This year, the Staples chapter of the National English Honor Society (NEHS) aims to get students off of their phones and into some good books. By sharing reviews of some of the best books they have read, they hope that others will consider picking up these books. Come back to this page periodically, as we will be adding more reviews weekly!
“The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Naturals, the first book in a YA thriller series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, follows a group of teenagers with extraordinary abilities that have been recruited by the FBI. It pulled me right in with its fast-paced mystery and unique characters. I really enjoyed getting inside the main character, Cassie’s, head as she pieced together clues throughout the story. The twists always keep me guessing, and I can truly say I was shocked by the ending when the mystery came together. On top of that, the tension and romantic sparks between the characters added an extra layer that made it hard to put the book down. Overall, I would say it was a really addictive read that I couldn’t stop thinking about after I finished. I will definitely be getting the sequel.
“The Prison Healer” by Lynette Noni
The dark YA fantasy book, The Prison Healer, by Lynette Noni centers around 17-year-old Kiva Meridan who is a healer in a notorious death prison. Throughout the book, she must compete in a series of deadly elemental trials to save her life after being forced to take the place of the captured Rebel Queen. I loved this book for how immersive the world-building was and how emotionally complex the characters were. Kiva’s relationships added so much heart to the story, and I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between her and Jaren. The brutal prison setting and deadly trials kept the tension high in this book, and I really felt attached to the characters and their stories throughout the whole read. I would recommend this book to those who love fantasy, intense settings, character development, action, and romance.
“We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson
In this gothic, psychological horror novel, the Blackwood family lives in complete isolation from the small town they call home after a poisoning incident kills most of the family. The remaining members, sisters Merricat and Constance, their Uncle Julian, and cat Jonas live peacefully, despite the occasional hecklings from unfriendly villagers. However, the arrival of a relative, Charles, throws their routine into an imbalance as Merricat becomes increasingly alarmed by the perceived threat that Charles proposes.
What I love most about this novel is the deep sense of discomfort and terror that is conveyed by a story with no supernatural elements. Instead, the horror lies in the everyday interactions between family, and the effect that isolation and villainization can have on human decency. The cold and isolated New England setting adds to the tension, as the villagers become increasingly questioning and violent against the Blackwoods. While it may not wear its horror on its sleeve, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a truly scary book: I never eat blackberries after reading.
“No Limits: The Will to Succeed” by Michaels Phelps with Alan Abrahamson
This book gives great insight into the world of Michael Phelps, one a of the most if not the most distinguished all around olympic swimmers of all time. Each chapter of the book takes you through a different stroke in swimming from relays to the 400 Individual Medley. If you were wondering what Michaels Phelps was thinking and how he prepared and trained for his races, this book is for you.
As you read the book, you feel like you are at the pool with Michael, talking to teammates, observing the competition and going through race strategy. You will also gain knowledge about what went wrong and what went right through stories about how he trained and what he thought was important in each race.
Whether you are a swimmer or not, this book will help you appreciate the amazing athlete Michael Phelps and all of his accomplishments and how he got there.
“Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a refreshing, romantic retelling of the classic Greek myth, the Trojan War. Miller is an amazing storyteller who keeps you interested the entire time. It’s told from the perspective of the character Patroclus, and we get to see the tale of Greek hero Achilles unfold from a different view. Instead of a history lesson, Miller delves into the humanity of myths and how the audience can connect with the old stories. The book is a great balance between an intriguing story and a mini mythology lesson!
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole
John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces is one of the strangest, funniest novels I’ve ever read. The book is set in New Orleans, and it follows Ignatius J. Reilly, a wildly opinionated, medievalist slob who believes he’s intellectually superior to everyone around him. What makes the book hysterical is how seriously Ignatius takes himself while the world blatantly refuses to cooperate. The humor is constant albeit absurd, and it criticizes modernity, capitalism, and human laziness altogether. Beneath the chaos, there’s something very human about the characters. It’s ridiculous and uncomfortable, but it is also brilliant in ways that take a minute for
the reader to realize.
“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite reads ever, following two sisters living in Nazi-occuppied France during World War II. As a fan of historical fiction novels, I love how Hannah dives into the lives of many impacted by the war, particularly women, whose war stories have tended to go unnoticed in the past. One of the sisters, Vianne, remained in occupied France while hiding a jew in her household and constantly living in fear as the Nazi officers patrolled her town. The other sister, Isabelle, joined the resistance against the Nazis to become the elusive Knightingale. A thrilling and intense storyline with plot twists make this book very entertaining and difficult to put down! Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and intricate storytelling would find the read very fulfilling!
