A reader suggested that I read this, and I’m so glad I took her recommendation, as I really enjoyed this. It’s a dystopian reality television show set in the future. We don’t know how far in the future, but we know there have been several devastating wars and that the outside world is falling apart. It felt like a mash-up of Big Brother, The Hunger Games, and The Bachelor. Ten boys, ten girls. Daily challenges that they must complete to earn prizes. Some of the prizes are luxurious (champagne! clothing!) while others are necessities (food, water, a front door). Lily is bored and beautiful, and feels like her life is going nowhere. The show will give her a chance to earn prizes and possibly secure brand deals when she returns to the real world. But will it be worth it? How far will she go to earn more prizes? As the challenges become increasingly uncomfortable, tension mounts between the dwindling number of contestants. This was that rare combination of beautiful, literary writing and a page-turning plot. I devoured it in just over 24 hours.
the stripe
by GRACE ATWOOD
The Stripe is a lifestyle blog for the stylish bookworm. Since its first post in 2010, it has aimed to be a daily source of inspiration for the modern woman. Written by Grace Atwood, The Stripe aims to leave you feeling like you just had coffee with a great girlfriend: savvier, more confident, and always learning something new.