WRITTEN BY NATALIA JACKSON
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a masterpiece of young adult literature. The story is set in a dystopian society where people have given up their individuality and emotions for the sake of sameness and stability. The story follows the journey of Jonas, a 12-year-old boy who is selected to become the next Receiver of Memory. Through his training with the current Receiver, known as The Giver, Jonas discovers the truth about his society's past and present. The story is filled with themes of conformity, individuality, memory, and love. Lowry's writing is simple yet poignant, and she expertly crafts a world that is both familiar and foreign. The story is told from Jonas's point of view, which allows readers to experience his confusion, curiosity, and growing sense of unease as he discovers the truth about his society. The plot is tightly woven, with every detail serving a purpose and contributing to the story's overall impact. The Giver is a novel that will make readers think about the value of individuality, the importance of memory, and the consequences of sacrificing emotions for the sake of stability. Overall, The Giver is a timeless classic that has remained popular since its publication in 1993. It is a thought-provoking novel that appeals to readers of all ages, and it has inspired numerous adaptations, including a movie and a graphic novel. The book's themes and messages are still relevant today, and it serves as a reminder that individuality and emotions are important parts of what makes us human. WRITTEN BY NATALIA JACKSON
Rated by Author: 5/5 Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a thrilling and addictive mystery novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who becomes ambitiously determined to solve the cold case of a popular student who was found murdered five years prior to the time period that the novel takes place. Pippa believes that the police got it wrong and that the real killer is still out there. The author, Holly Jackson, does a great job of building the tension and keeping the reader guessing. Pippa is a likable and relatable protagonist who is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting herself in danger. The secondary characters are also very well-developed and add many layers of depth to the story. The book also addresses important themes such as the pressure of societal expectations and the dangers of cyberbullying. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In my opinion, Good Girls Guide to Murder is the perfect novel for mystery and thriller lovers. The author has done a fantastic job of crafting a compelling and suspenseful story that will have you intrigued from start to finish. WRITTEN BY AIDEN ORANTES
Rated by Author: 5/5 The Thing about Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin, is a novel that talks about the effects of growing up, and having your best friend die before you’re able to reconcile. It follows the main character, Susie Swanson, as she reels from the death of her best friend, Franny Jackson, who drowned. Susie slowly begins researching jellyfish, and tries to find a way to prove that Franny’s death wasn’t by drowning. She believes it was by being stung by a jellyfish, because otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense. All the characters introduced in the novel each have their own rich lives. Even if we don’t get to delve too deep into them, we know some of their struggles and personalities. The highs and lows of Suzy and Franny’s friendship is depicted through the eyes of Suzy, as a first person narrator. From the first meeting, to becoming friends, and they eventually drift apart, as well as the initial events that spiral into Suzy deciding to research jellyfish takes place. In the end, The Thing about Jellyfish will leave you heartbroken, yet hopeful for the main character. WRITTEN BY RIELLE CHLOE CANLAS
Rated by Author: 2/5 Warning: Content Contains Spoilers! They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera is a young adult novel that follows two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus, as they discover that they only have one day left to live. In the book’s dystopian structured society, individuals are informed 24 hours before they die. The book starts off with Mateo receiving a call from the “death cast”, an unknown organization that calls you before your death. Later on, Rufus receives the same call. They go on an app called “Last Friends”, allowing you to make a friend before you pass. Mateo and Rufus meet from there and begin their adventure together. Mateo and Rufus go on an “around the world in eighty minutes” experience. They jump off of waterfalls, visit the World Travel Arena, and ride their motorcycle throughout the night. Before the 24 hours are up, the two go back to Mateo’s apartment. —Second spoiler alert-- Over their time spent together the two notice their feelings for each other. They end their last few hours with a kiss and lay in Mateo’s bed. In the middle of the night, Rufus decides to make tea when the gas burner starts to ignite and the apartment fills with flames. As he’s killed instantly, Rufus later wakes up and is filled with devastation. Overall, I’m not a huge fan of this book. Due to its title, nothing was surprising. The book ended really underwhelmingly. From reviews and research before reading, They Both Die at the End was really promoted for its heartfelt story. Although the aspect of romance and emotion is involved, I, as an emotional person, did not shed a tear. I’ve seen countless people cry over this book, but I believe the story was very predictable and distasteful. The adventures they went through were very wholesome but towards the end, everything was really rushed. I think reading this book is a great experience if you have some free time on your hands. Although, if you’re looking for something dramatic that leaves you in tears, I would not recommend this book to you. WRITTEN BY: NATALIA JACKSON
