throughout time, which may get confusing at times, but it allows the reader to stay engaged and want to know more. I would highly recommend this book to someone who had experienced a dysfunctional family life or is intrigued by family drama. This book is one that I would put highly on my list; however, the book does have a slow start with the first chapter, but stay strong because it does in fact get better.

Salvage The Bones, written by Jesmyn Ward

2023-01-11 15:05:21 UTC

The novel, Salvage the bones, is a story about a young girl living in a mans world. She was raised by her father and brothers, and lives by mans desires. This ultimately leads to her being a mother at a young age, and the only motherly figure in hr life is her brother's dog, who is a new mom. Though I did find this book very interesting and I would recommend it to others, I felt as if the plot was strung out. However, it provide lots of details. This story shows the world of having an alcoholic father, living in poverty, and the world of being the only female in an environment of men.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

2023-01-11 15:05:26 UTC

The novel, Wuthering Heights, is Gothic fiction as well as a tragic romance. It follows an orphan named Heathcliff as he navigates his life and relationships with two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons. I personally really enjoyed this book as it had many undertones and themes to follow and react to. There is some humor, grief, anger, etc. You truly get to know the characters and observe the manners in which they live their lives, interact, and solve issues between the families. Some of the characters change so much after being put through heinous situations and are not recognizable by the end of the book. This novel is about love and revenge and not for those who want a light novel.

1984 by George Orwell

2023-01-11 15:06:30 UTC

In this dystopian novel, the story is set in the year 1984 in the state of Oceania, London, where The Party and Big Brother watches everyone and everything throughout the state. The story revolves around Winston Smith, an ordinary worker for the Ministry of Truth who seeks to rebel against the oppression and control enforced by The Party. I highly recommend this book as it explores the human condition and how the world of 1984 is becoming eerily similar to the world we live in today.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2023-01-11 15:06:35 UTC

Purple Hibiscus explores many social and emotional structures and how the main character Kambili handles them. With her father breathing down her and her brother's neck to be perfect, Kambili tries to open up to become more of an extrovert. Topics such as political tensions, family struggles, religion, and exploring ones self are addressed with beautiful and detailed writing. Personally I have learned so much about Igbo culture and I enjoyed how personal you can get with the characters.

The Song of Achilles written by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 15:06:38 UTC

This novel follows the life of the great Achilles and a prince named Protroclus. They go on to live a very interesting life, and in many cases I was surprised by the turn of events that took place. This take of Achilles life is more an in-depth telling and really appeals to Achilles human side. The many events that took place were thrilling and emotional to read. At times I could not put the book down.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

2023-01-11 15:21:20 UTC

Brave New World is set in a futuristic utopia in what used to be London where everything, including humans, is produced by assembly line. People are divided into castes based on intellegence, which is determined from creation. It follows several characters including Lenina, a beautiful young woman who fits into society; Bernard, a physically small young man who does not fit into society; and John, a white man born to a white mother on a Native American reservation after his mother escaped society. When the three travel back to London, they begin questioning everything they know. Personally, this book was not my favorite. However, if you like satire, I would highly recommend this book.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2023-01-11 15:22:47 UTC

The Things They Carried follows Tim O'Brien as both a young soldier in the Vietnam War and an older father. In this captivating set of war stories and emotional moments, you're sure to gain a sense of understanding for O'Brien, whether as a young soldier trekking through Vietnam with his platoon or as an older man seeking closure for the events he witnessed all those years ago. Personally, I loved the novel and all the complexities of O'Brien's persona, along with the war stories and the effect the war had on some of the soldiers, even years later. I especially loved how the final chapter kind of tied the whole book together thematically. Overall, I would highly recommend the novel to anyone curious.

Everything I Never Told You Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 16:26:09 UTC

This book starts off with the death of Lydia. Throughout this book events leading up to Lydia's death is shown and expressed. Celeste Ng does a great job of including the families point of views before and after Lydia's death. Celeste Ng also includes the lives of characters before marriage, children, etc. Family and communication is a big concept in this story. As Lydia's mother always thought Lydia was her perfect angel, she was mistaken. Lydia had grown up and grown a part from her family and her mother which allowed her to hide more secretes from all of them. This book easily hooks you in and expresses topics that are common in today's society. There is mysteries that must be solved in this book and I highly recommend it. I would definitely read this book again.

The Iliad by Homer

2023-01-11 16:45:06 UTC

This poem was very long and reminded me of a soap opera due to its dramatic nature. It was truly epic though because there was a lot of death and battle but with all of the gods made it kind of confusing.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

2023-01-11 16:46:03 UTC

As someone who is not a very big fan of soap operas and historical dramas, reading Wuthering Heights is the closest I've ever come to watching Days of Our Lives, or Bridgerton. Wuthering Heights follows the story of two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons. Like a Victorian-era Romeo and Juliet. Reading this book is very much like watching a soap opera, screaming at each character to stop being such a jerk and realize what's important in your life, makes up 80% of the reading process. This book contains things that seem reasonable, but also wildly unreasonable, like throwing babies off of balconies. However, if theatrics like throwing babies intrigues you, I highly recommend Wuthering Heights. It is very melodramatic. I liked it just fine, but other books suit my taste much more.

Where the Crawdads Sing

2023-01-11 16:47:56 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing was such a good book. I didn't think I was going to like it at first because the first few chapters go really slow and there is not much suspense or anything. Once you get towards the middle of the book you will want to keep reading until you finish. The end was amazing and such a shock.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 16:48:33 UTC

Throughout the story, readers watch the main character, Kya, grow up isolated in North Carolina, in her home that is referred to as "The Marsh." From the beginning of the book, the story captivates readers by introducing a murder of a prominent figure in town. This is a coming-of-age, romance, and murder mystery book all in one. Personally, I loved this book, and the way that it was written. The chapters are broken up by time periods, and it went back and forth between Kya's childhood and adulthood. I can see how it could be confusing to some, but for me, it kept me intrigued throughout the course of the story. There were also several twists that would not be expected. I definitely would read this book again!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 16:48:54 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a book about a young girl who grows up in an abusive household, this being said she is faced with challenges upon challenges that she struggles with to the highest degree. She finds things out about herself that she didn't necessarily expect of herself. I personally loved the book it had thrill and kept me wondering about the next big thing that would happen. The first half starts off slow but then you hit the second half and the action never stops. This book was one of my favorites because of the plot and the characters. The author does good with helping readers understand what is happening without giving away what will be happening in the near future.

The Nickel Boys

2023-01-11 16:49:23 UTC

The Nickel Boys is a book that follows a young man named Elwood who faces many hardships in his life which lead him to Nickel Academy. The academy isn't at all what it seems and many horrible things happen in the shadows. I wish the book would've incorporated more strong supporting characters. I rate it a 7/10. The twists make the book worth it.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 16:49:32 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is an incredible story that follows a young girl that is abandoned in her home in the marsh of South Carolina. The setting is changing through chapters and switches from childhood to adulthood. It is incredibly easy to follow, and as the beginning was a touch slow, the end makes up for it with the wild turns it takes. Overall this book is a great read and I would highly recommend.

1984 by George Orwell

2023-01-11 16:49:42 UTC

I highly recommend 1984, by George Orwell, the story is extremely captivating and engages the audience's thoughts on different governmental issues and an interesting look on a totalitarian government. This novel was fairly easy to follow and the plot is very character driven because you get a first person point of view on the thoughts of the main character and how he struggles with his decisions to abide by the governments rule or try and revolt against it. The characters are very dynamic and have intricate relationships with one another that drives the story further. Ultimately this novel will make you think a lot about it even after you finish it, which makes it more of an interesting read.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2023-01-11 16:50:02 UTC

The Kite runner is an inspiring book about a boy coming of age in Pakistan. As a little child, he makes decisions that will haunt him the rest of his life. He becomes an immigrant at 18 and moves to the United States, and is faced with a whole new set of challenges, as well as the challenges from Pakistan that haunt him his whole life. This whole book is centered around the main character wanting redemption for everything that has happened to him in the past and the challenges that haunt him.

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

2023-01-11 16:52:31 UTC

Pride & Prejudice is a heartwarming historical period piece written by Jane Austen in 1813. With a tight-knit family of 5 daughters, an easy going father, and uptight, gossiping mother, the family is known throughout the town. When a new rich family comes to town, everyone is intrigued and is racing to go meet the new residents. The slow burn romance novel is of the first of its kind (Jane Austen is the mother of romance) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One warning that I do have is that the time period, speech, and mannerisms are very different. The plot can and will get slow at times, but always picks back up. The language is something you'll have to get used to. If you don't like tons of big words, don't pick this book.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 16:55:54 UTC

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is an emotional and inspiring novel about a young woman in Glasgow, Scottland. Eleanor is what you would consider "socially awkward" and she has a lot of baggage, but you come to love her. I absolutely loved reading about her journey and would highly recommend this book. Eleanor is an extremely relatable and witty character. Honestly I felt like I was reading about my life most of the time. The twist at the end was what threw me off the most, but this was definitely worth reading. I would read it again. Honeyman did an outstanding job creating this character and her story.

Persuasion by Jane Austin

2023-01-11 16:56:36 UTC

Persuasion is a 2 volume book, and although I only read volume one it is a great book. It follows Anne Elliott, she is the daughter of a wealthy man and she is just kind of there shes not the prettiest sister or the one her father wants to show off. Anne is the smart one that is paid little attention, her mentor/the one she looks up to is her mothers best friend Lady Russel. Anne's mother is dead and she was the only one who paid attention to her in her family. This romance book is about Anne and her life as being the one no one normally pays attention too. I would rate this book a 8/10 because the use of words can be confusing at times.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

2023-01-11 16:56:37 UTC

This book follows a handmaid in a socitey created around repopulation. Her role is to stay with a couple that cannot have kids and help to carry a child for them. I personally feel that overall the book was good. It had an intriguing storyline and many good characters. Though not everything was good to me. I feel like they could have done more with the story and made more happen. At times it was really difficult to follow because the main character has a lot of flashbacks. It gets hard to figure out when it is a flashback and when it is real time.

The Turn Of The Screw - Henry James

2023-01-11 16:57:08 UTC

This is a horror novel with a bit of a twist on the genre. It is about a woman that is a caretaker hired by a rich political man to watch his two children. She lives with them and has full responsibility over them as their caretaker. She notices strange things that happen around the house and thinks there is a ghost that is haunting the children. As you read you see her mental health slowly crumble as the ghost haunts the house.

Cat's Cradle By Kurt Vonnegut

2023-01-11 17:08:09 UTC

After the death of the greatest scientist, John sets out to learn more about his work. This book satirizes the modern man as well as religion, warfare and the scientific future. While reading I found myself confused a lot because the work as a whole is ALL satire including every conversation and even the specifics happening around the characters. John is a smart writer and reader, and at times, is honestly a middle man to the satirical responses and interesting views on the modern world with characters representing many of Kurt Vonnegut's despised aspect about life.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 17:10:25 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a mysterious, intriguing, loving, and shocking book. At the beginning it starts off quite slow just explaining the young life of the main character Kya. I personally was not drawn in at the beginning and I wanted to give up on the book, however I am glad I didn't. As you get further into the book and further into Kya's teen and adult years the book takes many turns. It has mystery, love, action, and even sad scenes, it really does hit every aspect of emotion. And best of all the end has an amazing twists making reading it worth it!

Where the Crawdads Sing

2023-01-11 17:10:39 UTC

This book follows the life of Kya in the marshlands of North Carolina. I loved this book. It kept me reading and questioning the end. I enjoyed the details and relationships within the story. There is so much depth, including symbolism, foreshadowing, and characterization. Della

Where the Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens

2023-01-11 17:13:54 UTC

In my opinion this book was an okay book. It was a good read but I wouldn't particularly just pick it up to read again. The beginning of the book is very slow but it picks up in the middle. If your into murder mystery plus a lovers quarrel at the same time, then this book is for you. The author does a great job of laying out the characteristics of the characters. They all develop to some point. Overall the book wasn't a bad read.

Daisy Jones and the Six

2023-01-11 17:39:02 UTC

In this novel, Billy and Graham, two brothers use their musical talents to begin a band. This interview style book gives insight to the struggle Billy and the other artists take on in the music industry. Billy and Daisy fight the majority of the book but we find out that they are secretly in love with each other. Billy struggles the entire book with addiction, in fact on his first tour with the band his soon to be wife Camila came to get him knowing he was cheating on her. They got married and he was checked into rehab. This helped Billy for the best but while in rehab, he missed the birth of his daughter Julia. Addiction begins to continue to take over Billy’s life yet he stays clean. Over the years the band meets fame, drugs, and temptations while attempting to stay the same people and keep the band together.

Fahrenheit 451

2023-01-11 17:39:22 UTC

A dystopian with a high emphasis on the corrupt government that rules the world. I personally loved this book. It brings corruption to the forefront whereas most books portray everything as pure and beautiful. Fahrenheit 451 presents a grim reality and puts things very bluntly. Everything is treated with the same attitude by everyone and it presents a true lens into reality.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2023-01-11 17:40:15 UTC

This book follows Esch as she navigates the world around her and the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina draws near. I personally enjoyed this book, not so much I lost sleep over it by staying up late reading it, but enough to not dislike the project. It definitely has plenty to write about and it's easy to understand without having to look at a broader aspect too much. If you're interested in the hurricane itself, I'd choose another book because the hurricane doesn't hit until the very end. Overall, I'd definitely suggest it to my fellow AP Lit kids and as a light read with some interesting aspects still woven in.

Where The Crawdads Sing

2023-01-11 17:40:58 UTC

This book follows the life of a marsh girl who learns how to figure things out on her own. If you like murder mystery and you like romance, this would be a good book. In my opinion, this was a very good book. Once I started reading it, I could never put it down. It was always exciting, and left you wanting to read more.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by: Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 17:41:04 UTC

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is about a young woman living in Scotland. She was a normal job, but she is very socially awkward. As you read on, you come to realize how much baggage Eleanor carries which is the reason why she isolates herself in the first place. This book does a really good job on highlighting friendship and family trauma and it will leave you hanging until the very end.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2023-01-11 17:41:29 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing is a thrilling story of a young girl's life filled with hardship, love, and many more. It has a murder and romance all tied into one book. This book keeps you wondering till the very end. The only downside of this book is that it starts out slow because the author goes into very thorough depth which can be boring at times. But overall this book was very good and I enjoyed reading it.

The Invention Of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

2023-01-11 17:42:27 UTC

The Invention of Wings is really good. It's written from two different perspectives: Sarah, the daughter of a white slave owner, & Handful, a slave and Sarah's handmaid. The book follows both women through their lives as they try to find freedom and what that actually means/looks like for each of them. Sarah and her sister are based on real people: Sarah and Angelina Grimke, who were abolitionists and women's rights activists in the novel as well as real life.

Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel

2023-01-11 17:43:46 UTC

The book was okay it was not bad by any means but it was not great in my opinion. I like the post-apocalyptic style and setting of the book, and the way that the characters have to deal with this new wave of surviving. Although, it does get hard to follow at times because there are multiple flashbacks that last pages at a time or even chapters, and there are multiple main characters that can confuse the train of thought. Mandel also uses imaginary places for cities which causes confusion since she also uses real places such as Toronto. Since the Covid epidemic was a recent thing in our lives, this provides incite on what the world could have been like had Covid had extremely high death rates.

The Hunting of Hill House

2023-01-11 17:44:27 UTC

The Haunting of Hill House is an excellent representation of Shirley Jackson's strange and more horror style of writing created to question the physiological and supernatural tendencies of the characters and of course, your self. Throughout the book you constantly wonder what is going to happen next and develop a sense of relationship and understanding of the main character Eleanor as show slowly begins to question herself and her mind. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something new and honestly strange to read.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2023-01-11 17:44:59 UTC

"Circe" is an in-depth retelling of the titled Greek mythological figure. This novel takes you through the life story of a powerful woman, giving detail and life to a static ancient story. The imagery and detail of not only the setting, but of the characters and their development and growth as people. I highly recommend this book, it has become one of my favorites and is another testament to Madeline Miller's incredible storytelling abilities.

A Thousand Splendid Suns By Khaled Hosseini

2023-01-11 17:45:19 UTC

This book follows two women in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and reign of the Taliban. Everything about this book was amazing, the story of these women was told in a heartbreaking way, but at the same time so intriguing. It was a harsh book with many instances of violence, but the whole story truly showed the way that women were treated in this setting and showed the hardships that many different people had to go through. I genuinely enjoyed every page of this book and I would reccommend it for anyone to read.

The Dutch House

2023-01-11 17:46:51 UTC

The Dutch House follows the story of Danny over a time period of around 40 years, which is unlike most other books. He is kicked out of his rich lifestyle when his stepmother takes over the house, leaving him and his sister poor in a small apartment in New York City. Throughout the novel, he is faced with many challenges because of his traumatic childhood, leaving him scared to face the past. Overall, the book was decent in my opinion. It had a slow start and then got much more interesting as the story went on. I didn't love it, but I would recommend reading it because the complexity of the familial relationships is interesting to watch unfold (The entire book is based around family).

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 17:46:53 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is a mysterious novel that follows the life of Lydia Lee and what happens after her death. This book explores the relationships within a family plagued with deception and lying. Throughout her life Lydia feels a burden to be the perfect child in order to keep her family together in fear of what would happen to them if she did not. After her death the rest of the family has to find a way to move on. I would recommend this book because I think it can be applied to many prompts and it is also a fun read.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2023-01-11 17:47:07 UTC

In the novel Salvage the Bones, the story follows the young girl Esch as she goes through many physical and mental changes. Since her mother died, Esch has been the only girl in her family, so she was never able to really connect or trust others with issues concerning her body. The story is about her coming to terms with who she is and accepting her pregnancy, where she fights mainly within herself and draws inspiration from China, her brothers dog, who was also a recent monther. While the story is slow at moments, it's easy to get attached and relate to the characters - whether that's dealing with losing a parent or being forced to grow up too fast.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2023-01-11 18:00:20 UTC

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward is a brutal book about an African-American family dealing with poverty living in Mississippi during hurricane season. The only girl in the family, Esche, suffers with loneliness and her self-worth. She is pregnant but no one knows and she has no mother to go to. This book is sometimes frustrating and can be upsetting because their are controversial topics like parent abuse, and animal abuse. However, with all the depressing scenes, it is a pretty good book.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine- by Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 18:01:35 UTC

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is an emotional, yet encouraging novel based on a 30-year-old woman in Glasgow, Scotland. Eleanor was a young woman who was considered "socially awkward". Eleanor had many things on her plate, but throughout the novel, she develops and you start to love her. Overall, I found it interesting to see how childhood trauma can affect someone even when it is not addressed. Watching Eleanor as a character is shown, through her perseverance in her battles and the help of her peers. Gail Honeyman used great details in order to picture the story as if you were in it. Overall, I would highly recommend the book.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 18:02:03 UTC

