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1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

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1Q84 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murakami may be one of the most talented storytellers alive today, and his genius manifests once again in this ethereal, lyrical magnum opus. The main stories are interwoven effortlessly; the novel details the life of aspiring novelist and math teacher Tengo, and Aomame, the secretive, justice-bent martial artist masquerading as a simple yoga instructor. Tengo assists a young girl named Fuka-Eri in the creation of his own literary masterpiece that will change both of their lives forever while also involving him in a bizarre religious cult that puts him in mortal danger. Aomame works for a dowager countess in eliminating perpetrators of domestic violence. The love story is touching and the entire novel surreal. Murakami’s prose is truly poignant and unforgettable. 1Q84 is a novel that will linger in the minds of readers for hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Highly recommended to bibliophiles who do not mind a tour de force that tops out at 1,184 pages. – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and SweetHotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This heartwarming novel’s chapters seamlessly alternate setting from the 1940s to 1986, describing the life of Chinese immigrant Henry Lee during World War II and his struggles in a time of hostility against all things and people labeled Eastern. Lee juggles a precarious relationship with a young Japanese girl named Keiko despite his parents’ protests. The novel also focuses on Henry’s past and present relationships — namely his Chinese parents who frantically urge him to become as American as possible and a local jazz musician, his wife and his son who has recently come of age. The novel’s evocative and sweet writing brings Henry and Keiko’s relationship into heart-wrenching detail and sheds a great deal of light on the American -Chinese point of view on the war. is highly recommended to both aficionados and casual readers of historical fiction as an accessible piece of writing that lives up to its name in evoking emotions both bitter and sweet. – Elisabeth S. ’16

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Tolkien: A Biography by Michael White (review by Andrew R. ’17)

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Tolkien: A BiographyTolkien: A Biography by Michael White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Michael White inserts his own interpretations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as he describes the life of their famed creator, J. R. R. Tolkien. From the death of his parents, to his distressing experiences on the battlefields of the First World War, to his tumultuous relationship with fellow author C. S. Lewis, Tolkien and his life are documented and analyzed in full in this biography. I found the explanation of Tolkien’s writing process, which he called “sub-creation,” particularly fascinating. Unfortunately, the author makes frequent references to his own opinions of certain events in Tolkien’s life, making the entire book seem slightly more subjective than one would expect of a work of nonfiction. Aspiring writers who wish to understand how Tolkien “sub-created” an entire new world may enjoy this biography, but devoted Middle-Earth enthusiasts who want to learn more about the fantasy realm itself may feel slightly disappointed. – Andrew R. ‘17

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Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie (review by Andrew R. ’17)

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The Seven Dials MysteryThe Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In The Seven Dials Mystery, young Gerry Wade passes away suddenly and mysteriously in bed, just after writing a letter to his sister concerning a secret organization known as the Seven Dials. Days later, his close friend Ronny Devereux is discovered dying on the side of a forsaken road, muttering something about that same mysterious society. Separately, each death seems to be a tragic and unlikely coincidence, but taken together, the similarities are too obvious for the victims’ friends, Bundle and Jimmy, to ignore. Each chapter of this book, it seems, includes a new gunshot in the library or masked figure on the estate; neither the characters nor the reader could possibly complain of boredom until the last page is turned. While the plot seems clichéd at first, the author eventually takes it in surprising new directions that are sure to baffle even the most astute Christie fans. Still, any readers willing to try to solve the mystery before Bundle and her friends will have a thrilling challenge on their hands! – Andrew R. ‘17

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Requiem by Lauren Oliver (review by Karen T. ’16)

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Requiem (Delirium, #3)Requiem by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In a world where love is a disease that must be treated and eliminated, Lena Tiddle has joined the rebellion against the cure and its advocates. As regulators begin encroaching into the abandoned wasteland where the rebellion is sheltered, Lena and the other Invalids trek across the Wilds gathering supporters and converts alike in preparation for their retaliation. While the premise to Lauren Oliver’s Requiem is promising, the plot is slow to start and descends into the typical cliched love triangle that plagues many young adult novels. Additionally, the narration is split between two separate viewpoints that both break up the story line and confuse the reader. However, the buildup to the ultimate conflict and the dénouement are redeeming aspects of this novel. As the story line relies heavily on elements from the first books in the trilogy, only readers who have read Delirium and Pandemonium will fully enjoy Requiem. – Karen T. ‘16

