4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Little Brother" by Cory Doctorow 

“Internet Explorer, Microsoft’s crashware turd that no one under the age of forty used voluntarily.”

I picked this read because it was another recommended read in my reading planner by The American Library Association.

The story follows Marcus, a tech-savvy teenager who finds himself caught up in a post-9/11 world where civil liberties are being eroded in the name of national security. After a terrorist attack on San Francisco, Marcus and his friends are detained and interrogated by government agents, who suspect them of being involved. Marcus is determined to prove their innocence and fights back against the oppressive government surveillance system using his computer skills and knowledge of cryptography.

One of the things I liked most about it was how it explored the tension between security and freedom in a digital age. Doctorow does an excellent job of making complex technical concepts accessible to a lay audience, and the book is filled with tips and tricks for maintaining online privacy and security.

The story is more than just a cautionary tale about government overreach and online privacy. It's also a story about friendship, courage, and standing up for what you believe in, even when it's hard. Marcus is a relatable and likable protagonist, and I found myself rooting for him and his friends until the end.

I have added the next book in this series to my TBR list.