Some important quotes:

“But now she couldn’t deny what was staring her plainly in the face: dogs in China ate better than doctors in North Korea.”

“As her students were dying, she was supposed to teach them that they were blessed to be North Korean.”

“If you look at satellite photographs of the far east by night, you’ll see a large splotch curiously lacking in light. This area of darkness is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

This book impacted me to start seeing what I could do to help my local Redfish population. So I started tagging the local fish in my area and working with the naturalist to help manage them well.

About the Author: David DiBenedetto is the editor in chief of Garden & Gun magazine. He is the author of On the Run: An Angler’s Journey Down the Striper Coast and the editor of the New York Times bestselling The Southerner’s Handbook.

10/10! I loved this book because it was both very action paced and informational. It keeps me focused and let me do my own research on this type of fishing.

This impacted me because it helped me see how harsh the ways that our government and others have a harsh rule on immigration.

7/10: I liked this book but for me I have trouble sitting down and just knocking out a book when it is something that doesn't entirely interest me. But maybe someone else will be interested in this...

About the Author: Dionne Irving is a Canadian writer, whose short story collection The Islands was shortlisted for the 2023 Giller Prize. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, she currently teaches in the creative writing and Initiative on Race and Resilience programs at the University of Notre Dame.

Impact: I found myself very engrossed in this story (I'm a big true crime follower). It made me realize just how smart the Zodiac killer was to never be captured. It left me wondering about theories as to why the murders just stopped in the early 70s. Not only did it leave me curious, but it also disturbed me by how many people were involved in the investigation, and not one got close to capturing him.

My Rating: I would rate this book a 10/10 for those who are interested in psychological thrillers and true crime.

About the Author: Robert Graysmith is a true crime author and former cartoonist. He worked for the San Francisco Chronicle. He was born in Florida on September 17th in 1942. He has been married twice, and it is often said that his obsession with the Zodiac killer is why his marriages fell apart. His writing kept the Zodiac killer case alive/popular and even inspired the 2007 film Zodiac. Graysmith was obsessed, I mean, obsessed, obsessed, his entire life and career was consumed by the need to solve this case, he went sleep deprived for days, stuck in an endless cycle of research. He was captivated by the killer's methods and the challenge in general of the case.

Impact: Reading this book, I had many thoughts and feelings. I honestly agreed with the main character's husband at first and definitely thought his concern was reasonable. The story, although fake, made me wonder just how many times separated siblings reconnected over the years. The story made me sad; however, the happy ending made it all the better.

Rating: I would rate this a 6/10; it was an excellent book, but probably would have been better if I had read the first book.

About the Author: Lori Wilde is an American author born in Blalock, Texas. She began writing at a young age and is most known for her romance novels. She has written one hundred and ten romance fiction novels since she started. She earned recognition in many newspapers for her works and has won many awards, including three RITA award nominations. She is successful and her works are translated into twenty-six different languages and sold all over the world.

He later makes new friends who help him navigate through high school and with his mental health. Ultimately, it's about growing up, facing your demons, and learning to participate in life.

Impact: My biggest takeaway was the lessons from this book. One being that success isn't always gonna be easy. Phil had many bumps while growing the company, including losing his deal with Onituska. This can be applied to all of the goals I set. Reminding yourself that there are going to be challenges is important in keeping a steady mind.

Author: This book is written by Phil Knight himself. I like the way he includes the little details to create imagery for the readers. This made his journey easier to follow. I also enjoy the way he elaborates on his struggles. I feel like when creating such a successful brand like Nike, it's easy to tell people mainly about the accomplishments had. Instead, he went more into detail about his struggles than his successes to help teach the reader. I felt this created a much more heartfelt story than just listing his accomplishments.

Rating: Due to my love for the brand Nike, along with the amazing story, I give this book a 10/10. This is now my favorite book.

Impact: This was a very emotional read due to the rough challenges that DeMar faced. He used to play for the Bulls, which is my favorite NBA team, so I found it fascinating to dig deep into the life of one of the players. My main takeaway from this book was his determination to keep fighting. He didn't let where he was from stop him from succeeding. He also fought through mental health issues, which is a huge problem in today's world. Even though I won't grow up in the same circumstances he did, I can still aspire to have persistence in any challenges I may face.

Author: This book was written by DeMar DeRozan himself. I really liked his rise to stardom. He was a perfect person to write about how to get to the NBA because if he can make it, anyone can make it. I enjoy the way he goes deep into his emotions throughout his journey. This allows the reader to better understand the highs and the lows of his path.

