Author: Suzanne Collins
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is an engaging prequel to The Hunger Games, offering a fascinating look at Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell. The story reveals a darker, more brutal side of the Games, showing the harsh realities Haymitch faced and the emotional toll it took on him. I found the exploration of media manipulation and survival particularly compelling. ...
Author: Kate Morton
I absolutely loved The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The story follows Nell, a woman who, after discovering that her true identity has been kept from her, embarks on a journey to uncover her past. The book weaves between different timelines, giving readers glimpses into both the present-day search for answers and the historical events that shaped her family’s secrets. I found the writing so vivid and immersive. ...
Author: Madeline Miller
A beautifully written and deeply emotional retelling of The Iliad, The Song of Achilles reimagines the love story between Achilles and Patroclus. Told from Patroclus’ perspective, the novel follows their journey from childhood friends to lovers, leading up to the infamous Trojan War. Miller’s prose is poetic and immersive, capturing the intensity of their bond and the weight of Achilles’ destiny. While the rom...
Author: Heather Marshall
A powerful and moving debut, Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall explores motherhood, choice, and resilience through the lens of history. Inspired by true events, the novel follows three women across different time periods in Canada, all connected by an underground abortion network known as "The Janes." Their intertwined stories shine a light on the struggles women faced before abortion was legalized, as well as ...
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Brilliantly written and utterly engaging, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a novel that blends humor, feminism, and resilience into a powerful story. Set in the 1960s, the book follows Elizabeth Zott, a fiercely intelligent chemist whose career is constantly derailed by the sexism of her time. When circumstances force her to become the host of a cooking show, she turns it into an unconventional science les...
Author: Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn delivers another thrilling historical novel with The Huntress, a slow-burning but gripping tale of revenge, survival, and justice. The story follows Ian, a former war reporter turned Nazi hunter, and Nina, a fearless ex-member of the Night Witches, the Soviet Union’s all-female bomber regiment. Both are on the hunt for The Huntress, a deadly Nazi war criminal who vanished after the war. Meanwhil...
Author: Dolen Perkins Valdez
A powerful and thought-provoking novel inspired by true historical events, Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez is a deeply emotional read that sheds light on a horrifying chapter in American history. The story follows Civil Townsend, a young Black nurse in 1970s Alabama, who is assigned to administer birth control shots to two young sisters. When she discovers that these girls, only 11 and 14, are neither sexuall...
Author: Kate Morton
In 1959, the town of Tambilla is shaken by an unspeakable tragedy—a family is found dead on Christmas Eve, leaving behind more questions than answers. Fast forward sixty years, journalist Jessica Turner receives an urgent call about her ailing grandmother, Nora, who practically raised her. While staying in the family home, Jessica stumbles upon an old true-crime book that unravels shocking secrets about her own family’s p...