Books You Pretend to
Have Read
Have Read
This coming-of-age novel follows a cynical teenager who spends days wandering New York City after being expelled from his prep school, all while grappling with the loss of innocence and searching for authenticity.
What is The Catcher in the Rye?
In Harry Potter, most of the story takes place in this country where Hogwarts is hidden.
What is the United Kingdom?
Sort these events from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the order they occur:
Harry receives his Hogwarts letter.
Harry and Ron fly the car to Hogwarts.
Harry gets his first broomstick lesson.
1. Harry receives his Hogwarts letter
2. Harry gets his first broomstick lesson
3. Harry and Ron fly the car to Hogwarts
This darkly comedic series of children's novels features a secret organization, a villain with a very recognizable tattoo, and was adapted twice—first as a film, then as a Netflix show starring Neil Patrick Harris.
What is A Series of Unfortunate Events?
This is Olivia’s favorite fantasy series written by Sarah J. Maas.
This novel, set in the 1930s, deals with a young girl’s moral growth as she witnesses the trial of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman in the South.
What is To Kill a Mockingbird?
In The Fault in Our Stars, Hazel and Augustus travel to this romantic European city to meet an author.
What is Amsterdam?
Sort these events from The Hunger Games series in chronological order:
Katniss receives the Mockingjay pin from Greasy Sae.
Katniss sets off a rebellion in District 8.
Katniss shoots an apple out of the roast pig’s mouth during the feast.
1. Katniss receives the Mockingjay pin from Greasy Sae
2. Katniss shoots an apple out of the roast pig’s mouth during the feast
3. Katniss sets off a rebellion in District 8
First published in 1868, this novel explores gender roles, ambition, and domestic life through four sisters—elements reexamined in its 2019 adaptation that played with non-linear storytelling.
What is Little Women?
This is Olivia’s most highly anticipated book-to-film adaptation, set to hit theaters in 2026.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping?
In this novel, a totalitarian state controls every aspect of citizens' lives, including their thoughts. The protagonist rebels against the oppressive regime in a world where privacy is a crime.
What is 1984?
In Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Camp Half-Blood is located in this U.S. state.
What is New York?
Sort these events from The Lord of the Rings trilogy in chronological order:
Frodo receives the One Ring from Bilbo.
Gandalf confronts Saruman about his betrayal.
The Battle of Helm's Deep takes place.
1. Frodo receives the One Ring from Bilbo
2. Gandalf confronts Saruman about his betrayal
3. The Battle of Helm's Deep takes place
This survival-focused novel, written by a former software engineer, blends real science and sarcastic humor—and its film version earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
What is The Martian?
This novel, which Olivia read as required reading in 8th grade English class, will be performed on stage at TPAC in October.
What is The Outsiders?
In this critique of the American Dream, a self-made millionaire's obsessive pursuit of a past love culminates in tragedy, with the symbol of a green light standing for unattainable goals.
What is The Great Gatsby?
In The Giver, Jonas begins his training with the title character, who holds this unique role in their society, tasked with carrying out the memories of the past and advising the community’s leaders.
What is the Receiver of Memory?
Sort these events from The Summer I Turned Pretty in chronological order:
Belly realizes her feelings for Jeremiah.
Belly returns to Cousins Beach for the summer.
Belly kisses Conrad for the first time.
1. Belly returns to Cousins Beach for the summer
2. Belly kisses Conrad for the first time
3. Belly realizes her feelings for Jeremiah
A missing woman, a diary with disturbing clues, and a husband who may be lying—this adaptation shifted public perception of “cool girls” and earned Rosamund Pike an Oscar nomination.
What is Gone Girl?
Olivia dressed up as this book character at school during Right to Read Week in 2009
Who is Annabeth Chase?
This monumental novel set during the Napoleonic Wars explores the lives of Russian aristocracy, examining how personal fate intersects with vast historical movements and philosophical questions about free will.
What is War and Peace?
In Magic Tree House, Jack and Annie live in this U.S. state before they travel through time from their treehouse.
What is Pennsylvania?
Sort these events from The Chronicles of Narnia series in chronological order:
The Pevensie children are sent to the countryside during World War II.
Aslan is resurrected after being sacrificed.
The children become kings and queens of Narnia.
1. The Pevensie children are sent to the countryside during World War II
2. The children become kings and queens of Narnia
3. Aslan is resurrected after being sacrificed
This 1996 novel by Chuck Palahniuk, centered on an unnamed narrator and his alter ego Tyler Durden, was adapted into a cult classic 1999 film directed by David Fincher.
What is Fight Club?
In what order, from least favorite to favorite, does Olivia rank these Emily Henry novels:
Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, Happy Place, and Funny Story?
People We Meet on Vacation, Beach Read, Book Lovers, Happy Place, Funny Story