What better way is there to spend this week-long break than curled up with a book, or two, or eight? On this list are a few recommendations of books that might be a little different than what you would normally read.
Ellie’s picks:
1 . The Best Dr. Thorndyke Detective Stories
A gripping collection of brief but intense murder mysteries, Austin Freeman’s The Best Dr. Thorndyke Detective Stories puts a unique spin on the classic Agatha Christie/Arthur Doyle detective story. Thorndyke is not just a detective, he’s a forensic scientist. Each mystery invokes his ‘little green briefcase’ containing miniature lab equipment, a concept that was radical for the science of the time, the early 1900’s. The stories all start out the same- on a bleak English day or night, a gruesome and meticulous murder is carried out. Until Thorndyke and Jervis (the narrator) arrive on the scene, the murder seems impossible to solve. Then, after a mesmerizing series of deductions and observations, the crime is solved. This book contains so much atmosphere and vindicating reveals of the crime that the stories are hard not to read all at once.
2. The War of the Worlds
Sci-fi feels like a relatively new genre, but H.G. Wells had already set an incredibly high bar in 1898. War of the Worlds revolves around an unnamed astronomer and writer who flees from town to town in the wake of devastating robotic titans from mars. Wells does a phenomenal job of maintaining the essence of victoria england- gorgeous countryside descriptions, quaint dialogue and whimsical astrological thought- while doing so much more. His descriptions of Mars and the logic behind the martians continues to astound me every time I read the book. The detail he puts into his world- the responses of different towns, the effect the invasion has on plant life, the commitment to arguable (albeit dated) science, makes the book seem larger than life. Each sense is called on, and each way the martian pervades the life of the characters is explored. If you like descriptions of English countryside, gothic science fiction, and poetic justice, order this book right now.
1. Will
The transition from the last three English books to one of the most American stories ever may seem jarring, but this autobiography is a truly fascinating read. Will was written in 1976, by a man arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Convention in the Watergate office complex. Gordon Liddy genuinely thought he was saving Richard Nixon and the country when he made plans to bug numerous buildings, plan an assassination attempt, and debated on the ideal race for the prostitutes that would seduce Democrats. Liddy’s biography is the epitome of an unreliable narrator. Every event in his life is twisted to show himself as a rough-and-tumble anti-hero, putting his country above all else. He was a nazi- not in the sense that he hated jews profusely, but in that Hitler’s speeches were nostalgic. When he was jailed in DC, his first move was to wiretap the warden. Gordon Liddy, who died just recently in 2022, tells a captivating story. A story about Watergate, the FBI, patriotism, and ego.
4. Scenes from a Provincial Life
Highly contrasting the action-saturated book from above, Scenes from a Provincial Life take things slow. Too slow for the main characters, science teacher Joe and his irritating friend Tom. William Cooper’s book also takes place in England, in the quiet countryside miles away from the second World War that is just beginning. Cooper paints the protagonist as a dissatisfying character, unable to commit to his girlfriend, his friend, or his students, he wanders through his world unsure and apprehensive. Joe isn’t a bad person though. He is supportive of his gay friend, he only wants to see the best of his students, and he has aspirations for his career in America. And yet, he falls into bouts of scorn and jealousy over a girl he won’t marry, he judges his friend’s young boyfriend haughtily for acting immature. Joe is selfish and underwhelming. Cooper does an immaculate job of portraying a character who is too slow and petty for England in 1939, a character who finds his own thoughts more attractive than anyone else’s, and one who you will come to love anyway.
Ella’s picks:
1. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
Exploring the theme of complicated family relationships within immigrant families, Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous displays the hurt and love parents can give. The story is written in the form of a letter from a son, Little Dog, to his illiterate single mother. It explores their family history in Vietnam, with tales of a war ridden country from his grandmother and mother, who is a product of the war herself: half-white half-Vietnamese. Vuong uses fragments of stories to put together a complete picture. The novel itself takes experiences from Vuong’s own life and blends it with fiction, creating a familiar, yet different story for many immigrants; including the feeling of being the bridge to an American world for your family. If this feels familiar, or, especially, if it doesn’t, take a look at this book.
2. Brave New World
How would it feel to be genetically and emotionally manipulated to enjoy your status and work? Brave New World is a dystopian novel about a future where humans are manufactured in factories for specific purposes. Published in 1932, the book stemmed from the author’s worry of the world’s reliance on technology, and threat to strip us of our humanity. Aldous Huxley’s incredible world building kept me constantly thinking hard, about my life and what it really means to be human and free. The book follows many characters, each battling with their own place in society, the one they were made to fill. The novel opens up with an incredible bang, following the Director of a human factory giving a tour to eager students, ready to learn about the creation of life. Pick this book up if you’re interested in the future of genetic engineering, the beauty of life, or maybe just want to think a lot.
3. She Who Became the Sun
Set in China, She Who Became the Sun is a part-fantasy, part-historical fiction telling of the start of the Ming dynasty. The story starts with Zhu Chongba, the eighth-born son and his sister in a small starving village. Taken to a fortune teller, he is prophesied to lead to greatness, while her: nothing. When an unexpected bandit attack ends in his death, she decides to exchange their fates, taking his identity and running away to join a monastery. Her desperation to live, leads her through life, willing to do anything to take his destiny for herself. This novel mixes together fantasy and history to create a mesmerizing world, able to pull you in.
4. Before I Fall
High school is hard, but for Samantha Kingston, it’s not. Before I Fall starts out with the death of the main character, Sam, after she and her friends get into a drunk driving accident. The book then goes on to describe her entire day leading up to the accident, about her questionable dynamic with her friends, her worries about her boyfriend, and being a typical mean girl. After her day ends in disaster, she is forced to relive her day over again, and again, and again. Lauren Oliver creates a story about redemption, life, and self-realization. She does a wonderful job of describing the way people can be led to do bad things without any regret. After this story of morals, friendship, and doing the right thing, you will be led to think about your own actions.
