We loved reading the FanFiction contest entries this year. Judging, however, was super difficult! After intense deliberations, we arrived at our winners. Check them out below.

First Place: “Nameless Love Song” by Skrt

Fandom: Love Live! Sunshine!!

Judges comments, “Simply Exemplary!”

Second Place:  “Land or Us” by Jason S., Pranav S., Kyle L.

Fandom: Pokemon Showdown, r/stunfisk

Judges comments, “Engaging, action-packed, and impressively loyal to the source material”

Third Place:  “Pig Scientific Name” by complete and utter W, baldesbingchiling

Fandom: Honkai: Star Rail

Judges comments, “wildly entertaining” “out of this world”

Our November reading took us to some adventurous territory. We dug into fantasy, mysteries, space opera, and classics. One of these books is sure to peak your interest, so go on and get some reading inspo below!

I’ve been on a Neil Gaiman binge; I sped through Neverwhere on a plane ride, and I’ve just started American Gods. There’s a reason his work is so well-loved. There’s something about good fantasy that feels like tucking myself into a well-worn, familiar blanket, and Gaiman’s books are the epitome of that kind of comfort. Also, anybody who hasn’t read Good Omens should do so immediately. 

I asked for a copy of Intimacies by Katie Kitamura for a birthday and got two; I’ll probably bring the extra one to the Book Swap. It’s about an interpreter at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. It’s very stylistically peculiar; Kitamura chooses not to use quotation marks around her dialogue and often intentionally employs run-on sentences to illustrate the way the protagonist thinks, feels and perceives. Right now I’m halfway through. Recommended for anybody looking for a harder read. 

I was reading The Possessed by Elif Batuman but I forgot about it and now as divine punishment I can’t find the copy. It’s a hilarious book that gets funnier the more of Batuman’s oeuvre you have read. It’s making me want to get into Russian literature (but at what cost…).

-Tara N., ‘26

Right now I’m reading Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong. So far, it’s shaping up to be very different from some of her other books. I believe this is her first venture into adult fantasy, and the lore is pretty interesting. The magic component of the story seems very familiar, like something you would’ve seen in any fantasy book, but somehow, it’s still unique. I love the way she includes traditional Chinese concepts and fantasy into the writing, while simultaneously mirroring Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. I love searching for all the tiny Easter eggs and having that moment of recognition with certain names and details.

One of my favorite books that I read recently was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I’d read so many amazing reviews about it and I was afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the hype, but it completely surpassed my expectations. I love Zevin’s style of narration; you get to see the characters’ every thought in a clear, concise manner, and each character’s point of view is written in a very distinctly different way. This story alternates between the past and the present quite often, as if the author is laying out the characters’ lives piece by piece, following up with flashbacks at appropriate intervals. It was both gut wrenching and smile-inducing at times, and it truly displayed the whole spectrum of human emotions. Personally, I’m a big fan of literary fiction that follows specific characters throughout their life; it puts into words the exhiliration and desolation of being alive at that one particular moment in time.

-Cynthia X., ‘27

I am currently in one of those reverse reading slumps where I pick up too many books and keep jumping around. It’s actually rather unsettling. I am currently juggling the Emily WIlson translation of The Odyssey (albeit, mostly for her fantastically enlightening introduction), a strange and compelling dark humor novel by Miranda July called All Fours, the new Jillian and Mariko Tamaki graphic work, Roaming, The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner, and Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes. Phew! 

-Ms. Pelman

I recently finished Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen- it’s a fast-paced story about a down-and-out lawyer in a failing marriage who meets her old roommate from Stanford, and they get into a get-rich-quick scheme selling counterfeit handbags. The stakes are high, the characters are complex and surprisingly hateable, and the ending isn’t what you expect it to be. 

I’m also reading Song of Achilles again for the DEI Book Club, and it’s one of my old favorites. As a self-proclaimed history and mythology buff, anything that’s Madeline Miller I will certainly consume. It’s not old enough to be a “classic” per se, but it’s one of those books that I know I’ll always have to read if I get bored, alongside Miller’s other hit Circe. For those who haven’t read it, Song of Achilles is about Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship from their youth, and details their adventures through the Trojan War. 

-Anoushka C., ‘26

My best recent read was A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. It’s an insane political intrigue space opera with really awesome world building, I loved how poetry was so ingrained in the empire’s culture and political practices. The first book had some twists, especially towards the end, so I’m hoping my hold at the library comes through fast so I can devour book two.

Currently I’m reading two books, The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson on audiobook and Evocation by S. T. Gibson. I heard from a lot of fans of The Locked Tomb series, which is one of my favorites, that Baru is a readalike and I’m enjoying it so far. I love the political intrique, messages about imperialism, and the role of masks. I don’t know why I’ve been reading so much sapphic political intrique sci-fi but I’m not complaining, it’s a great niche.

I received a proof copy of Evocation from the publisher so I can read and review it before release and I’m extremely excited. I loved S. T. Gibson’s debut, A Dowry of Blood, and when I heard that Evocation was an urban fantasy with secret societies and poly romance I knew it would check all the boxes. The characters and vibes are perfect so far but I’m only a little ways in. I will post a full review when I’m done to fufill my promise to the publishers so stay tuned!

