The Politics of Time: Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty  by Guy Standing
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  March 23, 2026 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags:  Non-fiction, Capitalism, Time Management, Politics, Social Justice

Plot Summary: Guy Standing’s The Politics of Time: Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty is thought provoking. It's a wide-ranging critique of how modern societies organize, and ultimately control our time. Standing argues that time itself is one of the most unequal and politically contested resources in contemporary life. Standing’s central claim is that time has always been political. Those in power shape how others spend their time. In today’s capitalist systems, he argues, people have lost control over their time due to wage labor, economic insecurity, and the blurring of boundaries between work and life. He challenges the dominant idea that life revolves around jobs, pointing out that much of what we call work (caregiving, housework) is unpaid and invisible. Free time is often reduced to recovery from labor, not meaningful activity. The book explains that today, people often treat time like money, meaning we spend most of it working instead of enjoying it. It also shows that not everyone has the same control over their time. Some people have flexible schedules, while others have to work long or unpredictable hours. The author points out that not all work is meaningful; some things we do just to earn money, while other important activities like caring for others or being creative are not valued as much. He also says that people don’t have as much truly enjoyable free time anymore, since most of it is spent resting from work. Overall, the book argues how we use time today.

Personal Review:  I think the strength of this book is its unique topic. Very few books treat time as a political issue directly. I like that the book is interdisciplinary, as it blends economics, philosophy, and history effectively. Standing also offers hopeful alternatives, not just critique. I think Some proposals in the book, like eliminating “tertiary time”, may feel unrealistic or underdeveloped. The book is dense and theoretical, and may not be for casual readers. I liked how the book covers history and it looks at how people used their time in the past. It covers Ancient Greece, when time was divided into categories like labor, leisure, and schole (purposeful, civic-minded free time). In Agrarian societies time was shaped by natural cycles. During the age of industrial capitalism, time disciplined around factory work and in today's modern “tertiary” economy, time can feel fragmented, people are always busy, switching tasks, and sometimes working all the time. This historical framing helps show that today’s time pressures are not inevitable, they are socially constructed. The Politics of Time is thought-provoking and a radical rethinking of how we live our lives under capitalism. It challenges readers to question something deeply ingrained, which is why we accept having so little control over our own time.

Similar Reads: The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class by Guy Standing, Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman, The Overworked American by Juliet B. Schor

	The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
	Reviewed by Anonymous February 27, 2026 Grade 8

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags:  Birds, Diary, Witty, California, Educational, Nature

Plot Summary: Amy Tan’s The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a diary-style book that explores Tan’s own observations from her own… backyard. Starting in 2016, Amy Tan found social media to be too draining, so she bought a bird feeder, and then another, and another. It is a humane and thought-provoking take that challenges the usual opinion on how we treat nature. The narrator’s personal imposter syndrome and personal growth over the few years the book spans add to the home-like appeal. This even presents in the book’s cartoonish (yet still scientific) drawings that become even brighter and bolder as Tan increases in confidence with her birding.

Personal Review:  Honestly, I came into reading this book expecting no more than an encyclopedia on the wonderful science of the bird. But, as is clear from page one, Tan is not a “good” birder. She is not a consistent birder or an experienced birder, but what she lacks in skill, she makes up for in heart. The Backyard Bird Chronicles takes simple creatures and turns them into sympathetic, multifaceted, and dare I say mischievous creatures. I felt that Tan’s writing style uses callbacks, inside jokes, and vivid imagery to communicate her feelings. Even with the positive tone, Tan does not stray from expressing the upsetting parts of a bird’s life, which created a good emotional balance. I did cry at the end of this book (though, I am an avid cryer). Something about seeing the evolution of Tan as a character, and her backyard as a community was so beautiful and sweet that it tugged on my heartstrings.

Similar Reads: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

	Meditations by  Marcus Aurelius
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  February 23, 2026 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags:  Stoicism, Self-control, Inner peace, Virtue, Ethics, Self-Help

Plot Summary: Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, is a collection of personal reflections written by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as he navigates the responsibilities of leadership, war, and daily life. In simple terms, it’s a collection of short thoughts, not a traditional story. Each entry stands on its own but connects through Stoic ideas. Written as a series of personal reflections, it was not intended for publication and served as a private philosophical journal. The writings are rooted in Stoic philosophy, with main themes focused on self-discipline, moral clarity and impermanence of life, power, and reputation. Therefore, reflections revolve around the importance of virtue, reason, and integrity, as well as duty to others and living in harmony with society. Overall, the focus is on managing emotions like anger, fear, and desire. The message given is control what you can and accept what you cannot because, ultimately, life, power, and reputation is fleeting. The style and structure is short, fragmented entries rather than a continuous narrative. It is simple, direct, and also repetitive, which may have been to intentionally reinforce ideas. The book has a reflective and instructional tone, like advice to oneself.

