More Book Recommendations!
Christine Chung Pd. 10
BOOK RECOMMENDATION #1
Name: Soojin Lee
Grade: 12th
Title: Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius
Author: Dave Eggers
Give me a quick summary without giving away too much.
It’s about two brothers told in the perspective of the old brother, Dave Eggers. They’ve both left to survive on their own after the deaths of their parents.
What is something you liked about the book?
I liked the honesty and the bluntness of the book. It’s filled with funny anecdotes and the tone makes it very relatable. There are drawings, songs, and quirky things randomly placed within the book that keeps it interesting to read.
What is something that you did not like?
I did not like that Eggers went on so many tangents. Basically, I thought the middle hundred pages or so was totally unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the plot of the book.
How did you hear about the book?
I read it during my junior year in class.
Why did you read this book (for class or for leisure)?
For class.
Why are you recommending this book for incoming Stuyvesant students?
It’s one of the books I didn’t expect to read in Stuy. It’s very quirky.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION #2
Name: Janet Kim
Grade: 12th
Title: Freakonomics
Author: Steven Levitt
Give me a quick summary without giving away too much.
This book is a wacky use of Microeconomics with random topics like gang hierarchies, teachers cheating, real estate rip-offs, etc. Levitt uses a brilliant way of questioning conventional knowledge and proving it all wrong
What is something you liked about the book?
I liked it because it used concepts that I learned in my Economics class in a really fascinating way, but it still dwindles down to the simple concepts that people maximize their own satisfaction and are greedy.
What is something that you did not like?
I didn’t like that it jumped a few assumptions. It is not like every analysis or experiment can be perfect or fully trusted.
How did you hear about the book?
A friend recommended it.
Why did you read this book (for class or for leisure)?
For leisure.
Why are you recommending this book for incoming Stuyvesant students?
It’s really interesting and funny and smart, but totally readable for leisure. And it can help for class.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION #3
Name: Kristi Moy
Grade: 11th
Title: This Lullaby
Author: Sarah Dessen
Give me a quick summary without giving away too much.
So This Lullaby is about a girl named Remy who is very cynical about love (she has a recipe for breaking up with boys, etc.) But then she meets a guy named Dexter who is in a band. And throughout her relationship with Dexter, she learns about how her view on love is flawed.
What is something you liked about the book?
I love the way Sarah Dessen writes and I feel in love with Dexter.
What is something that you did not like?
That the book ended. Haha. I hate when good books end. Basically, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like.
How did you hear about the book?
The spine caught my attention on a library shelf. Then when I took it off the shelf I really liked the cover art and the blurb hooked me.
Why did you read this book (for class or for leisure)?
For leisure.
Why are you recommending this book for incoming Stuyvesant students?
It will definitely take the minds (of girls most likely) off the stress of Stuy.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION #4
Name: Tincey Wang
Grade: 12th
Title: Anthem
Author: Ayn Rand
Give me a quick summary without giving away too much.
It is set in the future. Technology no longer exists, and people are grouped by their appearances and jobs. The word “I” no longer exists. But then this one group rediscovers individuality.
What is something you liked about the book?
This book is really, really short, so it comes with the original manuscript where Rand made all her corrections and other edits. I liked that you could sort of see her process and how it all came together.
How did you hear about the book?
Random perusal of library shelves. It was the summer, and I was bored. I’ve heard of Ayn Rand before, but all of her other books are monstrously long and pretty intimidating. So I started with this to see if I would like her.
Why did you read this book (for class or for leisure)?
For leisure.
Why are you recommending this book for incoming Stuyvesant students?
It’s really different from the books you would read in class. I just thought the concept was really cool, and I think Stuy kids will enjoy it since it’s based in the future and kind of unusual.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION #5
Name: Charles Kuang
Grade: 12th
Title: Ender’s Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Give me a quick summary without giving away too much.
Alien Buggers are threatening mankind and the only hope for survival lies in the hands of Earth’s smartest children
What is something you liked about the book?
I liked that it was futuristic. I like to read books that have seemingly impossible plots.
What is something that you did not like?
I didn’t like one of the characters. He was kind of mean and really rude to his brother for no reason.
How did you hear about the book?
One of my friends was reading it and recommended it to me.
Why did you read this book (for class or for leisure)?
For leisure
Why are you recommending this book for incoming Stuyvesant students?
It is one of the best science fiction books ever written, and most kids in Stuyvesant like science, so I think they’ll find it interesting.
Book recommendations by Stuyvesant students for Stuyvesant students and readers around the world. Also known as Stuy Bookshelf/Book Box. Submissions are open—click on register below!