“The sea was calm, but beneath its surface lurked the unseen currents that would decide their fate.” Chapter 1: The Village by the Sea The story opens in […]
Russian literature
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
“The belly is an ungrateful wretch, it never remembers past favors, it always wants more tomorrow.” Morning The novel opens with Ivan Denisovich Shukhov waking up in a […]
French literature
The Mysterious Island
“We are not proposing to conquer the island, but to defend ourselves.” — Jules Verne, The Mysterious Island Part I: Dropped from the Clouds During the American Civil […]
American literature
Hatchet
“He would not die. He would not let death in. He would fight it.” Chapter 1 Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy, boards a small plane to visit his […]
American literature
Island of the Blue Dolphins
“I remember the day the Aleut ship came to our island. At first it seemed like a small shell afloat on the sea. Then it grew larger and […]
American literature
The Martian
“I’m pretty much fucked. That’s my considered opinion. Fucked.” — Mark Watney Chapter 1 After a dust storm forces the Ares 3 mission to evacuate Mars, astronaut Mark […]
American literature
Insurgent
“I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me—they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word […]
American literature
Catching Fire
“Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” — Peeta Mellark Part 1: The Victory Tour After winning the […]
American literature
The Hunger Games
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.” Part 1: The Tributes The story begins in District 12, a poor mining region in the […]
American literature
The Road
“Then they set out along the blacktop in the gunmetal light, shuffling through the ash, each the other’s world entire.” The novel follows an unnamed father and son […]