Personal Review: I think this reading provides timeless wisdom that remains relevant today. It provides practical guidance for stress, adversity, and leadership. I appreciate the honest and humble insight from a powerful historical figure. I like that the reflections encourage mindfulness, resilience, and ethical living. A weakness is that the readings can feel repetitive or abstract at times. It lacks storytelling or clear organization. Some ideas may feel detached or overly stoic for modern readers. However, I feel that the book is helpful for coping with anxiety, pressure, and uncertainty. It has modern relevance, as it is still applicable to leadership, self-improvement, and mental discipline. It encourages reflection and intentional living in a fast-paced world. My overall impression of Meditations is that it is a profound and thoughtful philosophical work. It is best read slowly and reflectively rather than all at once. It is ideal for readers interested in philosophy, self-growth, or history. 

Similar Reads: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl 

	How to Read Literature Like a Professor  by  Thomas C. Foster
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  January 21, 2026 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆☆☆★★

Book Tags:  Literary Analysis, Nonfiction, Writing & Reading, Classics, Critical Thinking

Plot Summary: How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster is a helpful guide for discovering the deeper meanings hidden in stories. Foster breaks down how experienced readers, like English professors, think about books and shows that literary analysis doesn’t have to be intimidating. Each chapter introduces a different idea, such as symbolism, archetypes, irony, or how stories are structured, and explains them in a clear, easy-to-follow way. He also points out how common elements like journeys, weather, and shared meals often mean more than they first appear. Throughout the book, Foster makes connections to myths, the Bible, Shakespeare, and even psychology, explaining that many authors borrow from these sources, sometimes without even realizing it. His writing style is friendly and approachable, and he uses familiar examples from books like The Great Gatsby, Heart of Darkness, and Oedipus Rex to show how meaning can be tucked into even small details. Although the book can sometimes feel like it’s reading a bit too much into everything, its goal is to help readers feel more confident and curious when reading literature. Overall, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is popular in high school and college classes because it makes close reading feel more manageable and provides memorable lessons.

Personal Review: I didn’t really enjoy How to Read Literature Like a Professor. While I understand why teachers assign it. It tries to make literature more interesting. It often feels forced and repetitive. Some chapters are genuinely insightful, like the ones about symbolism or quests. Those parts helped me think more deeply about how authors structure meaning and repeat themes across books. But other sections were frustratingly dull or overanalyzed simple ideas until they lost their point. However, while I did not enjoy reading it, the information in the book is valuable, and still makes it worth reading. One of the biggest problems for me was Foster’s constant reference to Freud. He brings up Freudian ideas about dreams and hidden desires in so many chapters that it becomes exhausting. It feels like he’s trying to make everything fit into a psychological theory instead of just letting stories be stories. It also makes the book feel dated and unnecessarily complicated at times. Although Foster's writing can at times be repetitive, the book also offers valuable information that will change the way you look at not just literature, but media in the future. While many of the details and tropes Foster points out may seem over-analytical, most of his points throughout the book still stand. Foster may drag chapters out too long, providing too many examples than he needed to, but the concepts he is pointing out are still there nonetheless, and students and casual readers alike can get much more from their reading if they understand the ideas Foster writes about. Overall, How to Read Literature Like a Professor has many valuable chapters, but the book needs to be more concise. I would recommend it because I see the value in the information the book provides, but at times the repetitive details may not be appealing to a lot of readers.

Similar Reads: How Fiction Works by James Wood, Why Read the Classics? by Italo Calvino, The Anatomy of Story by John Truby

	Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI  by  Yuval Noah Harari
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  January 6, 2026 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags:  Non-fiction History & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Society & Power, Big Ideas, Ethics

Plot Summary: Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari takes readers on a journey through the entire history of how humans have shared and controlled information. Harari starts at the very beginning with oral storytelling, when myths and traditions were passed down by word of mouth, building culture. Then he shows how each new technology, starting with writing, printing, newspapers, and eventually the internet, changed the way people think, organize, and build societies. What makes the book interesting is that Harari doesn’t just talk about the tools themselves; he shows how they shaped power. For example, holy texts and mass media didn’t just spread knowledge; they also decided who got to control it. He explains how every advance in communication brings both opportunities (like spreading truth) and dangers (like spreading propaganda or giving too much power to one group). When he gets to modern times, Harari focuses on artificial intelligence. He argues that AI is different from anything before because it can create and process information faster than humans and sometimes in ways we don’t fully understand. That makes it both exciting and scary. He warns that if societies don’t build strong rules and protections, AI could end up shaping our reality in ways we can’t control. In the end, Harari says the future depends on whether we can build systems that balance progress with ethics before it’s too late. 

