Bookshelf

City of Thieves by David Benioff is a gripping coming-of-age novel set during the brutal Siege of Leningrad in World War II. It follows two unlikely companions—a cynical teenager and a deserter facing execution—who are sent on an absurd mission: to find a dozen eggs for a Soviet colonel’s daughter’s wedding cake. Their journey through a city ravaged by hunger, violence, and desperation blends dark humor with deep humanity. Readers are drawn to City of Thieves for its sharp dialogue, unforgettable characters, and the way it balances bleak historical reality with moments of warmth, wit, and unexpected beauty.

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is a spiritual and psychological exploration of how we relate to our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. Drawing from Eastern philosophy and mindfulness practices, the book challenges readers to observe their inner dialogue and detach from the constant mental chatter that often drives stress and suffering. Instead, Singer encourages a shift toward inner awareness and freedom by learning to simply witness thoughts without becoming entangled in them. Readers turn to The Untethered Soul for its clear, accessible guidance on achieving inner peace, emotional clarity, and a more open, present way of living.

Part history, part deep-sea adventure, this book surprised me with how riveting it is. Kinder tells the story of the SS Central America and the modern-day treasure hunt with such precision, it feels cinematic. There’s something thrilling about the fusion of 19th-century disaster and late-20th-century technology. One of the best nonfiction narratives I’ve read.

Phil Knight's memoir is more vulnerable and poetic than I expected from the founder of Nike. It’s not a victory lap—it’s a raw look at how tenuous success can be, and how much grit it takes to build something from nothing. His reflections on his early days, especially the fear he felt despite his confidence, are deeply relatable for anyone chasing a dream.

Phil Knight's memoir is more vulnerable and poetic than I expected from the founder of Nike. It’s not a victory lap—it’s a raw look at how tenuous success can be, and how much grit it takes to build something from nothing. His reflections on his early days, especially the fear he felt despite his confidence, are deeply relatable for anyone chasing a dream.

Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, is a classic adventure novel that tells the origin story of Tarzan, a boy orphaned in the African jungle and raised by a tribe of apes. As Tarzan matures, he grapples with his dual identity—torn between the primal instincts of the wild and the civilized world he comes to discover. The novel blends action, survival, and self-discovery with an exotic, fast-paced narrative that helped define early 20th-century pulp fiction. Readers are drawn to Tarzan for its enduring themes of nature versus nurture, its vivid jungle setting, and the iconic character’s journey from isolation to self-mastery, which continues to resonate as both escapist fantasy and cultural artifact.

Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, is a classic adventure novel that tells the origin story of Tarzan, a boy orphaned in the African jungle and raised by a tribe of apes. As Tarzan matures, he grapples with his dual identity—torn between the primal instincts of the wild and the civilized world he comes to discover. The novel blends action, survival, and self-discovery with an exotic, fast-paced narrative that helped define early 20th-century pulp fiction. Readers are drawn to Tarzan for its enduring themes of nature versus nurture, its vivid jungle setting, and the iconic character’s journey from isolation to self-mastery, which continues to resonate as both escapist fantasy and cultural artifact.

A Princess of Mars, the first novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series, introduces readers to John Carter, a Civil War veteran who mysteriously awakens on the planet Mars. There, he becomes a warrior hero among the planet’s warring races and falls in love with the noble and intelligent Dejah Thoris. The book combines science fiction, fantasy, and romantic adventure in a fast-paced, vividly imagined narrative. Readers are drawn to A Princess of Mars for its sweeping sense of wonder, its bold vision of alien civilizations, and its timeless themes of courage, loyalty, and love. As a foundational work of early science fiction, it offers both thrilling escapism and historical insight into the evolution of the genre.

Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, is a classic adventure novel that tells the origin story of Tarzan, a boy orphaned in the African jungle and raised by a tribe of apes. As Tarzan matures, he grapples with his dual identity—torn between the primal instincts of the wild and the civilized world he comes to discover. The novel blends action, survival, and self-discovery with an exotic, fast-paced narrative that helped define early 20th-century pulp fiction. Readers are drawn to Tarzan for its enduring themes of nature versus nurture, its vivid jungle setting, and the iconic character’s journey from isolation to self-mastery, which continues to resonate as both escapist fantasy and cultural artifact.