River Readers

Charlie is nearing the end of her middle school career. For her final music class assignment she has to find the perfect song. One that embodies her spirit and makes her feel “at home.” They have explored all types of music in class but nothing quite fits for Charlie. Not until they listen to opera and Marie Callas. Suddenly, Charlie identifies with a genre of music but also with the artist.

Daisy Jones and the Six is written as an oral history of a famous band in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The Six was a group making its way in the channels of rock and roll when an impertinent young ingenue darkens their door and the rest was rock and roll history.

I loved this novel. It is written in a unique and engaging format that makes you wonder if this is fact or fiction. I highly recommend it.
 

"Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore before World War II. Chi Chi is a talented and ambitious singer-songwriter working in a local blouse factory looking for her big break, while Saverio, a singer already on the rise, is fronting a touring band and has the good looks and smooth vocals that make success seem assured. It isn't long before Saverio becomes Tony Arma and he and Chi Chi form a duo; together they navigate the glamorous worlds of nightclubs, radio, and television.

Bri wants to be a rapper. Growing up in Garden Heights, the daughter of the legendary underground rapper, Lawless, Bri has a lot to prove. Her daddy was murdered, a victim of gang violence, and her mama lost it after she lost him. Driven by her grief into drug addiction, Bri and her brother, Trey, lived with their grandparents for a time. Jay, Bri's mom, fought hard to win her kids back but the struggle is still real, they are all fighting just to exist. Then the other shoe drops and Jay gets fired from her job. Bri want her rapping to save them.

I didn't like this one as well as the first volume. I guess I'm not as in to the group being crime busters instead of singers. There was more info on the pasts of Valerie and Melody and the relationship between Alex and Alexandra. Who knows what comes next.

What president banned Christmas trees from the White House -- and why? How did a telephone number typo and Raggedy Ann doll lead to annual Christmas traditions? What familiar Christmas carol was first written to celebrate a birth that was not Jesus? This book delves into the origin of the music, stories, symbols and foods associated with Christmas in tales that will both inform and surprise readers of all ages.

Dietrich BonHoeffer was a preacher during the rise of Hitler to power in Germany. He knew from an early age that he wanted to spread the word of God and his faith was strong. When the atrocities of the Hitler regime came to light, he knew he could not stay silent. He spoke out against the Nazi practices and started his own church. As the Nazi threat grew worse, he became involved in a spy ring whose ambition was to assassinate Hitler.

Leah Burke is experiencing the typical growing pains of adolescence. She finds solace and unquestioning friendship from playing in her all-girl band for which she is the drummer. Things start to fall apart in the band though when the tensions of college applications, acceptance and scholarships start to emerge. Then there is Leah's own internal conflicts that start to overwhelm her.

This wonderful sequel to Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is an open, honest look at the painful reality teens face every day. If you loved Simon, you'll love this look into Leah.

When Chris joins the staff at her local record store, she’s surprised to find out that her co-workers share a secret: they’re all members of a secret fight club that take on the patriarchy and fight crime!

This was awesome! It was like a Broadway play on audiobook. Full cast, musical numbers, sound effects, and the narration of Jim Dale all in one fantastic book. It is basically the traditional story of Rumplestiltskin with just a bit extra. The actors are fantastic, the songs are hilarious and the entire productions was just a treat to listen to. I highly recommend this short audiobook.

Pages are approximate as this is audio only.

Leslie Odom, Jr. has acclaimed much recognition and a Tony Award playing Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical Hamilton. But it almost didn't happen. Odom shares his beginnings as a mouthy boy who meets his match in a teacher that gets his attention and trust, and then channels his expression. He shares the decisions he made, even when it is choosing between two good options. A key moment is when he considers giving up and is challenged to make the most of those times when the phone isn't ringing, a story told on a late-night show told with such passion that it drew me to this book.

This book is a step by step introduction to learning the mandolin. I had planned to teach myself by YouTube videos but when they moved too fast this book was the perfect remedy.

Kent during the beginnings of WWII is nearly devoid of men. When choir mistress Prim decides to recreate the Chilbury Choir into the Chilbury Ladies Choir she shocks many of those around her. But that doesn't stop all the women from joining and creating a uniquely feminine sound. This epistolary novel is told through the letters and journals of several of the members of the choir.