Rating: This book was one I really enjoyed due to my love for basketball and DeMar DeRozan as a player. The story is very inspirational and shows that even the best of the best are gonna have their struggles. I give this book a 9/10.

Impact: This book impacted me because of the quote, "In this game of life, your family is the court and the ball is your heart." I felt that this quote really can connect to people because your family should be the foundation and support for people in life. The "ball" representing the heart, signifies people's emotions and vulnerabilities that are entrusted by their families.

Rating: I rate this book a 10/10 if you like sports books.

Impact: This book impacted me because I like how Mr. Donatelli helped Alfred with boxing and helped shape his future to become better.

Rating: I rate this book a 10/10 if you like sports books.

Andrew has always loved to write and his Thomas has always loved to draw. They both worked together with their terrifying pieces of art. Andrew would write and Thomas would draw the horrific monsters he created. But this all gets upended when Andrew comes back to school to learn Thomas's parents have gone missing and everyone suspects he killed them. Suddenly though the monsters they create become real and threaten their well being and school. Now they must work together, try not to fall for each other more than they already have, and end the madness. Can they do it before the madness ends them?

It's Impact on me: This book was easily my second favorite read of the year so far. I read it in less than two days and could not put it down. It made me remember how much I love a good dark academia and a love story where they are so obsessed with each other, its unhealthy. This entire book made me question reality and the supposed limits in writing. I absolutely loved this authors writing as well. I found it beautiful and captivating. This book has changed my perspective on the limits I thought existed in writing. Everything and nothing can be real at the same time.

I would easily rate this book a 10/10

My favorite quotes:

" 'I think someday you'll hate me. You'll cut me open and find a garden of rot where my heart should be.' ... 'When I cut you open all I'll find is that we match'"

"Kiss me. Then you'll find out."

"It was strange... how when something moved in the dark, everyone's first instinct was to go inside and hide under the covers. As if the monsters couldn't open doors and crawl in bed with you."

"For a vicious moment, Andrew thought about slipping his fingers into Thomas's cut. Taking hold of his rib and breaking it. Pulling the soft crumbling bone from his chest and sewing it into his own. They'd be forever together, rib against rib, fused in gore and bone and adoration."

It's impact on me: This book is my favorite read of the year so far. I absolutely love this author with my whole heart. His writing is beautiful and heartbreaking. He is brilliant as well. Throughout the series you can connect all of the books together. We see multiple characters appear in past and future books (Which is why I explained the two books before this one. Sorry for the long summary!). I was crying the whole time reading this book. His representation of mental health was amazing and really did justice to those who struggle in my opinion. These characters will sit with me for a long time. I absolutely love his character development and the outstanding writing for both. I truly believe I will never be able to forget this whole series. It has left such a strong impact on the way I view life its self.

I would definitely rate this book a 10/10

My favorite quotes:

" 'Because we didn't meet so I could watch you die! I believe we met because of...' 'Because of what?' I say the only thing that makes sense. 'Fate!'"

" 'I don't have another day in me,' I snap... 'Fine. Give me until two fifty.' 'Then you'll leave me alone?' 'I'll do you one better, Paz.' ...'I'll help you kill yourself.'"

"For the first time in forever, I'm no longer counting down to killing myself but instead to the day when Alano and I will grow from friends into boyfriends."

" 'I figured if I could make walking more painful, I would never forget how bad heartbreak is.' I tell the boy who broke my heart"

"All I know if that love will not survive once Paz discovers I ruined his life."

"This system is broken when a man can commit a crime and still qualify for the presidency."

How did it impact me? - This book made me use my problem-solving skills. I used context clues and tried to connect the dots to who the killer was.

Rating - I rate this book as a 6/7 out of 10.

It is a good thriller and very suspenseful. I like how I got to solve the story while reading it. I also enjoy how the story introduces 6 characters and shows their own point of view throughout the book.

The Great Gatsby is a novel about the extravagant life of the rich New Yorkers in the 1920s, when everything seemed glittering and exciting. The narrator is a man named Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and lives in a small caretaker's cottage amongst the newly wealthy. His neighbor, Jay Gatsby, throws elaborate parties regularly and attracts nearly every high-status individual in New York. The wealthy man also happens to be in love with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan. While Nick brings the two together again, he also tries to uncover the secret of how Gatsby secured his fortune. The book is filled with the excitement of the age and the narrator unveils the drama behind the high society of New York.

How did it impact me?

