In We Hunt the Flame, the world of Arawiya is on the brink of destruction. In order to save it Zafira, a hunter who always finds her way, and Nasir, the prince of death, are forced to work together. They are joined with others who have their own motivations for going on this journey. Many lies and truths are uncovered throughout the journey and the fate of the world rests in the hands of an unintentionally united Zumra (as one of my favorite characters, Benyamin, calls their unlikely grouping).
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a heart-wrenching story told from two perspectives during World War II. The book follows Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German orphan. While trying to escape ongoing German occupation, Marie-Laure and her father reside on the coast of France. Meanwhile, Werner’s intrinsic talent for engineering radios ultimately causes the two characters to cross paths in Saint-Malo.
Normal People by Sally Rooney follows the relationship between Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan. Spending their youth in a small-town in Ireland, the two find themselves to be polar opposites in high school, Connell, a popular jock, and Marianne a quiet outcast. However, they discover that their interests align perfectly, sparking a relationship.
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.
Nothing More To Tell by Karen M. McManus is the story of a crime that was never solved. Saint Ambrose’s beloved teacher Mr. Larkin was murdered four years ago, and the case was never closed. Brynn, the main character, moved to another city after Mr. Larkin’s death and has just now moved back. She has an internship with a true crime show, and she’s determined to find out the truth about what happened four years ago. The key to finding the truth is through the three kids who found Mr.
In a world where the first-born child of every noble family is burdened with a horrible curse, the second-born daughter of the Solon family, Cerise Solon, is an acolyte to the court. Like all the second-born children of the realm she is beholden to serve the goddess and become a Seer, only Cerise has no magical gift at all. But the only possible way to end the curse lies in Cerise's hands.
The Great Gatsby is a captivating novel exploring love, ambition and the American Dream. The story follows Nick Carraway, a Midwestern bond trader, as he becomes a part of the lavish world of his interesting neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, is hopelessly in love with Daisy Buchanan, a married woman who is also Nick’s cousin. He throws grand, lavish parties in hopes of winning her affection.
Ben Ripley is dragged into yet another grueling, dangerous mission. This time, he’s headed up to Alaska, where he must work with a group of his closest friends, and fellow CIA agents, to investigate a Russian criminal mastermind. Along his mission, he will meet old enemies, navigate through treacherous landscapes and endure the frigid Alaskan environment. With the stakes higher than ever and everything working against them, Ben and his team must rely on quick thinking, perseverance and sheer determination to terminate the enemy before it’s too late.
Thomas wakes up in a dark, empty elevator with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He finds himself in the Glade, a massive enclosed area surrounded by gargantuan walls which hide an ever-changing maze. The only way to escape is to navigate the maze, but it’s full of deadly creatures called Grievers. The maze is not just a physical challenge, but also a mental one. As secrets unravel, Thomas becomes determined to lead his fellow Gladers to freedom. Can they decode the Glade’s secrets before time runs out? Or will the Grievers get them first?
When an accident during a dust storm leaves astronaut Mark Watney stranded on Mars, everybody thinks he’s dead. Left alone with no communication, few resources and limited food and water, Watney will be a testament to the human instinct of survival. Armed with his botany and engineering skills, Mark sets out to survive by any means possible. Every day, he faces a new task ahead of him - all while knowing that his chances of survival become slimmer each day. After NASA finally discovers that he’s alive, the time for a rescue mission is quickly running out.
