River Readers

Tara Westover was raised by survivalist parents in the wilds of Idaho. They were isolated by choice from society and Tara's father was suspicious of anything to do with the government, including school. Tara and her five brothers worked mostly in their father's salvage yard and while they said they were home schooled there was no real education involved. As Tara grew older, her dad's fanaticism grew. Her father and one of her brothers was often violent and abusive and she longed to escape.

Brangwain Spurge is an elf who has been nominated to take a rare relic to the goblin world as a gift of "peace" to the goblin ruler. Werfel is a historian in the goblin world and he has been selected to be host to Brangwain during his stay. However, all is not as it seems with this excursion.

A very good companion book to the Outlander series!!!

Lord John Grey--soldier, gentleman, and no mean hand with a blade--fights for his crown, his honor, and his own secrets. Set in the heart of the eighteenth century during the Seven Years' War.

Girl in the Tower continues the tale of Vasilisa. Having saved her village from the Bear (aka Hunger), you'd think the village would appreciate her. Nope. They worry that she is a witch, and blame her for the death of her father. No gratitude.
She has set out to visit her sister who because she is married to a lord is kept in a tower. She dresses as a boy to be able to have more freedom, but does Not cut her hair.

Jack and Annie are ready for their next fantasy adventure in the bestselling middle-grade series - the Magic Tree House!

Where did the tree house come from?

Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark . . . or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . In this powerful novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel tells the story of two World War II concentration camp survivors, the life they build together, and the son who faces struggles of his own as a first generation American determined to be his own person and achieve success.

If you liked Spinning Silver, The Bear and the Nightingale has a similar flavor. Vasilisa is a young girl chaffing at the restrictions for girls in 14th century Russia. Vasilisa is an energetic girl drawn to nature and able to see the sprites that help keep the house and community in balance. Unfortunately, Vasilisa's new stepmother wants to tame her. I loved the infusion of Slavic or Russian mythology/fairytales.

This book was so good, that I read it again, actually, my husband and I took turns reading it to each other. My husband doesn't usually like fantasy, but this title was so well written, he enjoyed it tremendously. I was surprised at some of the things I missed the first time through (when I listened to it). GoodReads listed it as one of the top books of 2018 (actually it is on the top of several of their lists for 2018).

Another hilarious fantasy by Harper. Madrona comes to with no memory of how she got there, she is lying next to a dead faery. Shortly thereafter she is attacked by some goons. She believes she is a superhero, since she can bend time. However, all sorts of people react with fear to her presence. Definite cliffhanger ending though.

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

Bestselling author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka is well known for his popular children’s graphic novel series about a superhero lunch lady. He’s also written and or illustrated more than 30 books for young readers. However, his latest book, a memoir in graphic novel format, was written for an older audience because it deals with serious issues, including the heroin addiction of his mostly absent mother, and an unknown father.

This is a fitting end to this series and I can't wait to see where Ascender goes in the future. All the groups meet up at the planet Mata for one final showdown. It does not go as anyone anticipated. Andy and Tim-21 are finally reunited in a touching moment that doesn't last long. Digger has his moment of glory and heroism. The machines make a surprising move. We will see what the future holds.

Leah is Simon's best friend from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and is just as awesome in her own book as she was in Simon's. Leah is a dealing with a lot. It is senior year and it is filled with college applications and visits, graduation and prom. Leah is also dealing with the fact that she is bisexual and hasn't come out to her friends yet despite the fact that her best friend Simon came out. Her awesome mom knows of course, but no one else. So she is going to prom with Garrett, who likes her even though she doesn't "like" him, and is conflicted about her feelings for Abby.

Five kids are sentenced to a day of community service on their last day of summer vacation before high school. They are spending the day helping out at a local nursing home. Jason "the nobody", Lilith "the drama queen", Rex "the rebel", Wes "the flirt", Ally "the athlete", and Rex "the rebel" are all more than their labels as we find out throughout the day. 

Maddie is a middle school girl who loves mustaches. She always carries a couple in her pocket for just the right moment. Middle school is a typical mix of homework, teachers, mean girls and bullies. Mean girl Cassie rules the girls and decides who is in and who is out. Maddie wants to be one of the in girls but doesn't like the way Cassie treats everyone. When Maddie gets the part of Juliet in the school play things go south with Cassie. Maddie is also dealing with the fact that her arm doesn't seem to be working properly. Turns out she has a brain tumor and has to have surgery.