Literary theme analysis, by a book like {foo}
Books about Adaptive
Among the Barons
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a dystopian society where families are only allowed two children, a third child must hide his identity or face death.
Things change when the Grants, a prominent Baron family who donated the name of their son when he died in a ski accident, decide to send the real Lee's brother, Smithfield Grant (a.k.a. Smits), to ... (Wikipedia)
A Clash of Kings
by George R.R. Martin
Set in the fictional land of Westeros, a political struggle for control of the Seven Kingdoms ensues.
A Clash of Kings depicts the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros in civil war , while the Night's Watch mounts a reconnaissance to investigate the mysterious people known as wildlings . Meanwhile, Daenerys ... (Wikipedia)
Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Childhood memories of living on a family farm in the Midwest during the late 19th century.
The novel describes the homesteading skills Laura observed and began to practice during her fifth year. It does not contain the more mature (yet real) themes addressed in later books of the series ... (Wikipedia)
A Feast for Crows
by George R.R. Martin
Epic fantasy novel, depicting political and magical conflicts in a fictional world.
The War of the Five Kings is slowly coming to its end. The secessionist kings Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy have been killed. One claimant to the throne, Stannis Baratheon , has gone to fight off ... (Wikipedia)
Earth Abides
by George R. Stewart
A post-apocalyptic tale of a man's journey to rebuild civilization.
While working on his graduate thesis in geology in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Ish is bitten by a rattlesnake. As he heals from the bite, taking refuge in a cabin, he gets sick with a disease that ... (Wikipedia)
Alien
by Alan Dean Foster
A human-alien hybrid battles an intergalactic empire to save his home planet.
Based on the screenplay by Dan O'Bannon. The crew of the spaceship Nostromo wake from cryogenic sleep to distress signals from an unknown planet. One is attacked when they investigate a derelict ... (Goodreads)
The Traitor Baru Cormorant
by Seth Dickinson
A young woman's struggle to free her homeland from oppressive foreign rule.
Tomorrow, on the beach, Baru Cormorant will look up from the sand of her home and see red sails on the horizon. The Empire of Masks is coming, armed with coin and ink, doctrine and compass, soap and ... (Goodreads)
The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story
by Hyeonseo Lee
A harrowing journey of escape from a repressive regime and the struggle to find a new life in freedom.
An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world’s most ruthless and secretive dictatorships – and the story of one woman’s terrifying struggle to avoid capture/repatriation and guide her ... (Goodreads)
The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany 1944-45
by Stephen E. Ambrose
A gripping account of the brave men who flew B-24s over Germany during WWII, facing danger and death every day.
Stephen E. Ambrose, acclaimed author of Band of Brothers and Undaunted Courage , carries us along in the crowded and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to destroy the German war machine during ... (Barnes & Noble)
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 12
by Hiromu Arakawa
Brothers Edward and Alphonse continue their quest for the Philosopher's Stone, facing new enemies and uncovering dark secrets.
Alchemy tore the Elric brothers’ bodies apart. Can their bond make them whole again? A hardcover collector’s edition of one of the most beloved manga and anime of all time! Fully remastered with an ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Enemy
by Lee Child
A retired military cop is tasked with finding a missing American soldier in Iraq.
In the last hours of 1989, Major Gen. Kenneth Kramer dies of a heart attack in a seedy North Carolina motel, apparently while in the company of a prostitute. MP Maj. Jack Reacher investigates and ... (Wikipedia)
Fledgling
by Octavia E. Butler
A young girl wakes up with no memory of her past and discovers she is a genetically modified vampire. She must navigate a dangerous world of vampire politics and prejudice.
The novel tells the story of Shori, a 53-year-old member of the Ina species, who appears to be a ten-year-old African-American girl. The Ina are nocturnal, long-lived, and derive sustenance by ... (Wikipedia)
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
A study of the creative process, exploring how individuals can achieve a state of "flow" to enhance their creativity and innovation.
Creativity is about capturing those moments that make life worth living. The author's objective is to offer an understanding of what leads to these moments, be it the excitement of the artist at the ... (Goodreads)
Barrayar
by Lois McMaster Bujold
A woman's journey of self-discovery as she navigates the rules and expectations of her home planet.
Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan are expecting their first child. Before crafty old Emperor Ezar Vorbarra died, he maneuvered a very reluctant Aral into agreeing to serve as regent for Ezar's young ... (Wikipedia)
Bone Crossed
by Patricia Briggs
Werewolf and vampire join forces to protect a human from supernatural threats.
By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found ... (Goodreads)
Replay
by Ken Grimwood
A man relives his life multiple times, each time making different choices.
