Tag Archives: Realistic Fiction

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Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (review by Allison W. ’16)

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The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel tries to uncover the truth about Julian Carax, an author whose books are being burnt. As he visits people in Barcelona who know about Carax, he learns that some people do not want him to discover what happened to Carax and his work. At the same time, Daniel grows up and finds many parallels between his life and Carax’s life as he makes new friends and finds the danger in his quest for knowledge. Daniel’s maturation during his search also serves to make the story more realistic than other books which cover many events and realizations in a short period of time. By itself, The Shadow of the Wind is a wonderfully gripping story, though it is similar to some of Zafon’s other books, such as The Midnight Palace. – Allison W. ’16

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Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (review by Cynthia H. ’16)

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Eleanor and ParkEleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It all starts with comic books and mixtapes. This is the star-crossed love story of Eleanor Douglas and Park Sheridan, two 1986 teens who don’t fit anywhere but together. They find themselves sharing a seat on the school bus and have refused to look back since. The amazing pacing of the book makes it extremely hard to put down; however, it is the realistic voices of Rainbow Rowell’s characters and the genuine ordeals they must endure that will have readers falling in love with Eleanor and Park as hard and fast as they fall for each other. Be prepared to root for this couple until the beautifully heartrending yet hopeful final chapters, and remember: Nothing ever ends. – Cynthia H. ‘16

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Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (review by Monica K. ’14)

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Just ListenJust Listen by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If books were meals, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen would be the chicken noodle soup of the YA Lit world. The youngest of three sisters, Annabel Greene withdraws into herself following her sister’s eating disorder, her former best friend’s malicious bullying, her growing lack of interest in her modeling career, and the constant isolation at school and home. However, before she can completely fade away, she meets the music-obsessed, completely honest Owen, who helps her gain the self-confidence to speak of what really happened the night her remaining friendships were ruined. Dessen skillfully combines family story and romance with dashes of humor, making a very accessible, engaging read. Fans of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.Just and other novels by Sarah Dessen will enjoy Just Listen. – Monica K. ‘14

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Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (review by Stephanie S. ’17)

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BittersweetBittersweet by Sarah Ockler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sarah Ockler’s Bittersweet opens with a flashback of Hudson Avery when she was still a figure-skating superstar, before everything got screwed up. Since then, she has been working at the family diner, baking and creating extraordinary cupcakes. Then, she gets a letter in the mail inviting her to a competition that could restart her ice skating career. Her mother would break down if she found out, since ice skating is such a big reminder of Hudson’s father, so Hudson must practice in secret. One day, a boy from the hockey team runs into her and things start getting even more complicated. Now she must balance the diner, her friends, and her family, without letting anyone get hurt. This novel may not please everyone, as some may see it as a stereotypical story but it does have a few unexpected turns. Overall, I would recommend the story to anyone who enjoys a book with a bit of romance along with a tad of drama. – Stephanie S. ‘17

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White Oleander by Janet Fitch (review by Sarisha K. ’17)

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White OleanderWhite Oleander by Janet Fitch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

White Oleander, a riveting drama about self-discovery in a life fraught hardships, is a book so enchanting and so harshly honest, it touches the heart. The story follows Astrid Magnussen, a young girl who’s poet/artist mother, Ingrid, is her only influence and her idol, until Ingrid is jailed for the murder of her boyfriend. Astrid is thrown into the chaotic and often horrifying foster system, and finds that the art of survival is one she has to learn entirely on her own. As she is pushed from one foster home to another, each with its own troubles, Astrid discovers a world of injustice, and yet, also a world with small blessings. She learns to see the duel natures in humans, and the true colors of her mother, whose ethereal beauty and sharp intelligence is marred by a vindictive, self-righteous streak. White Oleander, the debut novel by Janet Fitch, proves that storytelling is not just entertainment, it’s an art. The characters and the descriptions are all built up with such effortlessly beautiful prose that it’s impossible to not fall entirely in love with White Oleander. – Sarisha K. ‘17

