Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is a historical fantasy novel set in an alternate 19th-century England where magic once existed but has long since faded into obscurity. The story follows two magicians: the reclusive and cautious Mr. Norrell, who seeks to revive English magic through scholarly study and practical feats, and the charismatic and daring Jonathan Strange, who becomes Norrell’s pupil and later his rival.
The Help features three women who are seemingly ordinary that take an extra step to become extraordinary. It's 1962 and Skeeter has just graduated and returns home to her mother, who is unhappy that Skeeter has a degree but not a husband. Aibileen is a black maid who is raising her next white child out of many, and after the death of her only son, she becomes devoted to make a change to a child that is not hers. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is known to have lost many jobs because of her sharp tongue.
In China during the year of 1469, young Tan Yunxian accepts her fate of being married off at the age of fifteen into an acceptable family to a husband who she has already bound her feet for. Yunxian’s life changes drastically with the matter of only one night when her mother falls ill and eventually dies due to her neglecting her bound feet. Yunxian begins to grieve and harbors an interest in medicine after she is sent to live with her grandparents with her servant and father’s concubine, Miss Zhao.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is a historical novel that dives into the life and rise of Thomas Cromwell, a key figure in the court of King Henry VIII. Set in the period of the 1520s to 1530s, the novel explores Cromwell's ascent from humble beginnings to becoming the King's chief minister. Through his political knowledge, Cromwell navigates the complex and dangerous landscape of Tudor England, assisting Henry in his quest to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.
The Paper Girl of Paris is a very captivating book that connects the stories of two women from different generations. One time period is Nazi-occupied Paris and the other is modern-day Chicago. The Paper Girl of Paris is about a girl named Alice who unravels the hidden secrets of her grandmother Adalyn's past through a hidden apartment in Paris. The novel has themes of family secrets, identity and the endless bonds of love.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a story set in 1939 Germany, around the time Nazis begin to take control. With Death as the narrator, we see how Liesel's life is about to change. As Liesel says goodbye to her dead brother, she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. Here begins her interest in books and words. Follow the Book Thief in her journey.
When The World Was Ours is a heart-touching book about friendship. This book revolves around three friends Leo, Elsa and Max. When World War II breaks out they are forced to separate from one another. Once they separate all three of them go their ways and we see how their fates are intertwined. I enjoyed this book a lot because it is a short and meaningful book. The aspect I loved the most in this book is the friendship between the three main characters.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction novel set in the final months of World War II, centered around the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a real-life maritime disaster that claimed over 9,000 lives. The story follows four young refugees—Joana, a Lithuanian nurse, Florian, a Prussian art restorer, Emilia, a Polish girl, and Alfred, a German soldier—each harboring their own secrets and traumas.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a timeless masterpiece of romantic literature. Set in early 19th-century England, the novel follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal expectations, family pressures, and her own prejudices. The arrival of the wealthy Mr. Bingley in the neighborhood creates a stir. He starts liking Jane, the eldest Bennet sister. However, his friend Mr. Darcy initially dislikes Elizabeth, considering her family beneath him.
The Crucible is an incredible play following the Salem Witch Trials. It follows the experiences of the accused and the accusers during the trials. It draws implicit comparisons to other witchhunts seen throughout history, such as McCarthyism. Miller expertly draws these comparisons without saying anything explicitly. Characters such as Abigail, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor create an engaging cast. Anybody with a love of theater and history should read this masterpiece of a play.
