As Gandalf learns more about the dangers of the ring, he sets Frodo on a perilous journey. This book vividly portrays the battle between good and evil through powerful personification and imagery. It highlights the theme of unity in the face of a common enemy, presenting a clear and compelling ideal. Throughout Frodo’s journey, the perils and consequences create empathy and help readers connect with his character, reinforcing that he is doing what is right.

Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy enthusiasts or anyone interested in an exciting adventure led by a courageous protagonist.

When he wakes up from a coma, he can't remember anything—not even his own name. Throughout the story, fragments of his past gradually return to him in the form of flashbacks, which he cannot control. As his memory returns, he comes to understand his mission: to stop a new form of primitive life that is consuming the Sun. He also wonders whether there is any life in the star system he has traveled to—and he doesn’t have to wait long to find out.

I give Project Hail Mary five stars and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction and is looking for a compelling, imaginative story that keeps you turning the pages.

However, the four grandsons of Tobias Hawthorne are left with nothing, which makes them suspicious about Avery’s sudden inheritance and whether there’s a deeper meaning behind why she was chosen. Avery ends up in a lot of family drama while living there and realizes that Tobias Hawthorne left puzzles and challenges for her that reveal the secrets of the Hawthorne House and family.

I give The Inheritance Games four stars and recommend it to people who are interested in the mystery genre. Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ mystery thrillers are often intriguing and engaging because their plot is significantly different from other mystery thriller authors, and it feels like the reader is solving the mysteries while reading.

At first, the people refuse because they believe that killing is wrong. However, as time passes, they start buying expensive items on credit, expecting to be rich soon, their greed grows, and they find excuses to accept Claire's offer. In the end, they choose money over morality.

I give The Visit 4 out of 5 stars because it's a powerful story about greed and justice, with interesting characters and important messages. It's a great read for anyone who likes stories about human nature. 

I would rank this book 5/5. If you like fantasy, and if you enjoyed the movies, definitely read it as I heard there was a lot of nuance and sections that were missed in the adaptation ( I haven't watched them). 

As Millie and her family get settled into their new life, they encounter unsettling events that suggest their neighbors are hiding dark secrets. Millie’s experience of being a housemaid and her instincts as a social worker lead her to investigate these mysteries, which in turn put her family at risk. 

I would rank this book a 5/5 because if you like thrillers and your heart is strong enough to survive that amount of plot twists, I think you would enjoy the book because the writing is amazing.

Don Quixote sees the world through his imagination; he tries to be a hero as he sees himself as a knight, but his actions often lead to funny and embarrassing situations. However, at the end of the book, he realizes that because he always wanted to be a knight, which is a dream that doesn’t match reality, he gives up his fantasies, becomes Alonso Quixano again, and dies peacefully.

I give the book 4.5 stars because I think it’s good if you want to learn things that you never really knew. I would recommend it for people who struggle to stay positive, and just because it opens a new perspective for you. 

I’m a big fan of samurai in stories and games, and Jack shows his progression of becoming a samurai with honor while facing enemies, such as Dragon Eye, displaying his determination of becoming a great warrior.

I give this book a 4.4. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japanese culture or the samurai.

I give this book 4.5/5, and would highly recommend it, especially to people who’d like to discover the character in more depth with different perspectives. Okonkwo’s emotions and psychological struggles are well-exposed throughout the story.

One of my favorite chapters in the book is “The Great Mouse Plot.” In the story, Roald Dahl and his friends find a dead mouse at school and come up with a mischievous plan. Roald grabs the mouse and leaves school with it. The boys walk along the road to the candy shop, ready to put their plan in motion. They decide to place the mouse in one of the candy jars to scare the shopkeeper, Ms. Pratchett. The plan is set. They waltz into the shop, and while Thwaites distracts Ms. Pratchett, Roald slips the mouse into the jar. After the deed is done, they zoom out of the store.

