Hello! I’m Lindsey Mihalovich, a writer and photographer for the lovely TCHS Paw Print. Like fellow writer, Hallow Tarver, reading means a lot to me and it pains me to see other high schoolers give up on reading or find a heavy disinterest in it.

To combat this, I will give a periodic recommendation of books to help people find their beloved genre. Not to worry, my taste is quite literally everywhere; so hopefully everyone can find something they enjoy from my recommendations.

This past school year, I’ve read 20 books (soon to be 21), and here are my top five!

The Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura and translated by Philip Gabriel (9/10)

• This is a very well written mix between non-fiction and fiction, set in the present day. Delving into the minds and hearts of seven middle school students, we see the heart-warming but tragic reasons as to why they are all trapped in the world behind their mirrors. Main character Kokoro Anzai finds a world beyond her mirror as she hides at home from the bullies at her school, finding unbreakable friendships and the mysterious Wolf Queen.
• This is a lovely story about mental health, the struggles of being bullied, and the strength of having allies and friends in your corner. As someone who has been bullied, this definitely hit hard with me, as I recognized the struggles that the seven characters are going through. However, since this is being translated from Japanese into English, some of the diction within is a bit odd. Nevertheless, Tsujimura’s work is a perfect read for those who either need a cathartic book or a puzzle to solve (or both). 

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (9.5/10)

• Starting in the present day, but gallivanting back into World War Two, this book is a traversal through familial bonds and secrets and incredible peculiarity (pun intended). Though not originally seen as a Peculiar, Jacob Portman travels through time to stop an impending threat against the other Peculiars he meets and the Loop they call home. 
• For those who have watched the movie, this book is completely different. There is a romance aspect, though it’s not exactly focused on as the main focus is the world-building and development of the Portman family mystery. The characters we meet are distinct and memorable, alongside incredibly funny and a perfect fit for their peculiarities. This book is perfect for those who want more lore from the movie or those who enjoy dark fantasy.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz (10/10)

• This is a well-written gothic romance taking place in the early 19th century Edinburgh. The book follows Hazel Sinnett as she learns to become a surgeon with the help of a “resurrection man” by the name of Jack Currer. Hazel and Jack must work together not just to help themselves, but to uncover the secrets buried all across Edinburgh. 
• This was a phenomenal book! Hazel and Jack really took me on an emotional roller coaster, especially near the end. While this book is partially about romance, it also ties in the sexist and political views of the times, placing chains on Hazel as she strives to achieve her dream. There’s also the themes of grief reflected through Hazel’s mother –  and how she raises Hazel’s younger brother, Percy –  which carry throughout the storyline. If you want to try something new, or gothic romance is your fancy, then this book (and its sequel)  is for you!

Hiroshima by John Hersey (100/10)

• A non fiction historical novel set in World War 2 Japan, the book follows six survivors of the Hiroshima bomb, from the day before it dropped to forty years after. A clerk, a widowed seamstress, a physician, a Methodist minister, a young surgeon, and a German Catholic priest are among the few who lived to share their stories after the bomb, with hard prices to pay for their survival.
• This one was a really hard one to rate, since this is a book about the cost of human lives after Hiroshima, told through the eyes of the survivors. The book speaks for itself and is unforgettable, saying more in 200 pages than many say at all. It regards humanity and the actions and consequences of others in a blunt and hard-hitting way. If you like classics or want a different perspective (or six) of the Hiroshima bomb, then this book is for you.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (100/10)

• This is a historical novel set in Nazi Germany, following the life of Liesel Meminger through the eyes of Death. As her life becomes inexplicably more dangerous with the hidden Jewish man in her family’s basement, she finds herself through the words in the books she steals and the extraordinary and unexpected friendships. 
• This one was also a really hard one to rate, since this book follows the life of a girl who loses everything in the end. The book is long, yes, but it’s also very thorough and a very well hit emotional punch. Including Hiroshima, this is a completely new perspective of WW2 that everyone should read. 

These have been my favorites for a while, and I’m very glad to be recommending these to you. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more recommendations!