Personal Review: I thought Nexus was really interesting because it connected so many things I’d learned about in history, science, and even current events. Harari has a way of making you realize that information is not just about facts or data, but it’s about power. Like, when the printing press was invented, it didn’t just make books cheaper; it completely changed who got to control knowledge. I think it's important to transform our thinking to reflect on important matters like information networks in that way. The part about AI definitely hit hardest for me. Harari explains that AI isn’t just a better tool, it’s a completely different kind of “intelligence” that doesn’t think like us. This is why everyone keeps warning about AI risks. It’s not just about losing jobs or writing essays; it’s about the fact that AI could control what people see, hear, and believe without anyone noticing. I appreciated that Harari didn’t make it feel hopeless, but he just said it’s something we have to take seriously right now. What I liked most was how clear and easy the book was to read, even though the topics are huge. The stories about history made it feel less like a lecture and more like a series of “aha” moments. If I had one complaint, it’s that some parts felt repetitive, especially when he explained how every new technology has both pros and cons. I got the point after a while. But overall, Nexus made me think differently about both history and the future.

Similar Reads: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari, The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

	Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind   by  Yuval Noah Harari
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  October 20, 2025 Grade 9

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags:  Anthropology, History, Evolution, Philosophy, Human Origins, Nonfiction

Plot Summary: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, or just known as Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harrari guides the reader through a vivid journey on the history of our species. Harrari takes the reader through the days where Homo sapiens were one of many human species, fighting to survive, to the modern era of humanities dominance. Harrari organizes human history into four key revolutions; the Cognitive Revolution (where humanity begins to develop "intelligence"), the Agricultural Revolution (when humanity began farming), and the Scientific Revolution (leads into the modern era with technology, discovery, and industry). Each of which is a crucial stepping stone for the human race. Throughout the book, Harari examines how these revolutions shaped our world, and how they shaped our societies, economies, and even the human mind and how we think of ourselves, (and each other). He explores everything from the roles of religion and capitalism, to the ethics of technological progress and the future of artificial intelligence (before A.I. was mainstream). Sapiens is unique because of how Harrai blends science, history, and philosophy to explore the bigger picture of humanity's past, and our future. 

Personal Review: Reading Sapiens makes the reader feel like they're zooming out to view all of human history, which makes the book engaging and insightful to read. Harari's writing is clear and engaging, even when he is explaining complicated ideas such as genetic engineering, or the invention of money. Instead of hitting the reader with useless dates and facts like a textbook, he connects the dots between biology, history, culture, and psychology to make it clear for you and to tell a story about humans, us- as a species. Sapiens shocked me when I got to the part of the book about what Harari calls "shared myths" and how things like money, culture, and social norms only exist because enough people believe them. It makes us reconsider what is "real", versus what everyone has unconsciously agreed to believe. I also appreciated that Harari doesn't romanticize humanity's progress and mistakes. He points out that things that may seem like major steps forward, often made life harder for others. And as we advance scientifically and technologically, he raises tough questions about ethics, and the future of humanity. Another thing that surprised me was how much Sapiens has about A.I., when the book was published in 2011. Harrari's concerns were accurate when looking at the modern day. The book isn't perfect, sometimes it moves too fast so that important ideas seem rushed. But overall, it made me curious about history in ways textbooks never did. It's the kind of book that can change someone's perspective, and even though it is not fiction, it reads like a story about us all.

Similar Reads: Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari (his sequel exploring the future) The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, and A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

	The Psychology of Money  Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness by  Morgan Housel
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid  January 8, 2025 Grade 8

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags: Self-Help, Financial Education

Plot Summary: Morgan Housel in his top selling nonfiction book The Psychology of Money, gives an outstanding view into the minds of many types of people when it comes to money. He explores the thoughts and thought processes that go into making financial decisions. As well as the behavioral, emotional factors, and other influences on your financial decisions. Housel does this via 20 chapters, that if read carefully will change the way you view your personal finances and the overall economy. Housel offers useful, real-world examples in each of these 20 chapters as an offering of more insight to the reader. Housel effectively demonstrates how financial success is less about expertise and behavior and more about long term and deeper thinking.

