We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

On a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 being the best, what would you rate this book? 3/5

What made you decide to read this book? I read this book because it didn’t really have a formal summary talking about what the book was about and it intrigued me to read it. 

What did you like about this book? Why? I liked how it had a lot of characters and the setting was on an island. It felt very secluded and I enjoyed reading the book. Also it was interesting to read from the main character’s point of view because I could relate to her a lot. 

What didn’t you like about this book? Why? I didn’t like how confusing it was, the character hid a lot of stuff from the reader and at some points in the book I was really confused of what was happening. Also the time period didn’t make sense, I didn’t know what happened before the other. 

Who would you recommend this book to?
I would recommend this book to people who like reading realistic fiction and thriller books. It was very confusing but people who like reading different personalities and understanding people would enjoy this book.
– Maariya Q. (Gum Spring Library)

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

On a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 being the best, what would you rate this book?

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

What made you decide to read this book?

One day, me and my friend were talking about our favorite books and genres. As the conversation went on, my friend brought up the book, All The Bright Places! She said it was a great book that I should read, so I told her I would! She luckily had the book, so she let me borrow it. So, in conclusion, my friend was the one who recommended and got me to read the book!

What did you like about this book? Why?

This book had such an inspirational, motivational, and beautiful story being told. There is so much emotion and meaning being carried throughout the book. This book talks about different people’s outlook on the world! It relates so much to real life and how a person’s act, appearance, and characteristics do not truly describe the person. It continuously demonstrates that there is more to the story than what a person sees.

What didn’t you like about this book? Why?

The ending is quite sad in the book, and at first I did not like it. Though, as I continuously thought about it, the ending had a much deeper meaning to it. It may not have been the best outcome, but it is truly so inspirational and it will cause you to think about life itself. The book is also a bit long, but every detail is worth it!

Who would you recommend this book to?

Honestly, I would recommend this book to teenagers, especially high schoolers because it is such a real life scenario. What happens in this book, happens in real life every day for lots of people. I would recommend this book to people who love inspirational and wholesome stories. This book can and would make an impact on so many people. It gives a voice to people who don’t think they are being heard.

-Sanvi N. (Gum Spring Library)

Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

On a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 being the best, what would you rate this book?

4/5 stars.

What made you decide to read this book?

I was searching for a contemporary fiction book that related back to my everyday life for an English project.

What did you like about this book? Why?

I liked how real the characters felt. The main character Nikki was from a middle class, Indian immigrant family. The best part about the book was to read about the character’s perspective on how she never really felt in place. This was nice to read because of how realistic it was.

What didn’t you like about this book? Why?

There wasn’t anything I disliked about the book, but I wished the author could’ve given more details on some of the character’s back stories. Especially the character Sam, because the part with his dad wasn’t given many details.

Who would you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a refreshing, relatable, and realistic romance book. 

-Sridhatri K. (Gum Spring Library)

When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris

I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in realistic fiction stories featuring aspects of mystery, and exploring themes of racial injustice, upbringing and culture, and extreme hardships. The characters featured are a black teenage boy, his broken family, and his one real, unexpected friend. When You Look Like Us is a captivating novel that allows the reader an insight into unfortunately common experiences of what happens when a black girl goes missing. Jay, his sister, Nic, and his grandma live together since Jay’s mom is serving time, and his dad is dead. Nic goes AWOL on Thursday, and from that point forward, he takes it upon himself, with the help of his soon-to-be girlfriend, Riley, to bring Nic back home safely. Jay shows perseverance through his struggles of racism while trying to help Nic.

-KL (Gum Spring Library)

Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella

Newlyweds Becky and Luke are on honeymoon! Together, they plan to spend the next year traveling the globe, heading to exotic destinations like Venice, Sri Lanka, India, and South America. But only after a month of traveling, Luke is ready to pack his bags and head home, whereas Becky wants to stay and finish their journey. Will this small disagreement cost them their honeymoon, or yet, their marriage?

I enjoyed learning about the destinations that Becky and Luke traveled to. I learned about their dining, hotel, and excursion experiences, which I found interesting. Kinsella explained everything with such detail, so I felt like I was on an exotic getaway too. Despite this, I disliked how short this book was. I read it off of Apple Books and was shocked when the percent read section at the bottom said 100%. I felt that Kinsella didn’t adequately and neatly wrap up the story. I understand that this is a novella (short novel), however, I felt that the author needed more than 45 pages to finish the story. If you are planning on reading this, especially on a trip, keep in mind that this will take an hour or less to complete depending on reading speed. A final thing I disliked was the argument between Becky and Luke. It was dumb. I thought Becky was being bratty for not understanding that Luke has to get back to his office. In my opinion, Shopaholic on Honeymoon deserves a 3.5/5 stars and I would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick, easy, and good book. I feel anyone who likes a book about traveling and rom com would enjoy it, and readers should be 15+, due to sexual content and language.

