In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware Leonora “Nora” Shaw is a crime writer who left her school ten years ago after a breakup and devotes her life to writing whilst living in a small living space in Hackney. After leaving town, Nora loses touch with her old friends and expects her days to be the same. However, she later receives an email that invites her to a party that is held by her old best friend, Clare. The party is later hosted by Clare’s best friend, Flo, who seems to be a look-alike of Clare.
Through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis, The Outsiders depicts the gritty lives of the “Greasers”, a group of poor teen friends caught up in a bitter class struggle between their rough neighborhood and the wealthy “Socs”. The Greasers want safety, respect, and to escape the hardships of their circumstances. However, they face terrible treatment, violence, and retaliation from the Socs. They then get pulled into a dangerous downward spiral of violent actions to protect their own.
Want a short, but detailed overview of genetics? This is the perfect book for that. Genetics 101 has various topics under the branch of genetics which are explained concisely. Topics like DNA replication, protein synthesis, inheritance, evolution, and others can be found in this time-worthy book. Fun facts and sections about many related subjects can also be found in this book. It’s not too wordy and can be understood by all science levels. Once you read it, you will walk away knowing more than you started with.
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.