“Tender is the Night” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tender is the Night written by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about protagonist Dick Diver who eventually loses his practice as a psychiatrist, his wife Nicole, and himself to alcoholism. The text is immersed in lush sensory details to paint the setting, taking place first in the French riviera and jumping across numerous timelines and places. As the book develops, the once luxurious and elegant chapters unfold to decline into a tense and dramatic story, drawing a parallel to Dicks’ psychological decline. The most interesting part of the book is how closely it mirrors Fitzgerald’s personal life. The scenes feel incredibly intimate and human as Fitzgerald goes intensely into the psychological depth of characters, and ultimately, the novel makes comments on how glamorous lives often mask the fragility of human ambition, closely mirroring the instability of the war ravaged era of the 1920s that was masked by glamour.
“Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse Five is a classic but sci-fi tale which captures readers’ attention with underlying anti-war messages through a captivating story of time travel. This book is not only creatively written across timelines, but it was quite fast paced and I struggled to put it down. Its historical context in WWII is especially important to the message about the brutal, torturous nature of war. It portrays this message through figurative language such as extended metaphors of soldiers as children. It also provides an interesting perspective on the passage of time that leaves a long lasting effect on readers.
“This Book Won’t Burn” by Samira Ahmed
After her father abandons his family with just a note, Noor’s mother moves them away from liberal-leaning Chicago to a small, mostly white town in Illinois. Despite Noor and her younger sister Amal being among the few Indian American and Muslim students,
Noor hopes to keep her head down and finish her senior year. However, when she learns that over 500 books, mostly written by marginalized authors, have been removed from the district’s library, she and her friends begin to protest. They read these books aloud in public spaces and create small libraries to share banned books. Their activism angers the town, causing Noor and her family to face threats, slurs, and violence. In this novel, Ahmed uses multiple modes to expose the harmful ideologies behind censorship.
Book review by Anwara Olasewere
“Hour of the Witch” by Chris Bohjalian
Hour of the Witch is a historical fiction novel centering around Mary Deerfield, a woman living in Boston, Massachusetts in 1692, right in the middle of the Puritan era. This book follows Mary’s struggles as she seeks freedom from her household. It’s an engaging read, and Bohjalian makes you feel as though you are right there with the characters. This story is intricately woven, and has a charm to it that keeps you coming back. The suspense is renewed with each reread. Hour of the Witch keeps you on your toes and reflects contemporary issues in a historical setting. I would definitely recommend this book to someone else and encourage readers to check it out even if they don’t usually enjoy the historical fiction genre.
“The Fifth Child” by Doris Lessing
I found The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing so enjoyable because of its exploration of the dark boundaries of family, conformity, and the limits of unconditional love. I picked this book out from Oprah’s book club, and it was so fascinating to see the slow unraveling of a seemingly idyllic family as the arrival of Ben, the fifth child, upends the lives of everyone around him. Harriet and David Lovatt have built their lives around the performance of a perfect family—a Victorian mansion, carefully timed pregnancies, festive holiday gatherings—and Ben’s arrival exposes the quiet conditionality at the heart of it all. I’ve always been interested in the effects of nature versus nurture, which was a major theme in the book, and asking whether “otherness” can be accepted within conventional family structures. What struck me most was that the horror never really comes from Ben himself, but from the ordinary people around him, and how inevitably, almost naturally, they move to exclude him. As Harriet and David’s idealistic vision collapses, the story shows the dangers of rigid expectations and the uncomfortable truth that family love, for all its promises, is rarely as unconditional as we want to believe. The book is extremely unsettling and unforgettable in its portrayal of those limits.
“The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, addictive read that feels like a TV crime drama but with heart, The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the perfect pick. The story follows Cassie, a teen with a rare talent for profiling people, who is recruited by the FBI to join a group of gifted teens known as the Naturals. Each member of the team has a unique ability; Michael reads emotions, Dean profiles like Cassie, Lia detects lies, and Sloane sees patterns in numbers. Together, they are trained to solve cold cases that stump even experienced agents. What makes this book stand out isn’t just the mystery (which is full of twists and high-stakes danger), but the relationships between the characters. The tension, friendships, and subtle romance add depth and make you care about what happens to them. As Cassie investigates a new killer, she’s also searching for answers about her mother’s unsolved murder, adding a deeply personal layer to the story. Gripping, emotional, and impossible to put down, The Naturals is a must-read.
