“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

I’ve been eyeing Kafka’s works for some time now, and when I finally got my hands on this novella, I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The writing highlights the quiet tragedies that go unnoticed in everyday life and is an allegory for alienation, even from your closest loved ones, in contemporary society.

The story revolves around Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, who wakes up one day transformed into a grotesque insect. As Samsa navigates his “metamorphosis,” he’s met with the harsh realities of isolation, neglect and rejection. I found the story incredibly thought-provoking, as it explores the detrimental effects of society’s impossible standards and the idea that even those closest to one would shun and drive them away to the point of no return.

Kafka does a brutally good job of exposing the faults and volatility of our societal relationships, and it’s an eye-opener. “The Metamorphosis” is raw and real, so for anyone looking to delve deeper into the nuances of human fragility, this novella is a must-read.

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson

In “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” Holly Jackson introduces Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a determined high school student who takes on a case that shook her small town: the disappearance of a classmate, Andie Bell, who was presumed murdered. Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh, was blamed for the crime, but his death shortly after the incident left many questions unanswered.

As Pippa investigates, she unravels hidden secrets and shocking truths that completely change the plot. This eccentric mystery is not only a thrilling page-turner but also has themes of truth, justice and how appearances can be deceiving. It’s a story that keeps readers guessing until the very end while making them reflect on how easily people can be misunderstood.

“One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston
Recently, I have been adventuring into the vast world of LGBTQ+ literature, and I love it. “One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston is the kind of romance that sweeps you off your feet.

The story centers around August Landry, a guarded and skeptical bisexual 23-year-old trying to settle into her new life in New York City, driven by the mindset that she is destined for lifelong solitude. She has never felt romantically loved and isn’t looking for it until she meets Jane Su, an effortlessly suave and mysterious butch lesbian she sees on her everyday subway commute on the Q train. August has never felt this way about someone before, and she wants to pursue Jane. The problem is that Jane is from the 1970s and has been stuck on the Q train for over 45 years.

What sets this romance apart from any other book I have read is how it truly captures what it feels like to fall in love, having this person feel at home. August is a character many can relate to; her awkwardness genuinely resonated with me. Her ten dency to fall into her own traps and get into her own problems showcases what it is like to be young, dumb and unfortunately, broke.

McQuiston mixes humor, vulnerability and passion into one heartfelt love story that feels both timeless and fresh. With the diversity of characters and impassioned writing, “One Last Stop” is a must-read for anyone who believes in the kind of love that will make you do anything for that certain person.

“Solo Leveling” by Chugong

When I first started this book I was skeptical about it, I was sure that it would be like all the other cliche books about “hunters” I have read. But I was proven absolutely wrong, and I was hooked.
Not only is the book action-packed, the story-line is well thought-out along with a 20-chapter epilogue that ties up the story nicely.

In “Solo Leveling,” Earth is infected with “gates,” the harbingers of monsters. With every fall, opportunity comes. This time, it’s in the form of heroes called “hunters.” The main protagonist Sung Jin-woo is the lowest class hunter known to mankind, an E-rank. He fights between a thin line of life and death in gates to earn money for his mother’s hospital bills. Through these gates, he finds an unimaginable opportunity to obtain powers that supersede his limits through a limitless leveling system that allows him to climb the rigid rankings of hunters.

I pulled multiple all-nighters and waited countless weeks just to finish this book. The vivid storytelling within this manga paired along with the amazing art makes it unforgettable. The art within this book is simply amazing and the panels are really cohesive, showing motion-blur which makes you feel as if the story is animated. I also like how the text boxes weren’t all traditional white, but actually reflect the atmosphere of the story. Overall, the art and storyline make this book an irresistible combo, a must-read for manga lovers.

“The Winemaker’s Wife” by Kristen Harmel

“The Winemaker’s Wife” by Kristen Harmel is a heart-wrenching historical fiction story told from three perspectives that all connect together at the end. It follows the lives of Ines Chauveau, the wife of the owner of Maison Chauveau during World War II, Celine Laurent, the wife of the head winemaker, and Olivia Kent. Liv, as she is referred to in the book, is recently divorced in the present day, and her Grandmother Edith takes her to Paris to discover shocking truths about her life.

When I picked up this book, I had never heard anything about it and therefore had low expectations. However, whatever expectations I did have, were completely surpassed and more. This book blew me away in a way I did not think possible. Every time I thought I had figured out the ending, the story took one more turn, surprising me in the most unexpected way. Combining history, romance, and family, this book was not only interesting but allowed me to connect emotionally to the characters and feel for them every step of the way. Harmel’s way of writing, especially switching between the three perspectives, had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.