With everything students have to balance – schoolwork, extracurriculars, sports, family, social life, and more – it is sometimes hard to find time to read. Here are some book recommendations to help you get back into reading.
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell: Gladwell’s second novel examines the advantages of our adaptive unconscious, such as expert judgment, and its flaws, like stereotypes. The main subject of this book is thin-slicing: one’s ability to draw a conclusion using minimal information from a narrow period of existence. Malcolm explains how regular people experience thin-slicing, for example when they can determine a person’s emotion solely by looking at their face. “This is my favorite book because it’s really connected to the brain and I am interested in all psychology related things,” social studies teacher Bryce Coon said.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: The Hate U Give is narrated by Starr Carter, a 16-year-old black girl living in a poor, gang-infested neighborhood while also attending a predominantly white elite private school. After witnessing a white police officer shoot and kill her long-time friend Khalil, Starr becomes national news. She uses her power to speak up about the injustice, especially during a riot after a jury chooses not to indict the officer. Thomas used her novel to expand knowledge of the Black Lives Matter movement and the prevalence of police brutality. The book was released in 2017 and was adapted into a movie in 2018.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: Eighth grader Kate Mularkey had accepted her place at the bottom of the social food chain when Tully Hart, cool girl, moves in across the street from her and wants to be friends. They make a pact to be best friends forever. Firefly Lane follows best friends Tully and Kate through three decades of friendship. Tully fulfills her dreams of becoming rich and famous, and Kate fulfills hers of starting a family. After working through jealousy, anger and resentment, they believed nothing could tear them apart. This lasts up until an act of betrayal puts their friendship to the ultimate test. “Firefly Lane is the best book I’ve ever read. You really connect with the characters and can relate to some things they go through,” senior Sami Haendler said.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus: One Monday afternoon, five Bayview High students walk into detention, and only four make it out alive. Simon, the one who died, was planning to post secrets about his four peers the following day. After the police ruled that the death wasn’t an accident, the four become their top suspects. One of Us Is Lying is full of twists and turns, making it difficult to put down. This thrilling page-turner will keep you on the edge of your seat. “I’ve never read a book like One of Us Is Lying, The plot twists were so surprising and the suspense builds and builds until the last page,” junior Jillian Pohoryles said.
