BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
By Camden Akers & Helen Hetrick
A Child Called "It"
Rating: 9/10
Description: A true story of one of the worst cases of abuse in California. A child’s perspective of traumatic events, and his story of how he survived.
Review: This book is not for the faint of heart. It is written very vividly and conveys the fear and swirl of other emotions to the reader, astoundingly. It is an amazing, traumatizing, heartstopping, and inspiring story—all put together into the tale of a boy with a brutal past.
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The Song of Achilles
Rating: 7/10
Description: A retelling of the legend of Achilles through the eyes of Achilles’s lover, an exiled prince.
Review: This is a great light read. The story-telling process could have been better, but overall it was very exciting. Great story and a fascinating twist on the original tale.
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It Ends With Us
Rating: 8.5/10
Description: A woman starts to fall for an arrogant surgeon while stuck thinking about her past. When that past shows up again in her life, she has to decide what path she will take.
Review: A deeper look into the reality of life is found in this very well-written book. Covering heavier topics than a typical romance, this book is emotional, inspiring, personal, and a complete emotional rollercoaster.
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We Were Liars
Rating: 7.5/10
Description: A teen girl consumed with family pride discovers the secrets that lie beyond her pristine family name.
Review: This book is a great quick read to get you out of a reading slump. It's fast-paced and the plot moves you through with ease. Some parts were a bit predictable, but overall it's a good book if you like a classic, mysterious teen-romance type read.
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Letters To The Lost
Rating: 7/10
Description: Two teens, united through grief, communicate through a series of anonymous letters. Will they face reality and step beyond their paper aliases, or will the truth be too much to handle?
Review: This book is a simpler teenage version of a slow-burn romance. Tension builds as the topics of their letters escalate and their identities get closer to being revealed. It's a very easy read but also a great story.
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Everything I Never Told You
Rating: 7/10
Description: A family perspective on the disappearance of their daughter. As they scramble to discover what happened, the family reveals things about themselves that they never thought they would.
Review: It's a great story that brings in so many important topics including mental health, racism, and family issues. This book was given a lower rating because of the ending. I felt that too much time was spent on the parents' backgrounds and not enough time was spent on the originally intended plot. But, it was still an excellent story.
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All The Bright Places
Rating: 10/10
Description: Some people meet in the most unlikely of places—like the edge of a belltower. Violet is a quiet girl, riddled with grief after her sister's recent passing. Finch is a loudmouth, rebelling from society and struggling with his mental health. Their story begins with a school project and ends with a tragedy.
Review: One of the best books I have ever read. Beautifully written and such an incredible story. Fair warning: it will leave you sobbing. There is also a movie on Netflix based on this book, if you are interested. But, as they always say, the book is most definitely better.
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This Is Where It ends
Rating: 8/10
Description: A thrilling story with cross perspectives during a school shooting. Who helped cause it? Who is the shooter? Who will survive?
Review: Very exciting storytelling, and the different perspectives make the book relatable to anyone and everyone. Prepare to get very attached to the characters and feel the story along with them. It was a well-written book with a great concept.
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Rating: 7.5/10
Description: A 1990’s coming of age story for a teenage boy, Charlie, exposed to new opportunities, drugs, alcohol, and girls. Charlie struggles to make his mark in high school while also struggling with depression.
Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a great story, and I think many more people need to know about it. Serious topics are presented in a realistic way, addressing mental health, physical and drug abuse, and other serious situations. It was also made into a movie for those who prefer watching this awesome story.
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Six of Crows
Rating: 9/10
Description: An unexpected crew brings their talents to work when they are presented with an impossible task—the heist of a lifetime.
Review: The characters and their development are just incredible. This is an excellent action-packed story with a slow-burn romance, comedic relief, and thrilling suspense. The entire series is great as a whole, but this fantasy read could also be read as a stand-alone.