Sundays at Tiffany's

James Patterson's Sundays at Tiffany's is a mix of reality and fantasy. It's a love story about a full-grown woman whose imaginary friend when she was little just suddenly appeared in reality. It's a story about love, motherhood and letting go. I loved this book, but it is not a typical James Patterson book. His style of writing is present but the theme is unusual.

-Madi

The White Queen

The White Queen tells the story of how Elizabeth Rivers went from being a widow with two sons to being the Queen of England. The story starts off with her romantic encounter with the Prince of York, future King of England. Elizabeth's husband had just died fighting a war between the Yorks and Lanchaster family. Being close to the once ruling Lanchaster family, Elizabeth finds it hard to accept her alternative fate. However, looking into the eyes of Henry, the new York King, she recognizes a new hope. A hope that would change her fate forever. This book is interesting because it depicts the realistic scenes of the English court during the time. It is both romantic and mysterious, as it involves the mystery of two princes who disappeared in the tower of London.

Personally, I love romance and mystery novels, so this book was a page turner for me.

-Tinnie

Ellen Foster

This book is very short but very strong. The author shares the story of Ellen Foster, a young girl who is raised in an extremely abusive environment. She is affected by her abusive father, reckless mother and her cold-hearted grandmother. Ellen's journey to find her true family and happiness impacts the readers. Another reason this book is special is that the story is told in the perspective of Ellen. Based on her experience, Ellen grows to become stronger. Ellen Foster is not a happy or humorous novel, but it is definitely meaningful and heart-warming.

-Kelly

The Phantom of the Opera

Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. It follows the narrator's attempt to piece together the mysterious events and happenings of the Paris Opera House. There is a reason why this classic tale has been turned into a silent film, a hit major motion picture, and the longest running musical.

-Madi

A Long Way Down

A Long Way Down, by Nick Hornby, is a very different kind of book. It tells the story in the point of view of four different people, who coincidentally meet one New Year's Eve while attempting to commit suicide. The four of them become friends after sharing their reasons for suicide.

I recommend this book because it is a fun, easy read with relatable characters.

-Catherine

The Boy in Striped Pajamas

I read The Boy in Striped Pajamas recently. It was written in the perspective of a nine-year-old boy, Bruno. The story takes place during World War II and Bruno's dad is a German officer in charge of the Jewish concentration camp. However, Bruno has no idea about what is going on and starts to talk to a Jewish boy by the gate every day. They share their stories, until one day, Bruno decides to crawl under the gate to see what his friend's "home" is like...

No one belongs here more than you.

Tired of reading 500 page novels? Tired of flipping through pages trying to remember where you left off? No One Belongs Here More Than You, by Miranda July, is a collection of short stories written by Miranda July, a filmmaker and an author. Each story, from 2 to 7 pages, has its own character. These stories are weird, fun, and thought-provoking.

Th1rteen R3asons Why

This book is about a girl who commits suicide and creates these tapes for people to listen to. These tapes were created for 13 specific people who have impacted her life for better or for worse. The book is written as if you were talking to your friend. It is a great story that will keep you interested throughout the book. It is an easy, leisure read. I definitely recommend it.

-Barbara

Revolution

Revolution is a novel about the life of a girl, Andi, who's suffering the result of her brother's death. She's on medication and she has very few friends. Her successful father left her and her mother in their run-down mansion. As her mother loses her mind, so does she. Andi, a senior in high school, doesn't plan on writing her thesis, but her father's return changes that as she goes to Paris for winter break. In Paris, her life changes as she finds a diary about another girl's hardships during the French Revolution. I loved this book and I loved how Andi's romance and family life evolved.

-Miya

Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly, is a book about a girl who has been going through many tragedies and because she stops doing well in school her dad takes her to Paris to get her work straight. In Paris, she find a diary of a girl who lived during the French Revolution. This book is very interesting and keeps your attention the whole time. It is great for those who like history particularly the French Revolution because part of it takes place during that time, but it is still good for those not into history because it is about a modern day girl too.

-Chiara

The Starplace

In a small town in Oklahoma, there was a girl named Franny. It was the 1960s and racism was a big part of everyday life. At Franny's school, everyone is white, until Celeste moves to town. She was brave to start out in this segregated community and sure enough, Franny and Celeste become friends. Although their friendship brings them closer, it also leads to the uncovering of a horrible secret.

-Michelle

The Importance of Being Earnest

After auditioning for and watching the school's winter comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, I was determined to read the script. Chalk full of British humor, this play is hilarious. It is perfect if you are trying to find a suitable, short and witty story with its complex characters, crazy plot and witty banter between people.

