Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules picks up where the first book left off, following Greg Heffley as he continues to navigate the challenges of middle school—this time with even more trouble from his older brother, Rodrick. As Greg tries to keep an embarrassing secret from getting out, Rodrick uses it as leverage to make his life miserable. Meanwhile, their parents push them to bond which only leads to more chaos, pranks and Greg finding himself in one awkward situation after another.
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid introduces readers to the hilarious and relatable world of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler navigating the ups and downs of school, family and friendships. Written in a diary format with witty illustrations, the book captures Greg’s often self-centered yet amusing perspective as he deals with bullies, embarrassing moments and his best friend Rowley’s unexpected rise in popularity.
Circe by Madeline Miller reimagines the life of the Greek mythological witch Circe, daughter of Helios, as she hones her powers during exile on the island of Aiaia and encounters legendary figures like Odysseus. This tale is a captivating exploration of her journey toward self-discovery and empowerment in a world of gods, monsters and magic. While reading Circe, I felt deeply immersed in the mythological world while empathizing with Circe's struggles and triumphs.
Fourth Wing is probably one of the best booktok recommendations out there. It follows twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengai. Violet has always wanted to become a scribe, but as the daughter of a general that is not an option for her. She has to become a dragon rider. The problem is she is small and what some people say “fragile”. Can Violet even make it through the trials and through people who hate her because of her mom? Specifically, the infamous Xaden Riorson who is one of the best riders.
This popular Tiktok book will bring you to tears. It follows Autumn, a high schooler who loves her boyfriend and has the best friend group. Except it's not perfect, there's someone always on Autumn's mind, and that is her childhood best friend Finn. Autumn and Finn are neighbors and their moms are best friends. They spent every single moment together when they were younger but something caused them to fall out of touch.
Taryn, Jude’s twin sisters, wants to tell Jude the story of how she fell for Locke. Locke fell in love with Taryn first. But he also used Jude and played her, justifying his actions by saying it was all for Taryn. However, Taryn knew all about this and did not inform Jude. Jude learns about this later and feels betrayed by her twin sister. Taryn tries to explain herself through this story. Taryn describes how Locke threw stones at her window, took her out on late night adventures, and promised to marry her and love her. In the end, Taryn and Jude are still tense with each other.
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow is a deeply emotional realistic fiction novel that follows the life of Charlie Davis, a 17-year-old girl struggling to rebuild her life after experiencing severe trauma and loss. I have read this book over and over again, wishing I could experience the emotional roller coaster of reading it for the first time.
1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel about a man, Winston, who lives in a futuristic and totalitarian society controlled by the government called big brother. The book shows the dangers of government control and how hard it is to go against the government. In my opinion, I give this book three stars. This book taught me a lot about society nowadays and it was very intriguing to analyze the text as I was reading.
Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner masterfully explores themes of social injustice, betrayal, and the enduring quest for redemption. Through rich imagery and poignant foreshadowing, the story unfolds around Amir, a young boy growing up in a rigidly structured Afghan society. Amir's friendship with Hassan, who belongs to the marginalized Hazara community, is at the heart of the narrative.
Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is a gripping narrative set against the tumultuous backdrop of Afghanistan's evolving political landscape. It follows the life of Mariam, an illegitimate child thrust into a patriarchal society, and her journey through love, oppression, and ultimately, moral reconciliation. Through the motif of motherhood and the strength of female relationships, Hosseini beautifully illustrates the necessity of these bonds for survival in a male-dominated world.
