Fiction: Reading for Fun

This story follows the four parallel lives of Archie Ferguson, born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 3, 1947. Each of the four Fergusons has a different fate, shaped by the choices they make and the events that occur in their lives.

In the book, Fast explores the story of an assassin who decides to abandon his violent past and live a reformed life. The protagonist, George, is a professional hitman who, after a change of heart, chooses to give up his gun and seeks a new start away from his criminal life.

The story revolves around a family in a small Massachusetts town whose lives are deeply affected when a young girl named Amanda undergoes medical treatment for leukemia, resulting from toxic waste contamination in the town's water supply.

Rebecca Davitch, a 53-year-old widow and mother who questions the direction her life has taken. Feeling she's lost herself in the responsibilities of running her family's catering business and raising her stepchildren, she embarks on a journey to rediscover her true identity.

A novel that explores the concept of the "Bartleby syndrome," a term inspired by Herman Melville's character Bartleby from "Bartleby, the Scrivener."

The novel follows the life of Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader, who finds himself embroiled in a hit-and-run accident in the Bronx. The incident leads to a series of events that unravel his life and expose the social and racial tensions in the city.

The story centers around the lives of Maggie and Ira Moran, a middle-aged couple, as they embark on a one-day road trip to attend a friend's funeral.

It revolves around the friendship between two Jewish boys, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. Their differing upbringings and beliefs lead to conflict and eventual understanding.

The lives of these four characters intersect in the small town of Clock Without Hands. The novel explores their relationships with each other and with the town itself. It is a story about change, resistance, and hope.

A story that delves into the life of Celie, an African American woman living in the South in the early 20th century. The novel explores Celie's experiences, struggles, and growth as she navigates issues of racism, sexism, and abuse.

A regional love story set in the hills of Tennessee against a backdrop of mystery and racial misunderstanding. Dave, a young lumberjack, falls in love with Deutsia, a Melungeon girl. Her people are shunned by the valley people and the relationship splits the lifetime friendship of Dave and his best friend, Ben.

Miles Roby, the manager of a diner in a small town named Empire Falls.

The book focuses on the life and experiences of a cadet, Harlow C. Doyle, at a southern military academy. The novel explores the challenges, relationships, and various incidents that occur within the rigid structure and traditions of the institution.

The story is set in Oklahoma during the 1920s and follows the life of the titular character, Hatter Fox, a young Native American woman.

This story interweaves the lives of three women across different time periods. It follows Virginia Woolf as she writes "Mrs. Dalloway," Laura Brown, a 1950s housewife reading the book, and Clarissa Vaughan, a modern New Yorker planning a party.

This story is about a nameless, isolated protagonist navigating a desolate landscape.

The story follows a teenage girl named Deborah Blau who struggles with mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Deborah creates an imaginary world named "Yr" to escape the pain of reality.

The story revolves around a seagull named Jonathan Livingston who wishes to break away from the ordinary life of a seagull and seeks to fly for the sheer joy and perfection of flight itself rather than merely for survival or finding food.

The story revolves around the character of Father Michael Ferrier, a Catholic priest. He faces a moral and spiritual crisis when his brother, Mark, is sentenced to death for murder. Father Ferrier confronts a profound dilemma as he grapples with his own values, religious principles, and the conflict between his personal beliefs and the law.

The story takes place over a Labor Day weekend in a small New Hampshire town and revolves around the characters of Henry, a thirteen-year-old boy, and his reclusive mother, Adele. They encounter an escaped convict named Frank who seeks refuge in their home.

An epistolary novel that follows the lives of a man and a woman, their intricate relationship, and their respective experiences.

The story revolves around the character of Joe Schell, a young and talented player who aspires to succeed in the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball. As he navigates the challenges and demands of the sport, the novel sheds light on the competitive and sometimes cutthroat nature of professional baseball.

It tells the story of a 12-year-old tomboy named Frankie Addams who is struggling to find her place in the world. Frankie is obsessed with her brother Jarvis's upcoming wedding, and she sees it as a chance to escape her small town and start a new life. However, the wedding does not go as planned, and Frankie is left feeling more alone than ever.

My Name Is Asher Lev is a coming-of-age story about a young artist who struggles to find his place in the world.

Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth grow up as friends at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school. But as they get older, they begin to realize that their lives are different from those of ordinary people. They are clones, created to provide organs for sick people. As they approach adulthood, Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth must come to terms with their fate and decide how they want to live their remaining years. They must also confront the ethical implications of their existence and the question of whether they are truly human.

Tempestt Saville and her family move to Lakeland in 1975, an upscale area separated from the ghetto by a fence. Despite the privilege, Temmy finds the place dull and is drawn to the vibrant 35th Street outside. Her curiosity leads to witnessing a friend's death, sparking events that ignite chaos and upheaval in 35th Street.

The story of Chinonso, a poultry farmer in Nigeria who falls in love with Ndali, a young woman from a wealthy family.

The story follows the Jarrett family in Lake Forest, Illinois, as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of a tragedy. The novel primarily focuses on Conrad Jarrett, a teenager who attempts to overcome depression and suicidal thoughts following the death of his older brother in a boating accident. The family dynamics become strained, and the relationships among the family members are put to the test as they deal with their individual grief and emotions.

A satirical novel that follows the story of Christine Clark, a biracial girl on a quest to find her white Jewish father.

The story follows the life of Tashi, a character previously introduced in Walker's acclaimed novel "The Color Purple." Tashi, an African woman from a village in Olinka (a fictional African country), undergoes female genital mutilation, a practice deeply rooted in her culture. This act causes immense physical and psychological trauma, altering the course of her life.

A novel set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, following Holly McNee Kensen, a strong-willed woman who runs a successful landscaping business.

The story follows the life of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a former high school basketball star, from his early twenties to his death. The novel is set in the late 1970s and examines Rabbit's life as he approaches middle age.

A novella set on an army base in the South during the 1930s. The story revolves around various characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways.

It is set on a German ocean liner in 1933, as it sails from Veracruz, Mexico to Bremerhaven, Germany. The novel follows a group of passengers as they navigate the complex social and political landscape of the time.

It tells the story of Beatrice, a plain and shy young woman who falls in love with William, a handsome and wealthy man. William is initially attracted to Beatrice's innocence and purity, but he eventually becomes bored with her and leaves her for another woman.

This novel explores the complex friendship between two African American women, Sula and Nel, in the town of Medallion.

A quirky and interactive book that reimagines Shakespeare's classic play, "Hamlet," in a playful, choose-your-own-adventure format.

It is set in South Africa, during the apartheid era. The novel tells the story of Pieter van der Plank, a white policeman who falls in love with a black woman named Melissa. Their relationship is forbidden by law, and Pieter is eventually arrested and charged with violating the Immorality Act.

This is a heartwarming story about a collie named Treve, known for his loyalty and courage.

Underworld by Don DeLillo is a complex and ambitious novel that follows a large ensemble cast of characters over the course of the second half of the 20th century. The novel explores themes of nuclear proliferation, waste, and the American Dream. Underworld is a must-read for fans of DeLillo and anyone who enjoys well-written and thought-provoking fiction.

A novel that spans generations, telling the story of Tawawa House, a plantation in the antebellum South, and the lives of the people connected to it.

A Native American family struggles to survive on the Montana reservation in the 1930s. The novel explores themes of poverty, racism, and resilience.