Destination Unknown

Title: Destination Unknown
Author: Amy Clipston

     Whitney Richards is now a senior in high school. She feels the pressure to commit to a college and to continue being a straight A student. She begins to struggle in calculus. After her parents hire a tutor, she is furious. At first she hates being tutored, but she soon finds friendship in Taylor, the tutor. As she struggles to figure out who she is, Taylor is there by her side to listen when she needs to talk. He encourages her to seek God when she is confused and unsure.
     I love how the author Amy Clipston showed that prayer can solve our problems. The book was definitely relatable and intriguing. I would definitely recommend this book to people in the future.

Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Cassie Faber

Passed and Present

Title: Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive
Author: Allison Gilbert

A unique book to help people who are grieving over the loss of someone special . . . to find the best ways in which to preserve their memories.

Non-Fiction: rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman

Last One Home

Title: Last One Home
Author: Debbie Macomber

     Three estranged sisters reconnect after many years apart and reveal secrets that each has kept all those years.
     Very interesting information about Habitat for Humanity is woven into the story since one of the sisters is waiting to receive such a home after she completes her volunteer hours with Habitat.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Pat S.

"Hello, My Name Is Doris"

Title: "Hello, My Name Is Doris" (DVD)
Main Actor: Sally Fields

A light-hearted fun movie that keeps you laughing. Doris has spent her adult life caring for her mother. After her mother passes away, Doris has an epiphany and starts pursuing a new younger male co-worker. She turns from a "frumpy old-maid" to a "wild woman" with many fantasies.

Rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous

The Quest

Title: The Quest
Author: Nelson DeMille

Two male journalists and a female photographer are covering the Ethiopian Civil War. They find a dying priest who claims to have seen the Holy Grail, Christ's cup from the Last Supper. He gives them some clues before he dies and they are determined to go on a quest to find it. What ensues is quite an "adventure" where they encounter murderous tribes and deadly assassins and fear for their lives more than once. The book was a bit long but it does hold your interest to see what happens next.

Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous

Return to the Isle of the Lost

Title: Return to the Isle of the Lost
Author: Melissa de la Cruz

     This book is a sequel to The Isle of the Lost. In the previous book, four children whose parents are villains were sent to Aurodon, the land of the good characters. They defeated Maleficent and finally began adjusting to the life of being good. Now as they live their happy lives, they are all given threats that if they do not return to the Isle of the Lost something bad will happen. They become worried that their parents are up to no good again. They team up to try to solve the mysterious notes and discover more than they imagined.
     I love Melissa de la Cruz's creative thinking. She really expands the classic fairytales into one amazing world. I am excited to read future books and watch the upcoming movies.

Fiction; rated 3.5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Cassie Faber

Here's to Us

Title: Here's to Us
Author: Elin Hilderbrand

This book is about a family reunion of sorts, when the characters gather to remember their Dad, husband, and friend after he passes away.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.