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The Inheritance Games
Barnes, Jennifer
Reviewed: February 2, 2023
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the first book of The Inheritance Games series. The book follows Avery Kylie Grambs, a high school girl who lost her mom and is now living with her step-sister Libby. Avery has just discovered that Tobias Hawthorne, a billionaire, has left her in his will. However, Avery will not simply inherit the fortune. She must play Tobias Hawthornes' inheritance game. To earn her reward, she must go to Texas and live in the Hawthorne House for one year—along with Tobias' four grandsons. Avery must work together with the Hawthorne... Read Full Review
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Pirsig, Robert M.
Reviewed: January 25, 2023
Based on author Robert M. Pirsig’s actual experiences, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a story about Pirsig’s relationship with his eleven-year-old son as they take a motorcycle trip across America. The journey is an opportunity for them to rekindle their relationship in the wake of Pirsig’s recovery from intense depression. As they traverse the twists and turns of America’s highways, so too is the reader taken down a winding path of philosophical inquiry. The focus of Pirsig’s narration alternates between past and present as he recounts his lifetime of studying... Read Full Review
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Five Feet Apart
Reviewed: January 19, 2023
Five Feet Apart (2019)
Five Feet Apart (2019), directed by Justin Baloni, is a suspenseful and on-your-toes type of movie. Stella is a 17-year-old girl who deals with cystic fibrosis and has spent most of her life in the hospital. She meets a young rebellious teen named Will, who also has the same illness. Once they meet, there is an instant spark, but just meeting is a huge risk because patients with CF have to maintain a distance of 6 feet to keep both patients safe. The more they get to know each other, the rules become less important. They both don't have a... Read Full Review
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The Catcher in the Rye
Salinger, J. D. (Jerome David), 1919-2010.
Reviewed: January 12, 2023
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger focuses on the experiences of Holden Caulfield as he travels around New York alone. After Holden is expelled from Pencey Prep, he decides it's best to escape to New York for the last few days he has at school before heading home to face his parents. He jumps from place to place in New York, from hotels to bars; he never seems to stay in just one place. Along the way, he meets with old love interests, friends of his brother D.B., and more. Holden mentions how the people he meets and everyone around him are phonies and dishonest. These people... Read Full Review
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From Twinkle, With Love
Menon, Sandhya
Reviewed: January 5, 2023
From Twinkle With Love is a spectacularly funny and heartwarming romance all in one. We follow aspiring director Twinkle Mehra as she works through the racial, gender, and social injustices of the film world, and an even more difficult challenge: the high school social system. Twinkle is what they call a groundling, someone who lives more in the shadows of the school, usually smart and always not popular. She has had a major crush on this guy called Neil Roy, a swimming prodigy and total hottie, for a very long time. Not only that but now dating Neil will give her an opportunity... Read Full Review
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Nimona
Stevenson, ND
Reviewed: December 21, 2022
Nimona by ND Stevenson is a stand-alone graphic novel. In this story, there is a shapeshifter who decides to become the sidekick of the villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart, but it turns out Blackheart is not as bad as society makes him out to be.
Nimona is a more light-hearted story for those who do not like angst, and it is appropriate for teens of any age. The genre of this graphic novel is comedy and action. As the story progresses, Nimona learns to be more comfortable with who she is, which is something that a lot of people can relate to.
I really... Read Full Review
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1984
Orwell, George, 1903-1950.
Reviewed: June 17, 2022
1984 is a fictional novel written by George Orwell that tells the story of Winston Smith, who lives under the watchful eyes of Big Brother in the nation of Oceania. He works in the Ministry of Truth where he is responsible for altering historical records in order to fit the needs of the Party. Here, he meets a dark-haired girl named Julia whom he falls in love with. However, the Party reprimands any sexual acts or forms of love among its people. Yet, Winston and Julia fulfill their need for love with each other and manage to keep their relationship a secret from others. After... Read Full Review
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Scythe
Shusterman, Neal
Reviewed: September 28, 2021
Scythe by Neal Shusterman is a good book for a lighter read. Scythe follows the story of two teenage apprentices, Citra and Rowan, as they compete to become a "Scythe" (killers who keep the population in check), although neither really wants to win. I really enjoyed the world-building of Scythe and all of the layers Schusterman created as if it could become a reality for our current world. This created a sense of perfection at the beginning but, as you read more, you realize how flawed their society truly is. As I read, I found myself switching sides between what... Read Full Review