Off The Shelf Reviews Reviews for books you can get off of the library shelf. BY AUBREY HALVERSON
A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas Managing one’s life is a challenge in itself, but while also taking care of three others on top of that, it’s enough to make someone crumble. Feyre, a nineteen-year-old girl, lives out her days providing food, money, clothes, and much more for her father, two older sisters, as well as herself. After her mother’s death, nothing has been the same; her father lost their entire fortune, the four of them struggling to survive each day. But Feyre's fate suddenly changes when she is punished for killing a wolf and must move across the border; the border that separates the humans from the Fae. Separates the predators from the prey. Or that’s what she was told. In this foreign territory, Feyre finds not only friendship but love. something she thought she would never possibly find. However, after the initial excitement wears off, Feyre realizes that there is a curse set on the magical population, one that was cast onto the people by a woman they call Amarantha. Will she be able to save the people she now loves, or will she fail and doom them all? Maas creates an outstanding environment and set of characters that will have you glued to the pages. The story takes you on a wild journey, her vivid details and exciting plot line giving you an all around great experience. But watch out, Maas is skillful in plot twists, sending the story in directions no one can begin to predict. By the end of the three books, or even the first book, you will be shocked at how even the most subtle details can come into play later on in the story, hugely impacting the characters and plot. All in all, this book would reap a five out of five stars and would be highly recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy/adventure books.
Off The Shelf Reviews Reviews for books you can get off of the library shelf.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Imagine that you and your siblings all have a chance to become a powerful ruler. The only catch is that in order to win, you have to kill off your siblings. This is how the world of Mirabella, Katharine, and Arsinoe works. A set of triplets is born every generation, each one possessing a powerful gift and all equal heirs to the crown. They are separated at age six and trained for the day they turn sixteen: the day the battle for power begins. As each day before their birthdays slowly slips away, the stakes grow higher for each one. You begin to wonder… do two actually have to die? I will be honest; I was skeptical of this book at first because it did not necessarily start off with a bang. However, as I continued to read, I kept getting more attached to the characters, constantly changing my mind about who I wanted to win. They each have a unique twist, and author Kendare Blake excellently portrays their personalities and features. It makes you feel as though you have known them since you were little. You are drawn into their struggles of trying to handle their destinies and the lives they want to live at the same time. Plus you can not help but feel sorry for them. Be warned; this book takes a few turns that you will never expect, and the ending will shock you. I myself ranted about it for a good 30 minutes, extremely angry at how I missed the subtle hints Blake so wonderfully hid, knowing that the readers would overlook them. I give this book three and a half out of five stars.
Steamin’ or Freezin’: which is better for you? The differences between hot and cold showers
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Most people do not find taking a freezing cold shower enjoyable, especially in the middle of winter. However, you would be surprised how beneficial a cold shower can actually be. Hot showers are not bad, they actually have their own set of benefits, but cold showers are not all terrible either. Many are aware that hot showers are great for stress relief and stimulate the brain’s release of oxytocin, which can reduce stress and ease anxiety. Also, during the winter our immune systems are repressed by the cold. When people take a hot shower, it can bring up body temperature faster, making it less likely to become sick. Along with this, if someone has a stuffy nose and feels like they can not breathe, taking a hot shower can open up the nasal passages. Lastly, hot showers are known for relaxing tight muscles and helping with soreness and stiffness, which is perfect for athletes after a game or just working out. On the other hand, cold showers can also boost people’s emotional state and physical state. The intense shock of the cold water can send a jolt of electrical impulses from the peripheral nerve endings to the brain, boosting mood and easing depression. Cold showers also make waking up and going to bed easier. Taking a shower in the morning, especially when running behind, can make it easier to get going because the water jolts the body awake. Taking a moderately cool shower before going to bed can lower the body’s temperature, which naturally occurs before you fall asleep, helping one fall and stay asleep. Physically, cold showers are amazing because they speed up muscle recovery and repair, encourage blood circulation, help keep hair and skin healthy, keep pores clean, and also helps build up the immune system. Hot and cold showers clearly have their own benefits and it is up to each individual to decide which rewards are more important. Plus it takes bravery to even try taking a cold shower, but maybe the outcome is worth a few minutes of being uncomfortable.
