Bookbibuli

“But then I have always been somewhat of a square peg in a round hole.”

So says Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, a skinny, unremarkable red headed nerd of a boy. Raised in the Hooligan tribe, he truly is a square peg in a round hole; a boy who has never, and will never fit in. And his is a story of becoming a hero, the hard way. Even though the movies mainstreamed the series, the books continue to maintain their ethos. Staying tales made for outsiders, and loners, and wastrels. The first book in particular, truly goes out of its way to drive this point home, and that is what we shall be discussing today.

You must forge your own path for it to mean anything

In 2010, Rick Riordan published the first book of his third and most complex series. Having already written on Greek and Egyptian Mythology, he now produced the first book of a series related to both his most iconic work, now blended with a new Roman element which would add a great deal of new characters and arcs to the universe we love. This new book focuses on a new trio of demigods; Jason, Piper and Leo; an amnesiac, and two bewitched and inexperienced other demigods, who speak to now best one of the most dangerous threats seen in the series yet; Gaia, the earth herself.

“Hiccup found everyday life rather a trial, but was always good in a crisis.”

We have already met Hiccup once before, but on this second journey, it is this quote which sums him up to us

perfectly. Not only that, but it sums up the book perfectly. How to be a Pirate is the second book in the How to Train

your Dragon series, and it continues the tale of perhaps the most unlikely looking protagonist in history, and his

desire to be a hero in Berk. Just as sweet, funny and creative as its predecessor, this book also advances the plot in

ways hitherto unheard of to the first.

Am I supposed to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle Earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole?”

Sophie Foster’s first reaction to being told she is an elf. A very relatable one. The sheer disbelief this response embodies is truly the beginning of the book we are here to discuss today. A book filled with sparkling cities, magical creatures, and glorious technologies. In the words of it’s own creator, a crumbling Utopia: Keeper of the Lost Cities.

When Sophie Foster is told that she is an elf, and whisked away by an extremely handsome, teal eyed boy to a new world, her entire perspective on life is changed. Now she inhabits a universe in which teleportation is possible, dinosaurs exist, and food is all vegetarian and delicious. The readers and Sophie experience this new, shimmering world, innocently, but cracks unveil themselves, as we find out about conspiracies, plots, and hidden secrets that threaten to shatter this perfect place.

“Look, I didn’t want to be a Half-Blood” So begins, one of the finest Young Adult series in history. A Young Adult series filled to the brim with tales of monsters, heroes, bloodshed, death, destruction, and love. After Harry Potter began the revival of reading, especially for Children. Percy Jackson swept books into their hands like a tidal wave depositing debris on shore (Pun very much intended) 

Session 2 begins...

Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan is a collection of simple, realistic stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi. It shows everyday life, human emotions, and social values with gentle humor and clarity.

After a tornado whisks her away from her Kansas home, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in the magical Land of Oz. Guided by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy begins her journey down the yellow brick road to find the Emerald City and seek the help of the powerful Wizard of Oz. Along the way, she meets a Scarecrow who longs for a brain, a Tin Woodman in search of a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who hopes to find courage. Together, they embark on an unforgettable adventure filled with wonder, danger, and lasting friendship.

In "Wonka," author Sibéal Pounder invites readers into the enchanting early life of Willy Wonka, the imaginative inventor and magician destined to become the world's most renowned chocolatier. This novel serves as an official prequel to Roald Dahl's beloved "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," offering a fresh perspective on the origins of its iconic character. Adapted from the screenplay by Simon Farnaby and Paul King, the story is an intoxicating blend of magic, music, mayhem, and emotion, all conveyed with heart and humor. Readers will follow a young Willy Wonka, brimming with ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time, proving that the best things in life begin with a dream.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, first published in 1937, is a classic fantasy adventure that invites readers into a richly imagined world full of dwarves, dragons, and unexpected heroes. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit from the quiet land of the Shire, who is suddenly swept into a quest to reclaim a lost dwarven kingdom and its treasure from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

At its heart, The Hobbit is a tale of personal growth and courage. Bilbo, who begins the story reluctant and unsure, gradually discovers inner strength, cleverness, and bravery he never knew he had. Tolkien’s language is rich yet accessible, filled with humor, lyrical descriptions, and a storytelling voice that feels like an old friend sharing a fireside tale.