Alex and Eliza: A Love Story, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton’s romance with Elizabeth Schuyler. This book explores through their courtship, from their first meeting at a ball to their marriage and the challenges they faced. Eliza, a strong-willed and independent woman, captures Alex’s heart. Throughout the book, they navigate the obstacles of war, family expectations, and social class.
Born a Crime is a humorous memoir by Trevor Noah, describing his experiences as a mixed-race child born during the apartheid era in South Africa. His mother, Patricia Noah, a Black South African, and his father, Robert, a white Swiss German, dared to defy the oppressive laws of the time, which labeled their son’s existence as “a crime”. Trevor’s story navigates through the complexities of identity, race, and belonging in a society that was aimed to segregate and oppress.
Percy Jackson, an ADHD and dyslexic 12 year old, gets thrown into the world of the Greek gods and is caught in the middle of a war. He is accused of stealing Zeus’s master bolt and now he must travel to the underworld to stop a potential World War III. Percy and his two companions Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood must venture across the land of the gods to retrieve the bolt, but there are many obstacles along the way including a fall from the St. Louis arch, being chased by the three Furies, and getting stuck in time. Traitors will be uncovered and mysteries will be revealed.
Summary: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a magical realism novel that follows the lives of two young illusionists, Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair, who are bound by a lifelong competition orchestrated by their mentors. The competition takes place within a mysterious and enchanting circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, which only opens at night and captivates its visitors with astonishing performances and fantastical wonders.
This dystopian novel keeps readers guessing throughout the whole book as it unfolds the life of Kathy who reminisces about her childhood at Hailsham Boarding School. Here, Kathy and her friends, Tom and Ruth, lead seemingly ordinary lives at the school. However, they gradually become aware of their purpose as clones made for organ donation. As they grow older, the kids confront the reality of their existence, seeking a “normal” life. This novel explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding cloning and organ harvesting, raising many questions about the value of life.
This mysterious book will leave you on the edge of your seat! Five high school students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When the outcast of the school, Simon, dies under mysterious conditions- his four classmates become suspects. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Simon was planning to reveal juicy secrets about each of them. Each student wants to clear their name and keep their secrets buried to protect their high school image. With conflicting motives and witnesses, it’s unclear who is truly innocent or lying.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic book with an interesting view of human nature. The story revolves around a group of British boys whose plane crashed and are stranded on a deserted island. These boys try to form their society in which one of the main characters, Ralph, is elected leader and rules using a set of rules and order. However, soon some boys become obsessed with power and hunting, leading them into savagery.
Thomas wakes up in a box with only his name in his memory. He discovers that he is in a “paradise” like world, with a bunch of other boys in a group called Gladers. They all live in the Glade, which is surrounded by a maze. In the maze are monsters called Grievers, bulbous creatures with spiky appendages designed to kill. The Gladers have all been trapped for two years, and Thomas might be their only key to escape the maze. When the first girl ever arrives in the Glade, and the Grievers start invading the Glade, Thomas and others lead the Gladers in a fight for freedom.
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, directed by Neil Blomkamp at Sony Productions, and starring Archie Madweke, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell, Djimon Hounsou, Orlando Bloom, and David Harbour, came to theaters on August 25, 2023 (Rotten Tomatoes). It provides insight on something many of the watchers cannot experience personally: racing professionally on a racetrack.
Summary: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel set during World War II, focusing on the lives of two French sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. As the Nazis occupy France, Vianne is forced to endure the hardships and moral dilemmas of living under enemy rule while trying to protect her daughter. Meanwhile, the rebellious Isabelle joins the French Resistance, risking her life to save downed Allied airmen and undermine the German forces.