In my opinion, this book is full of silly action stories that feel so wild, they almost seem made up. Only Roald Dahl could manage to pack so much mischief and humor into one book. I loved how Dahl made me feel like I was actually there—not just reading the story. Every chapter brings great laughter, each one better than the last.

I definitely recommend this book to readers of any age who are looking for an enjoyable story that will make them giggle. Even though it’s written as a memoir, it reads like a fiction story and is a perfect example of Roald Dahl’s unique style. I would easily rate this book five out of five stars.

While Yoko flees from her home in hopes of reaching Seoul, her brother Hideyo must escape from a bomb factory. Yoko and her sister, Ko, face many challenges on their journey. Eventually, after the war ends, Yoko and Ko reach Japan safely.

In my opinion, this is the best book I’ve ever read. I loved the emotional rollercoaster and the tension throughout the story. The emotions take sharp turns—some chapters leave you in tears, while others make you feel grateful for what you have.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history and appreciates stories with deep emotions. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. I give it a five out of five-star rating and suggest it for readers aged 12 and up. So Far From the Bamboo Grove is the only autobiography Yoko Kawashima Watkins wrote. She was born in 1933 and passed away in 2021.

There are three main characters in the story: Molly, who is the eldest at 14 years old; Daisy, Molly’s half-sister, who is 8 years old; and Gracie, their cousin, who is 11 years old.

In my opinion, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The story is so intriguing, and the fact that it’s true makes it even more powerful. As you read, you follow the same path the girls took as they struggled to return home. It really makes you feel like you’re right there with them. It’s the kind of book you could read over and over again and never get bored.

This is a very inspiring story that I highly recommend. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Instead, Will is chosen to become the apprentice of the mysterious Ranger, Halt.

When Will and Halt go on their first mission, they become sidetracked when they discover that the evil warlord Morgarath has returned, seeking revenge. This becomes their new and dangerous mission.

Throughout the book, Will makes new friends and proves himself. He even earns his Bronze Oakleaf—a Ranger’s symbol of achievement. In an exciting turn of events, Will’s friend Horace defeats Morgarath in battle. Will and his companions go on to have many more adventures in the rest of the series.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I would suggest it for readers aged 8 and above, as some parts can be a bit complex. I give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I absolutely love this book—if you enjoy exciting, heart-gripping stories, this is definitely a book for you!

The story takes place in Amsterdam. In 1942, Anne and her family entered the “Secret Annex,” a hidden space in an office building. They stayed there in hiding for over two years. During that time, Anne wrote about her thoughts, feelings, and daily life in her diary. Sadly, in 1944, they were betrayed, arrested, and deported to concentration camps. Anne and most of her family did not survive.

In my opinion, this is a very powerful and important story. Anne shares what it was like to live during such a difficult time under Nazi rule. I especially liked how she expressed her emotions—it made me want to keep reading. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5-star rating.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical stories about real people's lives. For more detail, you can also read Anne Frank’s original diary.

Salva arrives at a refugee camp and finds it difficult to get out. He has gone to his second refugee camp and really wanted to get out. Eventually, he arrives in the USA with a kind family, but he is still missing his real family. Salva had thought that his father was dead, and the rest of his family as well. Later on, Salva gets a weird email which makes him think that his father is still alive. After, he takes his long journey to find his father. Near the end of the story, he does something amazing to help people.

In my opinion, it is a great story to read. It has fascinating details, and it has intriguing chapters. When I first was reading it, the beginning had kinda bored me. After I had gotten farther and farther down the book, it had intrigued me more. In the beginning of each chapter, every first page of the chapter would have a different story than what you were reading in the rest of the pages. It was good because I had never read a book like it. It is very unique, which I like. For the book, I give it a 4.5-star rating. I thought the author was very creative.

I recommend this book for ages nine and up. I do really hope you read it and like it as much as I did.

