Fall 2022 Book Recommendations from the Editorial Team
In case you were looking for something to read on your next rainy day, here is what our editors are reading.
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt is a fictional mystery novel which was released in 2002. The storyline follows 12-year-old Harriet Cleve Dufresnes in Alexandria, Mississippi as she attempts to uncover the death of her older brother Robin which occurred 10 years prior. The novel reminisces on the Cleve Dufresnes’ family history and the events which followed the murder of Robin. Tartt illustrates a blazingly hot summer in the small town of Alexandria as the highly independent and curious Harriet faces danger and the truth alongside her friend Hely. Throughout the novel underlying family dynamics are revealed and figures from Robin’s past are introduced. Tartt explores themes of family, economic divides, grief, racism, and adolescence.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abiké-ĺyimidé
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abiké-ĺyimidé is a thrilling book that follows the only two Black students at an elite, private high school as an anonymous online texter, Aces begins revealing all of their secrets. My favourite thing about this book was that it was a perfect mix of the TV series Gossip Girl and the psychological horror film, Get Out. Ace of Spades maintains all of the drama and scandal of Gossip Girl while also diving deep into institutionalized racism and its effect on Black teenagers in predominantly white environments. This text is incredibly twisted and you will find yourself unable to put it down until you figure out who is behind Aces and what exactly they are trying to do.
Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
One book I recently read is Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez. Scarborough is a low-income, culturally diverse neighbourhood east of Toronto that suffers from the weight of poverty, drugs, and crime. The book follows the perspectives of three children within the neighbourhood: Bing, a gay Filipino boy, Sylvie, a First Nations girl whose family struggles to find permanent housing, and Laura, a girl suffering from abuse and generational trauma. Through their intersecting stories, Hernandez explores how urban blight and lack of economic opportunities are enabled by systemic complacency while highlighting stories of individual strength in overcoming the system.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
Set in Romania in 1989, I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys follows Cristian Florescu, a seventeen-year-old living under Nicolae Ceausescu’s merciless regime. Cristian is blackmailed by the Romanian secret police to become an informer, being forced to report on the actions of his friends, family, and neighbours. However, he soon develops an audacious plan to expose the truth about Ceauseacu’s dictatorship to the world. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautifully written and fast-paced historical fiction novel, and especially for those who want to learn more about this fascinating yet heartbreaking period in history.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I recently read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and it immediately became one of my favourite books. Once you start reading, it is impossible to put the book down and the plot is constantly evolving with unexpected changes. Plath excellently explores identity crises and social issues through the protagonist Esther in this heartbreaking classic. I would 10/10 recommend The Bell Jar for anyone who is looking for an intellectually stimulating book that is beautifully written. I was saddened to see that Plath does not have any other books because of how much I loved the writing style. If I could read one book for the time again it would 100% be The Bell Jar.