If I Stay by Gayle Forman
If I Stay tells the story of Mia, a 17-year-old girl who experiences a devastating car accident that kills her parents and younger brother, leaving her in a coma. While her body is unconscious, Mia's spirit has an out-of-body experience, allowing her to observe the reactions of her loved ones and the doctors as they fight for her life. The novel explores Mia's internal struggle as she grapples with the choice of whether to stay and face the pain of living without her family or to let go and die.
Seasons of the Eskimo by Fred Bruemmer
Seasons of the Eskimo offers a detailed look at Inuit life and traditions in the Arctic, focusing on their relationship with the harsh environment and seasonal changes. Bruemmer's work combines his own observations with lore acquired from the Inuit and information from earlier studies, complemented by his striking photographs that capture both the challenging climate and the resilient, content nature of the people who live within it. The book explores how the Inuit adapt their subsistence activities, such as hunting and fishing, to the distinct cycles of the Arctic seasons.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones tells the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is murdered and watches her family and friends cope with her death from a personal heaven. The novel explores themes of grief, loss, and healing as Susie observes her loved ones struggling to move on while also coming to terms with her own fate.
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
Ancillary Justice follows Breq, a former starship AI inhabiting a human body, as she seeks revenge for the destruction of her ship, the Justice of Toren. The story, set in a future where the Radch empire expands through conquest and assimilation, explores themes of identity, revenge, and the nature of empire through Breq's quest and flashbacks to her past as part of the Justice of Toren.
Character Disturbance by George K. Simon
Character Disturbance offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and dealing with individuals exhibiting character disturbances, which he describes as a spectrum of personality types that cause significant problems in relationships and society. The book explains how "character-impaired" individuals manipulate, deceive, and exploit others, often avoiding responsibility and resisting change. Simon provides insights into how these individuals think, their habitual behaviors, and why traditional therapies may be ineffective in these cases. He aims to equip both professionals and the general public with the knowledge to recognize these personality types, understand their motivations, and develop strategies for managing interactions and minimizing victimization.
