Set during the extravagant 1920s, The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway as he becomes involved in the complicated lives of his wealthy neighbor Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan. Although Gatsby builds a glamorous life in hopes of winning back Daisy, his dream ultimately reveals the destructive effects of obsession, wealth, and the pursuit of an idealized past.

Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who leaves his prep school and wanders around New York City while struggling with loneliness, growing up, and his frustration with the adult world. As Holden encounters different people and reflects on his childhood, he gradually begins to recognize the difficulties of protecting innocence while facing the realities of adulthood.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan explores the lives of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters as they struggle to understand one another across generations and cultures. Through their stories of family, identity, sacrifice, and tradition, the women gradually gain a deeper understanding of their mothers’ experiences and strengthen their relationships.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler tells the story of Dana, a young Black woman in 1970s California who is mysteriously transported back in time to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. As she repeatedly returns to the past, Dana must navigate slavery, family ties, and violence while struggling to survive and find her way back home.

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez tells the story of the Mirabal sisters, who live under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. As they become involved in the resistance movement, the sisters risk their lives fighting for freedom and justice, becoming symbols of courage and hope.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling depicts Harry Potter during his second year at Hogwarts, where students are mysteriously attacked and a legendary Chamber of Secrets is reopened. With the help of Ron and Hermione, Harry investigates the mystery, confronts the creature inside the Chamber, and discovers the truth behind the attacks.

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary centers on Leigh Botts, a young boy who begins writing letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, while dealing with his parents’ divorce and loneliness. Through writing and answering Mr. Henshaw’s questions, Leigh learns to express his feelings, understand his family situation, and grow as a writer and as a person.

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements focuses on Bobby Phillips, a teenage boy who mysteriously becomes invisible overnight and struggles to understand what has happened to him. With the help of a new friend, Alicia, Bobby learns to cope with his situation while discovering important lessons about friendship, identity, and how people are judged by appearances.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tells the story of a young prince who travels from his tiny asteroid to different planets, meeting unusual adults and learning about love, friendship, and human nature. After arriving on Earth, he forms a meaningful friendship with a fox and helps a stranded pilot understand that the most important things in life are often invisible to the eye.

Holes by Louis Sachar follows Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is wrongly sent to a detention camp where he and the other boys are forced to dig holes every day. As Stanley uncovers the camp’s hidden history, he discovers connections between his family’s past, a mysterious curse, and the reason they are really digging the holes.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper touches Melody Brooks, a highly intelligent girl with cerebral palsy who cannot speak or control her body easily. When she gains a way to communicate with others, Melody shows her classmates and teachers that her disability does not define her intelligence, abilities, or dreams.

The Fighting Ground by Avi depicts Jonathan, a thirteen-year-old boy who secretly joins the American Revolutionary War despite his parents’ wishes. After experiencing the fear and confusion of battle, Jonathan begins to understand the harsh realities of war and the difference between bravery and violence.

New Kid by Jerry Craft follows Jordan Banks, a middle school student who loves drawing but is sent to a private school where he is one of the few Black students. As Jordan navigates friendships, racism, and the challenges of fitting into two different worlds, he learns to stay true to himself while finding his place.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai follows Hà, a young Vietnamese girl who flees Saigon with her family during the Vietnam War and begins a new life in Alabama. As she struggles with language, culture shock, and homesickness, Hà gradually finds strength, friendship, and a sense of belonging in her new home.

This is an AP English text that I read with a student. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a nonfiction novel that investigates the brutal 1959 murders of the Clutter family in rural Kansas and the events surrounding the crime. Through detailed reporting and psychological exploration of the killers and the victims, Capote examines themes of violence, justice, fear, and the complexity of human behavior.

This was another pick reading with a student. The Great Gilly Hopkins is a novel about Gilly, a tough and independent foster child who learns to face her difficult past while discovering the meaning of family and belonging. Together, the students and I explore Gilly’s emotional growth, relationships, and the importance of trust, kindness, and acceptance.

Ella Enchanted is a fantasy novel about Ella, a young girl who is cursed with the gift of obedience and must find a way to break the spell while discovering her own strength and independence. I read this novel with a student, and we explored Ella’s journey through themes of courage, identity, friendship, and overcoming challenges.

This is my pleasure reading, The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller about Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband. A determined psychotherapist tries to uncover the truth behind Alicia’s silence while discovering hidden secrets and unexpected twists. Wonderful read! Highly recommend!

