Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing is an emotionally powerful novel which traces the lineage of a single family through time. With stories ranging from three centuries ago in Ghana to the lives of those in the modern day, Gyasi epitomizes what it means to be black in America. Beginning in 18th century Ghana, Gyasi tells the story of two half-sisters and the splitting of their family: one will be sold off as a slave to labor in America while the other will remain in Africa. In each chapter, Gyasi focuses on a different member of the family, and masterfully tells of their struggles and triumphs. Following the family from one generation to the next, from the Atlantic slave trade to the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s, Homegoing is composed of stunning prose and powerful characters which make the reading experience one that will change your perspective of time itself.
A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic Trilogy) by V.E. Schwab
A thrilling fantasy novel that delves into the realms of kingdoms, alternate realities, and magic, A Darker Shade of Magic is sure to hold your attention. In this world, it is a world where there are four Londons. There is Grey London: exceptionally mundane and unaware of neither magic nor the existence of parallel universes. Red London: a prosperous city of magic and mischief ruled by a royal family. White London: a place of deceit with subjects who are willing to cheat for magic. And, alas, Black London: all that remains of this city is the memory of it. This novel follows the two perspectives of Delilah Bard, a street thief from Grey London, and Kell, the royal ambassador of Red London and one of the last remaining wielders of blood magic. Filled with endless action, charming characters, and V.E. Schwab’s enchanting prose, the Shades of Magic Trilogy progressively gets better with each book.
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Have you ever stopped to wonder what it would be like if you were a living crime? In Apartheid South Africa, this was the reality for Trevor Noah. Born to his Xhosa mother and Swiss father in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Noah spent his childhood as incriminating proof of his parents’ actions. Now the host of The Daily Show and a professional comedian, Noah often shares his unique perspective that his childhood has given him. In a comical, yet powerfully compelling autobiography, Noah relays his childhood journey through the oppression of Apartheid and the freedom that followed.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Written by the award-winning and best-selling author Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a stellar example of Hosseini’s magnificent storytelling abilities. With a timeline ranging from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to the rule of the Taliban, this novel spans two generations of women and the joys and inhumane horrors they are faced with during these difficult times. Beginning with a misfortuned teenage girl who is married off to man nearly twice her age, Hosseini reveals the *severe* pressures placed on young girls in Afghanistan. When her husband welcomes a younger girl as a second wife, Mariam and this girl must overcome their differences to protect each other and their children from the wrath of an abusive society and the looming threat of violence. With an exquisite telling of human embattlements and heartache, A Thousand Splendid Suns is an unforgettable story which will r bring tears and demand you to keep turning page after page.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao tells the story of a Dominican-American named Oscar, who is a lovable misfit living in New Jersey. Oscar dreams of one day fulfilling his dreams of becoming a best-selling author, but the Fukœ curse placed on his family seems to hold him back at every turn. The novel follows Oscar as he navigates the foreign realms of romance and adulting, while simultaneously proving the resilience of those with love in their hearts. Through his exceedingly enjoyable writing and charming characters, Diaz relays the reality of being Dominican-American through the tumultuous, yet heartwarming, story of the Wao family.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Set in France during the turbulent time of World War II, The Nightingale shares the heart-wrenching and hopeful stories of wartime tragedies. Focused on two sisters, one a defiant young girl eager to contribute to the war effort, and the other, a mother faced with the task of protecting her daughter in the absence of her husband, each story feels real and powerful. With an emphasis on the individual wars women must fight, Hannah’s emotionally-captivating prose relays the strength of a woman in the face of the threat of war. The Nightingale exceeds at proving the beauty of human love and resilience, and is a notable World War II novel to read.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Feminism: a word with a controversial reputation and countless definitions attached to it. How should “feminism” truly be defined? And why does Adichie believe everyone should be one? We Should All be Feminists, an essay adapted from Adichie’s TEDx talk of the same name, convincingly argues for the need for feminism in societies around the globe. Adichie recounts her personal experiences in both Nigeria, where she was raised, and as an adult woman living in the United States, to bring awareness of the realities of systemic discrimination and elicit hope for the possibility of positive change. Extremely well-written, persuasive, and touching, We Should All Be Feminists is a must read for readers of all ages and genders.
