Twisted Love by Ana Huang is the first novel in the interconnected standalones series, The Twisted Series. This first book follows Ava Chen, one of the four girl best friends that the four books are based on. Ava’s older brother, Josh, is going on a mission trip of sorts to care for people who need medical care in South America due to his medical education. Josh wants his little sister to be protected, so asks his best friend Alex Volkov to watch out for her.
Kingdom of the Cursed is the second installment in the Kingdom of the Wicked series by Kerri Maniscalco. In this book, Emilia di Carlo has found herself in Hell, preparing to wed the devil himself. She also has a secret plan to continue investigating her sister’s murder. She must learn to master the courts of the Wicked, which are filled with treachery, secrets, lies, and much more.
Summary: Howards End by E.M. Forster is a novel that explores the intertwining lives of three families in early 20th-century England: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy and materialistic Wilcoxes, and the lower-middle-class Basts. The story centers on the relationships between the Schlegel sisters, Margaret and Helen, and the Wilcox family, particularly Henry Wilcox.
Belly Conklin has always said that summer is her favorite time of the year because of the beach house, Susannah, and most importantly the Fisher boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly, her mom, and her brother Steven have been going to the beach house since before she was born, but this summer is finally the one where things start to change. Jeremiah and Conrad begin to see her as more than just an annoying little girl, and while Jeremiah begins to develop feelings for Belly, her heart is still stuck on the dark and moody Conrad, whom she’s always had a crush on.
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is an amazing work of English literature that continues to captivate readers with its powerful narrative and complex characters. The novel begins with Jane's childhood at Gateshead, where she lives with her cruel aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her cousins. Jane is eventually sent to Lowood School, a harsh school for orphaned girls. Despite the difficult conditions, Jane finds friendship and mentorship. After eight years at Lowood, Jane becomes a teacher there but wants new experiences.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is a captivating novel that I’m sure many people are familiar with. The story revolves around Maddy, a teenager with a rare disease that forces her to live in isolation, and her budding relationship with Olly, the boy next door. Despite her condition, Maddy's desire to experience life and love sets off a series of events that change her world forever.
Madeline Whittier has never been outside. At least, for as long as she can remember. This is because of her rare condition that basically means she is allergic to everything. After a tumultuous childhood of doctors and tests, she was put in her air filtered house. Not a speck of anything from the outside world can get inside. Until the new family moves in next door, and the mysterious boy outside Madeline’s window waves back. Curious about this cute friend across the yard, Madeline begins to talk to him through emails. His name is Olly, and he wants to show her everything.
North and South is a Victorian-era novel that blends social life with romance. The story begins with Margaret Hale, a young woman from the rural South of England. Margaret has to move when her father, a clergyman, leaves the Church of England. The family moves to the industrial town of Milton in the North. In Milton, Margaret discovers a very different way of life. She's shocked by the harsh working conditions in the cotton mills and the divide between the wealthy mill owners and poor workers.
Anna Karenina is a masterpiece of 19th-century Russian literature that talks about love, marriage, and societal expectations. Tolstoy's novel brings together multiple storylines, focusing on the affair between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky. Anna, a married aristocrat, begins a passionate affair with the young Count Vronsky. This relationship leads to her social downfall, the loss of her son, and ultimately her tragic end. The affair challenges societal norms and explores themes of love versus societal expectations.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a classic that I’m sure everyone knows about. This story revolves around Romeo and Juliet, who come from two opposing families. Despite these rivalries, they fall in love with each other and secretly get married to one another. However, their relationship sets off a chain of tragic events, which ends in their tragic deaths.
