Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins explores the aftermath of being widowed. Josh and Lauren are a couple madly in love, but Lauren is diagnosed with a terminal illness. She spends the last few months of her life writing letters that will have delivered to Josh after her passing. Both the plot and the writing were outstanding. I got so invested in this book. I will admit the three weird popular culture references from this book were a little out of place.
Treasure Island is an adventure novel that has captivated readers for many years. The story follows Jim Hawkins, an ordinary boy who ends up at the center of a thrilling and dangerous journey. After finding a pirate’s treasure map, Jim sets sail with a group of men, including the wise Dr. Livesey and the rich Squire Trelawney, in search of a treasure.
One Dead Spy is part of the series called Hazardous Tales, by Nathan Hale. This book is about Nathan Hale in the American Revolutionary War who spied for the Americans but eventually got caught and hung by the British. It starts with the Americans sieging the British who had earlier taken control of Boston. They recaptured for America and headed to New York. Forts were built all over, but the British simply had a much larger army and were quickly taking over.
Dune by Frank Herbert is an interstellar tale set on the inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis (Dune), a place that holds a substance called the “spice” melange. This substance is highly coveted due to its magical properties, and as a result, many wars have been waged over it. The story follows the young heir of Arrakis, Paul Atreides, after his house is betrayed and his father killed.
1984 is a dystopian novel of a state in which the government, led by Big Brother, controls everything, including people's thoughts and actions. Winston Smith is the protagonist who begins to resist the Party's rule and searches for truth in a world full of lies. In seeking knowledge of the world he is living, he faces the dangers of surveillance, strict laws, and suppression of independent thought. The novel deals with the themes of power, control, and fighting for freedom.
Twice as Hard by Jasmine Brown is a nonfiction book detailing the black female physicians of past and present. The book details how female doctors were not allowed to practice medicine until nearly the 1900’s, and black women trying to enter medical school were very uncommon. The book is written by detailing specific women's lives, showing the diversity they faced not only because they were black, but because they were women.
Written in the Bone by Sue Black is a nonfiction book about forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology is the study and practice of examining bones to determine how both people of the past and present lived/died. Sue Black writes the book by giving anatomical facts mixed with personal experiences of working as a forensic anthropologist.
Legendary is the second book in the famous Caraval series, which I picked up for my school’s book club. After Tella mking a desperate bargain with a mysterious stranger to save her sister Scarlett, the sisters must travel back to the Caraval to deliver him a secret never before uncovered; the true name of the master of the Caraval.
I give Cujo by Stephen King a 5 out of 5 rating. Stephen King is known for being a great horror/thriller author and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. He has also written It, The Shining, Pet Sematary, and The Green Mile. This book looked appealing to me since I recognized the author's name. The book is about Cujo, a dog that gets bitten by a bat and gets infected with rabies. The rest of the story demonstrates the impact that he has on the humans around him.
Salt to the Sea is a haunting and beautifully written historical fiction novel that talks about one of the greatest marine disasters in history—the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945.
