The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a tragic story about wealth, love and the American Dream. It follows Nick Carraway, who gets drawn into the lavish world of his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby — a man obsessed with winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of greed, illusion and the emptiness behind glamorous lifestyles. Gatsby’s dream of recreating the past ultimately leads to heartbreak and tragedy, showing that money can’t buy true happiness.
In Layla, Leeds and Layla are set to get married. On their wedding day, they face a tragedy. After this incident, Leeds tries to help Layla recover, but she struggles, not acting like herself. They decide to go on a trip to a bed-and-breakfast, but weird things start happening there... Leeds becomes torn on if they should stay or leave this potentially haunted BnB. If you enjoy romance with a bit of supernatural fantasy, this is the novel for you!
The Outsiders is a book from 1967 about tragedy, conflict and adolescence. The story takes place in Tulsa where two rival groups exist, the poor Greasers, and the rich Socs. The story is told from the perspective of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old Greaser. He lives with his two brothers, and he witnesses all of the rivalry, tragedy and conflict between the Greasers and the Socs.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an emotional retelling of the Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus from Homer’s Iliad. Under the narration of Patroclus, he and Achilles create an inseparable bond despite the onset of war. Their relationship is portrayed through their contrasting perspectives as Patroclus is compassionate, gentle and quiet, while Achilles is charismatic and bold.
This classic piece of literature by Shakespeare tells the tale of forbidden lovers, Romeo Montague, and Juliet Capulet from warring families. To begin, the families are not allowed to fight by order of the Prince. Later that night, Romeo and his friends break into a Capulet party. Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love. However, all is not well because Juliet is promised to marry Paris. After a deadly battle between the two families, Romeo is banished. Juliet and Romeo make a plan with the Friar that ultimately ends in bloodshed.
Othello, also known as “The Moor” is a great general married to Desdemona, the prettiest girl in Venice. When a potential war threatens Cyprus, Othello is shipped off to battle with Desdemona following him. Othello’s third in command, Lago, despises him for his position and power and does everything he can to manipulate and ruin Othello’s life.
The Great Gastby is set in the roaring 1920s and follows Nick, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan throughout. Jay Gatsby is a mysterious character who seems to have a lot of money, lives in a nice house and isn’t involved in many of the parties he throws. Daisy Buchanan is a young woman who used to be in love with Jay but is now married to Tom Buchanan. The story was really interesting and enjoyable when it was talking about Jay’s infatuation with Daisy.
Cadence Sinclair Eastman is a Sinclair— a family with a noble, white, reputable history in America. Sinclairs are happy. Sinclairs aren’t addicts. Sinclairs are not failures. Sinclairs are the epitome. Every year, she goes to the Sinclairs’ private island owned by her Granddad just off of Cape Cod to spends her summers with her cousins and divorced aunts… and an Indian boy named Gat who has stolen her heart. However, during summer fifteen, something happened. Something bad. Now, she’s 17 and is going back to the island.
The Once and Future King by T.H. White is a modern retelling of the legend of King Arthur, presented in four parts. It begins with The Sword in the Stone, where young Arthur, known as Wart, is tutored by the wizard Merlyn and eventually pulls the sword from the stone to become king.
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.