This book was about Eleanor who is a woman who has had a traumatic childhood that has shaped who she is, how she talks, and the way that she treats others. I liked the book, it was a good read showing how childhood is a very important time for everyone in development and being raised in a bad environment can affect that. I also enjoyed that Eleanor had so much development throughout the story and by the end of it she was a whole new and better self.
4/5

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2023-01-11 18:12:56 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a captivating coming-of-age novel. The main character Kya Clark was abandoned at a young age and grew up differently from most children in her town. Without family or friends Kya quickly learns and grows a sense of independence and you'll find that justice is not always given to those who are guilty. I loved how this book kept me interested and involved the whole time. With many plot twists and Owens descriptive details left me wanting to read more. It is definitely worth reading!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

2023-01-11 18:19:49 UTC

Jane Eyre is famously known as a Victorian feminist novel. It is a first person novel that captures the inner feelings of an orphaned girl in the Victorian era as she goes through her adolescent years into adulthood. It covers strong themes of religion and morale. Following a diary sort of sequence, like many books written by women in this time, we see the hard times that Jane goes through as a child growing up in a boarding school after being disowned by her family. There is a lot of disturbing imagery and it takes a long time to get interesting. It's also in old English which might be hard to follow (it helps to read it in a British accent). I actually listened to a British woman read it which made it much more tolerable and interesting. And it has romance which can be enjoyable to many.

The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead

2023-01-11 19:46:17 UTC

The Nickel Boys follows the life of Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in Tallahassee, Florida in the 1960s. Its based on the Dozier school for boys located in Marianna, Florida, where troubled, young boys go. I liked this book and I never read. I would definitely recommend it. 9/10

The Song of Achilles

2023-01-11 19:46:41 UTC

The song of Achilles is a book telling the story of Achilles and Patroclus and their life together. It is from Patroclus' point of view. I loved this book so much, it was very well written. I couldn't put it down and almost read the entire book in one night. There's quite a lot of time skips, but the way the time skips are added is very smooth. If you like Greek mythology this is a very good choice. The Song of Achilles quickly became one of my favorite books.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine- Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 19:48:13 UTC

This book is about how Eleanor was affected in her adult life based on events that happened in her childhood. These events affected her from how she talks all the way to how she treats her job and how she treats herself. I really liked the book, it shines a light on the importance of mental health and checking in on others that act "fine," which most books don't do. Eleanor is an amazing character and the way she evolves throughout the book is spectacular. Overall, I thought that this book was amazing.

A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

2023-01-11 19:49:37 UTC

This book follows the lives of two women in Kabul, Afghanistan under the reign of the Taliban. Laila and Miriam come from vastly different upbringings, but they eventually meet and reside together. The novel is a heart breaking story. The plot is very fast paced, and is told from two different perspectives. At times, it was hard to follow since there were two perspectives, and the setting changed multiple times. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It gives us a view into what women were facing under the rule of the Taliban. The book is very violent at times, and has plenty of instances where there is graphic content. However, I would recommend the book to anyone. It is interesting, and keeps readers intrigued to see what happens next. It moves quickly, and teaches many lessons. This book will apply to numerous question 3 prompts, and has plenty of evidence to support various universal themes. Definitely a good read.

Where The Crawdads Sing

2023-01-11 19:50:15 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing is an emotional coming of age novel. The beginning starts out slow in thoroughly describing Kya, the main character) and the kind of world she grew up in. This novel portrays the idea of independence and how Kya is forced to grow up with no one but the bayou. This story also represents love and murder, two things that are bound to make a good read. This book is amazing, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about relationships, suspense, and overall hardship.

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

2023-01-11 19:50:36 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a coming-of-age story of a young girl named Kya. Abandoned as a child in the marsh, she learned to live on her own and was an outcast to society. This novel is emotional and brings light to the stigmas society gives people. I would recommend others to read this novel and reflect on the themes this story presents.

The Road by Cormack McCarthy

2023-01-11 19:51:16 UTC

The Road is a slow paced story trailing the lives of a father and son. Following the death of their mother the father and son set out in an apocalyptic world to find the coast whilst following "The Road". Throughout their travels we are able to see their struggle with food, people, and the elements. The book goes chronologically showing how their adventure progresses throughout time and how they struggle with starvation and people even having to resort to violence just to survive. While surviving the son has to learn how to carry "the fire" which is essentially referring to the grit and will it takes to live in this world. I personally enjoyed the book mostly due to its setting and pace. It really brought out the reality of the situation and how hard it was for the father to keep pushing on. Definitely a very good book to read!

Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng

2023-01-11 19:52:02 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is a mystery novel that gives a glimpse of our main character Lydia's death. It gives us details about the aftermath of her death through her family members lives, while also giving us flashbacks of many characters including Lydia, her mother, and her father. This story goes through the characters trying to figure out what happened to her and why something of this sort would happen to their beautiful, smart, responsible, "picture perfect" child. We learn that there is no such thing as a perfect family, and that the pressures put on kids by parents can be terminal, literally. This story kind of flows oddly in how engaged it can make you feel at times. It was a nice hook at the beginning, tiresome in the middle, then intriguing once more near the end.

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2023-01-11 19:52:03 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a murder mystery, romance, and coming-of-age novel about a girl form the Carolina marsh named Kya Clark. She was abandoned by her family and was alone in her shack most of her teenage years. She had to do everything for herself which shaped her into the adult that she was in the book. I adored this book and how it captured how life would have been for someone living in the marsh. This book really captured all of the hardships that she went through and explained everything in explicit detail. It was very different from something that I would picture myself reading, but I do recommend this book to everyone.

The Leavers by Lisa Ko

2023-01-11 19:52:29 UTC

The Leavers is an absolutely heartbreaking novel detailing family, culture, and belonging. The novel consistently shifts between perspectives: that of Deming, a Chinese adoptee, and Peilan, his birth mother. The characters have genuine, believeable flaws that make them more relatable than any I've ever seen. None of the characters are flawless, or even good people--they are exactly like us. All the characters are so incredibly human, which makes the novel so much more immersive and intensifies every emotion you may feel throughout--pride, joy, disappointment, anger--because Ko does such a spectacular job of making readers feel like they *know* these characters. Overall, a life-changing read. You haven't lived until you've read this book. Not kidding.

1984 by George Orwell - AJ

2023-01-11 19:52:39 UTC

1984 is a dystopian novel set in a society where the oceanic is ruled by a one party totalitarian government where writing in books is illegal and thought crime is punishable by death. The book follows Winston who is a member of the lower party. The book follows as he tries to break free from the party. The book tackles a lot of political ideas against ideals such as communism and propaganda. The book does a good job of showing detail in the things Winston does and giving the reader a clear image about what is happening. For me the book was pretty slow at some points and not as gripping and easy to just read through as Orwell's other book Animal Farm. It tackles a lot of similar ideas and also has a great story. The build up to the climax was well worth it and the end was very well written. It gave you feelings of several different emotions and the feeling of hopelessness. Overall it is a good book and a must read if you don't mind the length. I give this book a 7/10 with 5 being average.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2023-01-11 19:52:54 UTC

The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien is a historical fiction novel that truly encompasses the horrors that are present in war. It is set during the Vietnam war, and is centered around a soldier, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. Throughout the novel, Jimmy and his platoon are forced through many hardships and see many of their friends die. This book shows the brutality of the Vietnam war through intense fight scenes and gruesome details. It is a very intriguing book that always keeps you listening, and helps to understand that war is real, and that not every story gets a happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the action makes you want to keep reading.

2023-01-11 19:53:02 UTC

Ally
The Handmaid's Tale by Margret Attwood followed a handmaid and her life story on how she got to where she is and the hardships she dealt with on the way. She was forced into this life since she was one of very few women that were fertile and able to have children in this modern era based story where the fertility rates were dropping at a alarming rate. To know more on the context of the story makes it a easier read, but was difficult at some times to follow since a lot of the story is flash backs to before or different times. I also feel like the story could of gone more in depth or her family. Overall was a good easy read that is fit for lots of prompts.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

2023-01-11 19:54:10 UTC

Beloved by Toni Morrison is a unique ghost story following the life of an former slave name Sethe who can't escape the trauma of her past. After the reappearance of another former slave upsets the balance of Sethe's life with her two daughers in their house—one dead and one alive—a mysterious young woman named Beloved shows up at her doorstep to further drastically change their lives and force Sethe to confront the past she tried so desperately to forget. The style and constant flashbacks in this story could be confusing at times, but it was an amazing read that introduces new perspectives on slavery, the past, and generational trauma.

Brave New World

2023-01-11 19:54:24 UTC

Brace new world is set in a dystopian society where everything and everyone is controlled by the goverment. I throughly enjoyed reading this book and it gave me another way to view lots of things in our society, like the drugs the government distributes to keep the people happy.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

2023-01-11 19:54:53 UTC

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel, throughout which themes of oppression, unity, and resistance exist. I enjoyed this novel because of its realistic approach to a theoretical situation. The narrator provided insight into her own thoughts as well as her interpretation of the world around her as the story progressed, which allowed for readers to put themselves into her situation more easily. The story was intriguing and highly emotional in some parts of its progression. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy dystopian novels, contemplate theoretical situations, and view life from a philosophical perspective.

