What are basic survival needs? Food, clothes, shelter—these seem obvious; they have been so for centuries. But what about survival in a world slightly different, survival in a world of complicated social rules and hierarchies—what else would we need besides food and shelter? Perhaps we would need money, an education, good connections. But what if…
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Forced Survival: A Review of Pride and Prejudice
Top Three Books: February 2019
For many, February is the perfect opportunity to find love, or at least heart-shaped chocolates. However, I prefer to think of February as a month to find books that I’ll love. Here are some of this month’s best: Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown Professor Robert Langdon is a religious symbology teacher at Harvard College.…
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Soft Bullets: A Review of The Woman in White
The girl held her Nerf gun close to her chest. “It’s not fair!” she hissed at me. “I got that girl, and she’s still shooting!” Suddenly she stood and began shouting. “Hey! I got you! You’re dead!” I waved her down. “But it isn’t fair,” she protested, huddling under the protection of the table. “No…
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Top Three Books: January 2019
The new year is all about a fresh start—but it’s also about a new perspective. These books will make you look twice at things you always took for granted.
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Strength in Weakness: A Review of The Way of Kings
My friend stared at the book in her lap in defeat. “I can’t find it,” she said, flushing uncomfortably. “Let me see,” I said, taking it out of her hands and flipping through the smooth white pages. She stared at me for a while in a bemused silence. Then she said something which made me…
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Top Three Books: December 2018
The end of December is already here, and the new year is beckoning—but what to read? These books will end your year with a bang! Graceling, by Kristin CashoreKatsa’s Grace, or extreme skill, is killing, and she hates it. Thanks to her Grace, the king is using her as a threat to extort his enemies.…
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That Table is a Stage: A Review of Alexander Hamilton
My friend and I clambered onto the picnic table. The damp wood felt unsteady underneath me; I shifted my feet. Then, flashing my friend a grin, I began to sing: “Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?” “That depends. Who’s asking?” And so it continued—us standing on the picnic table, singing as loud as we…
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Top Three Books: November 2018
November has sped past in the blink of an eye, partly because of the leftover Halloween candy, but also because I’ve been reading some wonderful books—and all of you avid readers know that nothing makes time fly like a good book! Here are some of my favorites:
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Another Way to Live: A Review of Akata Witch
“Well, I still think books are better than movies.” My friend just shook his head at me, smiling. I had never been big on movies—I still am not—and I found that books left you more satisfied than two hours spent staring at a screen. When friends asked me, “Have you watched this?” I would always…
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