This book impacted me because I was able to experience a small part of what it must have been like in the "Roaring 20's", thanks to Fitzgerald's descriptive style of writing. I loved reading about the parties and the way the high society of New York lived during the time. The book shed light on how people's lives can be very different than they may seem at surface level.

About the Author:

F. Scott Fitzgerald is referred to as one of the great American writers by many, and he published numerous novels and over 150 short stories. Additionally, he worked on screenplays in Hollywood. Throughout his life, he had financial difficulties as a result from his alcoholism. Fitzgerald died of a heart attack at fourty-four in 1940, but his work continues to be read by many across the globe.

Rating:

I rate with book a 6.5 out of 10. To me, it seemed like the plot was very weak throughout most of the book. Although, I liked how thrilling and exciting it painted the age with all of the parties and elaborate houses. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote with lots of detail and imagery, which I thought was integral to the book and made it more interesting.

My rating: 10/10 Read it!!!

1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel set in London in the year 1984. Published in 1949, it has a lot of messages that are still relevant to this day. In the world of 1984, London is no longer a part of England, but instead part of Oceania. The government of Oceania is called the Party, with the main political figure being Big Brother. Under this government, there is no such thing as freedom. Even thinking  something that opposes the Party will get someone arrested by the Thought Police, under the charge of Thoughtcrime, although no crime was really committed at all. “It was true that he had been an enemy of the party, and in the eyes of the Party there was no distinction between the thought and the deed (Orwell 242).” 

The story follows the character Winston, who is 39 years old, and a member of the Outer Party (the middle of the social hierarchy). He feels different from his fellow citizens, who blindly follow the Party and would give up their own family to the Thought Police without a second thought. Winston questions everything. He’s unhappy with his life and his job, and throughout the story has to decide just how far he’ll go against the Party if it means risking his very existence to try to live a better life. This book proposes the question of what could happen without the freedom that you have, and that if you lived in a world so controlled by a government such as the Party, would you be the person going against it for a better life and future for all, or the one betraying your friends and family just to be accepted?

Impact: 

1984 really made me reflect on our life today. Although we aren’t nearly to that level, there are aspects of society (whether they are from ours or other people's) that are pretty concerning, such as constant war and misinformation being spread. A quote that intrigued me the most was, “In our own day they are not fighting against one another at all. The wars waged by each ruling group against its own subjects, and the object of the war is not to make or prevent conquests of territory, but to keep the structure of society intact (Orwell 199).”

Author:

Eric Arthur Blair, better known under the pseudonym George Orwell, was an English author born in 1903 India. He grew up with a lower-middle class background, and moved back to England when he was around 8 years old, where he was then sent to boarding school. Even then, he stood out among others due to his intelligence, but also his lower social class. He highly disliked his time in school, and wrote about it in one of his essays titled Such, Such Were The Joys, published after his death in 1952. In 1933, he published his first book Down and Out In Paris and London. In 1945, after writing a series of lesser known books and essays, he wrote one of his most well-known stories, titled Animal Farm. Animal Farm exploded in popularity, and a few years later in 1949 Orwell wrote the work with which he is most popular for, 1984. Sadly, just one year later in 1950, George Orwell passed away from tuberculosis at 46 years old. Despite his death 75 years ago, he still remains one of the most influential authors to this day.

Rating:

Overall, I would rate this book a 10/10. It changed my way of thought and made me more aware of what happens in the world we live in.

I haven't finished this one yet, but it's way more interesting..

A Clash of Kings is the second book in the Game of Thrones series. So far, A Clash of Kings is just that. We have people all over Westeros claiming the right to the throne after Robert Baratheon died. Joffrey "his son" (he's actually a product of incest of his mother, her brother Jamie) sits on the iron throne, though Robert's 2 brothers, Renly and Stannis, have claimed the throne for themselves. And if that wasn't enough, we have Robb Stark over here naming himself king of the north at 19, as well as Balon Greyjoy claiming he's king of the Iron Islands. And just when you thought we were done, the story also follows Danyares Targaryan, the mother of dragons, gathering forces and ranks out in the Dorthraki sea, preparing to claim her rightful place on the iron throne. So you can understand there is a lot of civil unrest in Westeros at the moment. Oh, I almost left out that the Night's Watch has been sending missions out past the wall and has learned of the King-beyond-the-wall, Mance Rayder, under whom the wildlings are uniting. With all these plot lines developing, you can understand that this book becomes overwhelming at times, which is why I don't speed through it; instead wait for when I have no other obligations and can focus(I'm talking to you, Jhazzy). I find this series very entertaining. George Martin is a talented writer and very good at developing characters, making this an engaging read. I watch the series as well, and I can tell you 100% the book is way better.