Conquering The Library Tips on how to find the perfect book.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
I have done several book reviews now, but all have been of books that I have liked. How are you supposed to find a book that suits your interests and makes you want to read? I know exactly what it is like to feel lost when it comes to finding the perfect book to read so here are a few tips on how to find the perfect book. Tip #1: Find a genre of literature you like. If you want to read about intergalactic space battles or aliens invading earth, then browse through the science fiction section. Or maybe you lean more towards the romantic thrillers or comedies. Go with something you are interested in, otherwise there is no point in reading the book. Tip #2: Go with an author you know you like. If you have read a book in the past that you have really liked, try reading another book by that same author. The story will not be identical, but the writing will be similar and hopefully just as intriguing. Tip #3: Find a book with a cover that immediately catches your eye. Now I know the saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” but in reality, most people will turn a book down if it has an uninteresting cover that does not appeal to the them. Hopefully if the cover pulls you in than the story within it will be exciting, however it is not guaranteed. Tip #4: Surprise yourself. Grab a random book off the shelf and start reading. This leaves everything up to chance, which saves you the trouble of searching for a book. Tip #5: Skim over the titles. Titles are meant to hint at what the book is about or is leading up to, so if one catches your eye, grab it and try it out. These tips are not guaranteed to find you the perfect book, but they might lead you in the right direction. So next time you are in the library or at a bookstore, use one of these tips and maybe, just maybe, you will finally find the perfect one.
Student of the month: January
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Most people know Ahna Fox, January’s student of the month, as the gullible and lovable sophomore who made it onto the tournament team for volleyball, plays tennis, and swims. What most people do not know is that she is also an Interact member, which is part of the Rotary Club, a 2015/2016 NWMT Pro Rodeo Princess, a 4.0 student, and also one of the national competitions for the 2015 National History Day competition. Not many girls can say that they have been or are a rodeo princess. Ahna has though, as she has always had a love for horses and rodeos. “When I was little I wanted to be a professional barrel racer or just a cowgirl.” However, as she got older she started to find new interests, as Fox is someone who is always trying new things. “Now I want to go into either journalism or law. I don’t really know yet.” It is not always easy managing all of these activities. “I have to say no to participating in an event sometimes because I often find myself with a stressful week or weekend. I stay up late a lot doing homework which is not the best thing to do, but I get it done. I definitely do the things I love to do more and leave out the less fun activities.” Without a good support system, Ahna probably would not be able to survive her schedule. “My family is my biggest support system and I don't know where I would be without my dad, mom, and sometimes my sister. They encourage me and always keep me on the right track following my dreams. My closest friends at school, Zoe, Jackie, and Hailey are always there to laugh with and they make the school days go by faster.” Besides for being such a busy person, Ahna hopes to be remembered as someone who is “smart and funny. I already know I will be known as gullible, but I always somehow bring it upon myself. I want to be remembered as someone who people like to be around and a girl that loves sports and horses.” She also wants to be remembered for her positivity like her advice. “Just be yourself and don't live to impress others. When you put on a fake face or personality, you have to live up to an expectation of what you are supposed to be like. I encourage people to try new things that are out of their comfort zone. Swim team and tennis where last minute commitments and I have made so many good friends and memories from them.”
Conquering The Library Tips on how to find the perfect book.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
I have done several book reviews now, but all have been of books that I have liked. How are you supposed to find a book that suits your interests and makes you want to read? I know exactly what it is like to feel lost when it comes to finding the perfect book to read so here are a few tips on how to find the perfect book. Tip #1: Find a genre of literature you like. If you want to read about intergalactic space battles or aliens invading earth, then browse through the science fiction section. Or maybe you lean more towards the romantic thrillers or comedies. Go with something you are interested in, otherwise there is no point in reading the book. Tip #2: Go with an author you know you like. If you have read a book in the past that you have really liked, try reading another book by that same author. The story will not be identical, but the writing will be similar and hopefully just as intriguing. Tip #3: Find a book with a cover that immediately catches your eye. Now I know the saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” but in reality, most people will turn a book down if it has an uninteresting cover that does not appeal to the them. Hopefully if the cover pulls you in than the story within it will be exciting, however it is not guaranteed. Tip #4: Surprise yourself. Grab a random book off the shelf and start reading. This leaves everything up to chance, which saves you the trouble of searching for a book. Tip #5: Skim over the titles. Titles are meant to hint at what the book is about or is leading up to, so if one catches your eye, grab it and try it out. These tips are not guaranteed to find you the perfect book, but they might lead you in the right direction. So next time you are in the library or at a bookstore, use one of these tips and maybe, just maybe, you will finally find the perfect one.