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

2023-01-11 19:55:17 UTC

The Grapes of Wrath is a meaningful novel that is based on true historical situations. It consists of a family who loses their land and is required to migrate west in hopes of work and a place to call home. With the many hardships they face, it is easy to get engrossed and wonder what may happen next as the family continues moving. The novel consistently reminds the reader of the hardships of the past, but also continues to show how some things have yet to change as time has progressed. Overall, I highly enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it to anyone who is looking for something to read.

The Nickel Boys -Colson Whitehaed

2023-01-11 20:08:18 UTC

The Nickel Boys is about Elwood's time at a corrections boarding school, Nickel Academy. Elwood is a black boy growing up in Florida in the 1960s, so he deals with many struggles before, during, and even after being at Nickel. It was different. I'm not quite sure I liked it, but I didn't dislike it. It was super hard to get into, to get interested in. But once I got to the third part, which was set in the present time instead of the past. At that point, it became more suspenseful rather than just a retelling. You could something was coming, but you didn't know what it was. Overall, I'd give it a 6/10. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really for me.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

2023-01-11 20:10:47 UTC

This story written by Gail Honeyman is about the socially awkward Eleanor Oliphant. Right at the beginning, we are introduced to this main character as someone who prefers to do things alone and lives the life of a normal adult; going to work five days a week and then going back home. Nothing more and nothing less. So she is pretty relatable to us. As we learn why she is so awkward, it teaches us lessons such as why having a healthy mental state is so important. Something that I didn't really like about this book was that the beginning was really hard to get into, but once you get to a certain point, and you will know once you get there, the story gets really interesting. It is kind of annoying how she just keeps criticizing everyone's social skills every time she talks to someone new, but it does give us a perspective of what she is thinking. I would rate this story a 3/5 because the ending was really good and I had to finish it the same day I got to the good point but I really did not like the beginning because of how slow the book moved in my opinion and how annoying Eleanor's interactions are with others.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossani

2023-01-19 15:11:58 UTC

This Historical Fiction novel follows two women in Afghanistan during the soviet invasion as well as the Taliban's rule. This story was incredible, it follows the story of two women who were married off to the same abusive husband. The way their struggles and friendship are portrayed is absolutely heartbreaking but beautiful. The women's struggles and abuse faced are very vividly described, and can sometimes be hard to read because of how real the imagery is. Despite this, the book is incredible and inspiring and I would recommend it to everyone.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2023-01-19 16:47:52 UTC

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien tells the war stories and how they mentally affected himself, as the book goes on. The story really allows the reader to understand and feel the horrible and gruesome aspects of war, and they mental affect those experiences have on their health. Personally, I believe the novel is a great story to read to really understand what people had to go through to make our country what it is today.

Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng

2023-01-26 02:21:23 UTC

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng is a book about a seemingly perfect family in a small town in Ohio when their pride and joy daughter, Lydia Lee. The book goes back and forth between the point of view of different family members as they go through the heartbreak and grief of this tragic accident. But as the book goes on the more secrets become known and the real Lee family comes into the light. As the pressure of looking still put-together for the public eye after Lydia's death slowly squeezes the lies out of the family, you get to see just how "perfect" they really are. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves drama and thrill. I could not put this book down once I started it because you will want to keep reading just to find out what secret is going to be exposed next. It was really interesting to get to read from almost every main characters point of view's and I think that is what made the book even better.

Brave New World

2023-01-26 18:04:59 UTC

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is set in a dystopian society where everyone belongs to everyone and the government is in complete control of everything. I enjoyed reading this book, it gave interesting perspectives into more than one character and it has major themes that are still quite relevant to today.

1984 by George Orwell

2023-02-07 14:40:59 UTC

Nineteen Eighty Four is a novel set in a dystopian society ran by a singular party. Orwell's novel follows Winston Smith as he fights the oppression of the party. Winston does things against the party's rule put upon society such as expressing his thoughts in a hand written diary. Winston also pursues a relationship. Orwell in 1984 has seemed to exploit many flaws of society. I enjoyed this read because of the action and desire set forth by the characters Orwell created.

Everything I Never Told You Celeste Ng

morehartpaige24 — 2024-01-11 13:59:49 UTC

This book is soooooo good! I am not a big reader but I would read this again on my own time. The whole book is a mystery and it keeps you guessing the whole time. At the very end everything makes sense and its so satisfying. Its pretty modern so I could still relate to a lot of the plot. It has drama, plot twist, and even made me cry. I %100 recommend reading this book with a friend and discussing the end because its crazy.

Daisy Jones and the six- Taylor Jenkins Reid

2024-01-11 14:01:52 UTC

The novel follows a band of six members and singer Daisy Jones as they deal with their upcoming fame. They worked from the bottom up and gained their place in rock and roll. Although behind the stage, drug addiction, taboo relations, and family trauma is what they must face. This book protrays what you see isn't always the truth. I thought it was a great book with good insight look on each character. everyone should read!

Remarkably Bright Creatures

hobbsgracelyn24 — 2024-01-11 14:02:39 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures would fit into a category of being about a dysfunctional family. Cameron lives his whole life not knowing his upbringing and because of this, he uses it as an excuse to not make anything of himself in life and always losing his job. After his girlfriend breaks up with him, he moves to Sowell Bay where he believes he will find out who his father is and why his mother left him. While he is there, he takes on a job as a janitor in a local aquarium where he befriends an octopus and an elder woman named Tova. As Cameron meets several people along the way, the story of who his father was impacts his decisions and behaviors as well as how the truth unfolds.

Overall, it was fun to read. There really weren't many parts in the book where I got bored. I would say however that it wouldn't be one of my favorite books. The plot is fun, and its fun to read, but its usually not one of those books that most people would say is there favorite.

The Book Thief

2024-01-11 14:03:58 UTC

The book thief is about a girl who is adopted in Germany under the Nazi regime. The story follows her as she grows up during the war. The story has love,loss,sadness, and joy. The characters were very relatable in the fact that they were not perfect, and are relatable. This book will definitely make you cry a lot!! It is so good though I cannot recommend it enough!

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

2024-01-11 14:04:07 UTC

The Vanishing Half encompasses a story of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes who live in a small town in New Orleans where everybody claims to be and is strictly only "light skinned". The twins run away from the town but soon become strangers to each other due to Stella's decisions and secret keeping. The novel then goes on to show Desiree and Stella's lives apart, along with their own two daughters who have no clue they other exists. Throughout the entire novel, you get to feel for each and every character as they are all having different emotions and experiences. The ideas that secrets are always exposed and deceiving family members hurts both you and your family are explored. I am not a fan of reading but once I started the book I always looked forward to reading it. I would recommend it to any girl who doesn't normally like to read.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2024-01-11 14:05:36 UTC

The book takes place in Ancient Greece and is the story of Achilles from the perspective of Patroclus. Throughout the story, there are a series of conflicts that challenge both Achilles and Patroclus. The ending is mostly sad, but it is a great story about the two and is a great take on the story of Achilles. I would recommend this book to anybody looking to read a somewhat romance novel. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

2024-01-11 14:05:47 UTC

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a coming of age novel. The novel revolves around a first generation Vietnamese-American boy by the name of Little Dog. Throughout the novel, Little Dog discusses various issues he has with his mother. However, the issues with his mother aren't the only matter discussed throughout the novel. There were a few graphic scenes, which didn't bother me but definitely could definitely bother others. In my personal opinion, the book was very good and written in such a poetic way which made it almost impossible to want to put it down. It was a very eye opening novel about the livelihood of those who try and become accustomed to American lifestyles. Not only this, but it also hits on the points on drug use and homosexuality. Him coming to terms with his sexuality plays into finding a space for himself in a world that doesn't seem to accept him, not only for his desires but for his race.

The Nickle Boys

blueowen24 — 2024-01-11 14:05:51 UTC

The Nickle Boys explores the adventures of a boy named Elwood who lives in Florida in the 1960s during this time he lives with his grandma, and excels in school , to escape the prejudice of his town and give him more opportunity Elwood sets off to attend a college but on this journey he runs into trouble that will change his life forever. My opinion of the book was that it had a really great message and an amazing ending , Although in the beginning parts of the book can drag on and be slow and somewhat hard to read it was still very interesting. 7.5/10

East of Eden

2024-01-11 14:05:52 UTC

The novel "East of Eden" follows the relationships of brothers Adam and Charles and then Arron and Cal. This also shows insight into human life that still resonates with us today. I also liked Cathy as a character even though she was a little odd in my mind. This book lurches towards determinism and things being out of our control and then right at the end Steinbeck gives us hope. This shows that a relationship can be thwarted but can still be fixed in the book.

Circe

2024-01-11 14:05:57 UTC

Circe by Madeline Miller is a mythological novel that follows the life of the Goddess Circe. This story is a large quest to find an identity. It spans thousands of years and it can sometimes be difficult to tell when things are happening. But each small story embedded in the large one is shocking and heart-wrenching. This book is great for Greek mythology lovers because of its pace and storyline. Understanding who all the characters were as a first-time Greek mythology reader was a little difficult, but by the end of the book, I could understand what was happening.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

2024-01-11 14:06:00 UTC

This time piece by Zora Neale Hurston takes place in southern Jim Crow America. The story focuses on Janie, a black woman who tries to find happiness while dealing with the societal expectations of black people and women. With plot twists, humorous moments, and thoughtful social commentary, it makes for a captivating read. However, the heavy southern accents in the dialogue can make it difficult to read.

