Mrs. McMahon is looking forward to . . .

I'm so excited that one of the book clubs I'm in has invited author Jess Riley to attend our August book club! Anytime you get a chance to meet an author, it always gives you insight into his/her book. I've met authors of childrens' books, mystery writers, and authors of memoirs . . . they are all wonderful experiences.

For our August book club, we are reading Riley's book Driving Sideways. I haven't started the book yet -- but it's sitting on my nightstand waiting for me to open it! Has anyone out there read this book?

For Staff: What are you currently reading?

I was first introduced to this author when I read The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes. I loved that book and put all of Diane Chamberlain's books on my "to read" list. This book, Before the Storm, is just as good a read as the first Chamberlain book I read. This author has been called the "Sourthern Jodi Picoult," so for all you Picoult fans, I recommend this author!

For Students: What are you reading right now?

Even avid readers love a great book suggestion!

If you have recently read a book you couldn't put down, couldn't stop thinking about, or couldn't believe you were on the last page, tell us about it! Make sure to include the title and author and a brief synopsis -- but don't give away the ending -- Happy Readers Hate That! :)

Middle School Book Club Discussion

Although our book club isn't officially meeting this summer, I did recommend a book that I thought many of you would enjoy: What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell.

For those of you who have had the chance to read it, what did you think?

I felt transported back to 1947 -- everything seemed so romantic. I could just picture the women smoking their cigarettes and the men drinking their scotches while post-war music played in the background.