Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a classic novel set in North Carolina during the mid to late 1900s. It follows Kya, a young girl who lives in a marsh with her poor family. Abandoned by her mom and eventually her siblings at the tender age of six, leaving her alone with her abusive and alcoholic father. He too eventually abandoned her at the age of seven.
The story revolves around Charlie and Silas, two strangers who wake up together in a hospital with no memory of who they are or how they got there. As they try to piece together their past, they realize they are married, but their love story is shrouded in mystery. Charlie and Silas's journey takes them through a series of twists and turns, uncovering dark secrets and shocking revelations about their relationship and themselves. With each new discovery, they must confront the truth about their past, their love, and their very identities.
Verity is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who finds herself in a precarious situation when she’s offered the chance to complete a series by her favorite author, Verity Crawford. As Lowen moves into Verity's home to finish the series, she struggles with her own personal demons while becoming entangled in a web of mystery and suspense.
In Life of Pi, we meet Pi Patel, a 16-year-old boy from India whose family owns a zoo. When political unrest forces them to move to Canada, their ship tragically sinks, leaving Pi stranded on a lifeboat with a few animals, including a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. As Pi struggles for survival, he grapples with profound questions about faith and purpose. His journey is not just a fight against the elements; it's a quest for meaning amidst the chaos.
John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, taking place in the 1940s, goes through the life and struggles of Gene Forrester. Gene is a quiet boy that attends The Devon School, where he meets his future friend Finny. At first, they develop a strong friendship, but it begins to turn sour as envy gets in the way. The friendship takes a dark turn as the tree jumping ritual, developed by the friends, ends in Gene pushing Finny off the tree. The rest of the book is spent on Gene trying to find himself as Finny recovers.
Big Nate in Your Face! continues the humorous journey of Nate Wright as he takes on the challenges of middle school, friendship, and his eternal quest for popularity. This book is packed with Nate’s usual antics, but also dives deeper into his relationships with his friends and family, showcasing the ups and downs of middle school life in a way that’s both relatable and entertaining. I’d give this book a five out of five because it captures the essence of growing up with Nate’s signature humor and heart.
Big Nate Blasts Off is another delightful addition to the Big Nate series, filled with humor, relatable moments, and Nate’s unforgettable antics. In this book, Nate Wright faces new challenges as he deals with school bullies, friends, and his never-ending quest to be the center of attention. With a hilarious storyline centered on Nate's dreams of achieving greatness, the book keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone is a heartfelt story of rekindled friendships, hidden desires, and self-discovery. When Hannah saves the life of Emory's boyfriend, Luke, it sets off a chain of events that forces the former best friends to confront the rift that once drove them apart. As they reconnect, Hannah and Emory, both seventeen, must navigate their complicated feelings, first loves, and true connections, ultimately finding the strength to face the truth and follow their hearts.
After her parents' tragic death, 16-year-old Jackie Howard moves from New York to Colorado to live with her mother's family, the Walter Boys - four brothers (Matt, Jake, Alex, and Greg) and their father. As Jackie navigates her new life, she faces cultural shock, sibling rivalry, and blossoming romances, particularly with Alex, the charming and sensitive brother. Amidst the chaos and emotional struggles, Jackie finds solace in her growing relationships with the Walter Boys and discovers a new sense of belonging, identity, and love.
In Julia Alvarez’s Afterlife, Antonia’s commitment to her family and willingness to support others highlights her selfless nature, even at the expense of her needs and desires. Antonia hesitates when one of Antonia’s neighbors, Mario, asks if his girlfriend Estela, an undocumented immigrant, can stay at Antonia’s house due to the precarious situation she may face. She explains that she cannot “handle something like this right now” because she is grieving the recent passing of her husband, Sam (Alvarez 29).