Everything I Never Told You

2024-01-11 14:06:43 UTC

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng is a mysterious novel about a perfect looking family that has many secrets. Throughout the novel you learn more and more about the family leading to how Lydia, the family's golden child, was found dead in a lake. This is the best book I've ever read and I wish I could read it for the first time again. It's a murder mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book and always wanting to read more.

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2024-01-11 14:06:44 UTC

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a great and entertaining version of the story originally written by Homer in the Iliad. In this version of the book, one of the only flat characters in all of the Iliad Patroclus becomes the main character and adds depth to the character. In the original, Patroclus was Achilles' favorite cousin, in this iteration of the story Patroclus is Achilles' lover. This makes far more sense with the story because after Patroclus dies, Achilles flies into a rage in both versions. It makes far more sense to have this reaction for a lover rather than a favorite cousin. Over all, the classic story of the Iliad was expanded upon by adding more depth and meaning to Patroclus' character, making for an entertaining read.

Where the Crawdads Sing

2024-01-11 14:07:59 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a mystery novel revolving around Kya Clark, a girl growing up in the marsh. Her early life is difficult, and creates a connection to readers as many will face some of the struggles she goes through in some way. The book is constantly evolving and complex, showing different narratives and timelines in a small time span. As the book makes different twists, the reader is constantly involved. This book is an enjoyable book, and would be a good read regardless who you are.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2024-01-11 14:08:10 UTC

Daisy Jones and The Six is a historical fiction novel based on rock bands of mainly the 70's and 80's. This book shows how hard work can pay off, but it also shows how addiction, lying, and other harmful habits can ruin relationships. Main characters Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne join forces to pursue rock and roll fame, although along the road to glory there is multiple roadblocks. Overall, I loved this book and every time I read it I was entertained and wanted to read more.

Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng

rosshanna24 — 2024-01-11 14:08:21 UTC

Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng is a mysterious novel that tells the story of the Chinese American family, the Lee's. Throughout the novel we see the repercussions of emotional damage, isolation, racism, societal issues, and high parental expectations. The author provides perspectives for each of the family members during all of the different hardships they face. The book is very suspenseful and has many emotions. The author mainly focuses on Lydia Lee, the oldest daughter. We get to see what leads her to her death and the after math of it. This book was overall really good, and one that I would recommend if you like to be kept on the edge of your seat.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

ornelasbriana24 — 2024-01-11 14:08:22 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures is about an old women named Tova with a dead son and husband. Also, about Cameron a younger man who doesn't know his origins and sets out to find the truth with the hopes of getting money. This book is very interesting, fun, and keeps you engaged. The characters change throughout the whole book and are very relatable especially Cameron. This book is very touching and it makes you grow close to all the characters. It brings you through all the hardships the characters go through and that is what made the ending so satisfying. I was bummed that the book was over but also over joyed at its ending.

Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 14:09:18 UTC

The mysterious novel, Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng, is a fascinating story about a seemingly normal family who loses their eldest daughter Lydia. This novel is full of secrets and unknowns and as the novel progresses the more is uncovered about what actually happened to Lydia. This story expresses the scary reality of how pressuring parents who want their children to be perfect usually end up negatively harming them.

1984 by George Orwell

2024-01-11 14:10:23 UTC

1984 is a dystopian novel where the people's lives are controlled by a corrupt government. Winston Smith, the protagonist of the story, fights against the oppression in his society. Through Winston, Orwell was able to create a thought provoking story that is a commentary, and a warning about totalitarian governments. I enjoyed 1984 because of the flaws that every character in the book has, but the well defined justification of why they act the way they do.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

2024-01-11 14:12:01 UTC

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous details the heartbreaking triumphs that Vuong faced throughout his childhood to his adult years. Vuong is a poet, and that is clear with every line being beautifully crafted. Within the first few pages of this book, I was hooked. Vuong has a way of putting every emotion and image into words that I have not seen with any other author before. He bears the physical and emotional abuse he faced throughout his childhood from his mom to you in an extremely raw and real way. "You're a mother, Ma. You're also a monster. But so am I - which is why I can't turn away from you." This novel grabs your heartstrings and forces you to understand and learn Vuong's unfortunate family dynamic of his abusive traumatized mother and his grandmother whose mind is slowly slipping away from her. This is an absolutely fascinating novel because of Vuong's ability to write and his unfortunate circumstances he has gone through. I would read this again in a heartbeat.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2024-01-11 14:12:13 UTC

Cayden Hartman

Fahrenehit 451 is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic society. It is portrayed through the life of a man who is going against the grain of mediocracy. It is full of futuristic action scenes and suspensful chases. I loved reading this book because of how intrigued I was the entire time I was reading it. I would definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to sit down and read a thrilling novel.

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

2024-01-11 14:30:35 UTC

Karalyn Whited

Sing, Unburied, Sing is based in the mid to late 1900s during a very racist time period. This book shines a light on how racism can affect families for generations. The book is told in multiple different points of view so we can see more deeply into each character and how they think and feel. In this book there is drug abuse, violence, and murder. I personally loved this book because for me it is very touching. Jojo's family is similar in a way to my family and his grandma struggles with cancer throughout the whole book. This book is very entertaining and all the while mystical.

Everything I never Told you by Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 14:51:31 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is a very interesting story it is about a family whose daughter dies mysteriously and the whole family goes into shambles. The point of view is from a 3rd person that goes from character to character telling the thoughts and ideas of everyone. I thought the book was pretty mid but if you want to read it all power to you because if the fate of the world was on the line for me to read the book I would not read it again.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2024-01-11 14:52:12 UTC

For someone who doesn't really like reading I can easily put this book at a 9/10. Fahrenheit 451 does a great job in envisioning a messed up dystopian setting by starting off the book with critical scenes. Overall the story was amazing, however it soon lost momentum in my opinion. Overall the characters are relatable, the story is easy to follow and perfectly blends suspense and events. I just wish the ending was at the same pace and volume as the book started off.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2024-01-11 14:55:13 UTC

Circe is a book based on the Greek myth about a goddess who is exiled to an isolated island. This book travels through the waves of Circe's life, the development of her magic, and the growth of her character. Madeline Miller weaves the story honestly and tragically. Miller does not try to hide or lessen Circe's numerous misdeeds but rather shows the circumstances behind them, how they haunt her future, and how she overcomes them and learns from her mistakes. This legendary tale is worth reading for the history behind it and the transformative nature of it. Not only do you learn how Circe grows from her misdeed, but you also find ways to grow from your own mistakes in reading the marvels of this book.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2024-01-11 14:55:24 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing is a coming-of -age story. The main character Kya Clark grew up alone and an outcast from her town. Kya has to learn to live on her own and become independent at such a young age. She learns that the world is a dark place and that justice is not always given. This book kept me interested and on my toes wanting to see what happens next. Overall this was a good book and would recommend anyone to read it.

Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

2024-01-11 14:55:27 UTC

Bailey Hattenhauer

Where The Crawdads Sing was something that was so beautiful to read. A girl from the marsh, Kya Clark, grows up with a rocky home life where everyone left her except her abusive father. She learned how to take care of herself and her father at a very young age. She finds love with 2 guys. One of them, Tate, goes to college for study and the other, Chase, ends up dead. Kya becomes a suspect for the investigation, but later gets released because she is innocent. Tate came back and they grew old together until she passed away. It is later seen that Tate was cleaning out her things and packing them away that he found something special...

Where the Crawdads Sing

2024-01-11 14:55:38 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a mystery/thriller novel about a young girl named Kya. As a child, she was abandoned and she had to survive off her own intelligence and survival skills. This book has a mix of love and murder which are things that make a book good. I would recommend this book to people who like romance novels but also who like a little mystery as well. I enjoyed this book and I loved how it was very descriptive.

Where The Crawdads Sing

2024-01-11 14:55:46 UTC

Where the crawdads sing is set in a carolina marsh where we are introduced to a young girl named Kya Clark, The storys plot revolves around Kya's misfortune but also highlights the pure enjoyment she finds in life. If you are looking for a book that becomes more of an emotional attachment than pages bound together this book is for you.

The Odyssey - Grant Wells

2024-01-11 14:56:33 UTC

The Odyssey is one of the earliest classics in human history, a widely influential hallmark of literature.

It's honestly a pretty hard read: choosing a translation that fits your reading style is very important. I personally enjoy the verse translations.

This epic holds within mythology and stories burned into the cultural zeitgeist. The very structure of its plot is used in modern novels, the most on-the-nose being the second volume of the Percy Jackson series: The Sea of Monsters. If you are a fan of historical lore and mythologies, definitely give this book a read.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2024-01-11 14:57:01 UTC

Salvage the Bones is a true insight to African American lifestyle on the Mississippi Gulf. This novel paints the feelings of the main character, Esch, while also showing insight to life as a girl without a mother. Esch had three brothers, and was the only daughter living with her drunken father. Esch faced several challenges, one being her pregnancy which she denied telling her family. In this book, I learned about poverty, familial loss, and discrimination more than anything. Though their father worked, he did not provide much for the children and had them perform many laboring tasks to help him work. This book is painfully real and brutal at times, but it shows significance of a girl in a man's world and how she persevered throughout it.

