In the final book of the Harry Potter series, Harry and his two closest friends - Ron and Hermione - set off on a mission to destroy the dark forces that are terrorizing the wizarding world. Their objective is to hunt down and eliminate Voldemort’s Horcruxes, so they have a chance of beating the dark lord once and for all. Along the way, they will uncover secrets about the past, face life-threatening challenges, and learn about the mysterious legend of the Deathly Hallows.
In a beautifully scripted book, this story tells the tale of a royal family who go through intense drama within their kingdom. It starts with the death of King Hamlet, his son, prince Hamlet, is devastated and approaches a spirit. The spirit claims to be the soul of King Hamlet and informs Hamlet of the cause of his death and who did it. After finding out that it was Claudius, King Hamlet’s brother who killed his brother, Prince Hamlet goes out to avenge his father's death. Claudius soon becomes king after marrying Prince Hamlet’s mother, the Queen.
Written by Scott Fitzgerald and taking place in Long Island, NY during the roaring twenties, The Great Gatsby is a very lively read. The story follows main character Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who tries to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. This book is interesting, as it is narrated by a character named Nick Carraway, who also appears in the storyline. The novel explores themes of desire, greed, class, and the corrupting influence of wealth.
The Fault in Our Stars is a heartbreaking yet beautiful book that explores love, loss, and the search for meaning. The story is about Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old in remission from osteosarcoma. They meet at a cancer support group, where they quickly form a deep connection, bonding over literature, philosophy, and their shared understanding of how life is temporary.
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days follows Greg Heffley as he tries to have the perfect summer—one filled with video games, air conditioning and zero responsibilities. Unfortunately for him, his mom has other plans, pushing him to spend more time outside, bond with his family and even get a job. From disastrous trips to the beach to a failed lawn care business with Rowley, Greg’s summer quickly spirals into one awkward and hilarious misadventure after another.
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw follows Greg Heffley as he struggles with new challenges at school and at home—especially with his dad, who is determined to toughen him up. From forcing Greg to take up a sport to threatening military school, his dad’s attempts at making him more responsible only lead to more chaos and classic Heffley mishaps. This book perfectly captures the awkwardness of growing up, the pressure to meet expectations and the constant battle between kids and parents.
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules picks up where the first book left off, following Greg Heffley as he continues to navigate the challenges of middle school—this time with even more trouble from his older brother, Rodrick. As Greg tries to keep an embarrassing secret from getting out, Rodrick uses it as leverage to make his life miserable. Meanwhile, their parents push them to bond which only leads to more chaos, pranks and Greg finding himself in one awkward situation after another.
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid introduces readers to the hilarious and relatable world of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler navigating the ups and downs of school, family and friendships. Written in a diary format with witty illustrations, the book captures Greg’s often self-centered yet amusing perspective as he deals with bullies, embarrassing moments and his best friend Rowley’s unexpected rise in popularity.
Circe by Madeline Miller reimagines the life of the Greek mythological witch Circe, daughter of Helios, as she hones her powers during exile on the island of Aiaia and encounters legendary figures like Odysseus. This tale is a captivating exploration of her journey toward self-discovery and empowerment in a world of gods, monsters and magic. While reading Circe, I felt deeply immersed in the mythological world while empathizing with Circe's struggles and triumphs.
Fourth Wing is probably one of the best booktok recommendations out there. It follows twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengai. Violet has always wanted to become a scribe, but as the daughter of a general that is not an option for her. She has to become a dragon rider. The problem is she is small and what some people say “fragile”. Can Violet even make it through the trials and through people who hate her because of her mom? Specifically, the infamous Xaden Riorson who is one of the best riders.
