The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This is quite possibly the most interesting and intricate book that I have ever read. The story is told from the separate viewpoints of Henry and Clare. Henry time travels involuntarily due to a genetic disorder, and Clare happens to be the woman who loves him. Much of the conflict arises due to Henry traveling in and out of Clare's life, leaving her to wait for his return and hope for his safety.

What makes the story unique is that Henry often travels to the past where he meets with a younger version of Clare (beginning at her age 6). Clare, of course, stays in the present but knows from her younger visits with Henry that they will get married, have a home, etc. Through the first person narratives, the reader gains a real sense of the emotional roller coaster these two characters travel as Henry continues his travels back and forth through time.

I will say this book is a bit mature and should be recommended for the upper grades only. Also, the changing narrative might make it difficult for younger readers to follow.

Overall, this is a timeless (*wink*) love story and a great read.

~Jackie

Knock Off by Rhonda Pollero

Finley Tanner is a West Palm Beach paralegal who hates the gym, still rents her condo, and loves long lunches and shopping trips. One of her greatest assets is hunting down deeply discounted designer goods. Though she is just a paralegal, her superiors dump a case on her. It seems there is a grieving widow who is convinced that her husband's so-called "accidental" death was really murder. All her company wants Finley to do is to wrap up the paperwork ASAP. However, Finley starts to buy into the widow's claims and starts to investigate on her own, even though she has no experience in this area. To help with the investigation, the widow hires hunky, sexy Liam McGarrity to assist Finley. Although there is definitely a mutaul attraction between the two, on the surface they get along like oil and water.

Finley's life as investigator is taking some exciting, unpredictable, and dangerous turns. There are those who are out to sabotage her every move as she and Liam press forward to exposing murder and corruption.

If you enjoy mystery, humor, and romance, then this would be a great read for you. It has great characters and an ever-interesting plot. (P.S. The second book in this series is every bit as good as this one!!)

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen was a terrific book. I was expecting a shallow teen story, but DJ was a more complex character than some other teen characters. She was very dependable when her family needed her. Even though Brian is a jerk for being ashamed of their relationship, I still hope he grows up and realizes how great DJ is. I can't wait to read Front and Center and see how things turn out for DJ.

-Jeannette

The Exploding Toilet

Finally, a humorous read for me! I enjoyed most stories--some were a little gross, some were about really stupid people! I did laugh out loud and made my kids wonder what I was reading. I also liked that it was a bunch of short stories so it was easy to pick up and put down when I needed to do so.
~Amy

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Sparks has written another winner that would make a great romantic movie in The Lucky One. Elizabeth is a young single mother taking care of her usually independent grandmother who is recovering from a stroke, their kennel and dog training business, and her ten year old son who prefers reading and the violin over sports, much to the disappointment of his father. Until Thibault comes to town and applies for the job in the kennel, she was thinking she would have to quit her teaching job to take care of the business. Thibault is thrilled to take the job since he walked from Colorado to Hampton, NC, just to find Elizabeth although he had no idea what her name was at the time. He had found her picture in the desert sand in Iraq, posted it, and when no one claimed it, decided to keep it on a whim. Suddenly he was very lucky in cards and in his encounters with the enemy. A Marine buddy, who also died shortly after while once again Thibault was barely scathed, convinced him to find the girl in the picture because he felt it was Thibault's destiny. Naturally there are complications like the jealous ex-husband, flooding, and misunderstandings. This was a very good book that will appeal to Nicholas Sparks fans and anyone else who likes romance.
Pam

The Glass Castle

This is an excellent book. I don't really enjoy nonfiction, but this book kept my interest from beginning to end. Some parts are shocking; some are sad; some are humorous. I feel that anyone who reads this book will enjoy it.
-Beth Ann

Duma Key

Duma Key by Stephen King grabs the reader's attention immediately when the main character Edgar Freemantle suffers a traumatic construction site accident in Minneapolis leaving him with a fractured skull, shattered hip, and an amputated arm. King uses specific and detailed descriptions of Edgar's intense pain and suffering as he tries to recuperate. The reader feels even more sympathy for Edgar when his wife leaves him. He then moves to Duma Key, an isolated island in Florida. Even though the weather is warmer, a cold and evil spirit seems to fill his new house. Edgar takes up painting which leads to all sorts of supernatural events. The story's suspense builds rather slowly at this point in the story. However, the conclusion is very well developed. King introduces clever and unique twists in the plot that will make it worth your time to finish the book.
Shirley~~~

Skintight by Susan Andersen

I just finished Skintight by Susan Andersen. Definitely NOT a book for the library, but certainly a good, hot, sexy summer read for the beach or pool-side. It is about a Las Vegas showgirl with a heart of gold and a poker player with a deep dark secret. Quite a fast and interesting read!

Sail

A typical James Patterson book that you just cannot put down! He hooks you on the first page and keeps you interested the whole way through. It's not an Alex Cross book, for you fans of James Patterson, but it is a great book to read. The family goes through so much! It is full of exciting events!
~Sharon

BEACH BLONDES by Katharine Applegate

I just finished reading Beach Blondes by Katharine Applegate. The students, especially the girls, are going to love it. It is long - over 700 pages - but it reads faster than a much shorter paperback would. The story involves a girl from Minnesota who goes to stay with her cousin for the summer on one of the Floriday Keys. The cousin doesn't want her to be there and puts all sorts of obstacles in her way, but she managed to make friends anyway and gets into lots of trouble (which our students will like to read about!) Another good beach read.

Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons

Loved this book. Not an AR book, but for anyone who loves a great story to take to the beach, this is it! A love story filled with twists and turns you won't see coming. An ending that will leave you speechless! I recommend to anyone looking for a great, relaxing, can't put the book down, story.
Angie

Gone With the Wind

This was an epic novel about the South. It included war, love, jealousy...and stupidity. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a really really great story.
~Jackie

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