Jeff Winston was 43 and trapped in a tepid marriage and a dead-end job, waiting for that time when he could be truly happy, when he died. And when he woke and he was 18 again, with all his memories ... (Goodreads)
Thrawn
by Timothy Zahn
A thrilling saga of galactic adventure, set in the Star Wars universe.
Found on an unnamed Outer Rim planet, the exiled Chiss warrior Thrawn pledges himself to Emperor Palpatine and joins the Imperial navy. Thrawn's cunning and expertise as a tactician help him to rise ... (Wikipedia)
Life As We Knew It
by Susan Beth Pfeffer
A teenage girl's struggle to survive an apocalyptic disaster, relying on her resilience and resourcefulness.
Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, ... (Goodreads)
Storm Front
by John Sandford
Detective Lucas Davenport investigates a series of murders in the midst of a raging Minnesota blizzard.
In Israel, a man clutching a backpack searches desperately for a boat. No more than a few days later, Virgil Flowers in Minnesota gets a message from Lucas Davenport, "You're about to get a visitor." ... (Goodreads)
The Sea Wolf
by Jack London
A man's fight against the savage and untamed elements of nature on a brutal ship voyage.
The Sea-Wolf is a 1904 psychological adventure novel by Jack London about a literary critic Humphrey van Weyden.The story starts with him aboard a San Francisco ferry, called Martinez, which collides ... (Goodreads)
The Diary of Mattie Spenser
by Sandra Dallas
A young woman's journey through the hardships of frontier life in the American West during the late 1800s.
No one is more surprised than Mattie Spenser herself when Luke Spenser, considered the great catch of their small Iowa town, asks her to marry him. Less than a month later, they are off in a covered ... (Goodreads)
Shadow of the Giant
by Orson Scott Card
A revolution of conscience and courage, led by a man seeking justice in a dangerous world.
A belief is spreading in conquered China that the government has lost the Mandate of Heaven . Han Tzu meets up with Mazer Rackham , who passes him a blow dart pen, calling it the "Mandate of Heaven". ... (Wikipedia)
The Ritual
by Adam Nevill
Four friends hike through the Scandinavian wilderness, encountering a malevolent presence that preys on their deepest fears.
Old university friends Dom, Phil, Luke, and Hutch have decided to reunite on a hiking trip through the Swedish mountains. The trip was chosen for its frugality due to the fact that Luke is unable to ... (Wikipedia)
The Walking Dead, Book Five
by Robert Kirkman
Survivors of a zombie apocalypse struggle to rebuild society while facing new threats from both the undead and other humans.
This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested ... (Goodreads)
Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
by Bill Willingham
An enchanted world of mythical creatures and legendary beings, struggling to protect their way of life.
When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the ... (Goodreads)
Death Note, Vol. 4: Love
by Tsugumi Ohba
A boy's mission to rid the world of evil while struggling with the morality of his actions.
With two Kiras on the loose, L asks Light to join the task force and pose as the real Kira in order to catch the copycat. L still suspects Light and figures that this is the perfect excuse to get ... (Goodreads)
Batman: Dark Victory
by Jeph Loeb
Batman's efforts to protect Gotham City from a new wave of crime and the mysterious Hangman killer.
It has been several months after the killer known as " Holiday " was apprehended. "Holiday" was actually Alberto Falcone , attempting to one-up his father, and prove he is more than capable of ... (Wikipedia)
The Red and the Black
by Stendhal
A young man's ambitious rise in 19th century French society, as he navigates through its politics and passions.
In two volumes,, The Red and the Black: A Chronicle of the 19th Century, tells the story of Julien Sorel's life in France's rigid social structure restored after the disruptions of the French ... (Wikipedia)
Field Gray
by Philip Kerr
A former Berlin detective, Bernie Gunther, is forced to work for the Nazis during WWII. He navigates the dangerous political landscape while trying to maintain his integrity.
Philip Kerr delivers a novel with the noir sensibility of Raymond Chandler, the realpolitik of vintage John le Carré, and the dark moral vision of Graham Greene. , Striding across Europe through the ... (Goodreads)
The Walking Dead, Book One
by Robert Kirkman
Post-apocalyptic survival story of a rag-tag group of survivors fighting against hordes of zombies.
This hardcover features the first 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone needing a ... (Goodreads)
The Stranded
by Hugh Howey
After a catastrophic event, a group of survivors must navigate a dangerous and unknown world to find safety and answers.
The story of Wool takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth. , Humanity clings to survival in the Silo, a subterranean city extending one hundred forty-four stories beneath the surface. The series ... (Wikipedia)
The Pelican Brief
by John Grisham
A law student's investigation into a political assassination, uncovering a deadly conspiracy.
