In my opinion, Animal Farm is a brilliant and powerful work that captures the dangers of power and corruption in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you don’t know much about the historical context. Orwell’s use of animals to represent real historical figures and political movements makes the story both engaging and accessible, while also delivering a biting critique of how revolutions can go wrong.
Although it has been a few years since I last read R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, the book’s message is one that has stuck with me since then. The book brings awareness to important topics relating to inclusivity. This book contains such an important message for any setting, whether it be inside a classroom or at a place of work; it teaches the importance of empathy and acceptance, something that society can often struggle with. I liked how the book followed the story of Auggie, as well as all the characters surrounding him.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton will forever remain as one of my favorite novels. Hinton’s exploration of tough themes, including social hierarchies and the emotions involved with growing up and friendship, made the book an emotional, yet important read. The book takes the reader back to the 1960s, and Hinton did a wonderful job displaying that era in contrast to today’s world. Also, it was such an experience learning about each of the Greasers and how unique their personalities were.
The classic and captivating novel by esteemed author F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is no stranger to the limelight of “best novels of all time”. Set in the roaring twenties, we are immediately taken to a place of lux and glamor of New York’s elite, amidst the Great Depression. This story will have you wondering what exactly the “American Dream” is all about? Main protagonist Nick Carraway is a simple man from the midwest, moving to New York to work at a big time company.
If I could read this book all over again for the first time, I would. Delia Owens did such a beautiful job capturing themes of isolation, love, and trust. The captivating imagery and word choice throughout the book contributed to the whole plot of the story, and it made me feel as though I was with Kya in the marsh. At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy the book. The build-up to the climax was more of a slow burn.
This is my favorite book I have ever read. The book is about two emergency room doctors, Brianna and Jacob. They get off on the wrong foot but, Jacob’s kind gestures start to slowly win Brianna over. While they both navigate personal challenges, they find support in each other. The book dives into their journey and digs into themes of love and trust, also the importance of vulnerability and communication in relationships. Personally, I loved the book for how anxiety is portrayed through one of the characters.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a classic novel set in North Carolina during the mid to late 1900s. It follows Kya, a young girl who lives in a marsh with her poor family. Abandoned by her mom and eventually her siblings at the tender age of six, leaving her alone with her abusive and alcoholic father. He too eventually abandoned her at the age of seven.
The story revolves around Charlie and Silas, two strangers who wake up together in a hospital with no memory of who they are or how they got there. As they try to piece together their past, they realize they are married, but their love story is shrouded in mystery. Charlie and Silas's journey takes them through a series of twists and turns, uncovering dark secrets and shocking revelations about their relationship and themselves. With each new discovery, they must confront the truth about their past, their love, and their very identities.
Verity is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who finds herself in a precarious situation when she’s offered the chance to complete a series by her favorite author, Verity Crawford. As Lowen moves into Verity's home to finish the series, she struggles with her own personal demons while becoming entangled in a web of mystery and suspense.
In Life of Pi, we meet Pi Patel, a 16-year-old boy from India whose family owns a zoo. When political unrest forces them to move to Canada, their ship tragically sinks, leaving Pi stranded on a lifeboat with a few animals, including a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. As Pi struggles for survival, he grapples with profound questions about faith and purpose. His journey is not just a fight against the elements; it's a quest for meaning amidst the chaos.
