Posts

In The Devotion of Suspect X (2011), by Keigo Higashino, when Yasuko’s abusive ex-husband shows up at her apartment, they get into an altercation and he ends up dead. A single mother, Yasuko plans to turn herself into the police but worries about the effect this would have on her daughter.

Lake Effect is a must-read for fans of family drama and character-driven stories. Spanning the 1970s to the 1990s, two families deal with the fallout of an affair in a vividly described Rochester, New York. When Nina Larkin, a food writer and mother to two teenage daughters, is given a copy of The Joy of Sex from a newly divorced friend, she realizes how unfulfilling her own marriage is and soon embarks on an affair with her neighbor Finn Finegan.

We Were Liars was emotional and mysterious. At first the story felt confusing, but everything slowly came together in a powerful way. The writing style matched the themes of memory and denial really well. It explores family, secrets, and loss in a subtle but impactful way. It’s a book that stays in your head after you finish it.

-Zunairah S

The Scarlet Letter focused heavily on judgment, guilt, and hypocrisy. The story shows how harsh society can be, especially toward women. Some parts were slow, but the themes were strong and meaningful. It made me think about how public shame and private guilt affect people. Overall, it was a deep and reflective read.

-Zunairah S

I really enjoyed Jennette McCurdy’s 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, so I was excited to read her fiction debut, Half His Age (2026).

Phantasma (2024), by Kaylie Smith, is a gothic fantasy romance in which a necromancer must compete in a deadly competition at a haunted manor to find her sister. She falls in love with a phantom. There’s also a ghost cat. Need I say more?

Written by Michelle J., Teen Services

Fahrenheit 451 was unsettling but interesting to read. It made me think about censorship and how dangerous it can be when people stop questioning authority. At first the story was confusing, but the message became clearer as it went on. The book feels especially relevant when you compare it to modern society. It’s thought-provoking and meaningful.

-Zunairah S

The Outsiders felt very real and emotional, especially because of how young the characters are. It focuses a lot on friendship, loyalty, and the struggle to belong. I liked how it showed that people are more than the labels society gives them. Even though it’s short, the story has a lot of meaning. It’s a book that stays with you.

-Zunairah S

Mercury Carter has a delivery to make to Rachel Stanfield. When Carter arrives at Rachel's house, he finds that Rachel and her husband Glenn are being held hostage by a guy named Finn and his henchmen. Carter just wants to make his delivery and leave, but Finn kidnaps Rachel and leaves with her before Carter can complete the task. Carter then finds himself, accompanied by Glenn, on Finn's trail trying to rescue Rachel because Finn is convinced that Rachel has information that he needs--and Finn is prepared to kill for it.

Divergent was an exciting book with a really interesting world. I liked how the story focused on identity and the pressure to fit into one group. The action scenes were intense, but the character development made the story even better. Tris’s growth throughout the book stood out to me. It’s a strong dystopian novel that keeps you engaged.

-Zunairah S

The Maze Runner was suspenseful and fast-paced, which made it hard to put down. The mystery of the maze kept me interested, and I liked how the characters had to work together to survive. At times it felt confusing, but that actually added to the tension of the story. The book does a good job of building suspense and keeping you guessing. It’s a great choice if you like action and mystery.

-Zunairah S

The Aosawa Murders (first published in Japan in 2004 and translated to English in 2020), by Riku Onda, centers on a mass poisoning at a birthday party in 1970s Japan, which killed 17 people including every member of the Aosawa family except for their daughter Hisako, who is blind.