2017 - 2018 School Year New!

This year's officers are as follows:

President - Miranda Sibbett
Vice President - Gabby Lofland
Historian - Fallon Atkinson

Club Meeting Schedule:

The first Thursday of each month (2:45 pm - 3:45 pm). We will spend this time discussing the books we have read and submitting reviews for the blog.

School Year Goals:

1 - Organize a book drive.
2 - Create an immersive theater experience for young people based on the book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
3 - Story-time at the Tabor City Library.

March Reviews!

Synopsis:
A School for Unusual Girls is the first captivating installment in the Stranje House series for young adults by award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin. #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this romantic Regency adventure "completely original and totally engrossing."

It's 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England's dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society's constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies-plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.

After accidentally setting her father's stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible-until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads-or their hearts....

"Enticing from the first sentence." -New York Times Book Review

About the Author:
"I love adventure in books and in real life. I've roamed the Rocky Mountains, wandered the desert, enjoyed way too many classes in college, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, fell in love at least a dozen times, finally met and married my very own hero, and together we've raised four free-spirited children."

Award-winning author - Kathleen Baldwin has written several award-winning Regency romantic comedies for adults. A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS is her first historical romance for Young Adults. It is a Junior Library Guild selection, received a starred review from Kansas NEA ‘best of the best’ for High Schools, and is a 2016 Spirit of Texas book. EXILE FOR DREAMERS is the second book in Stranje House series. Scholastic licensed both for book fairs. Ian Bryce, producer of Spiderman and Saving Private Ryan, optioned the series for film.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this romantic Regency adventure, "completely original and totally engrossing."

Title: A School for Unusual Girls
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Reviewer: Miranda Sibbett

 4 STARS

A School for Unusual Girls is a book about a group of girls with extraordinary physical and mental abilities. It is centered around a young girl with an amazing scientific mind. However, her family does not approve of her abilities. Because of this, they send her to a school that is supposed to "fix" peculiar or strange children. What no one knows is that the school is actually honing the abilities of these girls to use in the war against Napoleon. The protagonist, Georgiana is specially selected because of special Ink. Once inside the school, Georgie will face many dangers and will have to save the life of the one she loves.

I really did enjoy this book. It is excellently written and it kept me on my toes. My only complaint is that I wish it had more romantic scenes between the protagonist and her love interest. I also feel like the story was a bit rushed but it was still very enjoyable.

Amazon Link

Synopsis:
Money can't buy a good first impression.

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the rich are not to be trusted. And after years of studying them from behind the cash register of her mom's porcelain-doll shop, she has seen nothing to prove otherwise. Enter Xander Spence—he's tall, handsome, and oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and the fact that he seems to be one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there's one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it's that the rich have a short attention span. But just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn't a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she'd ever realized. With so many obstacles standing in their way, can she close the distance between them?



About the Author:
I write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My novels are: PIVOT POINT and its sequel SPLIT SECOND, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, ON THE FENCE, THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND, PS I LIKE YOU, and BY YOUR SIDE. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.

Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Reviewer: Taryn Priest

5 STARS

Caymen Myers has never trusted rich people, until she met Xander Spence. She met him while working in her mom’s porcelain doll shop. She began to slowly trust him, but that takes a quick turn-around when she learns money has a bigger role in the relationship than she wanted it to.

This book was very enjoyable. The author has a way with words that is easily understandable and appeals to teenage community. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cheesy, modern read. Some of her characters appear in her other books, yet have nothing to do with the other story. She chooses settings that complement the characters.

Amazon Link

February Reviews!

Synopsis:

Every three years, Amber Hopkins explodes. Okay, not a blown-to-smithereens explosion, but whatever it is always hurts like hell and leaves her life a shambles. She's already worked her way through five foster placements, and she's doing whatever she can to avoid getting blasted into a sixth.


As her eighteenth birthday approaches and she feels the strange and powerful energy building, disaster looms. When the inevitable explosion occurs, her life gets its biggest shakeup yet. She'll not only learn how her fellow foster and best friend, Gabriel, really feels about her, but she'll discover that she isn't really without family.

To top it all off, she'll finally find out why she's having the power surges: she isn't entirely human.

Amber must Become, transitioning to another plane of existence and risking the loss of the most important relationship she's ever had. Her choice will impact the future of an entire race of beings, and will pit her against an enemy that will prey upon her doubt to try and take her very life.

Kind of makes the explosions now seem like a cakewalk.

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Known for character-driven stories that inspire the imagination, Raine recently signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She's a proud indie author who is living the dream.

Raine is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning...two areas that intersect far more than one would think. Her years working with children and young adults with emotional and behavioral challenges inspired her to create protagonists who overcome their own conflicts. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Title: Becoming, Daughters of Saroqael Trilogy, Book One

Author:  Raine Thomas

Reviewer: Carrie Carter

5 Stars

Every three years, something strange happens to Amber Hopkins and leaves her life a mess!  She has already been through five foster homes, and she is doing everything she can to prevent going to a sixth.  As her eighteenth birthday is getting closer, she can feel a surge of energy building up, getting stronger than all of the past surges.  When she finally explodes, her life gets the biggest twist ever.  She learns that her best friend and fellow foster, Gabriel, really has a feeling and she discovers that she is not a whole human.  You must read the book to find out more.

I really enjoyed this book; I am totally looking forward to reading the next books.  Raine Thomas really knows how to make you want more.  This book will make you laugh, smile, and almost make you cry.  I love it so much.

Purchase this books:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

April Reviews!

Synopsis:

Recommended for readers. 15+

Lucy Donovan was supposed to have a weekend of fun in the sun, celebrating her upcoming graduation from college. In a split second, everything changed. A drunk driver ended Lucy's mortal life.
Lucy opens her eyes to a world she never imagined possible and a new destiny: as a Patronus, a guardian of spirits. Adjusting to her new role and abilities while negotiating this confusing realm will test her limits and push her further than she ever dreamed she would go. From wayward spirits who don't want her help to soul stealing vampires, and even a stuck-up British royal, Lucy must brave them all to save one spirit she can't bear to lose.
Further complicating her confusing life is an inexplicable yet growing connection she feels to a member of her team, Max, whose mysterious behavior leaves her both confused and intrigued.
Waking up dead was just the beginning of her problems. Lucy's death is about to become the greatest adventure of her life.

I started my obsession with reading at an early age, getting in trouble for sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class in elementary school. I would read any fiction book I could get my hands on. I knew it was an addiction when instead of grounding me from TV or music, my mom would take away my books as punishment (The Horror!). My love of all things paranormal was inspired by my good friend Laurie, who convinced me that books with vampires, witches, and all things shifter were amazing. After a little reluctance, I gave it a shot with the Sookie Stackhouse books, realized she was right, and the rest was history.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with my degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as I do for several years. I will always be a proud member of the Steelers Nation, but I couldn't take the cold and moved my frozen tush to Florida where I now live with my family and two cats. You will find me now with my trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

When I'm not writing or reading, I am probably partaking in my favorite vice: sunbathing. I know it's wrong, but I love the feeling on the hot sun on my skin and could lay in it for hours. I do live in Florida for a reason!

Please feel free to contact me!

Website
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Twitter

Reviewer:  Carrie Carter

Title/Author: Awaken by Sarah M.Ross

5 stars

I really enjoyed this book.  It’s now one of my favorites.  I cannot wait until I read the second book which the school library has on NOOK.  Great story and plot.  This book will have you in tears! Fantastic, love it, can’t wait for the next adventure.

Purchase this book!

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

April Reviews!

Synopsis:

Love can be tragic.

17th Century America:
A Shaman’s daughter falls in love with an Englishman,
only her hand has been promised to a warrior.

Tears fall.
Promises are broken.
Rage is unleashed.

Souls are bound or shattered.

Present Day:
Laney Stillwater dreams about a boy she has never met,
but she longs for the attention of the ever popular and gorgeous, Jordan Stone.

Time tempts change.
Destined souls awaken.
Love gets a second chance.

Souls are bound or shattered.

What will destiny offer this time?

Reconciliation or more despair?

Amy is a 1993 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education. She have eighteen years of experience in education and currently teaches Dance and Theater Arts to high school students at South Columbus High School.

