Archive for August 2024

By J.R.R Tolkien  5 Stars  Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of the three-book series written by J.R.R Tolkien. The story follows the events that took place in The Hobbit, another novel by J.R.R Tolkien. The setting takes place in imaginative Middle-earth, a place where humans and fantasy creatures…

By Tracy Deonn   5 Stars  Following the death of her mother, 16-year-old Bree Matthews enrolls in a program at UNC-Chapel Hill. She then witnesses a strange magical attack involving a demon. When a Merlin fails to erase her memory, she stumbles upon a secret society trained to hunt down said creatures. After unlocking powers of…

By Trevor Noah  5 Stars  Born a Crime is a memoir written by famous comedian Trevor Noah about his life as a child in a highly oppressive region of the world. The story is told through the lens of Trevor living as a mixed race during a time of great racial segregation, with hints of…

by Jeff Kinney 4 Stars  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, written by Jeff Kinney, takes readers on another entertaining and relatable adventure through the eyes of Greg Heffley. In this fifth installment of the popular series, the author continues to captivate readers with his witty writing style and humorous illustrations.    The Ugly…

By Frank McCourt  4 Stars  Angela’s Ashes is a memoir based on the true story of the life of young Frank McCourt, living in Ireland during times of great poverty and war. The hardships and struggles are told with innocence from Frank’s perspective as he ages throughout the story. Frank is the firstborn of Angela…

By Alan Gratz  5 Stars  Allies by Alan Gratz is a compelling and thought-provoking historical novel that takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through the lives of three young people during World War II. With its vivid storytelling and strong character development, Allies stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The…

By Markus Zusak  5 Stars  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a touching and unforgettable novel that sweeps readers into the world of Nazi Germany during World War II. The story is narrated by Death and follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with foster parents in a small German town. Liesel's life is…

By Karen M. McManus  3 Stars  The Cousins by Karen M. McManus is about three distant cousins, Lucy, Milo, and Em, who come together during a summer visit to work at their grandmother's island resort. However, as they spend the summer on the island, they quickly discover that their family's history is filled with dark…

By Angie Thomas  4 Stars  The Hate U Give is a heartbreaking and powerful read that dives into some of the bitter truths that happen in our society. Angie Thomas, the author, walks us through the life of Starr Carter, a young African-American girl who unexpectedly finds herself in the middle of a heartbreaking situation…

By Karen M. McManus  4 Stars  Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus is a thrilling mystery. The story revolves around two teens, Ellery and her twin brother Ezra, who move to a small town with a dark history. The town, Echo Ridge, has a reputation for secrets, especially after a homecoming queen…