When Sophie learns about the School for Good and Evil, she immediately wants to attend it. She also gets to know that you get admitted into the school by being either good or evil. Therefore, she does many good deeds and even befriends a witch living next to a graveyard. However, the School Master will only take two new students, one good and one evil, so she has to fight her way to the School for Good—or so she thinks. Agatha, on the other hand, does not believe in it. Still, people go around telling her, “evil school,” “you’re a witch.” All she wants is a friend. But when they get kidnapped, it goes wrong. But is it really a mistake?

In my opinion, this is a really good book with some action. It helps you realize that it is not about how you look or what clothes you wear. It is about how you act and if you’re kind or mean.

I would recommend this book to readers 11 years old or older because there is some violence in it. I give it four out of five stars.

The story is about a boy named Thomas, around 15 years old, who is placed in a mysterious location called the Glade, situated just outside a massive and ever-changing maze. The other boys in the Glade call themselves “Gladers.” Thomas is tasked with becoming a Runner—someone who enters the maze daily to try to find a way out.

After Alby, the Gladers' leader, is injured in the maze, Thomas is faced with a difficult decision: save his friend or leave him to be killed by the deadly creatures known as Grievers. Of course, Thomas runs into the maze just as the stone walls are closing, determined to keep both himself and the injured Alby alive.

I give this book 4.5 stars because of how gripping and captivating the story is. The conclusion, although sad, gives Thomas a powerful reason to keep fighting against the people who imprisoned him and to search for the “cure” he was meant to create. The story continues throughout the three main books in the series, and there is also a prequel and a sequel.

This book is a fantastic read for almost all ages and offers a fun, suspenseful, and thought-provoking adventure.

What I really liked about this book is that it is full of mystery and adventure and is a very thrilling story, but it also has some historical fiction in it. I really recommend it to people who like a bit of mystery and history in a book because it has a bit of both and is very good. I rated it 5 out of 5 and found it a very enjoyable read.

Lasgol is recruited because his father was a ranger, even though many people are against it. He goes to the camp where the rangers train and befriends a boy on the way. Lasgol starts to make friends and tries to survive the camp. If he doesn’t get the scores he needs by the end of the year, he will have to leave permanently. He goes through the year facing aggressive people, wolves, bears, freezing lakes, mountains, and forests. To make things harder, someone is trying to kill him.

I like that this book makes Lasgol learn about life the hard way and that he never gives up. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 and recommend it to people who like adventures and stories about characters coping with life’s challenges.

Talin is a Striker, meaning she protects Mara from the Federation’s soldiers and their Ghosts. She is not a native of Mara, but instead lived in Basea before it was conquered by the Federation. Because of that, people have always treated her harshly - especially after the death of her shield, Corian. It seems she might even lose her spot as a Striker - until one day, a mysterious Federation prisoner appears in the execution ring. Talin feels a strange connection to the stranger and saves him from being executed, standing by her choice even when her friends doubt her.

Suddenly, they are dragged into a series of twists and turns that somehow end up with them going to the Federation - and landing on its most-wanted list. Their decision might just save the world…or end up killing them.

This is an action-packed book with a lot of plot twists, and if you like something that always puts you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you. I rate this book a 10/10 and would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves fast-paced stories. (Note: this book also has a sequel called Steelstriker).

Sasha’s father is taken to prison by the Communist officers, leaving Sasha alone in their apartment. Nobody cares about Sasha. He is scared to stay alone, so he goes to visit his aunt, Larisa. When he meets her, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. She is scared to help because of his father’s arrest. Sasha sleeps in the basement of Larisa’s house.

In the morning, Sasha goes to school. It’s supposed to be his big day - he should become a Pioneer. He is very excited but also very sad because his father won’t be there. His teacher, Nina Petrovna, gives him a task to carry the banner and hold Stalin’s statue. Unfortunately, Sasha drops the statue, and Stalin’s nose breaks off. Sasha doesn’t tell anyone and runs away.