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The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (review by Anika J. ’17)

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The Casual VacancyThe Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the small British town of Pagford, the death of Barry Fairbrother sets off a chain of events that change everything. He leaves behind an empty council seat, commonly referred to as a casual vacancy. Immediately, Cubby Hall, Simon Price, and Parminder Jawanda begin vying for it, causing a social war between factions in town. Families and friends turn against each other, and nobody knows whom they can trust. Personally, I lost my interest near the end because it felt like too much detail was included and unnecessary conflicts had arisen. The novel starts as a comedy but soon evolves into a grim tragedy. A few of the events were a little too depressing for my taste. On the other hand, J.K. Rowling paints a perfect picture of what it would be like to live in Pagford. In general, I enjoyed Casual Vacancy and would definitely suggest it to someone looking for a long yet eventful read. – Anika J. ‘17

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The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (review by Ravi B. ’14)

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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar WaoThe Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oscar, an overweight, geeky, Dominican teenager, is on the quest for love. Unfortunately, his family is love cursed. Dark and tragic events in the family’s history set the stage for Oscar’s fortitude in the name of love. Although Diaz’s ordering of the story can sometimes confuse the reader, I found the progression of the main storyline nurtured by each of the side stories. The language is rough, especially if you know Spanish, and if you want the full-experience of the book I would recommend reading it with a Spanish-English dictionary. Despite the various plot lines all ending the same, the personality and experience of each character varies and engages. If you enjoy comic books and/or geek culture, this book will be particularly enjoyable, but this book could be appreciated by anyone. Note: If you read this book, I highly recommend reading every lengthy and playful footnote, in which Diaz addresses and informs his readers about Dominican history and interesting anecdotes. – Ravi B. ‘14

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (review by Allison K. ’15)

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Gone GirlGone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gillian Flynn strikes again with her latest mystery novel Gone Girl, a story of wife gone missing, Amy Dunne, and her husband, suspect Nick Dunne. After finding his house ransacked and Amy gone on the day of their fifth anniversary, Nick appears to be curiously dishonest to authorities and dispassionate about his wife’s absence. Throughout the investigation of Amy’s disappearance, the reader kept guessing as the present intertwines with the past. Amy and Nick’s dueling narrations draw disparate pictures of their marriage. With a touch of Alexandre Dumas a la Montecristo, Flynn takes the reader into a rabbit box of deception and secrets, where seemingly trifling details go unnoticed until they add up to the grand reveal. Even so, despite the novel’s unpredictable twists, the ending falls flat, leaving the reader wishing for further vindication on the behalf of either of the characters. Nevertheless, disturbing as it may be, Gone Girl is one work that ought not to be missed for adults in search of a mind-blowing thriller. – Allison K. ‘15

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The List by Siobhan Vivian (review by Joyce Z. ’17)

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The ListThe List by Siobhan Vivian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The List is a brutally realistic, relatable story of eight girls who all suddenly have the undivided attention of the whole high school. Abby Warner, the prettiest girl in the freshman year is understandably ecstatic about her new title but has to work through her sister’s jealousy. Danielle DeMarco has never thought of herself as especially ugly or masculine until she is dubbed Dan the Man by this year’s list. Lauren Finn, the new girl, embraces the newfound popularity received from being the prettiest sophomore. Candace Kincaid, is enraged about being named the ugliest because she’s just not ugly, not even close – on the outside. Bridget Honeycutt knows that her summer transformation is only a result of starving herself the whole summer. Sarah Singer has never cared about beauty and now goes even farther to prove her point by neglecting hygiene for a whole week. Margo Gable, the prettiest senior, might just have her expected title of homecoming queen stolen from her by Jennifer Briggis, the ugliest senior. I recommend this interesting read to anyone who enjoys a light drama of high school girls struggling to fit in. The List is an honest novel that reveals society’s true perception of beauty and how other peoples’ opinion can change one’s feeling of self-worth. – Joyce Z. ‘17

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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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