The story begins with the assassinations of two ideologically divergent Supreme Court Justices. Both murders are committed by Khamel, the most wanted hitman in the world. Justice Rosenberg, a ... (Wikipedia)
Saga, Volume 8
by Brian K. Vaughan
A family saga of love, loss and survival in a war-torn intergalactic universe.
Each issue of Saga is titled with a numerical Chapter, such as "Chapter 1" for the debut issue. Every six chapters comprise a story arc designated as a "Volume" and are reprinted as trade paperbacks. ... (Wikipedia)
Messenger
by Lois Lowry
A young boy's mission to save his community, using his bravery and ingenuity.
Matty, who was introduced in Gathering Blue as "Matt", now lives with Seer, who was originally named Christopher and is a blind man rescued by the people of the Village years earlier. Outside the ... (Wikipedia)
House of Chains
by Steven Erikson
Epic fantasy featuring an intricate storyline and complex characters, set in a sprawling world of war and magic.
House of Chains takes place immediately after the events of, Deadhouse Gates, on the subcontinent of Seven Cities . The Chain of Dogs - the evacuation of 50,000 Malazan civilians across 1,500 miles ... (Wikipedia)
Attack on Titan, Vol. 7
by Hajime Isayama
エレンの生家に眠る「巨人の謎」を求め、壁外調査に乗り出した調査兵団。その前に知性を持った「女型の巨人」が現れた。兵団壊滅の危機に陥りながらも「女型の巨人」を捕らえたエルヴィンは、女型の巨人の正体に迫る‥‥。 ... (Goodreads)
A Dance with Dragons 1: Dreams and Dust
by George R.R. Martin
The fifth book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, following the struggles of various characters for power and survival in a fantasy world.
Stannis Baratheon , a claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros , occupies the Wall at the realm's northern border, having helped to repel an invasion of wildlings from the northern wilderness. Stannis ... (Wikipedia)
Rise of the Governor
by Robert Kirkman
A prequel to "The Walking Dead" series, following the journey of Phillip Blake and his brother as they navigate a world overrun by zombies.
Based on "The Walking Dead" graphic novels/comic books and the series starring Andrew Lincoln ("Teachers", "This Life and Love", and "Love Actually") and written/produced by Frank Darabont whose ... (Goodreads)
The Taste of Home Cookbook
by Janet Briggs
A collection of classic recipes that evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia, perfect for family gatherings and home-cooked meals.
More than 1,200 recipes–including more than 135 light recipes--are compiled in this sturdy five-ring binder. ... (Goodreads)
The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country
by Helen Russell
A British woman's experience immersing in the culture of Denmark, learning lessons on living a better life.
Denmark is officially the happiest nation on Earth. When Helen Russell is forced to move to rural Jutland, can she discover the secrets of their happiness? Or will the long, dark winters and pickled ... (Goodreads)
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel
by Gareth Hinds
A retelling of Homer's epic poem, following the journey of Odysseus as he faces mythical creatures and battles to return home.
With bold imagery and an ear tuned to the music of Homer’s epic poem, Gareth Hinds reinterprets the ancient classic as it’s never been told before. "Gareth Hinds brings The Odyssey to life in a ... (Barnes & Noble)
Invisible Life
by E. Lynn Harris
A young man struggles with his sexuality and identity in the face of societal expectations and familial pressures.
Invisible Life is the story of a young man's coming of age. Law school, girlfriends, and career choices were all part of Raymond Tyler's life, but there were other, more terrifying issues for him to ... (Goodreads)
The Undaunted : The Miracle of the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers
by Gerald N. Lund
The story of a group of pioneers who, through faith and determination, overcame seemingly impossible obstacles to settle in a new land.
The journey was impossible. But they had no other choice. At the call of their prophet, they left well-established farms and businesses to strike out yet again into the untamed wilderness. A small ... (Goodreads)
Miracle in the Andes
by Nando Parrado
A harrowing tale of survival and resilience in the Andes Mountains.
In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence. Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby ... (Goodreads)
The Water Knife
by Paolo Bacigalupi
In a future where water is scarce, three individuals fight for control of the dwindling resource in the American Southwest.
In a future hammered by climate change and drought, mountain snows have turned to rain, and rain evaporates before it hits the ground. In a fragmenting United States, the cities of Phoenix and Las ... (Goodreads)
The Girl With No Name: The Incredible True Story of a Child Raised by Monkeys
by Marina Chapman
Abducted at five, abandoned in the jungle, raised by monkeys. A true story of survival, resilience, and the human spirit.