-James B., ‘24

I was totally hooked by The It Girl by Ruth Ware! This gripping mystery follows two timelines – before and ten years after a shocking murder. What’s even more fascinating is that the “killer” is already behind bars, even though he didn’t actually commit the crime. With everyone having a motive, it’s impossible to figure out who the real killer is. Unlike other novels I’ve read recently, the characters’ emotions are portrayed so vividly that it’s like you’re right there with them. This is one thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! I would recommend!

Separately, I read Don Juan by George Byron, which was a really interesting experience. This collection of poems offers a fresh perspective on the infamous Don Juan, who is portrayed not as a womanizer but as a victim of seduction by women. I would like to say that it is definitely one of the most challenging reads I’ve encountered… The plot itself is not hard to follow, however, Byron constantly makes references to historical figures, places, events, and other literary authors, such as Shakespeare, which is really confusing. If you are looking for a classic and/or a challenge, I recommend it.

Lastly, I am currently reading Evgenii Onegin by Alexander Pushkin. It’s what I would expect from a book written during the romantic period.

–Kristiyan K., ‘27

I’m currently reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, which is basically Snow’s villain origin story. I mainly started it because I watched the movie adaptation during break and I can’t stand watching a movie without reading the book first. I’m not too far in yet, so I can’t say much about it, but Collins is such a good writer and truly captures the malice behind Snow through his thoughts, which is something the movie had a hard time capturing (hence everyone fell for his charm, including me unfortunately). 

–Ava A., ‘27

Right now, I’m reading The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. I initially started reading it because the edges were interesting, and I liked the cover at first glance. So far, it seems to be trying too hard to be something worth reading? In my opinion, the plot is scattered and predictable, and I felt like the setting definitely doesn’t fit the concepts in this book. For example: The concept of ‘families,’ and how out of touch they are with modern technological advancements, seems very unrealistic. Granted, it could be compared to modern cults, but even that is quite a far reach. In addition, the traditions and speech of these families seem very out of date. It could be compared to Sacred 28 (Harry Potter fanfiction, referring to the various networks of pureblooded families and their intermarriage and traditions), yet even that was not set in modern times, and additionally, it was an entirely separate world of magic. In glossing over the world building in The Book Eaters, Dean creates plot holes and an unrealistic system of “book eaters” and “mind eaters,” leaving much to be wondered about their origins and purpose. This book left me with a lot of questions, and not in a good way.

–Urvi S., ‘27

And, it’s time for the great debate: which is better, paperback, hardcover, ebook, or audiobook? To settle this dispute, I decided that asking some of the smartest people on Earth would suffice: teenagers. 

Over the course of the past month, I surveyed people on the Harker campus, both faculty and students, to get their opinions on which format is best. The results may (or may not) surprise you. 

The consensus? Paperback books.

 While polling, I asked a few people why they chose paperback:

“It’s practical. Hardcover is too heavy and I like physical books more than ebook or audiobook.”

“Paperback is cheaper than hardcover.” 

I also asked people what class they were in. Which produces the data:

• Seniors chose paperback with 80% of the vote.
• Juniors chose ebook with 50% of the vote.
• Sophomores were split 50/50 with paperback and hardcover.
• Frosh chose paperback with 75% of the vote.
• Faculty chose ebook with a close 60% of the vote. 

So, why did so many people choose paperback or ebook? There are many factors to consider, including portability, price, basic preference, and availability. 

Paperback is lighter than hardcover and slightly more portable. Additionally, many preferred physical books for the pure experience of it.  

Ebooks are obviously much more portable than any physical book, but you miss out on the experience of reading physical books. For some, however, that isn’t a factor in their reading pleasure, and so they read their ebooks with satisfaction. 

The lowest ranking was audiobooks, unsurprisingly. Unfortunately, audiobooks have yet to be regarded as “real” books by many avid readers and bookworms. Audiobooks are easily accessible to those with vision impairments and who struggle reading, making it a decently inclusive format compared to the others. Of course, not many people at Harker tend to read more than textbooks, and those who pretty much exclusively read audiobooks may only use that for English and history readings. 

In conclusion, read how you want, because any sort of reading is good reading. Yes, even if it’s fanfiction or a supplemental history reading.

-Anoushka C. ’26

I know it’s past Halloween and already November, but I don’t want to let go of autumn or spooky season just yet. So, if you’re like me and still want to read something that will put you in the mood for fall, then I have seven recommendations for you.

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.
If you haven’t already read this spooky classic, I highly recommend it. This one is for those who prefer books on the darker side. It’s about a young scientist who creates a monster and tries to figure out how to rectify the situation… I won’t say anything more. You’ll have to read it and find out.

Any of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Again, this is a classic, and if you haven’t read them you absolutely should. These stories just have all the dark Victorian, slightly spooky vibes. If you like a good mystery, you should pick up one of the stories. My personal favorites are “A Study in Scarlet” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles.”

