The Circle by Dave Eggers

Oh my goodness!  A must read.  Lots of climatic moments where you wonder what will come next.  A story about a technology company and its need to capture everyone at all times.  I am talking about transparency at a maximum.  Whether you are a child or and elderly person this company knows everything about you.  It knows where you are, what you have done, whether you are ill or not, and even wants to know if you have voted....no filters!  You are never alone always under surveillance. The story is told through Mae as she become engrossed in the culture of The Circle.
Highly recommended.

~Ms. Milly

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg."Who cares about walking when you live to run?"

As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with Cerebral Palsy named Rosa; a girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into Rosa's heart. 

With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her.  Inspiring read.

Ms. Milly

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano

There are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping from her Mami and Papo.   Her true feelings about growing up in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela and her sassy grandmother who's come from Puerto Rico to live with them. Like an urgent ticking clock, events erupt that change everything for Evelyn.  The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, dump garbage in the street and set it on fire, igniting a powerful protest. When Abuela steps in to take charge, Evelyn is thrust into the action. Tempers flare, loyalties are tested. Through it all, Evelyn learns important truths about her Latino heritage and the history makers who shap a nation. Infused with actual news accounts from the time period, Sonia Manzano has crafted a gripping work of fiction based on her own life growing up during a fiery, unforgettable time in America when young Latinos took control of their destinies.

Ms. Milly

 

 

 

 

Room by Emma Donoghue

To five-year-old, Jack,  the room is his entire world.  It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his "Ma" as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when "Old Nick" visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

Ms. Milly

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This is a beautifully written, engaging story about Carla who is kept in the bubble of her own home. Carla is drawn to the boy who has moved next door.  Her desire to be with him makes her question her illness. Well, it is an autoimmune disorder her doctor mother says she has.  It is a story about the desire to live and love.  Young adults will truly enjoy this novel.

~Ms. Milly

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

The book Wintergirls holds the readers attention and is hard to put down. It is the story of a girl, Lia, who is an anorexic: she is obsessed with being thin and it becomes her life. She tells herself to "lose more" and "remain in control" all things that supposedly "keep her strong". She also hears encouragements from her dead bulimic friend, Cassie. Her parents try to stop her, but there is nothing anyone can do for Lia. I would highly recommend this heart-wrenching story, because at the end the reader escapes Lia's depressing life with a new found understanding of the mind-set and feelings of an anorexic teenager.

Kassidy Garland

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

When I think of classic novels, one of the first books that pop into my mind is Catcher in the Rye written by J. D. Salinger. The main character Holden Caulfield is the epitome of teenage angst. When he gets kicked out of his prestigious boarding school, Holden decides to gallivant around New York for awhile instead of going home. What I find most interesting about this book is that Salinger wrote it in such a way that all of the crazy-stupid things Holden gets himself into seems like nothing out of the norm. This book is truly one of a kind and I would reccomend it to anybody.


Bethany Porten

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Travelers Wife written by Audrey Niffenegge is an unconventional story about two people, Clare Abshire and Henry DeTamble. Niffenegge tries to show her readers that love is perpetual by giving Henry Chronic Displacemnet Disorder (CDD). Henry frequently finds himself in different time periods. This is how Clare Abshire met Henry when she was 6. Clare and Henry have always known eachother and will know eachother. Although this situation may sound ideal Clare and Henry often find themselves in difficult situations. Whereas Henry is the one put in real danger, constantly being beaten up and arrested as a result of his CDD, Clare has is left at home worrying about him. I would reccomend this riveting novel for anyone intereseted in a casual and quick read.


Bethany Porten

Behind Hitler's Lines by Thomas Taylor

I literally just set this book down, and all in all I would recommend it as a very interesting, "page-turner" style work. At some points I have to admit I was left scratching my head as to how this could possibly be grounded in real-life events. (I guess that could be said about almost every element of the Nazi regime) However, the little research I did into the novel before reading seemed to confirm that it was in fact true. That element of the novel makes it enthralling. Even for a second, to put yourself in the position of the novel's main character, Beryle, truly offers insight into the fear that war creates for all those involved. While the book does not ever truly offer a concise message, a simple "war is horrific" theme can clearly be interpreted throughout.

If you have an interest in anything and everything that is WWII based as I do, I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy this novel.


Rhett Davis

The Cunning Man by Robertson Davies

This work manages to be both entertaining and intelligent. Dr. Jonathan Hullah, is a holistic physician-a cunning diagnostician who is often able to get to the root of problems that have baffled others. A young reporter's query about the circumstances surrounding an Episcopalian priest's death at the high altar on Good Friday leads the doctor to reflect on his own life and career. While the issues addressed are those of the nature of friendship, religion, faith, and artistic life-the approach is anything but arrogant and dry. Davies's characterizations are rich. I found the work to be terribly interesting and to truly stimulate thought.


Rhett Davis

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

I believe this work to be the best sci-fi novel I have ever read. Powerfully expressive, intensely intellectual, and as exciting as it could possibly be, this book is simply fantastic. Written as the definition of a “page turner”, I finished the book in one setting as I simply could not set it down. The imagery and poignant ideas remain long after the last page is read, making it a perfect discussion book. Its view of politics in the Internet age is incredibly discerning, especially considering it was written decades ago even before one could truly grasp the power the internet would some day have. I would certainly call this a must read for those even slightly interested in sci-fi.