The poignant story of a girl who overcomes unique hardship and deprivation - growing up with a troop of capuchin monkeys - to find ultimate redemption. In 1954, in a remote mountain village in South ... (Goodreads)
Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War
by P.W. Singer
A fictional account of a future war between the US and China, fought with advanced technology and tactics.
Prior to the main events of the novel, Indonesia has collapsed into a failed state following a second war in Timor , and a dirty bomb was detonated in Dhahran , Saudi Arabia , causing a massive spike ... (Wikipedia)
Half Way Home
by Hugh Howey
A group of teenagers are sent to colonize a new planet, but their journey takes a deadly turn. They must survive and uncover the truth about their mission.
Less than sixty kids awaken on a distant planet. The colony ship they arrived on is aflame. The rest of their contingent is dead. They've only received half their training, and they are being asked ... (Goodreads)
Blackout
by Connie Willis
A group of time-traveling historians investigate a catastrophic event in the history of England.
It is the year 2060, and the historians (time-traveling research staff) at Oxford University are a hair's breadth away from revolting. Mr. Dunworthy keeps changing their assignments at the last ... (Wikipedia)
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2
by Hiromu Arakawa
A brother and sister strive to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment.
In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward ... (Goodreads)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
by Terry Ryan
A mother's determination to keep her family afloat through creative writing competitions.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is based on the true story of housewife Evelyn Ryan, who helped support her husband, Kelly, and their 10 children by winning jingle-writing contests. Kelly failed ... (Wikipedia)
Girl in Translation
by Jean Kwok
A young immigrant girl's struggles to keep up academically and financially in the US.
Introducing a fresh, exciting Chinese-American voice, an inspiring debut about an immigrant girl forced to choose between two worlds and two futures. When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from ... (Goodreads)
Reflex
by Steven Gould
A young man discovers he has the power to teleport and must navigate the dangers and consequences of his ability.
Davy has always been alone. He believes that he's the only person in the world who can teleport. But what if he isn't? A mysterious group of people has taken Davy captive. They don't want to hire ... (Goodreads)
Flying Colours
by C.S. Forester
The final book in the Horatio Hornblower series, following his adventures in the Napoleonic Wars and his rise to admiral.
At the end of the previous novel,, A Ship of the Line, , after attacking and severely damaging a superior French squadron with HMS, Sutherland, , Hornblower had to surrender his ship to the French. ... (Wikipedia)
The Wangs vs. the World
by Jade Chang
A family of Chinese immigrants lose their fortune and embark on a cross-country road trip to reconnect with each other and their roots.
Charles Wang is the patriarch of a family of five, a self-made millionaire who parlayed his family connections to the urea industry into a cosmetics empire. He would bet the future of the company ... (Wikipedia)
JLA: Tower of Babel
by Mark Waid
Batman's secret plans to neutralize the Justice League are stolen and used against them by a villain.
BETRAYAL! The JLA is the single most powerful group of super-heroes ever to be assembled—AND THEY'RE DROPPING LIKE FLIES! Batman's secret files on the Justice League have fallen into the hands of one ... (Goodreads)
The Man from St. Petersburg
by Ken Follett
Thriller set in the early 1900s with a game of international espionage between Russia and England.
The book is set just before the outbreak of the First World War . It is an account of how the lives of the main characters were interwoven with the success or failure of secret naval talks between ... (Wikipedia)
Time's Edge
by Rysa Walker
Time-traveling teenager, Kate, must navigate multiple timelines to prevent a catastrophic future.
To stop her sadistic grandfather, Saul, and his band of time travelers from rewriting history, Kate must race to retrieve the CHRONOS keys before they fall into the Cyrists' hands. If she jumps back ... (Goodreads)
Hattie Big Sky
by Kirby Larson
A young girl's adventure of resilience, determination and courage in the wilds of Montana.
The novel is set during World War I . Hattie Brooks, a sixteen-year-old orphan who has tired of being shuttled between relatives she hardly knows, receives a letter from an uncle who has recently ... (Wikipedia)
Good as Gone
by Amy Gentry
A mother's search for her missing daughter leads to a shocking discovery of secrets and lies.
A, New York Times Book Review, Editors' Choice,"So gripping you might start to question your own family’s past." —,Entertainment Weekly,“[One] of the most anticipated summer thrillers . . . Gentry's ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street
by Susan Jane Gilman
A rags-to-riches story of Lillian Dunkle, who rises from a Russian immigrant to an ice cream mogul, but at a great personal cost.
A clever and complex woman builds an ice cream empire after immigrating from Russia in this stunning novel of power, Prohibition, and performance set against the backdrop of early 20th-century ... (Barnes & Noble)
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