Tag Archives: Emily E.

Review: The High Tide Club

Posted on by

The High Tide Club
by Mary Kay Andrews
4 stars

After devouring Karen White’s The House on Tradd Street series, I was desperately looking for my next favorite southern fiction read when I stumbled upon The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews.  It did not disappoint.
The story is set in modern day Georgia where lawyer Brooke Trappnell is working to uncover long hidden mysteries of Talisa Island in an attempt to secure the estate of the ailing millionaire, Josephine Bettendorf Warrick.  Josephine is desperate to make amends with the heirs of her closest friends (The High Tide Club) and to keep her family home from falling into the hands of those who would want to see the beautiful island developed.  As the story unfolds, you come to love the women of Talisa Island and admire the friendships, though fractured, that changed their lives forever.
Fast paced and filled with mystery, The High Tide Club is a perfect summer or weekend read.  The sweeping story bounces seamlessly from past to present ending with a satisfying conclusion.  As much as I loved learning about Josephine and her friends, I especially enjoyed watching the relationships grow between their descendants in modern times.  There were definite Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood vibes, and in case you’re looking for an audiobook – narrator Kathleen McInerney does an excellent southern accent!  Now to find another Mary Kay Andrews to read…

 

Read-alikes

The Girls of August by Anne River Siddons

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

Dreams of Falling by Karen White

TeenHQ: We’re here to entertain

Posted on by

Dear Parents,

 

Congratulations on surviving the school year with your teens!  We’re sending you an enthusiastic high-five for helping them through homework assignments, group projects, and extra-curriculars.  But if you find yourself in a panic asking, “What do I do with them now?”, don’t worry.  The library is here to help!  Let US entertain your teens and keep them engaged and off the couch this summer with everyday activities that defeat boredom.

 

This summer, teens in grades 6-12 can kick back and relax in TeenHQ in a variety of ways including:

  • earning prizes by reading
  • attending a program (FREE SNACKS!)
  • watching a movie with friends (FREE SNACKS!)
  • starting a video game tournament (FREE SNACKS!)
  • winning a game of GIANT checkers or chess (FREE SNACKS!)
  • playing a new board game (FREE SNACKS!)
  • entering a weekly STEM challenge (FREE SNACKS!)
  • exploring a maker kit (FREE SNACKS!)
  • completing a book tasting menu for candy!

And SO much more.  Did I mention there will be FREE SNACKS?  We know the way to a teen’s heart is through their stomach 🙂  Keep TeenHQ in mind when your teen says they’re bored.  We’re here to entertain!

 

Sincerely,

 

Your friendly neighborhood Teen Librarians

 

Great 2017 Teen Reads

Posted on by

2017 was a great year for teen fiction.  Our new teen fiction shelves were filled with diverse books that put a spotlight on complicated characters, cultural identity, and relevant topics that demand attention and conversation.  There was something for every type of reader – for those that read to escape into story and others that are in the search for ways to connect and expand their understanding of their own experiences.

Our “Ten Reads for Teens” display in TeenHQ is currently highlighting some great reads released this year.  Check out one of these stand-out books and pick up a Great Reads of 2017 flyer today!

Here are a few titles to give you a taste of the awesome available for your reading pleasure:

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family’s property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the past, the present, and herself.

 

 

They Both Die in the End by Adam Silvera

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day.    

 

 

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her small-town Texas high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

 

 

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest sponsored by the producers of Starfield, she has to enter. First prize is an invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot.

 

 

Warcross by Marie Lu

Teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players of Warcross who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy.  Emika is shocked when she gets a call from the game’s creator with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem .

 

Teen Fall Reads

Posted on by

Despite working at the library and being a lover of books and reading, I often find myself in reading slumps.  Nothing sounds good, interesting, or worth my time.  That’s when I usually turn to my friends and colleagues for book recommendations – or I take a look at one of our library lists!

