“The Secret History” By Donna Tartt
A popular dark academia novel, this psychological thriller has resurfaced in the past years for its captivating story and plot. The book revolves around Richard Papen, a pupil who becomes involved with a group of six college students, forever altering the course of their lives. Although the story can be confusing at times, it is very compelling, and since it’s on the longer side, it’s a great read for one of the many long weekends that fill our school calendar. Overall it’s a noteworthy thriller with many profound themes, such as the complexities of human nature and what happens when we begin to push the boundaries that define reality.
A classic horror and science fiction story, “Frankenstein” is a timeless novel that everyone has to read at least once in their life. The book begins slowly and may not seem interesting at first, but as the story develops, it becomes more and more engrossing. It is a tale of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who forms a living creature by putting together pieces of corpses. In doing so, he creates a beast that soon becomes rejected by society. Frankenstein’s monster is surprisingly relatable as he grapples with issues that many teenagers struggle within the modern world, such as identity exclusion. Through Frankenstein’s monster, readers may see parts of themselves. Overall “Frankenstein” is a twisted tale with intense themes such as isolation and prejudices, and questions what happens when humans play God.
A psychological thriller written by award-winning author Stephen King, this engrossing story hooks readers from the first page. This distorted story follows proclaimed author Paul Sheldon and mentally unstable former nurse, Annie Wilkes, who meet after a car crash leaves Paul injured. After treating his injuries, Annie reveals that she is a fan of his work, specifically his Misery novels. After she learns he killed off the main character, she forces him to write her another novel while keeping him captive. “Misery” is a genuine horror story that will keep readers biting their fingernails in anticipation, thoughtfully absorbing every word.
A mid-century Victorian romance written by Emily Brontë, “Wuthering Heights” is perfect for fans of “Pride and Prejudice.” It is a bit confusing at first but makes more sense as the book develops. The story is centered around the love affair between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Heathcliff is a young brooding figure, who is taken in by the Earnshawans, and soon develops an interest in Catherine. Their love story spans generations, unfolding into a passionate story about the human psyche and how love drives our actions. It’s a great read if you want to take a break from more jarring novels and enjoy something a bit more relaxing.
Another disturbing story by Stephen King, “Pet Sematary” follows the life of Dr. Louis Creed and his family after they move to a rustic town in Maine. After discovering a pet sematary behind their house, he learns that it can bring pets back to life. This leads him down an irreversible path forever altering his life. Pet Sematary shows what happens when humans meddle with forces out of their control and what happens when we try to challenge death. It’s a great read for those who love to use their imagination and think of all of the possibilities this world holds. However, the book includes multiple depictions of dead animals, and one should keep that in mind before deciding to read.
