The first book in Dan Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos, Hyperion is a complex and beautifully-imagined work of science fiction. Using the same framing structure as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, it’s a breathtaking work of worldbuilding. On the eve of an apocalyptic invasion,…
In high school, you may have heard several times about the importance of reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s work. He is one of the greatest Russian authors who has written masterpieces of world literature, often discussing topics such as faith, society, and…
Joyce Carol Oates is one of the most celebrated and debated living American writers. Over the course of seven decades, Oates has published nearly 60 novels, a slew of short stories, plays, essays, and poetry. What’s most remarkable about her…
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan illustrates a jarring coming of age tale steeped in history. After a tragic incident, Esperanza is forced to abandon her family ranch in Mexico and join a farm labor camp in California. Deplorable work…
By the time I read the third chapter of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, my 13-year-old mind had been blown and my lifelong love for futuristic dystopian novels was officially born. The brilliance with which Lowry slowly peels back the perfection…
Every artist has their magnum opus–the greatest work of their career. For Nobel Prize winner John Steinback, this was East of Eden. Set in the fruitful lands of Salinas Valley, the novel follows two families whose destinies intertwine, and explores…
Since its release in 2017, The Hate U Give has appeared on the NYT Best Sellers list. The novel is destined to become a timeless classic because of the impactful and personal way it addresses social justice issues. Told from…
Time travel is one of the most versatile plot devices in literary history. Do you want pure science fiction? Check. Perhaps some romance? Absolutely! Tragedy or comedy? Both work brilliantly. Time travel can fit practically any genre, from the most…
Tomi Adeyemi’s writing career took off with a bang with the release of her debut best-selling, award-winning novel Children of Blood and Bone. Zélie embarks on a quest to restore magic to her fellow Diviners and free them from the…
In Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, Brian survives alone in the Canadian bush with only a hatchet. No matter the obstacle–crash landing, tornado, dangerous encounters with bear, moose, and porcupine–Brian perseveres. If Hatchet inspired you, check out these 11 harrowing stories. 1.…