Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

The book that made the movie that inspired a cult following. Follow the life of an insomniac whose illness has more to it than he ever imagined. The book gives a much more in depth look at what really happened to turn a successful businessman into a beat-up, hardened terrorist leader. Learn how he really meets Tyler Durden. Discover the truth as to why Marla Singer was such a major role in the protagonist’s path of destruction. Find out the real way Tyler was killed. The book is extremely well written and easy to read, especially if you’ve already seen the movie. It’s exciting, full of action and a deep psychological read. “If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person?” (33). If you have never read this before or seen the movie definitely start with the book. There is a lot that the movie doesn’t explain as well but both should come with the label: “WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME,” you could get into trouble.

Reviewed by David Downes

World War Z by Max Brooks

“World War Z” is set ten years after the events of a zombie outbreak. The world is a much different place as people still shiver at the memory. The story of the war is told through the eyes of the people who lived through the war. The interviewees range from children who lived during the war to military soldiers to the vice president at the time. You get an in depth look at the politics that went on pre-war, the mass hysteria during the outbreak, what people did to survive and how people dealt with the aftermath. Any fan of anything zombie related would love this read. You get a very realistic idea of how the entire world (not just America) would deal with an outbreak like this and get to experience how persons of different cultures would react. The events are so vivid and detailed it makes you wonder whether or not it is really a work of fiction.

Reviewed by David Downes

Why We Broke Up

Why We Broke up, a novel by Daniel Handler, shows exactly why hindsight is 20/20. Min, short for Minerva, our funny, intelligent narrator, is a junior in highschool. During her relationship with Ed Slaterton , a star basketball player and popular senior at her school, Min, who many people call "arty" or "different," can't help but keep a collection of "treasures" from their relationship in a box. Now, after Ed and Min are through, she decides to finally go through her box. Writing to Ed about each item, choosing to give him these treasures and finally put their relationship behind her, Min shares with us their story and the real reason why, in the end, they broke up.

A fresh, colorful novel filled with illustrations by Maira Kalman, Why We Broke Up is great for readers looking to change things up.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Blink & Caution

Blink & Caution, a novel written by Tim Wyyne-Jones, is a story jam-packed with suspense. The novel's main character, a teenage boy known as Blink, finds himself in a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Living on the streets, Blink's best technique when it comes to getting breakfast is discreetly taking leftovers from outside hotel rooms, eating the remnants of someone else's meal. Today, however, Blink stumbles upon a mysterious crime. Four suspicous men leave room 1616 and toss the room key aside on their way out. By entering the trashed hotel room and taking over five hundred dollars and a Blackberry left inside, Blink involves himself, a street punk and a thief, in a web of intrigue he couldn't possibly imagine. Very soon, a seemingly chance meeting with Caution, another teen running from a past she'd rather forget, will change everything for Blink.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Breaking Night

Breaking Night, a memoir by Liz Murray, tells the harrowing story of Liz's own "journey from homeless to Harvard." Growing up, there are many nights Liz and her older sister, Lisa go to bed hungry in their Bronx apartment after their parents' money goes to drugs instead of food. By the time she reaches high school, Liz has already been placed in a group home once because she will not attend school. Never wanting to go back, Liz decides to leave home for good, sleeping on the subway or in hallways when she is not staying with friends. After her mother loses her battle with AID's, Liz realizes she needs an education. Hoping to change her life for the better, Liz applies and is accepted to an alternative high school where she completes four years of high school credits in only two years, while homeless. Well on her way to success, Liz isn't finished yet. Determined to reach her goals, she applies to Harvard and for a New York Times scholarship. An incredible true story, Liz Murray's childhood and teen years are quite a rollercoaster ride. I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of some inspiration.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt