Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The :Mark Twain
The tale of an adventurous boy and how he helps his slave Jim escape. As Twain moves further along in his story, the bond between the two misfits (outcast child and slave) grows closer, and depicts a rarity in society at that time. ****1/2

Angela's Ashes:Frank McCourt
This Pulitzer prize winning memoir depicts a young life in the slums of Ireland. In a rich, touching, and often heartbreaking tale McCourt illustrates what life was like. *****

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Betty Smith
The survival of a little girl, Francie, in the slums of Brooklyn through her childhood and teen years. This heart-warming novel is a literary triumph. Francie overcomes adversity, an alcoholic father, and poverty among other things to emerge as a successful, respected woman in the eyes of society. ****1/2

Babyhood: Paul Reiser
A hilarious look at parenthood, and the mannerisms of infants through the eyes of a famous comedian. Laugh out loud funny, this book offers an alternative view to why babies act the way they do. ****

Bell Jar, The : Sylvia Plath
the story of a promising, hopeful young woman who spirals into depression, and, sadly is treated with electro-shock therapy. A startling and heartbreaking look at the confusion and depression in this novel that mirrors Plath's own life extremely closely. *****

Catcher in the Rye: J.D. Salinger
One of literatures most famed characters, Holden Caulfield struggles to find himself in this coming of age saga. J.D. Salinger forms his character, Holden as a very confused, yet favorable character. This allows the reader to delve into Holden's life and experience his pain as he slowly figures out who he is. Click here to see early review of Catcher in the Rye *****

Firm, The: John Grisham
Corruption and greed are the main characters in John Grisham's story of a young lawyer pulled into a dangerous law firm. This particular story is said to be one of Grisham's best. Although it doesn't seem to have much underneath the surface, this book serves as great fun and entertainment. ***1/2

Flowers for Algernon : Daniel Keyes
The journal of a mildly retarded man's ascent to genius IQ levels, due to a miraculous, yet disturbing experiment. At the beginning of the journal, the subject, Charlie is a likeable character who the reader wishes all the best to. As Charlie's IQ climbs higher, we find that Charlie becomes concerned with things that he was not so concerned about before. He states that people he once loved and trusted are corrupt and "mean". This brilliant look at how knowledge and brilliance can create monsters should be required reading for all. *****

The Hobbit :J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins, a small,timid creature known as a Hobbit is called upon by Gandalf, a powerful wizard to help fight the dragon Smaug, and to return peace to the countryside. ****1/2

Horace Afoot : Fredrick Reuss
A man takes the name of a poet, and moves to a small town, only wanting in life: "The serenity of not caring." This eclectic story is about the eccentric people who permiate Horace's life, and how he begins to care. ****

The Joy Luck Club: Amy Tan
Eight Chinese women relate tales, as the eight narrartors merge into four sets of mother and daughter. The four daughters, seperated from their mothers in a sense, because of the culture clash. Sixteen vignettes are strung together with the story of Jing-Mei Woo. ****1/2

Kitchen God's Wife, The: Amy Tan
Mother Pearl tells her daughter Winnie the story of her life in China, and the monster of a man that was her husband before Winnie's father was. Many long kept secrets are told and their perceptions of each other are broken down. ****

Les Miserables, unabridged: Victor Hugo
Fictional biography of character Jean Valjean's life after being falsely accused of a crime. The novel that became the acclaimed Broadway play! The struggle of Jean Valjean is a heart wrenching one, yet is empowering and enlightening. ***1/2

Little Girl Lost: Drew Barrymore with Todd Gold
Autobiography of teen starlet Drew Barrymore's descent into alcohol and drug abuse and her struggle to stay sober. The real look at the downward spiral of a young woman as she allows drugs to take over her life, and then her slow fight to kick the habit and stay clean. ****1/2

Lord of the Flies: William Golding
The terrifying transformation of young boys into violent savages after being stranded on a desert island. A group of boys gang up on three others, their ultimate goal being to kill them. This situation offers a look into the disturbing mentalities of societies and how they form. ***1/2

Memoirs of a Geisha : Arthur Golden
A small girl, sold from her home, is slowly trained and transformed into one of the most popular geisha of the 20th century. Beautiful and moving, the story follows the little Chiyo, as she matures, and becomes the geisha Sayuri. *****

Monk Swimming, A : Malachy McCourt
The tale of Malachy's life from once he immigrated from the United States. At times a hilarious memoir. ***1/2

My Name Is Asher Lev :Chaim Potok
A young, Hasidic Jew struggles with his world, as he comes to the relization that he is an artist. The story develops over a series of years, and the suffering of the young boy. ****

Object of My Affection, The: Stephen McCauley
A straight, pregnant woman falls in love with a gay man, after living together for a number of years. A funny, touching look at relationships, and the many ways to create a family. ****

Separate Peace, A: John Knowles
A young man, Gene, struggles with the way society perceives him. Gene, with his best friend Finny at his side, goes through many changes and transformations, ultimately destroying Finny in the end. A dark and often upsetting novel, Knowles sheds some light on the multiple personalities of teenagers **1/2

She's Come Undone :Wally Lamb
The troubled life of a woman from the age of 4 to the age of 40. Dolores Price, the main character struggles with mental illness, obiesity, family affairs and rape during childhood. Through the book, the readers see Dolores through her life and pain, and watches as she emerges, living her life for no one but herself. Brilliant and darkly funny, this book offers a peek through a very unique persona. ****

The Shining: Stephen King
The well known and popular tale of a haunted hotel, and the caretakers psychic son. A family (the three main characters) care for and lodge in a hotel for the winter, while the father gets possessed by the hotel, and the little boy, Danny sees the horrors that the hotel conceals. A chilling thriller that will keep any reader on the edge of their seat. ****

The Stand: Stephen King
A deadly disease sweeps the earth and leaves only 0.6% of the population alive, leaving the "good" and "evil" to have one last showdown. A terrifying look at what would happen with only 0.6% of the population functioning. ****

Starlite Drive In, The:
A young girl comes of age, dealing with her hostile father, and a mother who will not leave the house. ***1/2

Trail of Secrets: Eileen Gouge
An illegally adopted girl fights for her own child in court. Amazing plot twists at every turn, Gouge knows how to keep a story together while keeping the reader interested. ***

West with the Night : Beryl Markham
Female pilot and jockey, Beryl Markham's memoirs. *

What's Eating Gilbert Grape? : Peter Hedges
The story of a dysfunctional family, and the young man that holds everything together. A brilliant and twisted story that takes a look at the dysfunction of all families, and the love that makes it all worthwhile. ****

Where the Heart Is:Billie Letts
A seventeen year old pregnant girl is stranded at a K-mart in the middle of nowhere. A touching look at her survival and the eccentric characters that surround her. *****

Wry Martinis: Christopher Buckley
A sharp and witty compilation of essays and short stories by Chrstopher Buckley. ****