John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, taking place in the 1940s, goes through the life and struggles of Gene Forrester. Gene is a quiet boy that attends The Devon School, where he meets his future friend Finny. At first, they develop a strong friendship, but it begins to turn sour as envy gets in the way. The friendship takes a dark turn as the tree jumping ritual, developed by the friends, ends in Gene pushing Finny off the tree. The rest of the book is spent on Gene trying to find himself as Finny recovers.
Big Nate in Your Face! continues the humorous journey of Nate Wright as he takes on the challenges of middle school, friendship, and his eternal quest for popularity. This book is packed with Nate’s usual antics, but also dives deeper into his relationships with his friends and family, showcasing the ups and downs of middle school life in a way that’s both relatable and entertaining. I’d give this book a five out of five because it captures the essence of growing up with Nate’s signature humor and heart.
Big Nate Blasts Off is another delightful addition to the Big Nate series, filled with humor, relatable moments, and Nate’s unforgettable antics. In this book, Nate Wright faces new challenges as he deals with school bullies, friends, and his never-ending quest to be the center of attention. With a hilarious storyline centered on Nate's dreams of achieving greatness, the book keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone is a heartfelt story of rekindled friendships, hidden desires, and self-discovery. When Hannah saves the life of Emory's boyfriend, Luke, it sets off a chain of events that forces the former best friends to confront the rift that once drove them apart. As they reconnect, Hannah and Emory, both seventeen, must navigate their complicated feelings, first loves, and true connections, ultimately finding the strength to face the truth and follow their hearts.
After her parents' tragic death, 16-year-old Jackie Howard moves from New York to Colorado to live with her mother's family, the Walter Boys - four brothers (Matt, Jake, Alex, and Greg) and their father. As Jackie navigates her new life, she faces cultural shock, sibling rivalry, and blossoming romances, particularly with Alex, the charming and sensitive brother. Amidst the chaos and emotional struggles, Jackie finds solace in her growing relationships with the Walter Boys and discovers a new sense of belonging, identity, and love.
In Julia Alvarez’s Afterlife, Antonia’s commitment to her family and willingness to support others highlights her selfless nature, even at the expense of her needs and desires. Antonia hesitates when one of Antonia’s neighbors, Mario, asks if his girlfriend Estela, an undocumented immigrant, can stay at Antonia’s house due to the precarious situation she may face. She explains that she cannot “handle something like this right now” because she is grieving the recent passing of her husband, Sam (Alvarez 29).
The Great Gatsby is a classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This book follows the life of Jay Gatsby through the narrator Nick Carraway. Nick has moved next to Gatsby and gets a glimpse of the glamor and complexities of the rich. Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan, and readers see themes of romance, obsession, and the tensions between the rich and poor through this novel set in the roaring twenties.
Patrick Rothfuss’s book, The Wise Man’s Fear, is the sequel to The Name of the Wind. The book continues the path of Kvothe, however while the first book focused more on his life at the university, this book takes a different path and follows him as he travels throughout the world. Going from Severen to the forests in the North, and then to Ademre, Kvothe faces different threats while still searching for knowledge on the Amyr and Chandrian.
Elizabeth Bennet is trying to be married off by her mother, Mrs. Bennet, along with her five sisters. When an eligible bachelor, Mr. Bingley, arrives with many companions including his two sisters, one of his sister’s husband, and Mr. Darcy, her town, is thrown on a curve. While her sister, Jane, begins to fall for Mr. Bingley and vice versa, Elizabeth begins to despise Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, after an unsavory meeting at a ball stamping Mr. Darcy with an ill reputation due to his pride. Elizabeth wants to avoid Mr. Darcy at all costs, while on the other hand, Mr.
This book was a reflection of a dystopian society set in the year 1984. Winston Smith, a member of Oceania who rebelled against the Party. The Party was the government system in place of the city of Oceania, and the rules provided were absurd and compelling. An addition from the Party was Big Brother. The Big Brother was something that was always watching the citizens of society, and was the symbol of the Party. I think that this book was a compelling view of how society can be run by the government in such a controlling way.