Off The Shelf Reviews Reviews for books you can get off the library shelf.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Imagine if you got a paper cut or you scraped your knee and you started to bleed; the catch is that instead of dark red your blood was silver. Mare Barrow lives in a world where the people are classified by blood. You are either a lowly red like Mare and her family, or you are a silver who has supernatural powers and are treated like gods. Mare’s best friend, another Red named Kilorn, is conscripted into the army, making Mare chance everything. This leads her to the royal palace, but she finds more there than she was bargaining for. Mare, like the Silver’s, has a special power that she did not know about until now. In a desperate attempt to keep her family safe she is forced to go along with the king’s plan to try and cover up the incident. The book Red Queen follows Mare as she masquerades as a lost Silver princess and how her new position is put at risk when she is drawn to aid the Scarlet guard, the leaders of a Red rebellion. Will Mare’s secret be revealed? Are there more Red’s like her? Be prepared, this book is going to take you for a ride. It will make you want to read through the night. The author, Victoria Aveyard, is able to completely capture you in the story and sends your mind reeling, taking many twists and turns you were not expecting. The characters are easy to build a connection to and even though not all the characters are good, Aveyard makes them all relatable and flawed. They are perfectly imperfect like a normal human being. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy/adventure books and for anyone that loves the Young Elites novel by Marie Lu. All in all I would give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars as it includes everything I look for in an exciting novel.
Student of the Month: December
BY AUBREY HALVERSON Olivia Martel, the December student of the month, is an outgoing junior who participates in two choirs and BPCT shows. Martel has loved acting and singing ever since she was little, as she has “always wanted to be a singer” and would “love to go into musical theater.” Her favorite actress, Jessie Mueller, inspires her to keep following her dream and, one day, she hopes to meet her. To be in musical theater, you have to be outgoing, which Martel says she tries to be as much as possible. However, being outgoing is very difficult for people and sometimes people get nervous or stressed out. “I have two ways to deal with nervousness or stress. When I’m stressed because of school, I make a check list. That helps me get organized and settles me down. When I’m nervous for a show, or right before I go onstage, I jump. I know it sounds silly, but jumping up and down gets the jitters out.” She also surrounds herself with people who support her. “My family is extremely important to me. They have always told me that I can do anything if I work really hard and persevere through obstacles.” Martel tries to pass on this message, and the best advice she could give you is “to persevere through challenges. We all have our own obstacles, it’s how we overcome them that matters.” Her career is not all that she thinks about for the future. Martel hopes to travel especially to Australia because she has “always wanted to go,” and she wants to visit Disney World. She also wants to be remembered as someone who “is kind and willing to help”. She has already started leaving this impression on the kids that are in the upcoming play, Pinocchio - No Strings Attached, because she is the choreographer and is constantly helping out the children.
Student of the Month: November
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Xiaoxiao Strong, the November student of the month, is a fun and enthusiastic senior. Besides being an exemplary tennis player and cross country runner she participates in culinary, plays violin and also the ukulele. With all of these activities on her plate stress can be an issue. “I deal with stress by taking a nap if I can because, in my opinion, you can never get enough sleep, but if I’m not sleeping I watch tv or jam out on my ukulele.” Strong said. She also added that she deals with peer pressure by “separating myself from the issue and try to just stick to who I am as a person.” Sticking to who she is as a person is sticking to her determination and positive view towards life. She sets goals for herself, as she hopes to graduate from college as well as travel in the future and she is determined to continue to be a confident and happy person throughout life. “I want people to remember me as a genuine and happy person.” said Strong. Strong is not interested in celebrities because “celebrities are not that important... I am grateful to some of them for sharing their talent with the world and I think it would be cool to see a celebrity from afar but I don't feel the need to meet one.” Strong shared the best advice she has ever received from Treza saying “There is a you after the test.” “Often times I become so fixated, so tunnel visioned, on certain moments in life such as an upcoming test, running a race, or going to college that I become overwhelmed by a pressure not to fail. What I forget though is that even if the outcome is not as I had hoped, it does not define me and who I am because in the end, there is ‘a me after the test’ and life goes on.”