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The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (review by Preethi K. ’17)

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The Joy Luck ClubThe Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy Tan’s inspiring story, The Joy Luck Club, looks into the life of four Chinese women and their American-born daughters sharing their tales of hardship from their past and present. The story starts off in San Francisco, 1949. Suyuan Woo has died two months ago and her daughter Jing-mei, “June”, joins her mother’s friends, An-mei Hsu, Lindo Jong, and Ying-ying St. Clair for a game of mahjong in place of her mother. The book is spread out into four allegories followed by stories from the mothers or their daughters. Throughout the book, their stories show Chinese culture, the strife they have suffered, hope for a better life, family, love, and despair. I would recommend The Joy Luck Club for its moving storyline and insight into the emotions and feelings of a mother and daughter’s bond. – Preethi K. ‘17

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Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (review by Camille P. ’14)

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ZeitounZeitoun by Dave Eggers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dave Eggers’ Zeitoun is the true story of Syrian Muslim Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his family, living in New Orleans between 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. In the midst of disaster and chaos, Zeitoun is forced to face social stigmas the American government has against him, and the consequences of its cultural profiling. This book sheds light on a number of social injustices many encountered after Katrina hit and the complete anarchy the city of New Orleans was in. The sentence structure is simple and effective, and the author portrays emotions and thought-processes well as he artfully weaves the past and present together. A page-turner, I was able to finish this book in three days. The powerful story of this family is touching, and as someone who does not often love non-fiction, I fully enjoyed reading this book. – Camille P. ‘14

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The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (review by Anika J. ’17)

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The Bonesetter's DaughterThe Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A compelling story about the unbreakable mother-daughter bond, The Bonesetter’s Daughter features Ruth Young, an adult living with her boyfriend and his two kids, and her superstitious mother LuLing. The women have always had an difficult relationship, usually filled with arguments. Everything changes after LuLing gives Ruth some papers that reveal her past. Ruth finds that her mother’s humble childhood has made her into the woman that she has become, and soon learns about a side of her mother that she never knew – one filled with kindness, bravery, and a bit of rebelliousness. The lessons that Ruth, and the reader, learn about living life as it comes are some that will never be forgotten. A unique novel full of the perfect mix of surprise, laughter, sadness, and love, The Bonesetter’s Daughter is definitely a must-read. – Anika J. ‘17

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1)Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every year, Sam switches form twice. During the few months of summer, he relishes being a human, but for the rest of the year, he lives as a wolf. Although Sam is desperately in love with seventeen-year-old human Grace, he is forced to keep his distance and watch her from afar. But when on one lucky day, they meet each other as humans, their lives are turned upside down and the only thing they can hold onto is each other. A classic story of forbidden love, Shiver explores paranormal story explores territory of a werewolf-human love affair. Although the story sounds cliché, Stiefvater manages to escape banality by infusing fine writing and well-rounded characters. Grace and Sam are both soft, yet strong and prove to be a lovely match. Combined with a consistently strong plot, Shiver is overall a good read. – Anushka D. ‘15

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Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett (review by Andrew T. ’17)

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Thief of Time (Discworld, #26)Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thief of Time‘s pantheon of characters, including Death, his granddaughter Susan, famed warrior monk and janitor Lu-Tze,and his disciple Lobsang Ludd, have a problem, namely, the apocalypse next Wednesday. Armed with an orange cream chocolate in each hand, the heroes must fight the Auditors, a race bent on the destruction of humanity. This hilarious, wacky fantasy novel strays from the well-beaten path of dwarves, elves, and humans, in favor of creatures such as history monks, yetis, and Igors. It reminds the reader at every step that nothing is what it seems in a way that is entertaining rather than cliché. Fans of the ongoing Discworld series will see some old faces, yet those unfamiliar with the books will not feel lost. Anyone wanting a good time and a good laugh should definitely read Terry Pratchett’s Thief of Time. – Andrew T. ‘17

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