Rated by Author: 4/5 One of Is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a thrilling and suspenseful young adult novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The story follows five high school students who are in detention together when one of them suddenly dies. The other four students, who all have secrets to hide, become suspects in the murder investigation. The plot twists and turns as each character's backstory and motivations are revealed, making it hard to guess who the real killer is. McManus does a great job of creating relatable and well-developed characters; each with their own unique personalities and struggles. The story is told through multiple perspectives, allowing readers to get a deeper understanding of each character and how they are connected to the murder. The pacing of the book is also well done, as it slowly builds up to a shocking and satisfying conclusion. One of Us Is Lying is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. It's a fast-paced and engaging story that will keep readers guessing until the very end. McManus has done an excellent job of crafting a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. WRITTEN BY: NATALIA JACKSON
Rated by Author: 5/5 Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful retelling of the classic Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus. The novel is told from the perspective of Patroclus, a prince who is exiled to the court of Achilles' father and forms a deep bond with Achilles. Miller's writing is lyrical and evocative, bringing the ancient world to life with vivid descriptions and rich imagery. The characters are well-developed and complex, with Achilles, in particular, being portrayed as a fully-realized human being, with flaws and vulnerabilities as well as strength and courage. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, as well as the brutal realities of war and the price of fame. The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is at the heart of the story, and Miller masterfully portrays the depth of their love and the sacrifices they make for each other. Overall, The Song Of Achilles is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology and lovers of epic literature. It’s a stunning retelling of the classic story that will leave readers breathless and heartbroken by the end. WRITTEN BY: JACOB LOPEZ
Rated by Author: 5/5 The book, The Mamba Mentality, was brilliant. It is an easy read and the contents of the book are easy to digest. I got it from Amazon on-sale and you should check it out too. I loved this book because it helped me progress as an athlete and changed my mindset for the better. I love playing my sport and I want to be great at it, that’s why I loved this book. Bryant writes and teaches about his own personal experiences in the league. Bryant highlights the mental game of the sport as well as the physical game of the sport. Through his high analyst mindset, he talks about the plays he ran and the players he had to adjust against. A big thing from the book that has helped improve the way I play and helped me progress as an athlete is Bryant’s explanation of his hard-working mindset and discipline that made him successful. After reading this book, I have been excelling at my sport by outworking the competition and being a student of the game like Bryant spoke about in this book. Reading this book has led me to improve aspects of my sport that I didn’t know I could improve and has definitely strengthened my ability to improve in the future. Even as a professional athlete like Kobe, one can never stop learning more about the game. Now I am focused on my grind and the process of reaching my big goals. I am learning how to improve my game and The Mamba Mentality has helped me a lot to do just that. I recommend this book for anyone who plays a sport to help reach their full potential as an athlete. WRITTEN BY: DANA BARBEE
Rated by Author: 5/5 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a murder mystery novel that takes place on a remote island mansion. This description establishes imagery in the mind of a tropical paradise getaway but it is far from that. Ten people are invited to this secluded destination by a mysterious author of almost identical letters. Each person has a different reason for attending. By the end, they're all dead. (not a spoiler...look at the title) When I read this book, I was initially hesitant because it was the first Agatha Christie novel I had ever read. I knew that she was known for her murder mysteries and for that reason, I grabbed the seemingly most murderous one in attempt to understand the appeal. Up until reading this book, I had only ever read Nancy Drew and those can't truly be considered murder mystery novels like this one can. I was shocked to find myself enjoying it as much as I did. Though I could not leave my room at night for a week out of fright while I read the book, I was deeply engrossed in the story and wanted to figure out the killer almost as much as the characters did...though I was more lucky than them. Looking back on this book, I admire the ability to write just enough information to keep the reader wanting more but not too much that it gives the ending away too soon. And Then There Were None was my first introduction to Agatha Christie and mystery as a genre and I am so grateful to have read it. I loved this book and can't wait to read more of this amazing author's intriguing mysteries. |
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