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.…
Who’s excited for more Outlander? That’s right, after a seven year wait, the ninth installment in the series: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone is hitting the shelves in November 2021! I absolutely will be telling the bees…
Zadie Smith became an instant phenomenon when her bestselling debut novel White Teeth was published at the tender age of 25. Instantly hailed as “the new Salman Rushdie,” it was clear that an astonishing contemporary writing talent had arrived. That…
Although there are those who question its relevance and appropriateness in the modern classroom, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird remains a beloved classic. The story of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of sexual assault in a small…
Marie Lu’s revolutionary debut novel Legend jumpstarted her illustrious career in speculative YA. Protagonists June and Day grew up under vastly different circumstances, yet the military prodigy and the rebel from the slums still manage to work together to uncover…
Erin Morgenstern’s bestseller The Night Circus draws readers in with beautiful prose and a uniquely magical world. Two young magicians are bound in a years-long battle to the death in the “arena” of a mysterious and enchanted circus. Whether it’s…
Secret codes, mysterious sects, brutal murders, and enigmas hidden in ancient monuments and works of art. Ring a bell? Published in 2003, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code quickly became not only a bestseller but a worldwide phenomenon. Brown didn’t…
Jules Verne was one of the most influential popular writers in modern history. A forerunner of the science fiction genre, Verne took inspiration from the explosion of technological progress during the Industrial Revolution. He crafted adventure stories where daring, intelligent…
The Hating Game is an entertaining, escapist romantic comedy–an enemies-to-lovers story about two coworkers competing for a promotion. Lucy and Josh have palpable chemistry and delightful banter. The best romances are those that keep us guessing even when we know…
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a delicious YA whodunit. McManus balances a mysterious killing and the coming of age stories of four high school students. Unforeseen character developments and ongoing plot twists keep readers turning…