Rudolf Vrba, a Slovak Jewish teenager, becomes one of the first people to escape Auschwitz and reveal the atrocities – mass genocides and inhumane conditions – of the Holocaust to the world. With vivid detail and engaging writing, Sheinkin traces Rudolf’s transformation from a clever, rebellious youth into a relentless survivor. Along with his friend Alfred Wetzler, he risks everything in order to tell the world the truth about the continuous extermination of Jews in Nazi prison camps. The book plunges readers into the suffocating brutality of the Nazi regime, describing the daily horrors of Auschwitz, everything from the overcrowded barracks to forced dangerous labor to arbitrary executions. Alongside Rudolf’s tale runs the story of his schoolmate Gerta Sidonová, who had fled to Hungary with her family and was aiding with resistance against the Nazis.
I found Rudolf’s and Alfred’s escape fascinating, especially their ingenuity and courage while hiding for nearly four days inside a stack of wood, doused with tobacco and gasoline to ward off the SS’s dogs. Overall, one of the themes that really resonated with me was how heavy the cost is of bringing dark truths to light. -Review by Shamik K. ’27
The year is 2057. Humankind has occupied the solar system. The Rockhopper, a comet-mining spaceship staffed by the captain Bella Lind and her crew of engineers, medics, and explorers, is called upon for an important mission. One of Saturn’s moons, Janus, has mysteriously begun to travel out of the solar system at an accelerating speed; it seems to be a dormant piece of alien technology. Their mission is to catch up to Janus and learn its secrets, secrets which could bring humans immensely useful technology or even first contact with an alien species.
I personally loved this book for its very unique, creative ideas; plausibility (making it a part of the awesome hard sci-fi category); and pure thrill. While Reynolds has outlandish ideas, he approaches them with hard facts and plausible science, not taking magical shortcuts until some of the inexplicably complicated alien technology the crew encounters. The narrative follows a sense of practicality in the way the crew approach the situation they are thrown into. Moreover, much of the plot involves interpersonal conflicts that are quite developed over the course of the characters’ unusual mission. Perhaps I tend to focus on the sci-fi, adventuring aspects of the novel, but I feel like Reynolds bungles the character dramas a bit; for example, the conflicts between Captain Lind and one of her subordinates seemed a bit overdone. -Review by Shamik ‘K. ’27
Much like the Fanfiction Contest, we were thoroughly surprised by both the quantity and quality of submissions this year. At risk of sounding like a college rejection letter, the decision process was, indeed, very difficult—but ultimately, the thing that distinguished this piece above all others was that not only did it accurately and affectionately depict its source material, it invited deeper thought about it. The balanced composition is both visually appealing and meaningful to the source material, and the use of symbolism—the ouroboros, the golden birds, the living and dead snakes, and the various infinity symbols subtly woven into the work—universally impressed judges. It’s clear that the artist put a lot of love into this piece (and its source material).
Second place
Fracture Point by Abigail L. ‘28 (Fandom: Arcane)
This piece was immediately singled out during judging as a standout, and everyone agreed near-instantly that this work deserved an award. The composition of the piece is dynamic and fluid, cleverly incorporating the details of the characters’ designs. The painting style replicates the iconic look of the original show, but is still distinctive as the artist’s own style—we especially loved the rendering of the metal shoulder plate and glove, and the blue fire. The artist successfully and subtly captured the complex emotions of the two characters in their facial expressions, their body language, and even the direction of their gaze.
Third place
Untitled by Rumi (Fandom: Batman)
This was the first piece we saw upon opening up our submissions, and it left a lasting impression. The artist’s mastery of form, lighting and color is apparent—we especially loved the sharp, Leyendecker-esque rendering of the masked Batman portrait, and the detailed, evocative lighting of the top-left portrait. One anonymous judge praised the piece’s “excellent knowledge of anatomy.” The deep, moody color palette accurately reflects the tone of the source material. The artist’s deep love for Batman is apparent. We could not, in good conscience, not give this piece an award.
Honorable mentions
In addition to our top three pieces, we also wanted to shout-out several honorable mentions that impressed our judges:
“One for sorrow two for joy” by bread herring (Fandom: Passing)
“Yuqi” by Cabbage (Fandom: G-idle)
“I am forever your most devoted believer” by zaoshanghao (Fandom: Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu)
We had such amazing submissions this year, it wouldn’t be fair to withhold all of them from you… Please enjoy them below:
Can you believe this is the FOURTH ANNUAL contest?!?! In that time we have gotten some amazing submissions, and this year was no exception. We loved reading all the contest entries. Judging them, however, was very difficult! After intense deliberations, we arrived at our winners and three honorable mentions. Check them out below.
Judges comments, “Creative, passionate, and stylistically resounding”
Author’s description of the original work:“Gattaca is a sci-fi film about a future society driven by eugenics where children are conceived through genetic selection to ensure they possess the best hereditary traits of their parents. The film centers on Vincent Freeman, a man who was conceived outside the eugenics program and struggles to overcome genetic discrimination to realize his dream of going into space. Vincent assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow, an artificially-conceived man with near-perfect genetics, in order to make his way up the ranks.”