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery.
If you read Anne of Green Gables when you were younger and fell in love with Anne, I strongly suggest you give this book a chance. It features an older Anne Shirley-Cuthbert who is now studying at university.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
This is a good spooky read. It’s about a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. It’s humorous, witty, and just a little bit creepy.

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice by Donna Kauffman.
If you like romance, then I suggest you pick this one up. In addition to a cozy romance, it features New England autumn, Halloween, and lots of pumpkin spice vibes.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman.
I think most people have heard of this one, but it’s a witty, witchy book about two sisters who are the descendants of witches and are outsiders because of it. Plus, if you’ve already read this one, try Magic Lessons or The Rules of Magic.

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson.
This is a modern mystery, and it’s actually an add on to a trilogy called Truly Devious. You don’t have to have read the trilogy to read this book, though. It’s set in autumn and features amateur teen detective Steevie.

—Post by Leah K. ’27

We’ve been reading, and we’ve got thoughts. Below, some members of the book blog team share there current reads, and provide a little insight about each one.

James B., ’24:

The best book I read recently was Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross which is a YA romance fantasy with some WWII inspiration + gods, magic, and folklore. I was putting it off for a bit because of the hype but a lot of it lived up to expectation. I loved the WWII-era inspiration with the addition of fantastical elements, I liked the characters and romance a lot, and damn…that ending. I’m not ready for book two but I need it instantly.

The worst book I read recently was The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson which is a non-fiction exploration of psychiatry (“The Madness Industry”). I was super excited for this because Jon Ronson’s TEDTalk about this book is one of my favorites, so imagine my surprise at the mentions of the autism “epidemic” and transvestites. Imagine my even greater surprise when I found out the book came out in 2012 despite including some truly 2005 takes on psychiatry. It’s funny at points but not very well researched and reads like an opinion piece.

Currently, I am reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik which is shaping up to be wild fun. It’s an adult fantasy/folklore standalone with influence from…Germanic fairytales, maybe? I’ve only just started it but it’s a lot less dense than I was expecting and pleasantly Howl’s Moving Castle-esque! It’s possible I’ll change my mind over the next ~350 pages but I’d recommend it so far.

Tara N., ’26:

Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital, Elise Hu. Hu takes Korea as a case study and uses it to make incisive statements about the global beauty industry and its effect on women from both an emotional and socioeconomic lens. It gives voice to a lot of things that have been bothering me about the language beauty marketing uses and the societal equation of beauty with morality – major recommend! Other nonfiction books I’ve been loving include Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, The Daughters of Kobani by Gale Tzemach Lemmon, and Glossy by Marisa Meltzer. 

Ms. Pelman:

I’m currently reading The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Naylor. It’s speculative fiction about a researcher who helps uncover an advanced race of octopuses who create symbols using their chromatophores, and the corporation who has purchased and is controlling the part of the ocean where they reside. I call it, Remarkably Bright Creatures meets “The Arrival.” Fun fact: the author, whose really impressive resume includes his current post as the international advisor to the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is CS teacher Ms. Peregrino’s nephew! 

Felix C., ’25:

I’m currently reading Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar on the recommendation of a friend who’s trying to get me to read new genres (it’s gently structured in the form of a letter to Marcus Aurelius, and I don’t normally read works in that format). Right now, I’ve got to say so far, so good — I really like the prose, and am really enjoying the read. No final judgements till I’m done, of course, but I think this might end up being a memorable favorite!

Wanke L., ’27:

A really good book (or book series) I read was Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, which is a danmei (chinese bl) romance that actually has a GOOD romance (which wasn’t all that shallow).

I read the translated version because the original is in Chinese, so through my eyes, the writing was alright and not stellar. The worldbuilding was a bit weird for me (some of the things were probably in Chinese and I couldn’t understand a lot of it) and the side characters are a bit hard to track, but for the most part it was good.

The romance is extremely well written as the two characters share a deep-rooted relationship. The author explores moral conundrums and how it affects the surrounding characters and their developments.

The relationship between the two main characters is a good breath of fresh air after reading way too many “trope-y” romances. The two characters are dependent on each other and find common ground despite being extremely different in personality and experiences. They don’t fall in love immediately or deny it for a long stretch of time before finally admitting it (just personal preference, but those two tropes are kind of meh for me). Instead, they grow closer together as they go through the story.

Also a great read for anyone who likes xianxia aesthetics I guess. Or has a 10 hour+ plane ride to binge reading it.

Fear not! The Book Blog is here to assist you in your quest to choose the perfect book for Harker’s summer reading program: ReCreate Reading. For the third year running, we’ve put together a comprehensive, yet easy to digest, guide so you can make an informed decision. Want to time travel? We’ve got you covered. How about trying to make a soufflé? Yep, there’s a book for that. Want to feel happier? Who doesn’t! Let a self-help book help you out. Want an author to autograph a copy of their book for you? There will be three of them on campus! There’s something for everyone here. Scroll through the slides below to find your match.