Catch - 22 by Joseph Heller

2024-01-11 14:58:53 UTC

Catch 22 is an ironic satire on not only the US military but also World War 2 and the ways we view Patriotism. We mainly follow Captain John Yossarian as he progresses through the war just trying to stay alive. Along the way, we get to see how the bureaucracy of the government and the upper leadership's greed hurts not only the war effort but the lives of the entire squadron. I found the book to be full of comedy mixed in with sad moments that make you question our military.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

2024-01-11 14:59:47 UTC

Demon Copperhead is a bildungsroman or a coming of age story that follows the life of a kid named Damon. It follows his life as he deals with things in life like abuse, foster care and drug addictions just to name a few. It shows how he deals with it and shows his decisions he made in his life. I really enjoyed reading this there is a lot of things that happened in this novel and throughout the characters life. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun book to read. The only thing against this book that I had is if you procrastinate it was a lot of pages and you need to actually read it periodically because it will be very difficult to speed read around the time of the deadline.

The Iliad by Homer

2024-01-11 15:00:57 UTC

The Iliad describes a conflict with two neighboring nations from one of the earliest epic poems of history and has influenced many works and will continue to. it is pretty difficult to understand and complex in many natures. I had mixed feelings towards this book as i was confused yet intrigued by the word usage and the path of the story however if i could understand it better i feel i would have no issue putting this epic among the better that i have read.

The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson

2024-01-11 15:01:39 UTC

The Haunting of Hill House tells the story of three adults, all with unique histories, who are invited to stay at Hill House over the summer. Hill House was built in the early 19th century and like the guests invited has an interesting past. The novel tells the story of the time they all stayed in Hill House and every ominous instance that occurred there. This novel is psychological, and unlike anything I have ever read before. I would recommend it to someone who is interested in a novel with a serious tone, since it focuses a lot on grief. While at some points it was slow the ending was worth the read.

Everything I never Told you - Celeste Ng - KATHY THAI

2024-01-11 15:01:51 UTC

Everything I Never Told You starts off with an interracial family who faces discrimination and challenges throughout the story. There's also a huge hit in the face when the story starts off with the death of one of the Lee daughters, Lydia. Although dead, no one seemed to know why or how and this caused the struggle crisis throughout the rest of the story. In my opinion, I enjoyed this book because I was able to relate to some key moments in this book and it has a very interesting plot and story line. While reading this book, I found myself wanting to keep reading more and more, and I'm not normally the one to read but this book kept drawing me in.

Atonement - Ian McEwan

2024-01-11 15:02:48 UTC

Addison Walton

Atonement tells the story of how one's mistake made in their younger days can affect the rest of their life. The story takes place in Europe over the course of WW2. The main character, Briony is 13 when she has an awful deception and acts on it, this ends up destroying the lives of many including the ones closest to her. The story has everything wrapped into one romance, heart break, action, and coming of age. Even though the book might seem long, it's never boring as it captures the point of views from multiple characters, allowing the reader to see different perspectives. Definitely a great read and I highly recommend if you wanna be thrill-fully entertained or cry.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2024-01-11 15:48:22 UTC

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story of the famous Evelyn Hugo and her rise to fame and all of the trials and tribulations she faces along the way. Evelyn faces all of the harsh realities of Hollywood, and struggles to get there in the first place. Evelyn hires a not-so-random woman to write her biography and tell of her life stories and how she went through seven husbands. This book is exciting and something unexpected comes around every corner you turn. I love this book and I would definitely recommend this book for someone who likes drama and needs a book that gets their attention right away.

Where the crawdads Sing.

2024-01-11 15:48:44 UTC

Overall it was an amazing book and I felt like I learned a lot through reading it. It was about an abandoned girl who learned how to live on her own. There was tragedy, love, passion all in this one book. In hind sight I would have not chosen a book where I knew what was going to happen and would feel more invested if I did not know what was going to happen next. With that being said it was an emotional yet freeing book and I would recommend.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

2024-01-11 15:48:59 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures is at first a book about two peoples lives in two completely different places. This books sets up the background of characters well and allows the reader to have empathy and feel for their sad situations. As the book goes on the characters begin to cross paths and continually create a connection. The book closes on a heartwarming and satisfying note, which makes the whole book come together. I recommend this book because its theme allows you to remember that everyone is fighting their own battles, whether you can see it or not.

Everything I Never Told You- Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 15:50:30 UTC

Everything I Never Told You Is based on a family of 5 who has faced discrimination. Our attention is grabbed in the beginning when we read that Lydia is dead. Throughout you are given the information that led to understand what led to her death and how she ended dying. When I had read this book I felt that it was a book that definitely kept you attention and made you want to read more. But for someone who does not do well on comprehending what they are reading it was a little harder because it transitioned back and forth between time a lot. It make it hard to understand what was happening and at what time period in the book it had happened. You would go from the after math of Lydia's death to the investigation of trying to figure out what led to it. If you struggle to read and are looking for a book that will get you hooked though I believe this is a good one.

The Nickel Boys- Colson Whitehead

2024-01-11 15:51:33 UTC

The Nickel Boys is about a boy named Elwood during the Civil Rights movement. Elwood finds himself getting into a bad situation and ends up being sent to a reform school called the Nickel Academy. There he meets his best friend, Jack, and they witness and go through things that no kid should have to. Most of these things consist of brutality from the white men in charge of the school. The boys end up trying to make an escape from the academy and it ends in a shock.

Everything I never Told you- Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 15:52:15 UTC

Everything I Never Told you is about a family facing challenges throughout their time. The biggest one they face it the death of one of their daughters Lydia. This book was very interesting in my opinion because it was a mystery and it instantly got to the point. Reading is hard for me and this book made it easy. The book reflects back and forth throughout time which was kind of confusing but if you really read you won't be confused. This is a great book and it's one of the mysteries that doesn't have crazy things, Everything that happens in this book is what can happen in real life which is why i like the book. It's a realistic mystery.

Everything I never Told You by Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 15:52:17 UTC

Everything I never Told You is about a interracial family that goes through many struggles throughout the book. This book comes with many plot twist ans shocking events. Let me tell you I am not a reader but I could not put this book down. It was a bit diffrent from other books beacuse you got to see how each family member lived from their own point of view and got to see what they really stuggled with. This novel is just full of secrets. I would 100% recomend this book to anyone.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

2024-01-11 15:52:21 UTC

Eleanor Oliphant goes into the depths of a woman who has struggles that no one knows about. Her establishment of a strict routine is how she copes with a difficult childhood. This novel tracks how repetition and constant irritations in life can chip away at humans leading them to their demise. It expands on mental health and the importance of relationships as one continues their journey of life. This book kept me attentive and wanting to know more about Eleanor and why she acts the way she does.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

2024-01-11 15:52:26 UTC

The Jungle tells the heartbreaking and treacherous story of a young Lithuanian family who moves to Chicago in pursuit of a better life for themselves and future generations. In direct opposition to what the family has been told about the "free" economy of the United States, they soon discover that it is just as corrupt and willing to sacrifice human lives to maintain the bottom lines of the workboss' as in their home country. You will quickly develop a deeply personal relationship with almost all the characters in this book as they try their best to navigate the complicated and hostile world that they have placed themselves in, in the hopes of a better life.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

2024-01-11 15:53:07 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures tells the story of a octopus named Marcellous and a Lady named Tova who is the nightly cleaner at the local aquarium. Cameron is another character in the book and he has set out to find out who his father really is. This book was really interesting, but at first and during reading it I could not tell if I really liked it however towards the end of the book I couldn't stop reading it and I had to figure out what was going to happen next. The octopus is a really neat character, as he has his own little point of views throughout the story and you will really enjoy reading his parts. Overall, it was enjoyable to read this book however reading isn't my passion, but if I had to read a book it would be this one.

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2024-01-11 15:53:12 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is a coming-of-age story of a girl named Kya, she lives on her own in the marshes of Carolina after her family abandons her at a young age. She grows through her relationships with the people around her and her love for the marsh. Everything changes when Kya is accused of a town murder. I loved reading this book. It has many twists and turns that make you want to keep reading. The first few chapters are a little slow while introducing the backstory, but the pace picks up after that. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery. There is also a movie that you can compare it to after you finish the novel. If I could do it over I would 100% choose this book again!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin

2024-01-11 15:53:41 UTC

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow's story revolves around love, while not being about romance. It follows 2 college dropouts, Sam & Sadie, who have been friends since they were 11 & 12, but grew apart as life went on. They reunite while attending college at Harvard, & their career interests cross paths. Both have an interest in video games, so they decide to drop college & pursue developing their own video game. It follows the connection between Sam & Sadie, along with the journey they travel as being game developers

Station Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel

2024-01-11 15:53:44 UTC

Station Eleven is a story in which the present world as we know it has collapsed do to a ravaging viral infection called the Georgian Flu. The Georgian Flu has a high lethality rate and is able to kill the host within a matter of days. The story starts with the disease spreading out of Russia, and people coming to North America by plane and accidentally spreading the disease, the disease then spreads like Wildfire and every hospital near the area of Toronto is at capacity. The Georgian Flu then wipes out 99% of humanity within weeks, leaving those left to scavenge and survive without the use of technology. Along with this there is a raging Prophet scouring the landscape looking to indoctrinate people with his beliefs. This book consistently changes time periods to days and months before the flu, to 20-25 years after "The Collapse". Overall this book is an amazing read, and as a person who doesn't like to read a lot, this book definitely encourages me to read more because of how enjoyable it really was. At times this book is very tense and meticulous, but has many great scenes as well as messages in it and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a read a great dystopian novel.

Salvage The Bones - Tessa Poor

2024-01-11 15:53:47 UTC

Salvage The Bones was a great, easy read. It follows a teen girl through weeks before and through Hurricane Katrina, including some personal battles along the way. While also having to be in a poor part of Mississippi and African American. She has some major life changing conflicts like her pregnancy. This book is a very real time in following events of how her life is going at this time. There are major connections to her mother in the book as her mom passed away a few years before this story was told. I do recommend this book as it is an interesting story, but you have to stay reading as sometimes it gets kinda slow at times like life does.

Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens

2024-01-11 15:53:48 UTC

Throughout reading this book , I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though I had seen the movie previous to reading this book , it was still a suspenseful read. As we see Kya coming of age throughout this book , her layers are also revealed in dramatic ways. Kya goes through struggle, love, and accomplishment through her crazy journey of life. It is easy to say that this book will keep you on your toes and has remarkable depth.

Where The Crawdads Sing - By: Delia Owens

2024-01-11 15:53:50 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing was a really good book, even if you have seen the movie. It is based on a girl named Kya who lives in a Carolina marsh. She is known as the marsh girl. She has a life full of tragedy and is accused of many things. She becomes a suspect of a murder. Most of the town is against her, and despite losing all of her family, she finds supporters. Kya represents a strong and determined girl. I'm not a huge reader but I loved reading this. It is a motivating book that touches your heart but will leave you second guessing.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- Taylor Jenkins Reid

2024-01-11 15:54:10 UTC

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows a Hollywood actress: Evelyn Hugo. The book starts with Monique, a struggling journalist. Monique meets Evelyn and is given the opportunity to write Evelyn's biography. The book has a good balance between the two characters, and how they affect each other's lives. In the book we learn Evelyn's story from Monique's point of view and of all the obstacles of being a famous actress that Evelyn encountered. Overall, the book is one of my favorites I have read. The book explores femininity and confidence. I love the way the writing was unique. There were many twists and turns that had me consistently intrigued.

Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut

2024-01-11 15:55:36 UTC

The book tells the story of the events leading up to the end of the world where it follows a very plain narrator who contrasts with all the other interesting and weird characters. It's a pretty funny book and it's not very long which was good for me since I don't really like to read. Sometimes I got confused while reading partly because the book has some very weird and unrealistic moments but you just have to go with it and realize the book is just over the top sometimes and isn't trying to be set in a normal world. Pretty solid book, though I don't plan on reading it again any time soon.

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward

2024-01-11 15:57:01 UTC

Salvage The Bones is set during the time of Hurricane Katrina where Esch and her 3 brothers navigate going through life with no mother figure and an alcoholic father. This story focuses on Esch going through life without a mother figure and the consequences of what can happen without proper guidance in her life. This story is constantly keeping you at the edge of your seat and showing several life lessons that Esch is learning without a mother figure. Although it started off slow when it picked up, it kept up with the fast pace of events and kept you feeling so many things towards all of the characters.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

2024-01-11 15:57:58 UTC

This charming story about an Octopus, an old woman, and a young man's journey through friendship, hope, and an unlikely relationship between said woman and octopus. The book was captivating and a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who can handle mature language.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

2024-01-11 15:58:59 UTC

The Poisonwood Bible follows the Price family from Georgia, USA to the Belgium Congo on a mission trip, and after almost 10 months their lives get turned upside-down. I thought that this book was an interesting read, as it shows the family going through trial as soon as they get to the Congo. The book also shows how the Price family dynamic changes as their lives change while they are in the Congo.

Crime and Punishment By Fyodor Dostoevsky

2024-01-11 15:59:03 UTC

Crime and Punishment follows Raskolnikov and as the title implies his life as he commits a crime and the subsequent punishment that follows. The book is heavily centered around Christian themes of redemption and renewal. Each character is deeply flawed however aspects of each can be related among all people. While the book isn't a captivating read on the surface level if you take a fine tooth comb to it and break down all of the allusions, metaphors, etc from a psychoanalytical perspective it becomes interesting.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

2024-01-11 16:38:46 UTC

This haunting psychological novel follows the life and psyche of Eleanor Oliphant, a 29-year-old woman living a supposedly normal life in Glasgow, Scotland. However, it quickly becomes evident that Eleanor is anything but fine. Her mind is plagued with unknown traumas that she suppresses by practicing the same routine every week, day in, day out: go to work, come home, and on the weekends purchase a pizza and large bottle of vodka to get blackout drunk on. It's a miserably beautiful novel, relatively short (for those who prefer shorter books), and never once left me bored or without the desire to pick it back up and keep reading. Highly recommended!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

2024-01-11 17:28:02 UTC

This short but captivating novel brings the reader along the journey of discovering Eleanor's tragic story. In the beginning, she is portrayed as a normal 29 year old woman going through her everyday routine. However, this routine quickly becomes mundane and it is suddenly clear that there is more going on with Eleanor than at first appeared. Through the progression of the novel, it is slowly revealed that Eleanor is hiding some kind of trauma from those she knows, and even herself. Unlike the title of the book, Eleonor is not "completely fine" and needs help in order to find healing and experience life for what it really should be, more than just fine. This novel was very interesting to read and had me hooked and always wanting the read the next chapter. It is relatively short, which was good for the time frame portion of this project. Overall, I would give this book a 10/10. I really enjoyed the messages it taught and how deep and meaningful the book actually was.

1984

2024-01-11 19:41:50 UTC

1984 was a very interesting novel about a dystopian future, in which the government has control over all aspects of life. Throughout the novel, George Orwell demonstrates the dangers of a world in which citizens do not have rights. This paints a picture of a controlling and almost automated world, where people are severely punished for not doing exactly as they are told. The novel also demonstrates the difficulties of breaking a system such as this one, once it has been placed.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2024-01-11 19:43:50 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is about a girl, Kya, who was abandoned by her family at a young age. She is known as "the marsh girl". Her life is full of challenges and hardships in her town. For example, being a suspect in a murder. Kya is a very brave and determined character. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!

The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

2024-01-11 19:44:17 UTC

The Kite Runner is a story about two childhood friends that live in Kabul, Afghanistan, Amir and Hassan, and how their childhood unfolded. The story is set in the 1970s and is all flashbacks from Amir's perspective. The tragic events that are talked about involve the war going on at the time and what relvolves aroung that. Overall I thought the book was good. I enjoyed how it was told from the perspective of a growing kid that could be related to. I also enjoyed reading about the events that were going on at the time, but I did think that the book was a little dark. Other than that though I would recommend this book to others.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

2024-01-11 19:45:49 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures tells a story through 3 characters, Tova Sullivan, an elderly woman working at a small aquarium in her hometown, Cameron Cassmore, a young man on a journey to find his father, and Marcellus, a giant pacific octopus who comes in throughout the story and gives his wise opinions. The story is very suspenseful as it is true dramatic irony. As the book goes on, the characters all begin to connect in a way. It is a very joyful and heartwarming book to read. Coming from someone who dislikes reading, I would recommend this book.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2024-01-11 19:46:58 UTC

Circe is a Greek mythology book that follows a goddess who is an outcast in her family and society. She goes on a journey to find herself. The book spans over many years, but it is hard to follow the timeline. Most of the stories that are told about Circe's life are interesting and very heartfelt. They make the story more captivating to read. I would recommend this book if you like mythology, but it is very long. Personally, I wouldn't read it for fun because of how it kind of drags on.

Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens

2024-01-11 19:47:33 UTC

Where the Crawdads Sing is an Emotional coming of age story that follows a Kya Clark as she learns to grow up alone in the marsh. It was an interesting read following Kya as she learned the struggles of being alone and the wonders of nature. The drama of people leaving and entering her life as well as the suspense of her being accused of murder keeps you invested in the novel. I enjoyed the book and would recommend people to read.

Catch-22 By Joseph Heller

2024-01-11 19:47:59 UTC

Catch-22 is a satire novel following a young American soldier during WWII and his struggles with insanity as well as the corrupt nature of the government. I enjoyed this book and think that it makes many good arguments against the government. It was a little hard to follow at times, especially at the beginning of the book, but I think that it is worth the read if you are interested in war stories.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

2024-01-11 19:48:05 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a book with 3 main characters; Marcellus who is an octopus, Tova who is the aquariums nightly janitor, and Cameron who sets out on a journey to find his father. The book starts off as each of the characters are in some tough situations and fighting their own battles. However, as the book continues and their paths begin to cross it becomes very heartwarming to see their connections be made. There is a feeling of suspense throughout the whole book that makes it hard to put down! I would definitely recommend.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2024-01-11 19:49:39 UTC

In the war novel The Things they Carried the readers follow the main character, Tim, through his and his comrades experience of the Vietnam War. The book shines light into Vietnam Veterans tragic stories and even their lives after the war. I really enjoyed the book because of how well written it was, and how the work can pull you into the events that happened. It also gives you an insight of what terrors our veterans had to endure. It is easy to read and is not very long. I highly recommend this book.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2024-01-11 19:51:45 UTC

Fahrenheit 451 is an eye-opening and emotional novel that explains the simple yet nuanced meaning of books. The novel showcases the life of Guy Montag who lives in a society in which books are illegal and are burned when found. Montag slowly comes to realize that books are a crucial part of history but struggles to convince others the same. While I wish the book followed a more relatable path. I enjoyed it and consider it a certified classic.

Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

2024-01-11 19:52:28 UTC

Guy Montag is a firefighter; except instead of putting out fires, he burns books. (Besides all of the houses are fire-proof) Books in this society are considered a threat to others' mental health and a threat to thinking in general. That is why it is illegal to read or keep a book. Guy feels like there is something wrong with burning all of these books, or as if these books were important somehow. Guy finds that he is not happy in life and cannot understand why. He feels the need to hide his interest in books carefully because who may be watching. He thinks that books themselves can answer his questions about why he feels dissatisfied in life. Although this book has good meaning, the content itself (as far as how it was written and how the events stacked up) was disappointing. I find the book would have been better expressed if another person more experienced in writing wrote this book instead of Ray Bradbury.