I rate this an unofficial 9/10 (official ratings will come when I finish)

The Catcher in the Rye follows the story of a 16-year-old New Yorker named Holden Caulfield. He gets kicked out of boarding school and ends up roaming around the streets of the city by himself for multiple days. He is going through the confusing time of becoming an independent adult, yet still yearning for the comfort of his family, even if he does not explicitly admit it to the reader. He narrates his story with an all-knowing tone, but shows vulnerability when the pain of his brother's death seeps through the cracks in his narration. Throughout the book, the author paints the character to be very complex when following the journey of his wild days on the streets of New York City.

How did it impact me?

This book impacted me because I read about common themes that many teenagers experience regularly, and even connected some to my own life. Conflicting feelings of independence and the longing for family were portrayed throughout the book. This novel made me realize that many young people go through this complex aspect of self-evolution.

About the author:

J.D. Salinger wrote many works of fiction throughout his lifetime. He produced many stories in magazines, such as "The New Yorker". He also wrote 4 full books between 1951 and 1963, and his work is still being praised by readers today.

Rating: I would rate this book a 6 out of 10 because the author does not introduce the plot until later in the book, and it took a while for me to really get into the novel. Additionally, the protagonist took many turns in his train of thought when describing an event, causing me to lose interest in the text numerous times. With that being said, I did like how the author made Holden so complex, as it mirrored people and their emotions in the real world.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a dystopian novel written in 2008. It exists in the world of Panem in the distant future, which used to be North America. Panem is separated into 12 districts with a Capitol, where the root of the cruel and controlling government is. The Capitol is led by President Snow, a harsh, selfish, and bitter man. Citizens from the districts are treated as less than human, but districts closest to the Capitol (the lower numbered ones such as District 1) are treated slightly better than those farthest to it (the higher numbered ones such as District 12). To keep the districts from revolting (which had happened once years prior to the story’s beginning) and in constant fear, the Capitol puts on a “Hunger Games” where one boy and one girl from each district aged 12-18 is chosen to be sent to an arena to fight to the death. This totals 24 children per year, where there can only be one winner. Despite these games being used as a method of control, they are also entertainment for the citizens of the Capitol. 

  The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl from District 12. The conditions in her district are rough, and all she wants is to protect her family. Her life drastically changes when her 12 year old sister is picked to be in that year’s Hunger Games. Katniss knew that her sister would have no chance due to her being so young, so without a second thought volunteers to go in her place. Katniss is taken from her home, moved around for weeks to prepare for the games, and brought into the arena. She has to figure out just how she is going to survive, all the while learning about what it's really like to be human. “‘I don’t know how to say it exactly. Only… I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?’ he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? ‘I don’t want them  to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not,’ (Collins 141).”

Impact:

This book greatly impacted me. A huge reason is because it introduced me to the world of The Hunger Games, where there are four other books. It has become my favorite series. From the first page of the first book I was drawn into the world, and its writing style is what I’d consider perfect. The messages are extremely thought provoking, and clearly convey the dangers of a controlling government. It shows how un-empathetic a population can be to a problem just because it doesn’t directly affect them.

Author:

Suzanne Collins was born in 1962 Connecticut. As a child she moved around a lot, but ended up graduating high school in Alabama. After graduation, she went to Indiana University to get her B.A. in theater and telecommunications. She then pursued her M.F.A degree in dramatic writing at New York University. After college, she wrote for children’s television shows and in 2003 published her first novel, Gregor the Overlander, which turned into a series. In 2008 she wrote The Hunger Games, which was partly inspired by her seeing so much violence on TV, as well as Greek mythology such as Theseus and the Minotaur myth. After The Hunger Games immediately became a bestseller, the second book, Catching Fire, was published in 2009, and the third, Mockingjay, was published in 2010. Those books were the end of the main storyline, but ten years later in 2020 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was published, as well as in 2025 was Sunrise on The Reaping, both of which were backstories which expanded on the world. Suzanne Collins is still immensely popular and her writing will still be relevant for a very long time.

Rating:

This book is a 10/10, and one of my all time favorites. It is perfect and so important to read as it gives just another example of what happens when one group/person gets too much power, and how most people just stand by and watch.

This book showed me how a distopian world like this could beformed through a corrupt government. It truly scared me how I saw simmilarities between the real world and the distopian tale I read.

