Author: Kate Alice Marshall 

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Horror, Mystery/Thriller, YA 

Year of Publication: 2019

Summary: Rules for Vanishing is about a girl named Sara, she has a sister named Becca who has disappeared, others assume that Becca ran away but Sara knows that isn't what really happened. Before Becca left, she talked about a dangerous path through the woods and a voice whispering to her to enter them. There's a tale revolving around the woods which was disregarded and turned into only a legend but when the legend is discovered to be true Sara learns just how morbid the truth can be. 

Review:  I adored this book, the story was constructed quite well and takes place during an interrogation when Sara is forced to recall her memories but even those seem to deceive her. I would have preferred if the ending revealed a little more information, although, it leaves a nice air of mystery. 

Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Lynn Painter 

Genre: Romance, YA, Fiction 

Year of Publication: 2021

Summary: This book follows Liz, a teenage girl who is obsessed with rom-coms. When Liz's childhood crush comes back to town she crafts an idea to start fake dating one of her friends to make him jealous, but because this is a rom-com, things don't go as planned. 

Review:  This book was so good! It made me laugh, cry, smile, and scream into my pillow because the characters were just too cute! This book was 100% one of the best books I've ever read. Better Than The Movies is perfect for anyone who loves rom-coms like 10 Things I Hate About You and Say Anything. The two main characters start off as childhood friends who have a playful hate for each other, but they reluctantly find themselves starting to like each other! This book is amazing if you want a simple, heartwarming, cute, and adorably romantic book filled with laughs and giggles! 

Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Emily Henry 

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction 

Year of Publication: 2020

Summary: This story is about two college rivals years later, living in the same small town for a summer while being both broke and writers. January Adams and Augustus Everett write two completely different genres, but this summer, they’ll be switching. Now focusing on each other’s genres, romance and literary fiction, they have to navigate the summer with each other, without falling in love. 

Review: If you are looking for a contemporary romance novel as well as a novel with the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one’s for you! It is perfectly modern without too much reference to new media, which I really enjoy in books. Beach Read is a romantic novel that makes you feel happiness, sadness, angst, remorse, and forgiveness all in one! This story is the ultimate feel-good story with likable characters and plot! The writing and structure of this novel were amazing, leaving a cliffhanger with every perspective change, forcing you to read on. Every second of reading this book made me want to get to the next page and the page after that! I had started to carry it around with me, awaiting the perfect opportunity to pick it up again. 

Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Angie Thomas

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, YA, Fiction 

Year of Publication: 2017

Summary: First love! Forbidden love! Defying your parents’ expectations! This captures why you should read  Love Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed. The story takes place in Batavia, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in America. This is a made-up name of a place, but you do get the sense that it’s a small close-knit community where everybody knows your business. 

Review: For years, Starr has been trapped between two worlds – the Black community where she and her family live and the fancy preparatory school that she’s enrolled in – which have caused her to hide who she truly is from both sides of her life. However, when these two worlds begin to collide after news of her best friend’s murder breaks out, Starr has no idea what to say, how to act or who to be.

I didn’t quite know what to expect as I opened this long-awaited novel but, after devouring the first two chapters, I could already get a sense for the style, rhythm and humour of this book. Needless to say, I fell in love with it all.

Angie Thomas’s unique writing style combined with the reality of the issues that are discussed at length over the course of this novel resonated with me as I tore through page after page after page. 

This book is inspirational and an honest tale of loss and hope.

Rating: ★★★★

Author: Joseph Bruchac 

Genre: Historical-Fiction, YA 

Year of Publication: 2005

Summary: "Code Talker" follows the journey of a young Navajo boy named Ned Begay, who becomes a code talker during World War II. The story begins with Ned's childhood on the Navajo reservation, where he faces challenges but also finds strength in his Navajo heritage and language. 

Review: "Code Talker" by Joseph Bruchac is a gripping historical novel that sheds light on the Navajo code talkers of World War II. Through the protagonist's perspective, the book vividly portrays the challenges, sacrifices, and importance of the Navajo code talkers in the Pacific theatre. Bruchac skillfully weaves together history, culture, and personal narrative, making it an engaging and educational read for both young adults and adults alike. 

Rating: ★★★★

Author: Catherine Hernandez 

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ2S+, Fiction 

Year of Publication: 2017

Summary: "Scarborough" by Catherine Hernandez portrays the diverse characters in a Toronto suburb. Through intertwining narratives, it explores themes of poverty, immigration, and identity, offering a poignant reflection on urban life and the power of community. 

Review: "Scarborough" by Catherine Hernandez is a poignant and powerful novel that offers a clear view of a diverse community grappling with various challenges. Set in a suburb of Toronto, the book explores the interconnected lives of residents from different backgrounds, including immigrants, single parents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized communities. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, Hernandez illuminates themes of resilience, identity, and the pursuit of belonging. The novel's portrayal of its characters and their struggles makes it a compelling and empathetic read that sheds light on the complexities of modern urban life. 

Rating: ★★★

Author: Edward Albee 

Genre: Play, Fiction 

Year of Publication: 1962

Summary: George & Martha come home at 2 am from a college dinner party, preparing for guests. Nick & Honey (the guests) arrive at George & Martha's home, George Prepares drinks for everyone. Martha & Honey separate from Nick & George to go upstairs, they talk about the college & their experiences in it, and Martha tells Honey about her child. This provokes George to suggest to the group to play a game of humiliating the host. 

Review: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a novel by Edward Albee, that delves into the tumultuous relationship between George and Martha. Set over the course of one evening, their toxic and volatile interactions are laid bare, exposing their deep-seated resentments and disappointments. Through sharp dialogue and intense confrontations, Albee masterfully explores themes of illusion, reality, and the breakdown of communication in relationships. 

Rating: ★★★★

Author: Leigh Bardugo 

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Fiction 

Year of Publication: 2012

Summary: Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the shadow fold-a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters with her military unit. 

Review: If you’re someone who enjoys reading fantasy books including romance, mystery, and page-turners, this book is for you! there are also two more books in this trilogy so it’s never-ending, and there are many more books after the trilogy that include the same characters. I highly recommend this as well because there is a Netflix show based off the trilogy and another duology in the story's universe! 

Rating: ★★★★★