When Nina finds out, she wants to know who broke the statue’s nose. One of his schoolmates, a Jewish boy named Finkelstein, takes the blame for Sasha. Nobody likes Finkelstein. He is taken to prison immediately.

After this happens, the class begins the Pioneers' ceremony. Sasha wants to hold the banner - he picks it up and BOOM! He drops the banner on the ground and escapes from the school. He decides not to become a Pioneer anymore. He just wants to find his father.

I give this book 10/10 stars because it is interesting and based on a true story. I would recommend this book to people who like action and something meaningful.

Then Olly moves in next door. They start talking and become really close, even though Madeline can’t meet him in person. She lies and says she has medicine to keep her safe, and she goes to Hawaii with Olly. While there, she has a heart attack and is rushed to the hospital - but the doctors don’t find any traces of SCID. She learns that her mother, overwhelmed by grief after Madeline’s father died, became paranoid and convinced herself that Madeline had SCID in order to keep her safely inside.

I liked how Yoon made the plot feel so realistic, and how relatable and believable her characters are - it’s easy to see parts of yourself in them. Overall, this book is calm but still keeps you on your toes, as you never know what’s going to happen next. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading relatable teen or young adult books, especially stories about characters dealing with isolation and exclusion.

While they’re in detention, Simon suddenly has a severe allergic reaction. He’s rushed to the hospital, where he later dies. The police then announce that Simon was murdered, and it quickly becomes clear that one of the other students in detention may have had a motive. Simon was planning to post secrets about them on his app, which puts all of them under suspicion.

The group begins working together to figure out what really happened and to clear their names. One of the most interesting things about the book is that it’s told from multiple perspectives, so you get to hear the story from each character’s point of view and try to solve the mystery yourself before the end.

I enjoyed this book because of its intense world-building and sci-fi elements. I would recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi or fantasy and can handle murder scenes and implied violence.

I enjoyed this book because of the unique storytelling, as the setting changes often, and the overall message – that clinging to our regrets will not allow us to move forward. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories that teach life lessons.

I liked how the book tells the story with a lot of imagery that made me feel like I wasn’t just reading the book but watching the narrative unfold. I loved how the first pages caught my attention and made me want to know more about Keiko’s life as she navigates the hardships she faces.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy foreign storytelling and like to visualize everything that happens in the story.

I give Courage to Soar five 😁 stars and highly recommend it. I found Simone’s story inspiring. It shows that with determination, support, and belief in yourself, anything is possible. Her journey motivated me and reminded me to never give up, no matter how hard things get.

This book is the first in a popular series enjoyed by both children and adults. I recommend it to anyone who likes novels about mysterious characters and worlds full of magic and unexplainable events.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a haunting and surreal novel that tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into an “ungeheures Ungeziefer”—a monstrous vermin—in the original German. The narrative explores themes of alienation from human values, a shifting sense of identity while clinging to one’s humanity, and the burdens of responsibility as Gregor and his family struggle to cope with his inexplicable transformation.

I give The Metamorphosis four stars and recommend it to readers interested in existential literature and psychological depth. Kafka’s writing is thought-provoking and surreal, especially in the way it allows readers to see aspects of their own lives reflected in his storytelling. It offers a strange yet powerful perspective on what it means to be human, lingering long after the final page.

I liked that the story is fast-paced, so I never got bored while reading it. The book is well-structured and allows you to experience the story through Zak’s perspective as Agent 21, which makes you want to read it in one sitting. I would recommend this story to people who enjoy thrilling, action-packed novels.

I give this book a three out of five.

Five stars to Atomic Habits for its clarity, utility, and inspiring effect. It is a necessity for anybody who wants to make their life better, one small habit at a time.

The book emphasizes the inhumanity of war and shows how deeply people are affected by it. The author was a German soldier in World War I and experienced many of these things firsthand. Overall, I thought the book was very good and found it very interesting. I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction and war novels.

