In 1922, Frederick Palmers assumed that all stories were based on 36 episodes. Christopher Booker did a similar study in 2005, revealing only seven basic plots.
Some stories deserve to be retold, and the titles below are retellings of classic novels and fairy tales.
adults
• Inspired by writer Sam DuChamp, he creates his own character, Quichotte, a salesman who begins to seek help from a TV star. Salman Rushdie’s Quichotte is a tribute to Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Writer Sam DuChamp was inspired to create his own character, Quichotte, a salesman who sets out to seek help from a TV star. Salman Rushdie’s Quichotte is a tribute to Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Submitted photo/Manistee County Libraries• Charles Perrault’s Cinderella has never been so. Cindy works for her stepmother, who is the executive producer of the reality TV show. When a spot on the show came up, Cindy saw it as an opportunity to start her fashion career. Instead, she found herself playing the role of a body-positivity icon. Julie Murphy’s “If the Shoes Fitted” retells “Cinderella,” and Cindy learns to find love and individuality.
• “Ayesha at Last” by Uzma Jalaluddin tells the story of Ayesha, who accepts a teaching job to pay off her debts. Her conservative family talks about arranged marriages, which is not what Elsa wants. When Khaled came into her life, she was both attracted and annoyed by him, but her family thought he was a perfect fit for her cousin. Rumors about Khalid’s family surface and Aisha discovers the truth about him and herself. The Last Aisha is loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Claudia Gray’s Mr. Wickham Murder brings together Jane Austen’s characters in a delicious murder mystery. Everyone disliked George Wickham, and when he was found murdered, everyone was a suspect. It’s up to young Juliette Tierney and Jonathan Darcy to follow the trail and uncover the killer.
Submitted photo/Manistee County Libraries• The first title of Brittany Cavallart’s Sherlock Holmes series “The Study of Charlotte” is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” Story adapted. Charlotte is the third great-granddaughter of the legendary Sherlock Holmes. She had a long-established reputation as a hothead, and new student Jamie Watson wanted nothing to do with her. When the two are framed for murdering a student at the school, Jamie must trust Charlotte to find clues to their innocence.
• A modern rendition of Homer’s “Odyssey,” Chigozio Bioma’s “Minority Orchestra,” about the spirit of a man who saves women’s lives. The two fall in love but cannot marry because they are not equal. Efforts to improve himself are frustrated and the man is forced to stay away from the life he is trying to build.
• Based on “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Chosen and the Beautiful” by Nghi Vo is told from the perspective of a friend of Jay Gatsby and his wife Daisy. Jordan Baker is beautiful, educated and wealthy. She’s still learning to use her wits and magic to navigate a world where many gatekeepers remain closed.
• “Beautiful Little Fools” by Jillian Cantor is also based on “The Great Gatsby”. Three women are suspected in Jay Gatsby’s death. From their point of view, the events leading up to that fateful day are revisited, revealing their motives.
• Join Mr Knightley, his wife Emma, George Wickham and others for an unforgettable summer party! Claudia Gray’s Mr. Wickham Murder brings together Jane Austen’s characters in a delicious murder mystery. Everyone disliked George Wickham, and when he was found murdered, everyone was a suspect. It’s up to young Juliette Tierney and Jonathan Darcy to follow the trail and uncover the killer.
young people
• After killing a wolf while out hunting, Feyre must face the consequences of her being taken to a place known only by legend. Once there, she discovers a world completely different from the one she was told and begins to adapt to her surroundings. But a threat is looming and threatens everything she now holds dear. Sarah Mars’ “Garden of Thorns and Roses” brings Gabriel-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s “Beauty and the Beast” to life.
• Danielle Paige’s “Dorothy Must Die,” based on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” hits the yellow brick road again. Amigum was an ordinary teen living in Kansas when her trailer was swept away by a tornado and stored in Oz. Nothing is the same. Dorothy finds her way back to Oz and takes power. Amy must team up with others who refuse to solve problems in this magical land.
• “The Wrath and the Dawn” by Renee Ahdieh is a retelling of “The Arabian Nights,” where a bride is taken every day and her life ends every night. When her best friend Khalid becomes the bride of the Khorasan caliph, Shahzad volunteers to be next and uses her storytelling skills to confuse the caliph. Things in the palace are not what they seem, and Shahrzad must find out the truth to save the man she now loves.
“Ayesha at Last” by Uzma Jalaluddin tells the story of Ayesha, who accepts a teaching job to pay off her debts. Her conservative family talks about arranged marriages, which is not what Elsa wants. When Khaled came into her life, she was both attracted and annoyed by him, but her family thought he was a perfect fit for her cousin. Rumors about Khalid’s family surface and Aisha discovers the truth about him and herself. The Last Aisha is loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Submitted photo/Manistee County Libraries• Witnessing demons attacking the campus, an underground figure calling himself Merlin must act quickly to keep Brie silent. This attempt unleashed Bryce’s own magical abilities, and she now knows her mother’s death was no accident. Bree and her friend Nick disbanded the group of mages by posing as fellow practitioners. Once inside, they learn that a magical war is imminent, and the descendants of Arthurian knights must stop it. What will Bray do? Down with the mage and find out the truth about her mother? Or join the fight?
• “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn brings the Arthurian legend back to life.
The Manistee County Online Directory has these and other titles at manisteelibrary.org.