-Katrina Williams (Gum Spring Library)

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Luke has proposed to Becky! Becky loves the wedding planning process; cake tasting, dress shopping, everything. But when Luke’s mom in New York and Becky’s mom in countryside England start to get involved, Becky can’t take the stress of disappointing either one of them. Will Becky be able to sort this out and get the wedding she wants?

This book was slightly boring at certain parts, but I enjoyed that Shopaholic Ties the Knot shows how stressful weddings can be. Most people look at wedding planning as a solely joyous experience, but for some people planning a wedding can be hectic. I liked how this book showed how hard it is to please family during the wedding planning process. I would rate this book a 3.3/5, and anyone who loves a good rom com will surely enjoy and laugh while reading this. In my opinion, readers should be 15+, due to language and sexual content. 

-Katrina Williams (Gum Spring Library)

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Poppy Wyatt is getting married! Everything is going her way…until she loses her engagement ring. When she informs the front desk of her missing ring, they need a phone number to call in case it’s turned in. The problem is she also had her phone stolen. Then she finds a phone in the hotel trash can and claims it as her own. The next problem is the phone’s owner texts Poppy on her newly claimed phone and demands that she return it to him. A series of texts and emails follow, and a friendship starts to form… or is it something more?

I really liked this book. It’s nothing like I’ve read before and I always love Kinsella’s books. My only dislike was that the characters in this book are the exact same when compared to her other books. While every character has a new name, all of the female main characters are identical in personality. They are all quirky, funny, and a little on the ditzy side. The boyfriends and husbands are the same too. This wouldn’t be an issue for someone who has never read a book by Sophie Kinsella, but it’s annoying for me since I’ve read almost all of her books. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic comedies and would rate this book a 4.2/5. In my opinion, readers should be 15+ due to sexual content and language.

-Katrina Williams (Gum Spring Library)

Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

While a goodhearted, normal person, Emma Corrigan has a collection of secrets. While some are silly, others are embarrassing. And she spills them to the strikingly handsome stranger sitting next to her on a plane. Every last one. She tries to calm herself down by saying that she’ll never see him again, but then she learns that this particular stranger is her company’s CEO…what will she do?

This is one of the few books that has actually made me laugh out loud while reading. I’ve read most of Sophie Kinsella’s books, and she’s my favorite author because all of her books are fantastic. All of them are detailed and have funny and quirky characters that are relatable. With that said, sometimes those characters are a little too goofy, which makes the book a little too ridiculous and unbelievable. I feel like that’s what happened in this one. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good rom com and would rate it a 3.8/5. In my opinion, readers should be 15+, due to sexual content and language.

-Katrina Williams (Gum Spring Library)

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

On a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 being the best, what would you rate this book?

5/5

What made you decide to read this book?

My sister recommended it to me.

What did you like about this book? Why?

I love the idea of this book. How Mia has to work to get enough money to win the writing contest. And how she has to face discrimination.

What didn’t you like about this book? Why?

I hate how mean Mr. Yao is. Like does he even have a heart? He is a human and Mia and her family is a human, but Mr. Yao certainly does not treat them like his kind.

Who would you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to people who like to read realistic fiction and like to see characters fight for what they want to do.

-Laasya C. (Gum Spring Library)

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

On a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 being the best, what would you rate this book?

10/5

What made you decide to read this book?

I was going through the realistic fiction shelves and this caught my eye.

What did you like about this book? Why?

I love how this book shows the struggles that people do in fact face. This shows it from such a perspective that we actually have emotions for the characters. I love this book for its emotion and the way that the author conveys the story to us readers.

What didn’t you like about this book? Why?

I didn’t like how much it made me cry at the end when a character passed away. This made me so sad for Viji, the main character and the narrator. I could read this book a hundred times and I would still cry at the end.

Who would you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this to people who want to read an emotional and very realistic novel. This book will take you to places that you’ve never seen. It will give you emotions that you have never had for book characters.

-Laasya C. (Gum Spring Library)