Summary: Revenge: Eleven Dark Tales by Yoko Ogawa is a collection of interconnected short stories that dive into the complexities of human relationships and the dark aspects of life. The narratives are tied together through recurring characters and subtle connections, creating a lot of psychological suspense and unsettling events. Ogawa's writing explores themes of revenge and obsession. With each story revealing the complexities of the characters' lives and their intertwined fates.
This prequel follows President Snow as a teenager. At the time of the book, the 10th annual Hunger Games is still not widely accepted. The Gamemakers struggle to keep interest in the Hunger Games. To gain a fresh perspective, capital students become mentors in the games. Coriolanus Snow’s tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, an underdog from District 12. The story follows these two protagonists, as their relationship develops, and Lucy Gray tries to stay alive in the games. This book is incredibly well written. It is a great continuation of the series The Hunger Games.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a book about two children named Ada and Jamie. Ada is a 10-year-old girl who is living in terrible conditions. They usually didn’t have food or water to drink or any to bathe with. Ada also had clubfoot and her terrible mother hated her because of it. She forced her to stay in one room and go to the restroom in a bucket. Whenever Ada was “bad” she made her climb into and old dirty cabinet. She was abusive to Ada and Jamie.
Mothers Laurel and Sussanah have been best friends since they were young. So, it became a tradition for them to bring their families together every summer to the summer house at Cousins. Laurel’s kids Belly and Steven come together with Sussanah’s kids, Conrad and Jeremiah. As the kids settle into the home, it becomes apparent that something has changed this summer. Belly has grown up into a young woman. Not only are there physical differences but Conrad is acting differently. The book goes through the summer as the kids change, and romantic feelings develop. I loved this book so much.
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.
