sophie's must-Reads 

Lessons in Chemistry was dubbed book of the year by Barnes & Noble in 2022, and it is more than worthy of this title. Taking place in the 1950s, Lessons in Chemistry follows the early adult life of Elizabeth Zott, whose dream is to be a chemist. Because she is a woman, however, she faces sexism in college and then at her job. Elizabeth finds love, then heartbreak, and unexpectedly becomes a single mother. When fired from her job, she is forced to take a new path in life and become a television chef. Elizabeth gives the women who watch her show lessons of empowerment and ambition, inspiring others to go after what they want. The writing in this book is beautiful and the plot is so interesting. I wanted to read more every time I finished a chapter. I highly recommend adding this book to your holiday reading list! 

The Inheritance Games is about a girl named Avery Kylie Grambs who grew up poor. One day, she finds out that she has inherited more than a billion dollars from a man named Tobias Hawthorne, who she has no connection to. Avery is forced to move to Texas, leaving her old life behind. She attends a reading of Tobias Hawthorne’s will, which states that Avery must live at the Hawthorne house for a year before she can gain the money. As she gets to know the four Hawthorne grandsons, she becomes sucked into the game that Tobias Hawthorne has left for them. She and the Hawthornes are led on a wild goose chase, trying to figure out why Tobias Hawthorne chose her of all people. Full of puzzles and riddles, you simply won’t be able to put this book down. It was captivating and kept me on my toes. If you like the first book, there are three more books that continue the story! 

Scythe, one of a four-book series, is a fantastic dystopian novel. If you love Neal Shusterman’s books, you should definitely read this series. Set in the future, the world has conquered death. However, in order to keep the population at a reasonable number, scythes are chosen to kill more than 200 people-a-year. Scythes act like the government in this dystopian world. The main characters, Rowan and Citra, are chosen to be a famous scythe’s apprentice, who is known for choosing a different method of murder every time he gleans someone. Follow these two teenagers as they learn how to master the art of killing and what it means to be a scythe. This book is fast paced and keeps you hooked!