Student of the Month: October
BY: AUBREY HALVERSON
Reuben Hubbard, a witty and fun loving junior, was voted student of the month for October. When he is not coming up with terrible, however funny, puns with his friends, he participates in concert band, jazz band, speech and debate, and also Dungeons and Dragons. Hubbard, who is driven by his curiosity, has always been interested in traveling the world. “If I was ever given a million dollars I would drop out of school and buy myself high end film equipment, going to foreign countries and documenting my travels.” said Hubbard without any hesitation. “I can see myself getting lost in Bhutan someday,” He stated with no further explanation as to why. This interest in traveling to foreign countries, especially Asia, shows Hubbard’s adventurous side, the side where he chooses to leave behind the seriousness of school and jobs and to just live. Aside from his independence, he wants to be remembered as someone who was fun to spend time with, and also as someone who was an adventurer, as someone who was always doing something. But how does he handle his life right now? When questioned about peer pressure and stress, Hubbard did not have a lot to say. “The only thing I can say about peer pressure is that you need to surround yourself with people who won’t pressure you. And as for stress, I play a videogame called Binding of Isaac.” The best piece of advice he has received is don’t waste your time doing things you don’t enjoy.”
Playing Up Josephine Howlett talks about playing on the JV volleyball team.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Being a freshmen is scary enough as it is because you are thrown into the traumatizing world of high schoolers, but playing on a team with the upperclassmen adds even more anxiety. Josephine Howlett, a freshman volleyball player, has had the opportunity to swing up and play on the junior varsity team in addition to the freshmen team. Doing something for the first time is always scary, anyone can tell you that. Josephine agreed saying “It was intimidating at first and I didn’t feel comfortable talking with some of the players, but they are almost all of the time nice and encouraging. I feel included in practice and also on the bus when we travel.” However, Josephine did add that she “waits for someone to ask for her to sit by them or warm up with them because she doesn’t want to intrude.” It is not just the people she plays with that are different. As Josephine says “It’s not too different from freshman besides having harder competition.” If you watch a JV volleyball game, you can instantly notice the higher intensity from the game and players. This and “having older role models to look up to and strive to be” is Josephine’s favorite thing about playing up. “It’s a lot of work, but I feel like I have learned a lot and I feel at home in both practices.” Josephine admitted. Playing up onto a higher level team is also a huge responsibility because you have to manage school, homework, and sports. She goes from school directly to the JV/Varsity practice and then to the freshmen practice, adding up to seven hours of school and four hours of practice a day (usually). Someone with this much going on has to have really good time management skills. “Luckily I have a study hall, and if I don’t finish my work then or in class, then I cram it in at night or when I’m getting ready in the morning.” Josephine said.
Off the Shelf Reviews Reviews for books you can get from the library.
BY AUBREY HALVERSON
Finding the right book to read can be harder than it seems, turning your five minute library stop into a thirty minute browsing. That’s why I’m here to help. I spend my free time reading and I have always wanted a way to spread my love for books. So, I thought, why not a book review?
An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
An Ember In The Ashes is a fantasy book like no other. Yes it has one of those overrated love triangles, but the story encases you in adventure and excitement. The book starts out with Laia, a normal girl whose life changes the night her brother is arrested by the Empire for treason. The only way to get him back is to make a deal with the rebels; they will rescue the boy as long as Laia agrees to spy for them in the most dangerous place possible, the greatest military academy in the Empire. There she meets Elias, the soldier prodigy, and falls in love (of course). As the book progresses, Laia puts her life at risk even more, getting on the bad side of high authority figures and Elias can not always protect her. All in all I give this book a solid four out of five stars. It is one of my favorites because Sabaa Tahir is a skilled author who keeps you on your toes. As the famous author Marie Lu said, “ [It is] an explosive, heartbreaking, epic debut that will keep you glued to the pages.”