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National Treasure
Reviewed: September 4, 2024
For any fans of history, action, and romance, this is for you! My favorite subject in school has always been history, and when I found out these movies existed, I immediately binge-watched them. My favorite movie genres are usually fantasy/historical with romance, which was perfect for me. The main character, Ben (named after Benjamin Franklin), studies history and is related to one of the people who had access to the Declaration of Independence. He and the men in his family line have always been interested in finding lost history puzzles. When one is mysteriously related to gold and the... Read Full Review
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Fate Breaker
Aveyard, Victoria
Reviewed: August 28, 2024
Fate Breaker unfolds as a gripping tale of epic proportions, where the fate of the realm hangs precariously in the balance. With Taristan and Queen Erida's triumphant rise from the battlefield and Corayne's narrow escape with Taristan's Spindleblade, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown between light and darkness. As Corayne and her scattered Companions race against time to reunite and gather allies, they face daunting challenges and formidable foes. Taristan and Erida, bolstered by the malevolent god, What Waits, loom as near-invincible adversaries, willing to sacrifice... Read Full Review
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Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School
Jewell, Tiffany
Reviewed: August 21, 2024
In Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School, Tiffany Jewell poignantly examines racism's widespread impact on American education. Jewell recounts her childhood and college experiences to show how systemic racism influences education. Jewell painstakingly deconstructs school prejudice via personal narrative and underrepresented authors' voices. Each example shows how black and brown students face systemic hurdles and microaggressions daily. The book inspires readers to explore racism and education critically. Jewell urges readers to examine their collaboration and... Read Full Review
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Ignite Me
Mafi, Tahereh
Reviewed: August 14, 2024
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi is an exhilarating and deeply emotional third installment in the Shatter Me series and has quickly become one of my favorite books ever. The novel begins right after the events of Unravel Me, with Juliette finally embracing her newfound strength to its full potential and filled with determination toward overthrowing the Reestablishment. As she assumes a leadership role within the resistance, she faces formidable opponents, such as the ruthless and cruel Supreme Commander, Aaron Warner's father. One of the most prominent aspects of the novel is... Read Full Review
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Brotherhood
Chen, Mike
Reviewed: August 7, 2024
As a hardcore Star Wars movie fan who’s wanted to get into the book series, this was a great introduction and start to my journey! This book introduces new villains commonly shown in the Clone Wars series but also includes many of the main characters from the prequel movies. The book's primary focus is the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan, now that they are not master and padawan.
Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker's brotherly relationship is one of my favorite ones I’ve ever seen in cinema. Their relationship is very complex, and this book explains their... Read Full Review
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The Summer of Broken Rules
Walther, K. L.
Reviewed: July 31, 2024
The Summer of Broken Rules follows 18-year-old Meredith Fox, who is dealing with the death of her sister, whose life was claimed in a car accident a year and a half ago. Still trying to navigate a world where someone so dear to her is no longer present, she heads to Martha’s Vineyard with her family for their annual summer vacation. This year, however, is a little more special as her cousin is getting married. In honor of her sister, the bride declares they play her favorite game, Assassin. Each guest is assigned a target which they must eliminate so that they may ultimately... Read Full Review
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Unravel Me
Mafi, Tahereh
Reviewed: July 24, 2024
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi is an emotion-filled and compelling sequel to the incredible dystopian novel Shatter Me. In this new addition to the series, we are provided with a deeper view of the characters and their complexities, and connections begin to grow where least expected. The story begins immediately after Shatter Me left off, with Juliette finally experiencing freedom and learning about the true capabilities of her power. Not only does she develop and evolve into a more confident and determined woman, but her relationships with both Adam and Warner begin to evolve,... Read Full Review
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Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results
Clear, James
Reviewed: July 17, 2024
Atomic Habits by James Clear, known as being one of the most impactful books of its time, describes how to break bad habits and create good ones. After a tragic baseball incident broke many parts of Clear's skull, Clear harnessed the power of habits starting in his college years to recover and put himself on the Academic All-American team. Many of the book gives historical and relevant examples of how simple, tiny changes in one's life can bring significant changes quickly. He describes habits at the most fundamental level, creating easy-to-follow plans for the reader. The book is... Read Full Review
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Belong With Me
Cunsolo, Jessica
Reviewed: July 10, 2024
Jessica Cunsolo's Belong With Me follows Siena Amato, a newbie to King City whose life is upended by a classmate's disappearance. Siena's search for normalcy and family becomes a terrifying ordeal as she becomes the leading suspect. As Siena navigates her new existence and faces peer and police scrutiny, suspicion weighs on her. Siena falls for Jason Parker, a charming but enigmatic man with a reputation, despite her best efforts to stay hidden. Siena is drawn to Jason but knows he could endanger her vulnerable circumstances. Siena realizes that Jason is not the reckless... Read Full Review
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The Little Prince
Saint-Exupéry, Antoine de
Reviewed: July 3, 2024
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a profound classic that depicts adulthood from the perspective of a child and is my favorite book of all time. I initially read it as a young child and have since reread it multiple times, only enjoying it more with each read. The story follows a young prince who travels from asteroid to asteroid, embarking on a multitude of adventures and meeting a variety of flawed characters. However, there is one common trait in each of the characters he encounters: adulthood. Through these encounters, the little prince learns about the... Read Full Review
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You've Reached Sam
Thao, Dustin
Reviewed: June 26, 2024
Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke’s life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Sam Obayashi dies in a tragic car accident. Overwhelmed with grief and the struggle to move on, she frantically calls his contact on her phone, only to hear Sam’s voice on the other end. Through this mysterious phone call, Julie gets to say goodbye one last time, but the more they talk, the harder it is for Julie to let go. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced and sure to be a tearjerker as the chapters move through moments of intense emotion throughout Julie’s journey. Dustin Thao, the author of this book,... Read Full Review
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Cinder
Meyer, Marissa
Reviewed: June 18, 2024
Cinder by Marissa Meyer is the first book in a 4-book series. Cinder takes a futuristic route into the classic story Cinderella, making the main character, Cinder, a cyborg mechanic, live in a world surrounded by a deadly plague. She lives with her stepsister and stepmother and has never been happy living with them, especially the mother. However, her life becomes messy when she gets tangled up with the Prince of New Beijing. Uncovering secrets and learning more about herself while dealing with a forbidden attraction, Cinder’s life is turning upside down.
Once I started... Read Full Review