If you’re a teen looking for your next favorite read, or an adult interested in dipping your toe in teen literature, TeenHQ definitely has suggestions including a new display wall currently featuring “Fall Reads 2017.”  Our guide includes 18 new or highly recommended books to add to your to-be-read list including:

 

Roar by Cora Carmack

As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s groomed to be the perfect queen.  She’s intelligent and brave and honorable.  But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.  To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom.

 

 

Waste of Space by Gina Damico

Cram ten hormonal teens into a spaceship and blast off: that’s the premise for the ill-conceived reality show Waste of Space.  The cast knows everything about drama – and nothing about the fact that the production is fake.

 

 

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

Teenaged soldier Noemi and an enemy robot, Abel, who is programmed to obey her commands, set out on an interstellar quest to save her home planet, Earthy colony Genesis.

 

 

Front Lines by Michael Grant

1942, World War II.  The most terrible war in human history.. Millions are dead; millions more are still to die.  The green, untested American army is going up against eh greatest fighting force ever assembled – the armed forces of Nazi, Germany.  But something has changed.  A court decision makes females subject to the draft and eligible for service.  So in this World War II, women and girls fight, too.

 

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand

On the eve of her marriage to a stranger, sixteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey is swept up in a conspiracy to usurp the throne from her cousin.

 

 

 

Hearts & Other Body Parts by Ira Bloom

Esme, Katy, and Ronnie Silver hail from a long line of witches, but their sisterly bond is broken when two very different boys enter their lives.

 

Happy reading!

 

Introducing TeenHQ

Posted on by

I’ve learned a lot over the last 10 years working with teens. I’ve learned that they are always hungry; that playing the board game Sorry! can initiate passionate competition; and that beneath angst and hormones are intelligent, curious, hilarious individuals who see the world in creative ways.

I’ve also learned that each school year is different – different students, different cultural trends, and different educational focus – each of which bring unique opportunities for us to serve. This school year brought us an unexpected challenge. What do you do when the middle school that was once right next door moves a couple of miles away?

You take a long look in the mirror, have a serious conversation about mission and values, and refocus to meet that challenge.

And so we introduce to you…

TeenHQ is a new approach to teen services at Greenwood Public Library. The space is accessible during library hours, and all ages are welcome to browse our teen, manga, and graphic novel collections. Teen Services staff will also be hosting programming in TeenHQ that offers opportunities for teens to explore the world around them, build new skills, and socialize with friends. Programs will now be hosted in the evening and weekends to accommodate busy school schedules. Check out The Scoop or Library’s events calendar for upcoming events.

We’re also introducing The Hangout @ TeenHQ – a TEENS ONLY time and space for teens in the community to feel safe and comfortable just hanging out, listening to music, studying, reading, playing a game, or watching a movie (to name just a few activities).

The Hangout is 1-5pm Monday – Friday. Our hours are designed to welcome both homeschool and public school students into the space. Teen Services staff will be available for supervision, book recommendations, homework help, game playing, and general helpfulness during The Hangout hours.

And a final exciting change – the Library’s Teen Advisory Board will now and forever be known as the Teen Volunteer Corp.

The Teen Volunteer Corp was created by the Teen Services Department as a program designed to offer leadership opportunities for teens in Greenwood. Corp members assist and support the Teen Services Department by brainstorming, promoting, and volunteering at programs, submitting reviews for the library’s social media, and helping make TeenHQ a welcoming space. There are so many reasons to join, but in case your teen needs some persuading…they can earn service hours for school, network with other teens in the community, and request AWESOME scholarship letters and job references from the Teen Services staff.

Whew. That’s a lot of changes, but we are super excited to begin this new chapter of serving teens in Greenwood. And to kick off all of the fun, we are hosting an Open House on Thursday, October 12th from 1-7pm to celebrate! We’ll have all of our activities out and available to explore, and we’ll provide some light refreshments and a raffle prize to bribe you into coming.

Please visit TeenHQ if you have any questions, program suggestions, or need help finding your next favorite book. We’re ready to serve!