"Incarceron" by Catherine Fisher

"Incarceron," a fictional story by Catherine Fisher, is a story centering around two worlds: the "paradise gone wrong" prison, Incarceron, and the oppressed monarchy of the outside world. The former is home to Finn and his oath brother, Kiero, as well as thousands of other prisoners who are either living in small towns or are in violent and territorial gangs, one of which both Finn and Kiero belong to. In the latter setting, the story centers on a girl, Claudia, the daughter of the warden of Incarceron. The outside world is under the rule of a queen who has established a "protocol" which keeps the world in an everlasting version of 15th century England in order to avoid causing another great war, the last of which was referred to as the "Years of Rage."

Claudia is constantly trying to impress and finds that she always has to watch her back, for the outside world is full of deception through politics and murder. The biggest conflict in the outside world is Claudia's arranged marriage. She was supposed to be married to Prince Giles, the Queen's stepson, but after he falls off a horse and dies she is instead set to marry the Queen's son, a mischievous and cruel boy who is always under mummy's finger and catering to her every whim. Claudia is in a constant struggle to get out of the marriage. In the prison, Finn and Kiero are thrown into a world of extreme danger and adventure when they embark on a quest to find a way out. Along the way, they fight gangs, each other, and the prison itself. They are joined by a girl named Attia and are contacted by a stranger from the outside. Near the end of the story, you learn something very surprising about one of the main characters, an you find out that something very minor, a pocket watch mentioned on the side throughout the story, is actually something very important, for on the chain of the watch is a small blue cube, and this cube, tiny, seemingly insignificant is, in fact, the prison itself!

I found this book to be a great read, full of excitement, deception, and danger. The story gets into it right off the bat, great if you hate books that take too long to get into the story. It's full of interesting and inventive twists that will keep you well entertained. I will say, however, that the author leaves you hanging a lot. I find this makes it better because it keeps you thinking, wondering, and when you've just gotten into the next chapter and almost forgotten about what she left you hanging with in the last chapter, she throws the explanation at you, as well as another cliffhanger. All in all, I thought this book was better than most in the genre (it was certainly hard to put down) and I recommend it to readers of any age who want an epic adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat right up to the end.

Reviewed by Jason Phillips

"A Wedding Quilt for Ella" by Jerry S. Eicher

In "A Wedding Quilt for Ella," a novel by Jerry S. Eicher, Ella, a young adult, is inspired by a picture her younger sister Clara drew; she longs to make it the centerpiece on her wedding quilt. When her beloved finance dies, she starts to lose hope and cares less about the world around her. However, she doesn't want to give up on the dream she has for a beautiful wedding quilt. She soon discovers, with help from family and friends, that even when someone you love dies, hope can still go on.

I found this story very inspirational and touching. It taught me that you can't stay mad forever when something bad happens in your life. No matter what situations we go through, life still goes on. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost a loved one or is just having a hard time in life.

Reviewed by Tricia Hanks

The Heart and The Fist

The Heart and The Fist, a memoir by Eric Greitens, centers on Eric's own journeys as a student, athlete, humanitarian, and Navy SEAL. Greitens' first travels abroad to China during college after receiving a grant that allows him to do an independent study abroad for the summer. From there, Eric volunteers in many other countries, working in refugee camps and helping the poor of Bosnia, Rwanda, and Bolivia.

The people he meets during his travels teach Eric many valuable lessons through the telling of their harrowing stories of survival and hardship and by showing him how tirelessly one can work for a cause.

Eric is also taught lessons in strength, perseverance and discipline when he takes up boxing. The many hours he spends training help prepare him for a much more difficult task, becoming a Navy SEAL.

Eric decides to join the Navy when he realizes that although he is helping others through his work as a humanitarian, he steps in to "ease the suffering," his work doesn't prevent terrible things, like genocide, from happening. This is how Eric develops his idea that "you have to be strong to do good, but you also have to do good to be strong."

This powerful true story taught me that one person really can make a difference, but it is up to you to "choose your own adventure." This is a book everyone should read.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

The Borrower

The Borrower, a novel by Rebecca Makkai, centers on Lucy Hull, a twenty-six year old children’s librarian in Hannibal, Missouri. Her favorite patron, 10 year old Ian Drake, a voracious reader, sneaks books past his overprotective Evangelical mother with Lucy’s help.When Lucy discovers Ian hiding out in the library after hours with plans of escape and a backpack full of food and other provisions, she decides to drive him home. However, Lucy also urgently wants to save Ian from the Drakes, and the weekly anti-gay classes they have enrolled him in.

Rather than bring Ian home to his parents like she planned, Lucy finds herself on her way out of Hannibal, and Missouri, after allowing herself to be hijacked by the rebellious ten year old.

A fun and exciting read, Makkai keeps you hooked throughout this unlikely pair’s travels from Missouri to Vermont. With help from her Russian immigrant father through his shady connections, Lucy and Ian dodge the many obstacles in their path, having several interesting adventures along the way.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

My Stroke of Insight

My Stroke of Insight is an intriguing and informative book which tells Jill Bolte Taylor's harrowing true story. Ironically a brain scientist, Taylor suffers a rare form of stroke at the age of 37. Although it takes her eight years, she makes a miraculously full recovery. In the first few chapters Taylor's book has an interestingly nonfiction approach, giving you a detailed tour of the human brain itself and what was going on in Taylor's brain during the stroke. However, Taylor also utilizes personal and humorous storytelling, showing you that it is possible to persevere and remain optimistic even against what appear to be insurmountable odds.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending, a collection of poems written by Sonya Sones and inspired by her own life, tells the moving story of a young girl named Cookie, her family, and the aftermath of her eldest sister's nervous breakdown. Bearing as much weight as a large novel, this quick, emotional read can capture any reader's compassion, leaving you with a very different perspective on mental illness and those affected by it.

I found the format of Sones' book refreshing and the personal poems thought provoking. I recommend this book especially to anyone short on time and looking for a great read.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, a memoir by Alexandra Fuller, centers around Fuller’s childhood, which was spent almost entirely in Africa. Facing racial tensions, war, and loss, this unconventional and extraordinary childhood was not always a happy one. However, Fuller writes with an endearing sense of humor about her experiences. This captivating story about the joys and struggles of family and growing up, and also the tough realities of farm life keeps you hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to any reader with a sense of adventure.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt