Former Students Review Favorite Books!

I have always loved reading books that contained romance, but also the harsh realities that come with a love life. I read this book in middle school called “The Sun is Also a Star,” which really resonated with me because the book covers topics about the struggles of being an immigrant and living in America—coming from an immigrant herself. This book was written by Nicola Yoon, one of my favorite authors because she is known for her diverse and relatable characters. I also believe that whoever reads this book can find themselves in at least one of the characters, such as the fact that I am able to see myself in Natasha. I like this specific book of hers because it explores ideas of fate and destiny, which I like to think about because I have always been a true believer that destiny is a real thing and it will always come to someone when they need it the most. The two main characters, Daniel and Natasha, are both polar opposite characters. Natasha is a practical and logical person, while Daniel is a person that believes in the ideas of true love and fate. I loved how Nicola was able to make two very distinct and different characters fall in love reasonably without forcing it; it really shows how their love is very much intentional and not something that is suddenly put into the story just for the plot. This book also taught me the important lesson that life goes on even if things that “should be” never happen, and the story also changed my perception of love and what the meaning of “finding the one” really meant. 

-Rachelle F.

And a review from a former student of a book they read first year of high school:

As someone with a great interest in Neuroscience Psychology, I decided to look into books that contained that set of information. Anthropologist and author Helen Fisher wrote a multitude of books where she stated to have been studying the science of love for two decades. With her obvious intellect and thought-provoking theories, I decided to look into her publications. The book, “Why him? Why her?” is based on her own research of romantic attraction, which she found is also related to one’s personality and attachment style. By widening your perspective on your own identity, you tend to make connections with contrasting characters. She discovered that opposites indeed attract. She found there is a balance between different temperaments, and that depends on your result on that personality assessment. She not only gives impressive examples and evidence to back up her statements, but the author also includes secrets behind  both platonic and romantic relationships. Fisher describes love to be a universal human drive. Romantic love, as said by famous anthropologist, is primordial, adaptable, and eternal. We use love as a survival mechanism, and she taught us that love has evolved with us millions of years and will continue to do so. Her professionalism and straightforwardness in her published works are definitely something you should all check out.