What to Read this October

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is an eerily beautiful novel.

Piranesi, the main character, resides in a house; more specifically, The House. It is the only world he has ever known, as the House has infinite Halls, Statues, Staircases, and three Levels: Clouds reside in the Upper Halls, the ever-constant Tides in the Lower Halls, and thus Piranesi lives in the Middle Halls. Piranesi only knows of one other person in the House: The Other, a mysterious figure who is searching for a Great and Secret Knowledge hidden somewhere in the House. Strangely enough, Piranesi cannot remember any life before the House, though he is well into middle age. And why are there fourteen skeletons in various Niches of the House? 

Susanna Clarke writes a captivating novel composed of loneliness, dreamscapes, and unraveling mysteries. Although there is a massive fantasy aspect of this book, the heart of the ugly secret is ultimately based in reality and explains a lot about House, with its infinite Rooms. Piranesi is an amazing well-written character; although his very psyche and body are tested, he remains rooted in his own beliefs and learns to adapt to his environment. Highly recommended read, especially for those who like gripping plot twists and fantasy dreamscapes.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom – master of capturing abstract concepts in simple narratives – begins Life of Pi-esque; we open on survivors of a massive shipwreck, people of all classes and races lumped together in one vessel. And suddenly, there he is: Jesus. At least, that’s who the near-dead castaway claims to be. The passengers are skeptical, but the strange man tells them that even though he is the Lord, he cannot save them from being stuck at sea until each one of the people believes that he is Jesus. Can these people put aside their biases to work toward salvation, both physical and spiritual?

Almost tipping the 300-page-mark, Mitch Albom presents a thought-provoking narrative very deeply rooted in reality. Lovers of simple writing paired with deep concepts (again, like Life of Pi, or even The Giver Quartet) will enjoy this book. 

Book reviews by Grace L.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

This novel really is perfect for anyone with a thirst for mystery. 5 high school students walk into detention on a normal day, but not all 5 walk out. One of the students, Simon, dies after ingesting peanut oil because he’s allergic. The next day, it’s found that Simon had dirt on the other 4 high schoolers with him when he died and was planning on exposing them. So, did he die from an allergic reaction or did someone kill him? Now, I’m not going to spoil it, but I couldn’t stop reading this book as it portrayed mystery after mystery. 

Two Can Keep a Secret …. If One is Dead by Karen M. McManus

Mystery lovers, this book is calling your name! Ellery, a high schooler, moves to a small town called Echo Ridge with her grandmother once her mother goes to rehab for her drug addiction. The town is innocent on the surface, but it has a history of high school girls going missing, including Ellery’s aunt. In the beginning of her time there, a girl goes missing, leaving Ellery wanting answers. Does she find all the answers as to why these girls are going missing or not? Find out by reading!

Book reviews by Kevin M.

Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh 

This book is about abortion and the different sides to it. It’s about the main characters Claudia and Victor and their different perspectives on it. Claudia works in an abortion clinic while Victor is retired. He made a website and posts pictures of women who go to abortion clinics. He has people all over the country who take illegal photos of women entering abortion clinics and then send it to him to post it. 

I really liked this book and would recommend it for everyone. The author did a really good job showing the different perspectives and it felt like I was in the minds of the characters. It also spreads awareness and how abortion effects individuals. I just felt like it was really fitting with what is going on right now with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 

Divergent by Veronica Roth 

This book is about Beatrice, “Tris” and her story as she tries to fit in her new world. In the book, humankind is split into five different factions, Erudite: clever, Amity: peaceful, Candor: honesty, Abnegation: selfless and Dauntless: brave. She leaves the faction she was born into and starts a whole new life in another faction. The book tells her story and how there’s a war coming. 

I liked this book and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy action and fiction. It is interesting and the plot twists make the book better. There is also romance in it which makes it more appealing to readers. It makes you want to read more. 

Book reviews by Alena R.