I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

By: Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick

Genre: Biography

Malala is a Pakistani girl who spoke out against the Taliban’s oppressive rule and their ban on the education of girls. She continued to fight for what she believed in knowing the danger she faced. She was subsequently shot by the Taliban, but she survived and went on to become an internationally acclaimed human rights and education activist. Malala is an inspiration for young girls today. This book is her autobiography that lays out her beliefs about the importance of providing education for all.

Readers will enjoy this book if they enjoy inspirational stories with positive messages.

Anne of Green Gables

By: Lucy Maud Montgomery

Genre: Fiction

Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan, is mistakenly sent to live with middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, in Canada. The novel tracks Anne’s adventures on Prince Edward Island as she slowly softens up Matthew and Marilla as well as the other adults and children around her.

Readers will enjoy this heart warming story if they liked any of the Enola Holmes stories or The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

The List of Things That Will Not Change

By: Rebecca Stead

Genre: Fiction

After Bea’s parents get divorced, they give her a notebook with a list of things that will always stay the same (for example, her parents will always love her). As her life changes, she uses the book as a way to ground herself. After a while, Bea even starts expanding the list herself.

Readers will enjoy this book if they like feel-good, coming of age stories.

Dune

By: Frank Herbert

Genre: Science Fiction

Dune follows Ducal heir Paul Atreides during his rise to power on the desert world of Arrakis. During the course of the book Paul discovers that his actions may determine the fate of the universe. Dune is regarded as one of the greatest science fiction novels and has sold almost 20 million copies.

Readers will like this book if they are science fiction fans or if they enjoyed reading Those Beyond the Wall, Hyperion, and The Left Hand of Darkness.

The Hunger Games

By: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Science Fiction

Katniss Everdeen is a 16-year-old girl who volunteers as tribute in the Hunger Games in place of her sister Primrose. The Hunger Games is an event in which one boy and one girl ages 12–18 from each of the twelve districts are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death. Katniss competes along with Peeta Mellark, the male tribute from her district.

Readers will like this book if they are science fiction fans or if they enjoyed reading The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Sword Catcher, The Departure, or The Sunbearer Trials.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

By: Holly Jackson

Genre: Mystery

Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi is a teenager in Fairview, Connecticut. She decides to make her senior capstone proposal an investigation on the murder of Annie Bell who was supposedly murdered by her boyfriend, Salil Singh. Pippa does not believe that Salil is guilty and she teams up with Salil’s younger brother to find out the truth.

Readers will like this book if they are mystery fans who love books that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

By: Shelby Van Pelt

Genre: Mystery

Tova Sullivan, a recently widowed woman, starts to work the night shift at an aquarium, since keeping busy always helped her cope with loss. As she works at the aquarium, she forms a bond with an octopus named Marcellus. As their bond develops, Marcellus deduces what happened to Tova’s son, who disappeared thirty years prior on the Puget Sound (the local coast). Will Marcellus be able to convey the truth to Tova before he inevitably succumbs to old age?

Readers will like the book if they enjoy feel good novels that revolve around finding a community, recovering from loss, and mysteries.

A Man Called Ove

By: Fredrik Backman

Genre: Novel, Humorous Fiction

Ove, a short tempered old man obsessed with his everyday routine, is forced to branch out when a new family moves in next door, simultaneously running over his mailbox. Ove’s lifestyle quickly changes as he has to deal with new friendships, caring for others, and a cat. As Ove develops new relationships he also reflects on those from his past. All this contributes to a heartwarming story of how a man and his neighbors make a difference in their small community.

Readers will like this book if they enjoy feel good novels that revolve around finding a community, mental health, and dealing with loss.

The Silent Patient

By: Alex Michaelides

Genre: Thriller, Novel, Mystery

Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, has long awaited his new client Alicia. Alicia had a perfect life that was disrupted when she shot her husband five times in the face. Since this incident, Alicia has gone silent. Will Theo be able to uncover the truth about the incident or will it be hidden in delusion?

Readers will like this novel if they enjoy mysteries and psychological thrillers.

Ready Player One

By: Ernest Cline

Genre: Science Fiction, Novel

In a world crumbling with climate change and poverty, one of the only places worth spending time in is the OASIS. The OASIS is a virtual world that has brought joy to Wade Watts, a teenager obsessed with 80’s pop culture. When the creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves many puzzles and the one to solve them all will gain control of the OASIS along with a fortune. Unexpectedly, Wade solves the first clue and becomes engrossed in the hunt, joined by those willing to kill for the prize.

Readers will love this book if they enjoy video games, 80’s pop culture, and compelling stories.

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak

Genre: Novel, Historical Fiction

Liesel Meminger, a foster child living in Nazi Germany, develops a deadly interest in stealing books. As she steals them, her foster father slowly teaches her to read. She grows more audacious, stealing from book burnings and reading to the strange man in her basement. This story follows her from the perspective of Death as he travels throughout the grave that was World War II.

 Readers will like this book if they are interested in historical fiction and humanity emerging in terrible situations.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By: Heather Morris

Genre: Novel, History

Lale Sokolov is taken from his home and forced into imprisonment at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Soon he is tasked with the inhumane job of being the camp’s tattooist, forced to label fellow humans with numbers. Lale uses his position to give other Jews food and to keep them alive. After tortuous months, Lale is made to tattoo a young woman. Lale promises to keep her alive and to marry her. This is the harrowing true story of the lengths people will go to keep their loved ones alive.

Readers interested in history and true stories about World War II will enjoy this novel.