Rhett Davis

Invisible by Pete Hautman

At seventeen young Douglas is virtually "invisible" not being well known in school and very antisocial. Staring at the prettiest girl in the school from anywhere accessible. Having his best friend being his polar opposite still does not give him any luck. Focusing on a precious train set left for him by his grandfather Invisible is a very entertaining read that keeps you wondering on the next event constantly. The title comes into more significance as you gradually read through the book. The book is narrated by Douglas himself describing everything through his point of view. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in books that instantly grasp your attention with 2-3 chapters.

Erick Rodriguez

Slaughterhouse- Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I suppose you could label this work science fiction, even though the elements that make it so are passé and unsophisticated. The sci-fi angle is one Vonnegut uses to excellent effect. It points out how otherworldly a war scene can feel, how memories can be real enough to throw the time gamut out of synch, and how some superior intellect in the universe can explain, almost deterministically, why things are as they are and people do as they do.

One question that must be pondered following a reading of the work is: does Vonnegut himself truly believe in the free will of the individual even though his characters suggest otherwise. I believe he does and merely uses the characters in the novel as counterexamples to his true feelings.

Rhett Davis

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm is a masterfully written work of political allegory. The animals revolt against humans running a farm, and for a short while everything is magnificent —that is until the pigs get out of hand. It is brilliantly symbolic of the chaos that ensues when revolution goes awry. Allegory is certainly a difficult element of literature to master; however, Orwell manages it superbly: while true appreciation of Animal Farm requires an understanding of the history of the Russian revolution, those without it will still grasp the message due to the writer's skillful use of language.

Rhett Davis

Fast Food Nation

This is probably the best book you will ever read id you want to know the truth about fast Food. Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm betweeen rich and poor, Fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelled american cultural imperialism abroad.

Cirque du Freak A Vampire's Assistant

A book that's fun to read. I recommend you read this first book of the freak show/Vampire series. It's full of twists and turns, but pay attention to what you read so you know what happens on Darren's quest to being a vampire's assistant. I really enjoyed the series and I recommend you keep on reading each book. Osvaldo H.

A Theory of Justice

One of the first books challenging the daunting utilitarian framework, A Theory of Justice, has succeeded as a viable alternative to the more engrained utilitarian doctrine. John Rawls unique prescience enabled him to present a theory that insidiously dismantles utilitarianism through a series of thought experiments. Rawls ultra moral proposition of the "Veil of Ignorance" describes the idea that a theory of justice can only be just if the creator of that theory is unbiased. The way to acheive perfect objectiveness on behalf of the creator is to assume a "veil of ignorance", which is the notion that the creator does not know his or her own position in society. They may be poor, rich, intelligent, or immoral, all of which could potentially influence the agenda of people who are entering this basic contract. Derivative of contract theory, a theory of justice outlines a theory that can be interpreted as a hybrid between contract theory and utilitarianism, eloquently striking a middle-ground.

Jimmy Sagan

Consciousness Explained

Daniel Dennett eloquently derails the most intuitive notions of consciousness and offers a fresh perspective. The first couple of pages were confusing and counterintuitive, but eventually I came to see Dennet's theory as a formidable challenge to "The Cartesian Theatre". The "Cartesian Theatre" describes the entrenched idea of consciousness and reveals the fallability of the theory, ultimately revealing "The Great Illusion". Cartestian Materialism panders to the notion that our brains present conscious material to the mind, but unless there is an active super-natural agent, this notion seems unlikely at best. Dennet deconstructs this notion and introduces "The Multiple Drafts" theory, a theory that is capable of describing consciousness without the aid of a super-natural agent. Naturally, this theory requires a deconstruction of the most entrenched presuppositions of the mechanisms of consciousness, and describes consciousness as a connectivity between thousands of neural specialists that form coalitions. These neural demons only apprehend information once, which then goes through the rigorous process of revision. This concept dispels of the "Cartesian Theatre" and proves that our brains do not recapitulate information for the benefit of the observer, because there is no observer. Dennet's book is thoroughly complex, inaccesible, and even frustrating at times.However, the value of such a theory far outweighs the mental labor that is required to fully grasp the over-arching concepts of the book. This brilliant book has undoubtedly shed light on the nature of the brain and it is a brilliant attempt at dismissing the mind/brain problem as base.


Jimmy Sagan

Shredderman

Shredderman is a series of books. An easy, and quick read, but will make you want to read the next one in the series. Shredderman is probably one of the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read. There is a huge secret to the series but you will have to read the novels to find out. If your looking for a fun, quick and enjoyable read, than pick up Shredderman, you won't regret it!

Chip B.

Mickey Mantle Biography

The Biography of Mickey Mantle is a novel about a guy who built him self up from the ground. Being the oldest child in a family is tough enough, but in the middle of the great depression? This biography recaps Mantle's ups and downs he suffered to be one of America's ultimate baseball heros. A great novel for a sports lover.

Chip B.