Over the next three days, they engage in three blood sports: hunting, fishing, and shooting. However, during the weekend, Greer discovers that these games are far from innocent. She and her friends realize that, to the Medievals, they are not just guests – they are prey. The Medievals attempt to kill them as they would animals. They also find out that this deadly hunting game is a legacy at Longcross Hall and must be continued by each new generation.

It’s unclear if Greer and her friends will manage to escape, and the tension keeps you hooked until the very last page. One thing I loved about this book was that you never knew what was going to happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thriller novels.

I give One of Us Is Lying four stars and recommend it to people that like murder mystery books. Karen M. McManus delivers a smart, suspenseful story filled with interesting plot twists that keep you guessing.

At CHERUB, he was trained to become a spy. After completing his training, he was sent on his first undercover mission, where he had to pose as the nephew of a CHERUB contact to help investigate a dangerous terrorist group. Throughout the story, he faces serious challenges, tests his skills, and learns what it truly means to be part of CHERUB.

With support from his best friend Tub, a girl named Claire, and some helpful trolls, Jim must stand up to terrifying enemies — including one especially powerful villain. The story blends thrilling action with spooky encounters and funny moments. At its core, it’s about finding courage, looking out for others, and learning who you really are. Even though Jim is scared, he learns to do what’s right, showing that an ordinary person can make a real difference.

When June’s brother, Metias, is killed, the government accuses Day of his murder. June is determined to hunt Day down and take revenge. However, once she finally meets him, she begins to realize that things may not be what they seem –  and that the government might not be telling the truth.

It’s a deeply satisfying and terrifying read. The two (basic) layers of narrative are what work for the novel. The structure of the novel, the way it has been put down on paper. It makes you think and rethink what you just read a few sentences or pages back. There are a lot of footnotes and references which add to the fun and make you go back and forth once the narrative picks up. It’s a good read, and it delivers a punch once the fun begins.

Before he can process everything, MI6 recruits Alex and blackmails him into completing his uncle’s final mission. After intense training, Alex is sent to investigate Herod Sayle, a wealthy businessman who is donating a new, high-tech computer called the “Stormbreaker” to every school in England. MI6 suspects something sinister about Sayle’s plan, and they send Alex undercover as a teenage contest winner. When Alex arrives at Sayle’s mansion, he quickly notices strange and alarming details.He also discovers that his uncle had been looking into Sayle before his mysterious death. As Alex pieces the clues together, danger closes in fast.

The book is full of foreshadowing and clever techniques that make the story even more exciting. I’d give Stormbreaker 4.5 stars.

I give this book a 9.5/10. It’s a powerful and emotional read, recommended for readers aged 12 and up, since it deals with serious themes like politics and murder.

In the meantime, Roz explores the island and gradually makes friends with the animals who live there. At one point, she encounters a bear and, while being chased, trips and tumbles down a hill. She crashes into a tree and accidentally destroys a goose nest, killing the mother and all but one egg. Feeling responsible, Roz decides to take care of the surviving egg herself.

The book has lots of humorous moments and keeps you hooked, wondering what will happen next on Roz’s adventure. Overall, The Wild Robot is an entertaining story that readers of all ages would appreciate. I recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about technology and nature. I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars. ★★★★★

As they uncover many secrets, the book follows their journey to escape and discover what happened to force people underground. The characters in this book are written well. The protagonists are Lina and Doon - the ones trying to escape. Although there is no main antagonist, many people in the city, especially the government, don’t want them to leave. 

I have only read books 1 and 2, but there are many sequels. I recommend this book to young readers, like students in grades 6 and 7. The genre is a mix of mystery and children’s post-apocalyptic fiction. Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5.

The story also follows Jack, a teenage boy with a rare condition called prosopagnosia, which means he can’t recognize faces – even those of the people closest to him. Throughout the book, Libby and Jack navigate high school together, becoming friends as they face their own insecurities and challenges.

