Summary: In the gripping novel, The Catcher in the Rye, we meet Holden Caulfield, a rebellious teenager expelled from his boarding school. Holden wants to find realness and authenticity in a phony world, but his own self-destructive tendencies and inability to connect with others hinder his progress. Throughout the book, Holden embarks on a journey through New York City, encountering various people and situations that further challenge his beliefs and push him to confront his own demons.
Summary: In a world where an oppressive regime rules, 17-year-old Juliette Ferrars is the main character, gifted with a lethal touch. She wants freedom, safety, and a chance to love, but her power and past stand in the way. In Unravel Me, Juliette joins a rebel group, attempting to take down the government and harness her abilities for good. While facing unexpected obstacles, she discovers the strength within herself, but her ultimate success remains uncertain.
Taking place in the 1930s, protagonist Janie Crawford’s upbringing, adolescence, and adulthood is narrated from a third person perspective. The story touches on especially sensitive topics at the time of its publication: sexism, racism, socioeconomic inequality. A beautifully flawed story, Jaine struggles to find true love - filing 3 marriages throughout the process. As Janie moves from town to town, her psyche and mentality develops, embracing her environments. This book was a great read and thoroughly highlighted many disparities that still exist today.
In this immersive and riveting story, Feyre’s journey is a rollercoaster of emotions. Faced with haunting nightmares and unimaginable trials, she battles inner turmoil amid politics and harrowing encounters. Her meeting with an unexpected companion leads Feyre to question choices and the path to redemption. It’s a choice of whether or not to let go of the path and how she wishes to shape her future. Maas weaves a fantastical world that effortlessly engulfs the readers. I found myself captivated, reading the entire book in one sitting.
Taking place in a dystopian society, protagonist Kathy takes the role of a carer who helps donors. Purposely vague, author Kazuo Ishiguro unmasks the history, the memories, and the truth about Hailsham - the school Kathy and her friends are raised in. During her time there, we learn a lot about Kathy’s personality and mentality, getting detailed descriptions of her favorite events and amusing stories about her friends.
Summary: In The Serpent's Secret: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond by Sayantani Dasgupta, the main character is Kiranmala, a twelve-year-old girl of Indian heritage. One day, Kiranmala discovers that she is not an ordinary girl but a princess from another dimension. She is determined to rescue her parents and save both her world and the Kingdom Beyond from the evil demon king, Serpent. However, what stands in her way are various mythological creatures, magical beings, and sinister forces working against her.
Summary: The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age novel that centers around Holden Caulfield, a young protagonist who seeks to protect innocence. Holden's desire to shield children from the hypocrisy and artificiality of the adult world drives him on a journey of self-discovery. However, he faces numerous obstacles, both external and internal, as he grapples with isolation, disillusionment, and encounters with insincerity.
Summary: The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls by Jessica Spotswood is a heartfelt contemporary young adult novel that follows the lives of the four Garrett sisters: Des, Bea, Kat, and Vi. Each sister yearns for something different. Des dreams of a career in fashion, but finances and societal expectations stand in her way. Bea seeks love, yet she fears rejection. Kat craves independence but is weighed down by responsibilities. Vi, the youngest, yearns for adventure but feels held back by her age.
Summary: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is devastated by nuclear war, and most of the population has emigrated to other planets. The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" rogue androids that have escaped to Earth. The novel explores themes of empathy, identity, and the blurred line between humans and artificial beings.