Authors description of their fanfiction:“What if perfection was determined by musical ability instead of genetics? A look into an alternate modern universe where young Jerome Morrow is a prodigious violinist, this fanfiction details how he grapples with the weight of familial expectations, relentless self-discipline, and his burning desire to be recognized for his own artistry beyond labels of perfection or legacy.”
”Harry James Potter” (cropped) by Reilly Brown on Wikimedia Commons
Judges comments, “Brought back childhood memories of the first time one of us read Harry Potter”
Author’s description of the original work:“Boy learns that he is part of a magical world and that he needs to defeat big bad evil overlord. Boy proceeds to do just that, and everybody loves him basically.”
Authors description of the their fanfiction:“UHHH so said boy grew older and got mad at the world so he did what any reasonable person would do and goes to a painting of his dead, very senile mentor and asks for advice. Neat little time travel deus ex machina occurs, so he gets sent back to a few decades prior and meets with younger, slightly less evil big bad overlord. I only wrote the first four chapters out of 22 but I have the plot for the entire story written out. I did not include it because my outline notes are slightly rambling.”
Judges comments, “The beginning of what will surely be a most intriguing story!“
Author’s description of the original work:“Roblox Piggy is the story of an alternate world of Peppa pig where a zombie virus is affecting everyone— specifically, this story-based game exploded and became the #1 played game on Roblox (12 billion+ visits), but no one has ever written anything about it: surrounding the mysteries, and lore.”
Author’s description of their fanfiction: “My fanfiction transforms Chapter 1, “The House,” from the game into a detailed, immersive written narrative. Its the POV of a police officer investigating the Piggy residence, where he encounters Penny (aka Peppa), who has turned into a zombie. I reimagine a player’s experience, capturing the tension, puzzles, and escape mechanics of the game. I try to word-ize the atmosphere and bring it to life, which can help us players connect more deeply to the game (and reminisce about all the fun we had trying to figure our the lore!). Definitely going to continue till Chapter 12 and the next 12 Chapters in Book 2 and convert all of those into actual chapters and books!”
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention for Outstanding Achievement in Absurdity
Fandom: “How Corruption Destroys Armies – Theft, Graft, and Russian failure in Ukraine” – Video by Youtuber and former defense analyst Perun on Youtube
We had a bevy of great submissions this year. The most popular fandom by far was Jujutsu Kaisen. Consider the 2024 contest one for the you-never-know category, however, because the the overall winner is not based on an anime or manga at all!
No matter the fandom, it’s clear we have some talented, passionate artists on our hands. As always, choosing the winners was challenging, but after intense deliberation, we narrowed the field. Shout out to everyone who submitted your artwork. We love it! Without further ado, we present the winners and honorable mentions!
Judges comments: “Feel good” “classic fanart” “adorable!” “good use of background and contrasting colors”
~4th place~
Title:The Quietness of It All (Not) / Fandom:The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. / Submitted by: Sarah W. ’27
Judges comments: “So much character!” “great use of color – true to the original anime” “Interesting composition” “good creativity and risk taking“
~Honorable mentions!~
Best Use of Adolescent Vernacular
Title:my magnum opus / Fandom:Jujutsu Kaisen / Submitted by: ermwhatthescallop
Best Use of Perspective
Title:guys goe joe will return TRUST (STRONG COPE) / Fandom:Jujutsu Kaisen(and very tangentially honkai star: rail) / Submitted by: I Have A Very Voluminous Brain
Most Outstanding comic
Title:Your Face / Fandom: Jujutsu Kaisen / Submitted by: Sarah W. ’27
Sharkiest
Title:pookies at the aquarium / Fandom:Chainsaw Man / Submitted by: ermwhatthescallop
That’s all for this year! Thanks again to our contestants. And thanks to you for stopping by the book blog.
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.
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.
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.
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 Rivalsby 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 Hadrianby 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.
The 1965 novel Stoner, by John Williams, is a masterpiece of mid-century American literature. The work follows the life and academic career of William Stoner, born in 1891 to a farmer in rural Missouri. Stoner is a deeply flawed man — though our protagonist, his choices, actions, and personality are often humanly lacking. Williams’s prose is simple and yet descriptive, neither overly ornate nor without emotion and beauty. From the novel’s very earliest words, I was hooked. The almost exceptionally unexceptional life Stoner lives may dissuade some from reading the work, but the focus Williams gives to this life lifts that which could be excruciatingly dull to an enthralling and engaging work. I wish that Williams had explored those characters whom Stoner had impacted throughout his life in greater depth, but admire his choice to reflect how people move in and out of each others’ lives for fleeting moments. Ultimately, though, the focus of the book is William Stoner: through him, Williams presents the full range of human emotion and experience in one short, unremarkable, but utterly human life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quieter book, one with an engrossing story and thoughtful elements. -Review by Felix C. ’25
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin
Harker US Book Blog 