Amy has been happily married to her own version of Edward Cullen for fourteen years. She and her soul mate, Kelly live in Tabor City, North Carolina with their two beautiful children, Olivia and Keaton.

Find me on the web!

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

REVIEWER: CARRIE CARTER
TITLE/AUTHOR: WILDFLOWER BY AMY MAURER JONES
5 STARS

I really loved this book.  I just can’t wait for the next one! I loved how the author used song lyrics.  The story is amazing, the author really puts in a lot of great fantastic details.  I really liked how it would tell a little about  17^th century then tell more about present day.  Great Book!!

Purchase this book!
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April Reviews!

Falling in love can feel like poetry. Or it can feel like a slam to the heart.

Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.









Synopsis:
Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she's losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

Colleen lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She released her debut novel, SLAMMED, in January 2012 and the follow-up novel, POINT OF RETREAT, in February, 2012. Both books have been optioned for film as of October, 2012.

If you want entertaining, stay away from her Twitter and visit her blog, instead. 

REVIEWER: CANEISHA GOODMON

TITLE/AUTHOR: SLAMMED BY COLLEEN HOOVER

 5 STARS

Slammed was one of the best books I ever read.  It was about family being shattered by a sudden death. They move to another state to start over.  Layken is forced to be the rock for her mother and brother.  After moving across state she meets a guy named Will who is her neighbor.  She starts to fall for him.  Then she finds out when she starts school that he is her teacher. Layken starts to feel pain and falling more and more for Mr. Will.  She finds out the reason they really moved is because her mother has cancer in her last stages.  Her mother doesn’t think she can take care of her younger brother. Will’s parents died when he was in college so he had to move back home to take care of his younger brother.  So it ends up that both of them are parents to a younger brother and they balance school, teaching, and work to make sure nothing comes between them.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other readers. I am excited now to read Point of Retreat that my library at South Columbus has gotten on a NOOK.

Purchase this book!
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April Reviews!

Synopsis:

My name is Darius Arthur Heisenberg, but most people call me Dare. If my last name sounds familiar, it’s probably because of my great-great uncle Werner Heisenberg. He was a physicist who came up with something called the Uncertainty Principle. But listen, Uncle Werner had no idea how uncertain things really are.

I work for a group, called the Keepers, that label themselves the custodians of time. And, believe me, time is a mess. It needs all the custodians it can get. Which is, of course, why the Keepers selected me, a nineteen-year-old high school dropout, to join them. I recently worked as a janitor for a couple months. Perfect fit, right?

Okay, it didn’t make much sense to me either, but I wasn’t in a position to turn down a steady job and a roof over my head. Besides, all I’m supposed to do is travel through time and save the universe as we know it, how hard could it be?

Yeah, better hold on. This could get ugly.

Alan Tucker, author of The Mother-Earth Series (A Measure of Disorder, A Cure for Chaos, and Mother's Heart), as well as a new science fiction novel, Knot in Time, is a dad, a graphic designer, and a soccer coach. Mostly in that order. He's had a lifelong adoration of books, beginning with Encyclopedia Brown, progressing through Alan Dean Foster's Flinx, and continuing on with the likes of Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, and Naomi Novik, to name a few.

"I wanted to write books that I'd enjoy reading. Books that I hoped my kids would enjoy too!"

Visit the main website for more information about his books. View maps, watch trailers, see reviews and much more!

REVIEWER: CANEISHA GOODMON

TITLE/AUTHOR: KNOT IN TIME BY ALAN TUCKER

5 STARS

Knot in Time is about a young man named Dare. He has no future when he is recruited by the Time Keepers to help keep the threads of time from getting tangled up due to People’s interference with the space-time continuum.  He is trained to be a field agent and his first assignment will be a doozy.  In the future, there is a colony on Mars that is attacked by aliens.  The Martians send an agent back to Earth to try to buy some time to deal with the alien threat.  Once Dare is sent to stop this female agent from messing up Earth, but the female agent turns out to be a whole lot of trouble.  He bounces around Earth for awhile in hot water with her. 

Overall, I thought this was a great book if you like learning about time and travel tales. I think Knot in Time would be the book to read because you see the realization of going from being nobody to somebody and saving universe at the end of a day.

Purchase this book!
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