Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie (review by Andrew R. '17)

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In The Seven Dials Mystery, young Gerry Wade passes away suddenly and mysteriously in bed, just after writing a letter to his sister concerning a secret organization known as the Seven Dials. Days later, his close friend Ronny Devereux is discovered dying on the side of a forsaken road, muttering something about that same mysterious society. Separately, each death seems to be a tragic and unlikely coincidence, but taken together, the similarities are too obvious for the victims’ friends, Bundle and Jimmy, to ignore. Each chapter of this book, it seems, includes a new gunshot in the library or masked figure on the estate; neither the characters nor the reader could possibly complain of boredom until the last page is turned. While the plot seems clichéd at first, the author eventually takes it in surprising new directions that are sure to baffle even the most astute Christie fans. Still, any readers willing to try to solve the mystery before Bundle and her friends will have a thrilling challenge on their hands! – Andrew R. ‘17

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Requiem by Lauren Oliver (review by Karen T. '16)

Requiem by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In a world where love is a disease that must be treated and eliminated, Lena Tiddle has joined the rebellion against the cure and its advocates. As regulators begin encroaching into the abandoned wasteland where the rebellion is sheltered, Lena and the other Invalids trek across the Wilds gathering supporters and converts alike in preparation for their retaliation. While the premise to Lauren Oliver's Requiem is promising, the plot is slow to start and descends into the typical cliched love triangle that plagues many young adult novels. Additionally, the narration is split between two separate viewpoints that both break up the story line and confuse the reader. However, the buildup to the ultimate conflict and the dénouement are redeeming aspects of this novel. As the story line relies heavily on elements from the first books in the trilogy, only readers who have read Delirium and Pandemonium will fully enjoy Requiem. – Karen T. ‘16

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The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (review by Preethi K. '17)

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy Tan’s inspiring story, The Joy Luck Club, looks into the life of four Chinese women and their American-born daughters sharing their tales of hardship from their past and present. The story starts off in San Francisco, 1949. Suyuan Woo has died two months ago and her daughter Jing-mei, “June”, joins her mother’s friends, An-mei Hsu, Lindo Jong, and Ying-ying St. Clair for a game of mahjong in place of her mother. The book is spread out into four allegories followed by stories from the mothers or their daughters. Throughout the book, their stories show Chinese culture, the strife they have suffered, hope for a better life, family, love, and despair. I would recommend The Joy Luck Club for its moving storyline and insight into the emotions and feelings of a mother and daughter’s bond. – Preethi K. ‘17

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Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (review by Camille P. '14)

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dave Eggers’ Zeitoun is the true story of Syrian Muslim Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his family, living in New Orleans between 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. In the midst of disaster and chaos, Zeitoun is forced to face social stigmas the American government has against him, and the consequences of its cultural profiling. This book sheds light on a number of social injustices many encountered after Katrina hit and the complete anarchy the city of New Orleans was in. The sentence structure is simple and effective, and the author portrays emotions and thought-processes well as he artfully weaves the past and present together. A page-turner, I was able to finish this book in three days. The powerful story of this family is touching, and as someone who does not often love non-fiction, I fully enjoyed reading this book. – Camille P. ‘14

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The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan (review by Anika J. '17)

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A compelling story about the unbreakable mother-daughter bond, The Bonesetter’s Daughter features Ruth Young, an adult living with her boyfriend and his two kids, and her superstitious mother LuLing. The women have always had an difficult relationship, usually filled with arguments. Everything changes after LuLing gives Ruth some papers that reveal her past. Ruth finds that her mother's humble childhood has made her into the woman that she has become, and soon learns about a side of her mother that she never knew – one filled with kindness, bravery, and a bit of rebelliousness. The lessons that Ruth, and the reader, learn about living life as it comes are some that will never be forgotten. A unique novel full of the perfect mix of surprise, laughter, sadness, and love, The Bonesetter’s Daughter is definitely a must-read. – Anika J. ‘17

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