My 5-star reads of the year, in no particular order and with some explanation. These are books I thought were either powerful or I just enjoyed reading. Orbital This felt like taking a literal step back from the world and observing. The actual book felt like a vignette of life…
An expansion of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed His Dark Materials, The Book of Dust is a trilogy that delves deeper into Lyra’s story. La Belle Sauvage, the first of these novels explores the events leading up to the much-loved Northern Lights. In chronological order, the action of the book takes place…
Introduction “Street Child” by Berlie Doherty is a captivating historical fiction novel that takes readers on an emotional journey through the harsh realities of Victorian England. Published in 1993, this novel has continued to touch the hearts of readers worldwide with its poignant narrative and unforgettable characters. Drawing inspiration from…
“The Railway Children” by Edith Nesbit is a classic children’s book that was first published in 1906. It tells the story of three children, Roberta (Bobbie), Peter, and Phyllis, who are forced to move from their comfortable London home to a small village in the countryside after their father is…
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for over 150 years. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted businessman, who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve – the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Through these supernatural encounters,…
Despite the vast variety of books, I have encountered, books by Anthony Horowitz, especially The House of Silk, have a special place in my heart. No matter what genre I read, I find myself coming back to the mysteries of the dark, underground London in the bleak 1890s. The novel…
Alcott’s Little Women isn’t your average ‘rags to riches tale’, exploring sisterhood and the adventures that come with it. The story follows Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth March, who are the ‘little women’- an ironic label considering the coming-of-age theme of the novel. Within the span of a year, from…
This book is my first read of Agatha Christie so it is fitting that it is also her most commendednovel. While it did take me a few attempts to get past page 6 it was definitely worth the fewhours it took to read. It is a sophisticated read and features…
This is a great book that is eye-catching and short, this is about a girl called Lila, who wanted to be a firework maker just like her father Lalchand. Despite her talent, Lalchand believed that it is an unsuitable job for girls. Lila disagrees and continues her path to claim…