1984 by George Orwell

2024-01-11 19:56:46 UTC

WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. Written in 1949, George Orwell's dystopian prediction of what the year 1984 would look like tells of the disturbing life of Winston Smith, a man in his late thirties who works for the government of the Party, rewriting history and current events to further their communistic propaganda. All until he realizes what he is doing-- he is helping the Party change all truth-- and sets out across London to rediscover history and his past, sneaking past Big Brother's watchful eyes, or risk his nonexistence. In my opinion, this book was an excellent representation of what the world would look like if World War 2 ended differently: national superpowers would change, standards of living would be diminished, and the government would control nearly all aspects of life. The book does tend to drag on, often repeated previously mentioned or easily inferred information, however it excels at representing the true horrors of what a powerful corrupt government can do, and what little the people can. If you are wanting to read this book, I would recommend freshening up on your history to better understand the context behind the details, and to protect yourself from questioning your reality. Big Brother is watching you...

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

2024-01-11 19:58:14 UTC

Frankenstein follows the disastrous life of one Victor Frankenstein in mid 19th century Italy. He's as narcissistic as he is intelligent, and in an act of ultimate vanity, creates life from nothing, which completely ruins not only Victor's life, but the life of anyone even remotely related to him, and all with the worst case of victim complex ever seen in literature. Watch as Victor's world burns around him as he adds fuel to the fire. Overall, Frankenstein is a wonderful novel which has much to say on the human condition and what makes someone, or even something, truly a monster.

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

2024-01-11 20:40:13 UTC

In the dystopian fiction novel Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury depicts a world where objective facts are considered to be the worst sin you can commit. I consider this book a solid 6/10 in some scenes it was just awful to read, like when he was talking to the "walls" it just sometimes gets to hard to follow.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2024-01-11 20:41:10 UTC

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a dystopian novel placed in post apocalyptic America, in which a father and son pair struggle to survive. Some of these struggles include things like hunger and thirst, but also at times, the struggle may include horrific scenes portrayed by the elegant writing style presented to truly encapsulate the the pain and misery the father and son must go through to simply survive in this new world.

Everything I never Told You By Celeste Ng

2024-01-11 20:42:01 UTC

Everything I never told you is about a family of 5 who suffers the tragic death of the middle child, Lydia. The book goes through out each family member, their secrets, and their struggles of overcoming grief. Secrets of each family member gets brought to light in the process of their grieving and investigation of what happened to Lydia. These secrets break their family, but they are able to reconnect and bond with each other. I enjoyed the book and the shocking turns it takes. While some of its predictable, there is some major twist.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

2024-01-11 20:43:26 UTC

Remarkably Bright Creates follows the life of Tova, an aquarium janitor, Marcellus, an octopus, and Cameron, unemployed 30 something man. Cameron moves to Sowell Bay, Washington to find out who is father is. Along the way he meets Tova and Marcellus and starts to form a relationship. As they work at the aquarium together building and growing each other and themselves. The novel switches third person perspective with first person perspective from Marcellus. This book left me awe-inspired by how people grow and find the good in darkness.

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

2024-01-11 20:44:00 UTC

This book is filled with friendships, tragedy, loss, and life lessons. This book is definitely a very interesting and educational book despite the pieces of fiction within it. This book goes through Leisel Memingers very eventful life. Books were not the only thing stolen, apples, secrets, along with other items of important items were stolen throughout this book. I highly recommend this book to any reader who loves stories about history with a touch of flare.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

2024-01-11 20:44:58 UTC

In The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson tells the story of four guests of Hill House taking part in an experiment where they try to figure out whether the house is truly haunted or not. The eeriness of the house is communicated to the reader extremely well and showcased one of the character's mental decay and caused me to question my sanity while reading it. I would recommend to those who appreciate horror.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2024-01-11 20:45:28 UTC

I absolutley loved this book. I was a little nervous with reading it, considering I have no experience with Greek Mythology, but it was extremely easy to read. This novel was so hard to put down, and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a fast paced, yet devestating choice. The characters & their relationships are so complex and beautiful, the storyline is magnificent, and overall a book that I truly felt I was not "forced" to read. However, there were a couple of times that I struggled with the amount of information/detail given for each character & situation, in certain areas I felt was not needed, which may be confusing for some. Nonetheless, I think this is a novel that anyone would enjoy, because it is truly exquisite.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2024-01-11 20:45:36 UTC

Where the Crawdads sing is a story about the evolution of a girl known as Kya and her morals as she walks throughout the trials of life. Kya is known as Marsh girl, she is singled out, left alone, and left to fend for herself when everyone in her life leaves. This book follows kyas life as the challenges of loneliness and morality rip at her she must decide what to do when the people she chooses to love in life leave. When everyone she loves leaves what will she do with the pieces of her life are left. This book is good would recommend to Little everyone.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

2024-01-11 20:45:59 UTC

Frankenstein is a thrilling novel about Victor Frankenstein, a scientist that creates a monster and therefore a miserable life for himself. The creature he created follows his life and brings torture to Victor. However, through the creatures life the reader gets to experience life for the first time. Unfortunately to everyone but himself the creature is a monster, and is treated like one. The book is suspenseful and makes you contemplate societies views on appearances and class versus the truth of someone. There are many complex themes with vivid and descriptive imagery to symbolize them.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

2024-01-11 20:47:45 UTC

The Invention of Wings takes place in the early 1800's in Charleston, South Carolina and follows two female main characters: Sarah Grimke, a progressive and strong white woman and Handful Grimke, a slave to the Grimke household. Both women are burdened by the oppressive nature of their lives and desire for freedom and autonomy in their own respective ways. While Handful wishes to escape slavery and retrieve her "wings" and Sarah wants to stand as an abolitionist and women's rights advocate, you begin to feel for them and understand their beliefs. The story covers over 30 years of both women's lives, through puberty, adulthood, and eventual drifting, which sparks new conversations about how intertwined their lives are. I enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it, because the messages woven within are very important; however, there were parts that were slower than others and I struggled at times to feel motivated.

1984 by George Orwell

mckinneycole24 — 2024-01-11 20:48:21 UTC

This book is set in London in, you guessed it, 1984. The government, party or Big brother controls everything cameras everywhere history recorded and destroyed aligned with the current political agenda and indoctrination constantly. One man sees through the lies and indoctrination the hunger and pain and wonders whether the evil capitalistic past was better. After developing a hatred for the party he vows to fight for truth against the party. This book was an amazing warning of the terrible things that can happen and the cunning tactics that can be used on the public when the government gains to mush power. It will make you think and scare you as you recognize the follies of this dystopic society and culture reflected in our world.

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez

2024-01-11 20:48:43 UTC

This book is a domestic novel that talks about Antonia, an immigrant that lives in the United States involved in difficult situations such as the disappearance of her sister and a immigrant coming in her house illegally, all of this after the death of her husband.

I recommend this book because it is an introspective journey for Antonia that need to learn how to face difficult situations without her husband's help and talks about the important topic of racism and immigration in the US and moreover understand the function of the family and how you really know someone that you love.

Crime And Punishment Fyodor Dostoyevsky

2024-01-11 20:49:37 UTC

Crime and Punishment follows the truly disturbed character of Raskolnikov as he descends into a fever of madness and guilt after committing a serious crime. I loved this book because it dives into the main characters minds and plays with the personal and societal norms of the time, it also explores many intricate social struggles that were so specific but at the same time applicable to society now. Also, if your a fan of criminal interrogation/confession tactics then this book will blow your mind by using the same psychological tactics that people use today. like the exact same tactics.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

2024-01-12 12:26:43 UTC

Everything I Never Told You is a novel about what seems like the "perfect" Asian- American family. Throughout the story the reader learns of the family's imperfections and inability to cope when Lydia is found dead in the lake. This was a good murder mystery, although it was hard to follow because it goes back and forth from the past to the present often.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

2024-01-22 22:34:04 UTC

Where The Crawdads Sing is a novel about the hardships and evolution that Kya, the main character, had to endure and overcome. She was abandoned at a young age and was forced to grow up in poverty alone. She was known as the "marsh girl" and everyone thought of her as trash. This story goes into detail about the relationships she creates throughout her life and how they help her grow into who she is. Her friends and family help her overcome the challenges that life throws her way including being accused of killing Chase Andrews. They stay by her side throughout the trial while Kya is afraid and judged by the people in her town who were always mean to her.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2024-01-24 14:06:37 UTC

Purple Hibiscus is a coming-of-age novel about Kambili Achike's life growing up in the 1980's in Nigeria. This novel is about Kambili's journey through learning identity and violence. I recommend this book because it is easy to follow and intriguing throughout the whole book. As someone who doesn't enjoy reading all too much, this book kept me wanting to read more and more.

Circe by Madeline Miller

2024-02-05 14:00:07 UTC

Circe is a novel set in Greek mythology, following a girl named Circe who is a daughter of the sun god Helios. She goes through many challenges and learns to deal with her loneliness. She does this through the companionship of mortals. Circe also learns that she can use the ability "pharmaka" which gets her exiled to her own island. I thought this book was pretty good as it involved interesting quests and other cool creatures from Greek mythology including the Minotaur, Odysseus, and Prometheus.