Upon entering the inevitable book slump that follows a school year of assigned reading and textbooks, I found myself in dire need of book recommendations, and thought: Who better to ask than our very own librarians? In search of my next read, I decided to read and review four of Ms. Emily and Ms. Zoe’s favorite books—and good news, all of these books are available in the Boulder High library for students to check out next school year!
The Priory of the Orange Tree, Samantha Shannon
Why Ms. Emily loved it: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon is a love letter to the fantasy genre. Shannon crafts a world that feels so intricate, so full of life, and so fascinatingly deep. I finished this behemoth of a book (848 pages) in under 48 hours- which is a testament to how gripping it truly is! No other book has truly enthralled me like The Priory of the Orange Tree.
Summer’s Review: The Priory of the Orange Tree has everything a fantasy should have: fleshed-out world-building, complex characters, and a unique, fascinating fictional world. Shannon’s writing in this novel is so immensely creative and detailed that it almost seems as if Shannon had stepped into the imaginary world herself, unbeknownst to the reader. As I followed the lives of the four unique characters that make up this novel, I couldn’t help but fall in love with them, their stories, and the world they live in.
The Art Thief, Michael Finkel
Why Ms. Emily loved it: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is a true crime narrative nonfiction that reads like a movie. Finkel tells the story of a young man who stole hundreds of artifacts from European museums in broad daylight in front of crowds of onlookers. It’s a baffling roller coaster from the first page until the very last sentence. PS: Read the author’s note at the end. I couldn’t stop myself from gasping out loud when I read it!
Summer’s Review: Michael Finkel was clearly fascinated by his subject, and it shows in his writing. Although the story is non-fiction, its narrative style and sheer amount of detail make it feel more like reading a fictional novel. Although I’m not typically drawn to true crime, I found this story highly enjoyable as I got the chance to learn about Breitweiser’s peculiar life, ranging from his fascinating obsession with art to his odd relationships with those closest to him.
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens
Why Ms. Zoe loved it: A mystery where a small Louisiana town accuses a young outsider of murder. Do we make accusations about people because they are true or because we believe them to be? This book tackles how we understand the relationships around us, and how people are not always what they seem to be. This book makes the reader a jury in the courtroom and makes certain that you understand your own biases about the world by the end.
Summer’s Review: I truly wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The main qualm I have with this novel is that the main character felt flat to me, but I also found the plot to be lacking and the love triangle to be uncomfortable. Nonetheless, its prose and descriptions of nature are immensely captivating, making it almost worth the read despite its shortcomings.
I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jenette McCurdy
Why Ms. Zoe loved it: It is a scathing review of her life on Nickelodeon in the early 2000s. With all that young people face, our families make choices that can make or break us. This book is dark, but it is one of the most meaningful stories to come out of the nightmare that Nickelodeon produced.
Summer’s Review: This is one of the most brutally honest books I’ve read, both in its depiction of Nickelodeon and its portrayal of traumatic familial relationships. The memoir takes place over roughly 25 years of Jeanette McCurdy’s life, and its narrative style almost reminds me of a diary, making it an easy read, not emotionally, but in terms of reading level. One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is that it’s emotionally balanced; Although it covers heavy topics, it is also surprisingly funny at times, and ends on a hopeful note that leaves the reader satisfied.
Honorable Mentions
A couple of our librarians’ other favorites include Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury and God of the Woods by Liz Moore. I didn’t get a chance to read these yet, but they are available in the school library, and I encourage you to check them out anyway!