Personal Review: The Psychology of Money offers a unique experience and perspective on finance that will keep you in a trance while reading. When I read it, I often found myself lost inside Housel’s amazing story telling. A large majority of this book is real world examples and storytelling showing the leading concepts of their respective chapter. And so, it is a good thing that Housel can add charm to these stories. In each of these chapters Housel also tells the reader how you can apply the concepts of the chapters into your own financial life. These applications are usually toward the middle and ends of the 20 chapters. When finishing one of these 20 chapters, never once was I not excited to turn the page and read the next. Throughout Morgan Housel’s suspenseful storytelling there are compelling insights into what goes through your head (and the heads of others). Housel’s The Psychology of Money is a great read for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of money.

Similar Reads: Other books that explore personal finance, behavioral economics, and the psychology behind financial decision-making are: Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton - Discusses how to spend money in ways that enhance happiness and well-being. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko - Insights into the habits and characteristics of wealthy individuals who live below their means. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi - A practical, no-nonsense approach to personal finance and building wealth.

	You Are A Badass How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living in An Awesome Life by  Jen Sincero
	Reviewed by Anonymous April 18, 2023 Grade 9

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Self Help, Funny, Inspirational, Personal Development

Plot Summary: The book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero is categorized as a self-help book. In this award winning personal development guide, Sincero details how the reader can lead a positive and fulfilling life. She begins the book by explaining how our subconscious mind often unknowingly controls our decision making. It is noted that our ego, or “The Big Snooze,” as the author calls it, prevents us from being our truest selves out of fear of potential negative outcome. The book discusses self-love and how to accept oneself more fully. Comparison is a topic that Sincero dissects and has a strong opinion about. She warns the reader against taking other people's opinions as truth and worrying about what others think. The writer continuously alludes to something she calls, “Source Energy,” or God. She expresses the importance of connecting with what/whomever you believe in and reminding yourself of the bigger picture and your purpose.

Personal Review: This book was extremely inspiring. I love the way the author is direct with her points and does not sugar coat things. Her writing is very tangible and easy to understand. One thing that stuck out to me specifically was her consistent mention of "Source Energy." The author refers to her idea of God as Source Energy and emphasizes that the reader should have a grasp on their own idea of God. Believing in something greater than yourself gives one a sense of hope, peace, and purpose. Additionally, I love what Sincero had to say about comparison. She stresses that loving who you are is extremely important. Demeaning oneself and comparing ourselves to others is essentially pointless and a complete waste of time. Lastly, I love how the author constantly reminds the reader throughout the entire book that they are ultimately in complete control of their reality, thoughts, actions, etc. It is empowering to remember that we are all able to live a life that makes us happy. Happiness does not come from externals but
from our mental state and the way that we view the world.

Similar Reads: Another book that I have read like this one is called The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz.

	The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
	Reviewed by Anonymous March 31, 2023 Grade 11

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Nonfiction, Health, Science

Plot Summary: Henrietta Lacks was a black American woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951 at age 31. Before she died, doctors took a sample from her tumor and used the sample for medical research. These cells known as HeLa Cells, were the first human cells to survive, where they thrived and multiplied. HeLa cells have since been used in scientific research all over the world and played a role in medical advances and developments, like the polio vaccine. For over two decades, Henrietta’s identity was unknown, and her family knew nothing about HeLa and the role they unknowingly played in medical research until the 1970s as her name was publicly revealed. When Rebecca Skloot (the author) first hears about Henrietta at college in the 1980s, she is surprised at how little information. In the 1990s, Skloot comes across the papers from the first HeLa Cancer Control Symposium. She persuades, Roland Pattillo the organizer of the symposium to get her in touch with Henrietta’s family. Patillo warns Skloot the family has suffered greatly and some members of the scientific community have treated them poorly. Skloot becomes determined to give a voice to Henrietta, an unsung and accidental hero of modern medicine. Skloot forms a relationship with the Lacks family and is soon particularly close to Henrietta’s daughter, Deborah, who wants to learn what she can about her mother. Deborah also wants her mother’s story to be told. But before this book got published, Deborah dies of a stroke.

Personal Review: I really enjoyed the book. This was an amazing book for anyone fascinated with science and the health world just to learn about Henrietta’s story and the purpose and how HeLa Cells impacted the science labs. After I read this, I learned Patients should maintain the same rights to our genetic information as we do to other types of health information. This is important so healthcare workers and scientists won’t keep secrets from their patients. I really liked how Rebecca Skloot was determined to make sure Henrietta Lacks was heard around the world and with the help of Henrietta’s daughter, they were able to make it possible.

Similar Reads: I haven’t read these books but I would recommend Lab Girl by Hope Jahren and The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee if you want to see more stories being heard like Henrietta’s story.