The Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

This book was really suspenseful and a good SciFi mystery story.  It was really interesting and was a new take on time travel.  It is the first book of the series and is a good lead into the next book.

Wadjda (Movie)

This movie about a young Saudi Arabian girl was truly breathtaking.  The main character, Wadjda, wins a Quran reciting contest and wants to use her prize money to buy a bike.  However, women have restricted rights in Saudi Arabia and she face many barriers until she reached her dream.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

This book was a phenomenal portrayal of the Vietnam War.  It is composed of vignettes that give the reader insight to the war's experiences.  I was surprised that a story about a war could be so interesting--I would definitely recommend this book!

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

This is a great book that shows how at times family conflicts can occur.  It is also a great book that demonstrates how racism was viewed during that particular time.  I would definitely recommend this book for others to read.

AP US History Crash Course by Larry Krieger

Good study tool, non-fiction, bullet-point style notes from 1492 to present.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer

One of the best books I've ever read.  About a young boy searching throughout NYC for secrets about his father's death.  This novel was a touching page-turner.  The author is brilliant and the message he wishes to convey about family is awe-inspiring.

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea by Yukio Mishima

This was a great book, going into the depth of the Japanese culture and society before and after WWII through the eyes of Noboma, the main character.  However, there are some disturbing parts,  such as killing an innocent cat for sport, but it is a good read nevertheless.