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The Thursday Night Club
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Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the c
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Kindle Edition, 152 pages
Published
November 18th 2014
by The Story Plant
(first published November 1st 2014)
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Advance review copy provided by author and GR friend Steven Manchester.
Five college friends get together regularly on Thursday nights to hang out, enjoy music, share snacks, play cards, joke and plan harmless pranks. One of the friends, Jesse, shares with them the lessons given to him by his family, lessons about the importance of doing good to other people. When Jesse unexpectedly leaves the group, the four remaining friends are grief-stricken. But, with the help of a wise and caring professor, ...more
Five college friends get together regularly on Thursday nights to hang out, enjoy music, share snacks, play cards, joke and plan harmless pranks. One of the friends, Jesse, shares with them the lessons given to him by his family, lessons about the importance of doing good to other people. When Jesse unexpectedly leaves the group, the four remaining friends are grief-stricken. But, with the help of a wise and caring professor, ...more
When a terrible tragedy takes one member away from the Thursday Night Club, the remaining four college students are left asking why, even as they learn of the many kind deeds their friend always performed without fanfare. Through their grief, they begin to see who their friend was and how they could give meaning to their loss while honoring the generous spirit that has left this world. As part of the healing they make a bet, one quarter, winner take all in a contest to perform an act of kindness
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My review (as published at Read, Run, Ramble):
Thank you to The Story Plant for providing me with an early copy of this book!
Five college friends meet on Thursdays to play cards and hang out. They enjoy college life, each other’s company, and playing pranks on each other. But when tragedy strikes the group is shaken and life begins to teach lessons that no professor or classroom can. What is life all about? Can a life cut short really be a meaningful one – one that matters, even if all it cou ...more
Thank you to The Story Plant for providing me with an early copy of this book!
Five college friends meet on Thursdays to play cards and hang out. They enjoy college life, each other’s company, and playing pranks on each other. But when tragedy strikes the group is shaken and life begins to teach lessons that no professor or classroom can. What is life all about? Can a life cut short really be a meaningful one – one that matters, even if all it cou ...more
Five friends, in their senior year in college, meet every Thursday night, sitting on Izzy and Ava's porch playing cards, talking, teasing each other and making 25¢ bets. Then a fatal accident changes them forever. Jesse was always doing good deeds but never spoke of them. So to honor their friend, they make another 25¢ bet. By Christmas, each of the remaining four needs to complete the kindest deed in Jesse's memory.
A touching story of friendship, love and the realization that altruistic acts wi ...more
A touching story of friendship, love and the realization that altruistic acts wi ...more
Such a heart warming book! Several short stories, all about Christmas and giving. Very much in the true spirit of the season. The author shared this book with me for an honest review. I can honestly say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Exactly what I needed to lift my spirits. The holidays can be a sad time; stress at work, hectic schedules, still feeling sad about recent deaths in the family, just everything. But this book make my heart feel lighter.
This is a story of college friends who experience the loss of a friend. To honor the memory of the friend, they each come up with ways to live a life of caring and compassion. A wonderful and inspirational story to read at Christmas as well as anytime.
What a sweet, little, heart-warming Christmas story!! I loved the cast. I loved the warm feeling of good friends. The plot twist was heart felt and brought tears to my eyes!! This is a short book but sooooo good for my heart.
Well written short novel about a group of college seniors. One of the students dies and the others honor his memory by doing good deeds. Enjoyable, well written, and quick read.
I really enjoyed this book in audio form with a full cast and music. A wonderful Christmas message of the importance in doing a good deed and doing your part to change the world and yourself.
I wish this had been a bit longer.
I enjoyed it for what it was, but it really could have been longer and more in depth. I loved the story and feeling behind it.
I enjoyed it for what it was, but it really could have been longer and more in depth. I loved the story and feeling behind it.
Looking for an exceptional Christmas novel that surpasses your expectations of being more than just a story you read but one that might just change your life? You might want to snuggle up to Steven Manchester's latest novella, The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit. At just around 152 pages, this one can only be found at this time as an eBook, but is one you certainly don't want to miss.
The Thursday Night Club is a group of five college students who get together every Thursday Nigh ...more
The Thursday Night Club is a group of five college students who get together every Thursday Nigh ...more
Book Review: Novella
The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit
By Steven Manchester
Steven Manchester’s mind is a deep well of emotional themes. He has told many wonderful stories and this is no exception. His style weaves poignant messages of hope, faith and love throughout his novels. Each one is a new treasure. Again Steven Manchester has written a beautiful story, its message of what giving selflessly truly means.
With The Thursday Night Club, he has brought together a cast of colleg ...more
The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit
By Steven Manchester
Steven Manchester’s mind is a deep well of emotional themes. He has told many wonderful stories and this is no exception. His style weaves poignant messages of hope, faith and love throughout his novels. Each one is a new treasure. Again Steven Manchester has written a beautiful story, its message of what giving selflessly truly means.
With The Thursday Night Club, he has brought together a cast of colleg ...more
Izzy and Ava host a weekly Thursday Night Club get-together with Jessie Cabral, Ava, