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My Favorite Novels: Sci-Fi, Star Wars, Classic Literature, & More!

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I love all things sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopia with an air of adventure and a touch of historical fiction. I want my curiosity piqued, my feels unleashed, and my imagination running wild! Sound like your kind of read? Welcome to my personal library ...
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Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Dystopia

This is my favorite genre! I’ve read some awesome sci-fi series, listed below. They’re on my re-read list! I especially love authors Ray Bradbury and Scott Westerfeld.
 
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Ray Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors! Each short story in this book is a tattoo coming to life on a man’s body. Super trippy and fascinating.
The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
 
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Sci-fi/dystopian fans MUST read this one, it’s a true classic! Imagine a world where reading, writing, and owning books is illegal and firemen burn books rather than fight fires. Fascinating, right?
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
 
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The Uglies Series is my favorite dystopian future/sci-fi book series! The character development is top-notch and it hones in on some deep topics that really get you thinking.
Uglies Series (Books 1-4) by Scott Westerfeld
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Set in the world of Westerfeld’s Uglies series, Impostors throws you into a fast-paced story full of secrets, rebellion, and figuring out your identity. Frey’s been trained her whole life to live in the background, acting as a body double for her pow...
Impostors Series (Book 1) by Scott Westerfeld
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Frey’s on the run, lost in a broken city and cut off from the boy she loves. With danger around every corner and old enemies creeping back in, she’s stuck between the life she knew and a future that feels out of reach. To truly break free from the pe...
Impostors Series: Shatter City (Book 2) by Scott Westerfeld
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Frey emerges out of hiding to lead a revolution. But every new alliance brings new dangers. When a mission deep into enemy territory goes wrong, she’ll be forced to question who she can trust and what she’s willing to sacrifice for the future she bel...
Impostors Series: Mirror's Edge (Book 3) by Scott Westerfeld
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Frey’s done everything she can to carve out her own path, but now the final showdown is closing in. With old secrets falling apart and new dangers popping up, she’s got to pull together some unexpected allies and make some seriously tough calls. If s...
Impostors Series: Youngbloods (Book 4) by Scott Westerfeld
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Cassia Reyes lives in a dystopian future where Officials in the Society determine every person’s fate—who you love, who you are, and even when you die. She decides to fight back and join a revolution. Are her heart and her future worth the risk?
Matched Trilogy (Books 1-3) by Ally Condie
 
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Jenna Fox is a 17-year-old who wakes up from a coma and is told who she is. Her life was saved—but at what cost? In a future where science can perform miracles, Jenna uncovers the secrets behind her survival and what it means to be human.
Jenna Fox Chronicles Series (Books 1-3) by Mary E. Pearson
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This is by far the longest book I have ever read, but I enjoyed every page! The main character is a young boy named Wataru who is desperate to reunite his broken family. To make this happen, he’s flees to a magical world called Vision to reach a godd...
Brave Story by Miyuki Miyabe

Star Wars Fiction

I’m a newbie to Star Wars novels. These are my top picks so far! (Thrawn is my favorite villain, if you haven’t already guessed.)
 
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Before Thrawn became one of the Empire’s most brilliant strategists, he was just a young officer in the mysterious Chiss Ascendancy fighting to prove himself in a world ruled by power, tradition, and secrets. When an unknown threat starts stirring in...
Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising (Book 1) by Timothy Zahn
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Thrawn’s rising fast through the Chiss ranks, but not everyone’s cheering him on. As he investigates a shadowy enemy manipulating things behind the scenes, it becomes clear this battle isn’t just about tactics—it’s about politics, loyalty, and who to...
Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good (Book 2) by Timothy Zahn
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The threat Thrawn’s been chasing is finally exposed, and it’s more dangerous than anyone imagined. With the Chiss Ascendancy on the edge of collapse and enemies closing in from all sides, Thrawn faces his biggest challenge yet. He’ll have to outthink...
Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil (Book 3) by Timothy Zahn
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Thrawn does not disappoint as a Star Wars villain! He’s a tactical genius from another galaxy, climbing the Imperial ranks with nothing but brains, calm, and a hint of menace. If you like clever characters and outsmarting-the-system stories, this one...
Thrawn Trilogy (Book 1) by Timothy Zahn
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Thrawn teams up with Darth Vader (yes, that Darth Vader), and their uneasy partnership makes things seriously intense. There’s action in two timelines, unexpected twists, and a wild mission that puts their loyalty to the test. Tension, mind games, an...
Thrawn: Alliances (Book 2) by Timothy Zahn
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Thrawn’s stuck between loyalty to the Empire and the future of his own Chiss people—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This one’s fast-paced, full of political scheming, and you can feel the pressure building. It’s a brainy space chess match with rea...
Thrawn: Treason (Book 3) by Timothy Zahn
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Ever wonder what happened to Ahsoka Tano after she left the Jedi Order? Ahsoka picks up her story after Order 66, as she hides from the Empire and wrestles with her identity without the Jedi. But Ahsoka can’t stay in the shadows for long—she’s drawn ...
Ahsoka by E. K. Johnston
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Classic Novels & Short Stories

