If you’re anything like me, then you’re always looking for your next book. In an effort to make that search less tedious and streamline the process, I sat down with our school librarian, Jenny Perez, to ask what her top five recommendations are. Here they are, with a synopsis of each, and what she likes about them.

The Song of Achilles:

Synopsis: The Song of Achilles is a 2011 novel by Madeline Miller. Set during the Greek Heroic Age, it is an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad as told from the perspective of Patroclus. The novel follows Patroclus’ relationship with Achilles, from their initial meeting to their exploits during the Trojan War, with focus on their romantic relationship. In 2012, The Song of Achilles was awarded the Orange Prize for Fiction.

What Perez said: “Who doesn’t love a queer love story? I cried!”

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry: 

Synopsis: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is an overview of astrophysical concepts put simply for the everyday person, written by celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Tyson writes about the history of the universe, the history of concepts like gravity and dark matter and how our planet functions along with other planets, stars and galaxies.

What Perez said: “ It’s really informative but still fun, and it keeps you informed about the planet but still in a way that makes your brain not hurt.”

Monday is Not Coming: 

Synopsis: Monday is Not Coming is a young adult novel by Tiffany D. Jackson. She employs a nonlinear narrative to explore issues of race, mental illness and media bias. Claudia Coleman narrates the story of how her best friend, Monday Charles, disappears for a year, and no one but Claudia seems to notice or care.

What Perez said: “It’s a mystery thriller book that, every now and then, I’ll be sitting on my couch just thinking about; you’ll never look at a bridge the same way!”

Throne of Glass: 

Synopsis: Throne of Glass is a young adult fantasy novel by Sarah J. Maas, and is the first novel in the eight-book Throne of Glass series. It follows an imprisoned assassin who is offered a shot at freedom if she can win a competition to become the king’s royal assassin.

What Perez said: “This is an action-fantasy novel that’s right up my alley; throw in a bit of a love story, and I’m sold!”

The Only Good Indians:

Synopsis: The Only Good Indians is a disturbing horror novel by Stephen Graham Jones that tells a story of revenge and sorrow and houses a narrative about identity and the price of breaking away from tradition at its core.

What Perez said: “It breaks Native American stereotypes, but also explains the lore. It also freaked me out, which I love in a book!”

So there ya have it, folks. Five absolutely stellar book recommendations that you can check out in the TuHS library at your leisure.