Everything I Never Told You explores the Lee family’s grief after the death of their daughter, Lydia, and reveals the secrets and pressures that shaped their lives. The novel examines themes of family expectations, identity, communication, and the consequences of unspoken emotions. This is another AP English text that I assisted my student in comprehending, essay writing, and Socratic seminar.

An AP English text that I helped my high school students with in their junior year. The Crucible, is a drama set during the Salem witch trials, where fear, suspicion, and lies cause neighbors to turn against one another. As accusations spread through the community, characters must choose between protecting themselves and standing up for the truth.

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy about misunderstandings, deception, and romance among a group of friends and nobles. As false accusations and witty conflicts create confusion, the characters learn the importance of trust, honesty, and love. My English Honor students and I worked on this together

This is another great read that I selected for my students to read along with me. A Long Walk to Water tells the true story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese boy who survives war and hardship while searching for safety and a better life. The novel also follows Nya, a young girl who spends hours each day collecting water, showing how access to clean water can transform communities.

My English Honor students had to read this tragedy play. We analyzed, engaged in deep discussion, and did a great deal of work. Othello is a tragedy about a respected military leader whose trust is manipulated by the deceitful Iago. Consumed by jealousy and suspicion, Othello makes tragic decisions that lead to heartbreak and destruction.

A Raisin in the Sun follows the Younger family as they struggle with poverty, racism, and conflicting dreams in 1950s Chicago. When the family receives an insurance check, each member hopes to use the money to achieve a better future, leading to important choices about identity, dignity, and opportunity.

This is the sequel to The Perfect Marriage, which is as equally good as the first one. Highly recommend both books!

This was my first read from Jeneva Rose and it was mind blowing. It is a page turner as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

The Wishing Spell, the first book in the Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer, follows twins Alex and Conner Bailey as they are magically transported into a fairy-tale world. To return home, they must complete the Wishing Spell by gathering magical items while encountering famous fairy-tale characters and discovering their own courage and strengths.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie follows young Haroun Khalifa as he sets out on a magical journey to restore his father’s lost gift of storytelling. In a fantastical world threatened by silence and censorship, Haroun learns the power of imagination, freedom of speech, and the importance of keeping stories alive.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie follows Junior, a Spokane Indian teenager who leaves his reservation school to attend an all-white high school in a nearby town. As he struggles with poverty, racism, and identity, Junior learns to balance hope, friendship, and resilience while navigating life between two worlds.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki follows journalist Rika Machida as she investigates a female gourmet cook accused of murdering wealthy men by seducing them with elaborate meals. As Rika becomes obsessed with the suspect and the indulgent foods she describes, the novel explores misogyny, appetite, power, and the expectations placed on women in Japanese society.

Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again with her recent released novel, Atmosphere, touches on the hidden love between two women who share the same passion with space and the galaxy that it has to offer us.

I audiobooked this memoir, Belle Burden’s Strangers which lend us the perspective of the messy, lengthy, harrowing divorce that she went through with her then husband. A great read!

My students and I read this as part of Book 2 series from Amal Unbound by the same author, Aisha Saeed. This book follows Omar character development as he embarks on his new school journey. A wonderful read!

Circe by Madeline Miller tells the story of the minor goddess Circe, who is exiled to an island where she discovers her own power and identity through witchcraft. As she encounters gods and mortals alike, Circe learns what it means to choose love, independence, and her own fate.

Lily King’s Writers & Lovers follows Casey Peabody, a struggling writer in her early thirties who is grieving her mother’s death while juggling debt, waitressing, and complicated romantic relationships. As she navigates love and loss, Casey must decide what kind of life—and writer—she wants to become.

Wow! A page-turner kind of book. My first Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I am hooked with her writing, formatting, and the word choice she uses. Phenomenon!

After reading two amazing fantasy novels, it was refreshing to switch to reading Joan Didion’s Note to John, a deeply personal essay in which Didion reflects on her struggles with anxiety, depression, and her sense of self during therapy sessions addressed to her husband, John Gregory Dunne. The piece reveals her vulnerability and self-examination as she tries to understand her emotional patterns, fears, and identity.

This was my first read from Samantha Soto Yambao, a lyrical fantasy about a young woman who inherits a mysterious pawnshop where people can trade away their pain, memories, or regrets. As she uncovers the shop’s secrets, she must decide whether erasing suffering is worth the cost to love, identity, and human connection.

I started my 2026 with reading R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis. Truly an amazing read with many classic literature references to Dante Inferno, the setting and storyline focal point.