-Lauren

The Count of Monte Cristo

Love. Betrayal. Revenge. Disguise.

When Edmond Dantes escapes from his prison in the Chateau D'if, he leaves with a secret. Soon he will be the possessor of unimaginable riches, but what will he do with them after fourteen years of imprisonment? Will he be able to find the people who betrayed him? And what of Mercedes, the young girl he has loved all along?

Read this unputdownable adventure-romance to find out.

-Ms. Potash

Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is an account of the author's journey to rediscover the true meaning of happiness. Elizabeth has it all, a job she enjoys doing, a devoted husband, and a new house. But why can't she stop crying? Elizabeth then gives up everything to travel to Europe and discover herself. There, she finds spiritual enlightenment, delicious food, and love for herself and others.

-Belinda

Ender's Shadow

This is a sequel of Ender's Game, written in the perspective of another character in the book - Bean. Although often sequels are not as good as the first book, this book only adds to the previous book. While talking about the same plot, the book is never repetitive and provides the readers with completely new insights to the plot. I highly recommend this book, especially if you've read Ender's Game.

-Marissa

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

This is a book that can pull you out of all your daydreams. The reason I say that is because The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is really a sad and hopeless tale that compiles all the sadness of human's lives. In this book, people keep on seeking love, passion, equality, art -- things that they anticipate. However, reality grants them otherwise. As these people's lives intertwine, you can see them struggling, losing hope, gaining hope, and eventually, losing their paths. It is a gloomy tale that makes you see the world in a different way. If you want to read something sad, heavy and thought-provoking, this will be a good choice. Furthermore, it is easy reading and the plot is extremely catchy.

-Shae

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

In this half-graphic, half-literary novel, Brian Selznick tells a story of a young boy named Hugo and his life in a train station. After his father's and uncle's deaths, he attends the clocks in the station while attempting to repair a mechanical man that his father left behind. Hoping it will give him some sort of note from his father, Hugo spends the majority of his time secretly working on the man. Throughout the novel, the readers travel with Hugo and are left with an ironic ending that creatively ties the story together. This book is a quick read, and I recommend it to anyone who is curious to experience a novel partly told with pictures.

-Carly

The Deep End of the Ocean

The Deep End of the Ocean, by Jacquelyn Mitchard, encompasses the tragedy and pain of losing a child. Beth's son is kidnapped when he is three years old at her high school reunion, and after the disappearance, her life is never the same. This book follows the Cappadora family as it struggles to come to terms with its loss. Mitchard captures the raw emotions of the grieving mother, frustrated father, and confused siblings beautifully and allows the reader to experience the family's sorrow and hardship. This book shows how life-changing a split-second decision can be and gives a whole new perspective on what it means to be a mother.

-Rachel

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I really enjoyed reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares. It is an entertaining story about a mysterious pair of jeans that travel across the world between friends. These jeans magically fit all four friends, even though it seems impossible because of their different body types. This book was enjoyable and easy to read, especially because I wanted to continue reading to find out how it ended. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially for those looking for a good book to read during the summer.

-Michelle

I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants recently. It was about four girls who shared a pair of magical pants which fitted all of them. The pants travel as the girls take turns to wear them and send them to each other. Ann Brashares tells the reader what happens with the girls while they have the pants. I like the book because its easy and fun. It's a book you would read in your free time.

-Kyra

Wake

In the novel Wake, the protagonist Janie has the power of entering other people's dreams. In the dreams she enters, Janie discovers the secrets of her friends which she doesn't know in reality. The book's idea is similar to Inception; it also shows how humans tend to hide their dark side. It is very interesting to see through Janie's view how people who really look confident in real life are actually cowards in the dream world. If you like Inception and think you would enjoy entering into the dreams of random people, Wake would definitely be a top choice.

-Dora

Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice is one of those books you just can't put down. It is about a 15 year old girl who was heavily addicted to drugs. It's not written in a typical way though, it is written as if it is her diary and she is reporting what is going on and how she feels every day. Although I am not a big fan of the ending, Go Ask Alice is still one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it.

-Ashlynn

Go Ask Alice is a great book to read because it relates with the peer pressures young people receive at an early age. Although drugs and teenagers is not a healthy mix, the writer is truthful and real with her addiction and its consequences, which continue throughout the book. The anonymous writer, that could be anyone, helps readers understand and learn about her eventual road to recovery through personal diary entries.

-Juliana

Go Ask Alice is the true story of a drug-addicted teen writing out her thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is a quick read and eye-opening to a whole new world and side of drugs. I disliked this book; it lacked substance and depth.

-Madi