I highly recommend 'The Vanishing Half'. It has a really engaging plot about race and identity. The characters are well - developed and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.
I highly recommend 'The Underground Railroad'. It's not only a great work of historical fiction but also a powerful exploration of race in America. The way Colson Whitehead uses the concept of the railroad is both imaginative and thought - provoking.
I highly recommend 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi. It's a beautifully written book that traces the generations of two families, one in Ghana and one in America. It shows how their lives are interconnected by history and the legacy of slavery.
Pride and Prejudice is a great classic novel audio book. The story is engaging and the audio versions often bring out the charm of Austen's writing. Another highly recommended one is Moby - Dick. The epic tale of Captain Ahab's quest is well - presented in audio form.
For beginners, 'Akira' is a great choice. It's a classic that has influenced a lot of other sci - fi works. It has a relatively straightforward story about a biker gang in a post - apocalyptic Tokyo and a boy with powerful psychic abilities. The art style is distinct and has aged well.
I highly recommend 'Because of Winn - Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo. It's about a girl named Opal who befriends a dog. The story is full of love, loss, and the power of friendship. It has simple yet beautiful language that 5th graders can easily understand.
One highly recommended Chinese urban fiction book is 'Beijing Doll' by Chun Sue. It vividly depicts the life of a young girl in Beijing, including her growth, dreams, and the challenges she faces in the urban environment.
Definitely 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. While it has elements of historical and military fiction, it also has a strong science - fiction - like magic system. It's a brutal and captivating story set in a fictional world inspired by Chinese history. It shows the consequences of war and power - hungry individuals in a very engaging way.
I highly recommend 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton. It's a mystery - thriller with a unique time - loop concept that keeps you on your toes. 'A Column of Fire' by Ken Follett is also great. It's a historical fiction that continues the Kingsbridge series and is full of political intrigue and complex characters. And 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn, which is set during World War I and II and tells the story of female spies.
A good beginner - friendly 2019 science fiction book is 'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz. It has an exciting concept about time travel and different timelines that is easy to grasp. The writing style is engaging and it doesn't require a lot of prior knowledge of science fiction. Another option is 'Gideon the Ninth' by Tamsyn Muir. Although it has some unique elements, the story is told in a way that is accessible to new readers, with a strong main character and an interesting mystery to solve.
Some highly recommended young adult historical fiction books are 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It's set in a dystopian future but has roots in our understanding of history and how society could be shaped. 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor is set in the American South during the Great Depression and segregation. It shows the life of a black family and their struggles. 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' by Christopher Paul Curtis is about a family's journey to Birmingham during the civil rights movement.