I really like this book because I can relate to feeling different and uncertain about myself at school. Reading it made me realize that other people go through similar struggles and that I’m not alone. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to feel understood and reassured that things can get better.

It’s the first of a book series following Robert Langdon’s various adventures as a professor of art history and symbology. Brown manages to intertwine scientific and historical facts with fiction in a way that makes it hard to distinguish between creating a realistic world where scientific discoveries come close to miracles. 

Reading Brown’s books has helped deepen my learning about art, history and scientific innovations and discoveries in an engaging way. To me, it’s not just fiction but exploring the possibilities and secrets of our world. 

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy thrillers, as well as those interested in finding out more about science, religion, art and history. 

What I liked about this book is that it explores the absurdity of the world through the eyes of a young man. Since I had never read a book like this before, it was really interesting to see how the author critiques society, which, from his perspective, is rigid with prejudice, morality, and ethics.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new reading experience. Even though the setting and plot may seem unusual, I think it offers a fresh perspective that can appeal to avid readers as well as those who don’t normally enjoy reading.

Later, she learns that Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, drowned in a cove near Manderley. The young woman begins to feel that Maxim is still in love with his late wife and worries that she can never live up to Rebecca’s presence. Throughout the novel, a dark, suspenseful tone hints at troubling secrets and an unsettling ending.

My favorite part is when August is bullied by a few seventh graders because of his appearance, but his friends stand up for him. Even though they get hurt themselves, they fight back and chase the seventh graders away. What’s most fascinating to me is that these are the same kids who had once ignored or even made fun of August. This kind gesture from his classmates helps August believe in himself and accept who he truly is.

Overall, I found this book extremely heart-warming and would definitely recommend it to others – especially to those who are going through challenges in their own lives. It can help readers feel less alone in their struggles and see their own strength reflected in August’s determination.

I enjoyed the unique idea of the portrait showing Dorian's true self while he remains outwardly unchanged. Wilde’s writing is clever, and the story really makes you think about the cost of living a selfish life. I would give it 4.5/5.

I recommend this novel to readers who appreciate classic literature, darker stories, or those who are interested in themes like vanity and the price of living without a moral compass.

To briefly sum up: Pierre Kirillovich Bezukhov -  whose surname I admire so much I borrowed it as my pseudonym -  returns to Russian society as the illegitimate heir to a fortune. Beyond him, War and Peace is a vast tapestry of people searching for happiness and purpose. Tolstoy explores patriotism, self-doubt, honor, hypocrisy, faith, and, most importantly, love.

Though the novel seems to have no conventional plot - just lives unfolding -  it’s one of the most unique and beautiful literary experiments ever written. Its aim is to capture humanity itself, not to deliver a tidy message or moral.

Literature often tries to evoke emotions or provoke action, but Tolstoy writes to record life and history as they truly are. As Edward Carr said, history is an “unending dialogue between the present and the past,” and literature lets us leave a human trace for those who come after. Tolstoy avoids any clear purpose because purpose would distort the historical meaning he seeks to preserve.

That’s why War and Peace feels so alive -  a work of real humans, living and breathing.

My admiration for this novel also stems from Tolstoy’s rebellious spiritual and religious views, which remain thought-provoking even today.

It features two main protagonists: Ishmael and Captain Ahab, who contrast greatly in character. Ishmael simply joins the crew to seek adventure and find his purpose, while Captain Ahab is consumed by his quest for revenge against the white whale, Moby Dick. The philosophical elements intertwined with its adventurous setting make this novel both a thrilling sea tale and a deep existential exploration.

My personal rating: 8/10. The book is an incredible work of literature with rich symbolism, although some sections slow the pace and can feel less engaging.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy classic literature, philosophical themes, and ocean-related stories.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy thrilling adventures and fantasy worlds, especially fans of The Hunger Games and other fast-paced stories with brave, resourceful characters.