When rating this book I feel id deserves a 4.5/5

Quotes:

Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling... Makes no difference. The degree is arbitrary. The definition's blurred. If I'm to choose between one evil and another... I'd rather not choose at all.

When rating this book, I would give it a 4/5

This book was written by Kobe Bryant, a famous basketball player who passed away in 2020, about his career and mindset on the game and life. He focuses on telling about his endless determination and lifelong goals. Kobe is one of the greatest players of all time and this book really digs deep into his preparation and lifestyle. He is known as having the best mentality and toughest grit, giving it the nickname: Mamba Mentality. The book describes how he studied his opposing players before games, improved his skills, and pushed himself beyond limits to become one of the best players of all time. Many former teammates of Kobe describe him as tough and mean, but his closest peers and coaches know that he is one of the most selfless guys off the court and would do anything for the people he has relations with. “The Mamba Mentality is about striving for excellence." He shows how he pushes through injuries, embraces setbacks as challenges, and his intense mindset of determination. 

I think this book impacted me in the way that it changed my perspective on certain things and to be a bit more positive about challenges. It is an inspiring book and many people across the world have said it has changed their lives. This book can serve as a guide for anyone who wants a strong work ethic or a strong mindset.

As I said above, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time and his mentality is the main reason. I think he chose to write a book because he wanted to inspire others to try to mimic his ethic and grit, which it did. He was a 5-time NBA champion, 18-time all star, 2-time olympic gold medalist, and 1-time NBA MVP. He was a good teammate and person and those who were close with him live to tell the stories to this day.

I would definitely recommend this book and rate it a 10/10.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author does a great job of explaining both sides of the story and then conjoining the two to create a beautiful ending. It goes to show that getting to know someone for who they are and not what they are, as well as who you think they are, is extremely valuable and important. This book is a book I would recommend to others due to its realism and easy comprehension. 

The author Alan Gratz did a phenomenal job writing the story, and I enjoyed the theme as well as the message the book had. I liked how he was able to relate two people and two times and make it into one whole story. 

Rate 8/10 Great, easy to read book, the conveyed message can relate to a vast majority.

This book made me feel sad at the end because he thought he had things going the right way and it all turned out to be fake and he lost everything he had. 

The author does a good job using details so you know how the character is feeling and what their thinking. 

I would rate this book a 3 out of 5. The book was intersteing but I don’t enjoy reading

Kevin Hart’s story motivated me to see challenges differently. Instead of letting challenges let me down, I realized I can use those as support/encouragement to keep going/pushing. It also reminded me not to take life too seriously lol. Sometimes, laughter really is the best way to move forward in life (YOLLO).

I grew up watching Kevin Hart, so he is a world-famous comedian, actor, and entrepreneur known for his energy, his ability to turn real-life struggles into comedy, and many more. I’d give this book a 9/10. It’s funny, inspiring, and real—definitely worth the reading honestly.

Again, I grew up listening to Jeezy, so Jeezy’s story pushed me to see my own struggles differently. Instead of feeling stuck when life gets hard, I started looking at challenges as lessons I can grow from. It motivated me to keep grinding even when things don’t go my way. Young Jeezy is a Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and motivational voice who rose from poverty and street life to become one of hip-hop’s most respected artists and businessmen. I’d give this book a 9/10. It’s unique, motivating, and has a list of lessons that feel real and relatable.

When I think about this book, I think of it as an emotional rollercoaster. Created by Art Spiegelman, it tells the story of his father's experience during the Holocaust.  The characters are portrayed as animals-Jews as mice and Nazis as cats. The story begins with Vladek Spiegelman's past in Nazi-occupied Poland and Art’s present-day efforts to understand his father’s trauma. It reveals a complex mix of history, memory, and family dynamics that left deep scars. Maus teaches important lessons about resilience, humanity, and the lasting impact of trauma.

Personally, my reading of Maus was an eye-opener for sure. It made me realize how history isn't just about facts and dates, but real people's lives filled with struggle and hope. The way the book is portrayed helped me understand the story, making the horrors of the Holocaust more personal. It also showed me how trauma can affect families for generations.

About Art Spiegelman, the person is an American author best known for his book Maus. He used his skills as a graphic designer and writer to create a personal story about the generational trauma the Holocaust has inflicted on his family.

I would give this book an 8.5 out of 10. I love that there are not a lot of words and illustrations, making you feel like you are in Poland with them. Also, I recommend this book if you like a blend of history, art, and personal stories. This book is perfect for you.