1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel about a man, Winston, who lives in a futuristic and totalitarian society controlled by the government called big brother. The book shows the dangers of government control and how hard it is to go against the government. In my opinion, I give this book three stars. This book taught me a lot about society nowadays and it was very intriguing to analyze the text as I was reading.
Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed is a profound exploration of familial bonds and the reverberating effects of choices across generations. Set against the diverse backdrop of Afghanistan and beyond, the novel intricately weaves together a tapestry of interconnected stories, each reflecting the enduring impact of love, sacrifice, and loss. The narrative begins with the heart-wrenching decision made by Saboor, a poor Afghan laborer, to sell his daughter, Pari, to a wealthy family in Kabul.
Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner masterfully explores themes of social injustice, betrayal, and the enduring quest for redemption. Through rich imagery and poignant foreshadowing, the story unfolds around Amir, a young boy growing up in a rigidly structured Afghan society. Amir's friendship with Hassan, who belongs to the marginalized Hazara community, is at the heart of the narrative.
Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is a gripping narrative set against the tumultuous backdrop of Afghanistan's evolving political landscape. It follows the life of Mariam, an illegitimate child thrust into a patriarchal society, and her journey through love, oppression, and ultimately, moral reconciliation. Through the motif of motherhood and the strength of female relationships, Hosseini beautifully illustrates the necessity of these bonds for survival in a male-dominated world.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney is a book about Greg Heffley, a wimpy kid who wants to be a big shot in sports but doesn’t want to work to get there. However, this may be his time to shine because his school is hosting a Field Day! He tries to go to the gym with his dad, but his low knowledge of the gym gets him, and his dad kicked out. The big day finally comes, Field Day! Unfortunately, his team didn’t perform as well as he hoped.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a young adult romance about two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who fall in love while dealing with cancer. Hazel is a survivor, and Augustus has his own health struggles. The book explores tough topics like illness and loss, but also showcases the beauty of life and love, even when it doesn't last long. I give this book four stars because it was a very emotional but satisfying read. This book made me empathize for Hazel and Augustus because of their unfortunate fate.
And Then They Were None is a classic mystery written by Agatha Christie. It surrounds the story of ten strangers who get invited to stay at a famous island called Soldier Island. After landing and settling into their house, they find out at dinner that they were all there because they were connected to past murders of people. This book highlighted themes of guilt, justice, and wealth. In my personal opinion, I enjoyed this book and would give it four stars.
In A Thousand Splendid Suns, we meet two characters, Laila and Mariam. The book is divided into 4 parts. It starts off with Mariam’s perspective on being an illegitimate teenager from Herat whose life falls apart when the death of her mother occurs. She admires her father but soon that also crashes as she is forced into marrying an older man, a shoemaker from Kabul, by her father. In Kabul, Mariam is held to a very high standard which leads to her not being able to show herself or speak for herself.
The Book Thief follows Liesel, a young girl living in Nazi Germany who finds solace in stealing books and learning to read with the help of her foster father, Hans. As war intensifies, she forms deep connections with Rudy, her best friend, and Max, a Jewish man hiding in their basement, all while the narrator, Death, observes their lives unfold. Markus Zusak’s storytelling transcends mere narration; it becomes an exploration of the human heart in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Powerless is a fantasy and romance book that is the first in a trilogy. It is told through the eyes of the two main characters Kai, one of the princes of Ilya, and Paedyn, a thief from the town of Loot. They come from very different backgrounds and when the trials occur in Ilya they are forced to compete against each other forcing them both to make tough choices. I like how you are able to hear the perspective of both the main characters in this book. My favorite characters in this book are Paedyn and Adena.