My favorite classic authors range from Poe’s horror stories and dark poetry to Jane Austen’s Victorian romance novels.
 
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This collection is creepy in the best way. Poe dives deep into madness, guilt, and all things eerie—with just enough weird to keep you turning pages. The Telltale Heart alone will make you question your sanity (and maybe check under the bed). If you ...
The Tell-Tale Heart & Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe
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Told through the eyes of a young girl named Scout, it’s about justice, racism, and growing up in a town full of secrets. Atticus Finch might be the most honorable fictional dad ever written. It’s powerful, honest, and sticks with you long after the l...
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
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P&P is a must-read! Austen’s character development and writing style are simply unmatched. (Insider Secret: The P&P 6-part movie series from the 90s is word-for-word from the book!)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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This one’s short, but man does it pack a punch. Two friends, chasing the American Dream during the Great Depression—and the heartbreak that follows. It’s raw, real, and you feel every moment. The ending? Gut-wrenching. But it’s the kind of story that...
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
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Historical Fiction

My main historical fiction recs are by author Lisa See. She writes novels based on the history of Chinese language and culture, which has always fascinated me.
 
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If you love the Chinese language and cultural history like I do, then this historical fiction novel is perfect for you! It unveils the ugliness of ancient Chinese foot binding and the severely sexist environment in which girls and women suffered. But...
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
 
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This one’s beautifully haunting. It follows a young girl in 17th-century China who falls in love with a man she’s not supposed to, and the story doesn’t stop when she dies. It’s poetic, emotional, and full of love, regret, and longing that stretches ...
Peony in Love by Lisa See
 
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Two sisters go from the glam life in 1930s Shanghai to the harsh reality of America’s immigrant experience—and it’s a rollercoaster. Their bond is tested by war, family secrets, and heartbreak, but they keep fighting for a better life. It’s powerful,...
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
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Youth/Young Adult

 
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I was obsessed with the original Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene in 5th grade! I read all of them. This collection is the perfect gift for young readers who enjoy mystery novels.
Nancy Drew Diaries 90th Anniversary Collection (Books 1-10)
 
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This series starts with a dying underground city and turns into a full-blown fight for survival and truth. City of Ember kicks it off with Lina and Doon trying to save their crumbling world with nothing but curiosity and courage. The People of Sparks...
The City of Ember Series Set (Books 1-4) by Jeanne DuPrau
 
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This one is raw. It follows a girl named Lia who’s battling an eating disorder and the grief of losing her best friend. The writing is honest, poetic, and sometimes painful. If you’ve ever struggled with inner demons or just want a story that doesn’t...
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
 
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Melinda starts high school as an outcast, silent and alone after something terrible happened at a party. But as the truth starts to come out, her voice slowly finds its power. It’s heartbreaking, real, and incredibly brave. A must-read for anyone who...
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
 
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This book is part novel, part picture book, and 100% unforgettable. Hugo is a boy living in a Paris train station, trying to fix an old automaton and unlock a mystery his father left behind. The drawings are just as powerful as the words, and the sto...
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
 
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This book feels like a road trip straight through your emotions. Destiny is a girl who’s tired of life not being fair—so when she gets the chance to take off with a group of classmates in a stolen car, she grabs it. What starts out as a wild escape t...
The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson