A Separate Peace is an amazing book with a great story. Knowles captures the world of an elite New England boarding school and an interesting summer during World War Two when a tragic accident changes the lives of friends Gene and Phineas. The setting and themes of adolescence and rivalry are very impactful, although, I felt the pacing of the plot slows down a bit too much in parts. The final section of the book also left me wishing for a bit more closure.
The Catcher in the Rye, a work of fiction by J.D. Salinger is about the life of a teenage boy, Holden Caulfield. The story concerns Holden as he attempts to find happiness through experiencing the motions of life. Such begins with his lack of interest in academics, branching into his survival/personal experiences and finding interest in any part of existence.
The Outsiders by S.E Hinton features 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis and his two older brothers, Soda and Darry. Ponyboy struggles with right or wrong in society which makes him think that he is an outsider and the lack of parents in his life also gives his family many difficulties. The Curtis brothers, along with their friends are all a part of a group named the Greasers. Their rivals are the Socs, who are a group of boys from the wealthy side of town. A lot of trouble and violence arises between these two groups.
The main character, Carrie was raised in a religious household with her mother. Carrie gets her period while showering after gym class at school and thinks she is dying. The other girls in the locker room make fun of Carrie. While some girls feel sorry and try to make it up to her, other girls want the mean joke to go on. After the girls continue on with a terrible prank, Carrie gets her revenge by using her mind. She goes home to her religious mother who says she is a witch/devil.
Normal People by Sally Rooney is a contemporary coming-of-age novel that follows the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell, two Irish teenagers from different social backgrounds. Despite their differences, the two form a deep and intense connection, navigating the challenges of high school, college, and adulthood while grappling with issues of power, vulnerability, and self-identity.
This beautifully written 19th-century classic follows the adventures of the four March sisters as they transition into womanhood; Margaret (Meg), Josephine (Jo), Elizabeth (Beth), and Amy. Meg is portrayed as a beautiful, delicate young lady who dreams of a life of luxury. Jo is shown as a headstrong, tomboyish person with a heartfelt desire to write her own book someday. Beth is an innocent, sweet soul who only wishes for happiness. Amy is a romantic (though somewhat spoiled) girl who longs for a life as an artist.
I started reading Normal People by Sally Rooney because one of my friends recommended it to me. I had no clue what to expect other. When I first started reading it I was intrigued by how unique it was written. There are no quotation marks to mark dialogue, which differs from most books I have read. Little differences like this kept me reading more and more.
When Holden escapes Pencey Prep, he goes around New York City hoping to find truth and solace in the streets of NYC. As Holden wanders around the city lonely like a ghost he reflects on the true meaning of life as he attempts to escape the phonies of the world.
“Spontaneous”, by Aaron Starmer, is an equally humorous and heartbreaking look at the unique experience of growing up in the modern age. When students start spontaneously exploding all around her, senior Mara Carlyle has to come to terms with her own mortality and make every moment count.