Book review by Stella Digeronimo
“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon
Outlander, the first of several in Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling series, is an absolute must-read for lovers of historical fiction. The novel starts in 1945 and follows ex-World War II nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall as she navigates getting sent back in time to the year 1743 during her honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands. As Claire struggles with the possibility of never returning to her husband and timeline, she befriends the dashing and mysterious Jamie and goes head to head with Lairds, redcoats, and everything in between. This book transports you alongside Claire, and you truly feel enveloped in the lifestyle of 18th century Scotland. Though interwoven with romance, drama, and adventure, Outlander is at heart a historical novel, and perfectly encapsulates the complicated world of the UK during this era, complete with political, social, and religious tension that add to the impressive characterization. As a disclaimer, the book does deal with difficult themes such as rape and assault, and doesn’t sugarcoat the extremely gruesome realities of living during a time in which women had no rights and Scotsmen were treated as low class citizens. While reading Outlander, it’s so easy to slip into its reality and feel as though you’re traveling right along with Jamie, Claire, and the men of MacKenzie clan as they navigate the highlands and evade the infamous redcoat captain, Black Jack Randall. I highly recommend this series, especially if you love being immersed in the world you’re reading about. Go pick up a copy!
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a novel set in old Hollywood that follows the life of Evelyn Hugo, a famous actress who decides to tell the true story of her life to a journalist named Monique Grant. Much of Evelyn’s life was hidden beneath the surface, and as she shares her story, the reader learns about her rise to fame and the real truth behind her seven marriages.
One thing I really liked about this book is how complex Evelyn’s character is. She is honest about the mistakes she’s made and the choices she’s had to make to get where she is in life. She doesn’t pretend to be perfect, which makes her feel very real. The book also explores serious topics such as love and identity, making it more meaningful. The romance, combined with societal expectations, adds a lot of emotion to the story.
Overall, this book is truly captivating and a must-read.
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
The 2019 YA mystery novel, A Good Girls Guide to Murder, follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi as she investigates a past local murder case for a school project. I really loved this book for its unique story-telling. It includes a variety of mixed-media within the pages, such as interviews, diary entries, and production logs. This made for a very entertaining read. The story is face-paced, laced with suspense and a bit of romance. It had a truly complex and unexpected ending that had me on the edge of my seat. This book includes strong themes, tackling the importance of truth, justice and breaking social biases. I would definitely describe this book as addictive for its well-connected plot twists and thrill. I will forever hold this book dear to my heart, as it was the first book to introduce me to the mystery genre. I would recommend this book for individuals looking for a well-written and exciting piece that will always have you wanting more. It is also great for readers who want similar books to One of Us Is Lying and The Naturals.
“The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake was a particularly interesting read; she examines how something as simple as a name has emotional and cultural weight as seen in Gogol’s struggle with his name — making readers question the concepts of belonging and identity. The novel thoughtfully compares private identity and public identity through the character of Gogol, especially the distinction between ‘pet’ and ‘good’ names: one’s culture and tradition shapes them even if that is not obvious to the outside world. Lahiri is especially purposeful with her use of food, language, and rituals as symbols of heritage like carefully prepared Bengali meals to family customs, suggesting home is more than a physical place. In contrast, there are elite social spaces which she describes vividly, where prestige (such as Ivy League settings and affluent households) can only temporarily feel comforting. Additionally, relationships throughout the work show that even if two individuals share a background, they may not share the same identity: there is complexity to human connections. Ultimately, the Namesake appeals to readers who are interested in the exploration of culture, family, and growth.
“Paris Dalliencourt Is About to Crumble” by Alexis Hall
Alexis Hall’s Paris Dalliencourt Is About to Crumble follows main character Paris Dalliencourt, a gifted but very tightly wound pastry chef whose life changes after he competes on the televised baking competition Bake Expectations. During the show, Paris is admired for his technical skill and precision. He quickly becomes a favourite amongst fans at home despite the intense pressure of the competition. Even though this amazing experience brings him exciting professional opportunities and recognition, it also triggers his perfectionism and introduces feelings of anxiety.
After the show ends, Paris struggles to adjust to his life outside of the baking tent. He grapples with new career demands all while public attention and expectations of success begin to weigh down on him. While a successful romance with a fellow contestant continues, Paris finds it increasingly difficult to communicate given his emotional state. Through all of this, Paris’s
mental health declines, finally leading to panic attacks.
The novel tracks Paris’s gradual breakdown alongside his attempts to maintain control, until he is forced to outright confront his situation. With the help of therapy and patient support from loved ones, Paris begins the slow process of recovery. This story beautifully weaves together exciting themes of competition and new romance, yet also offers a complete portrait of pressure and learning how to ask for help. If you are someone who loves watching “The Great British Baking Show” and wouldn’t mind tying some realistic romance and struggles into this mix, this book is for you!
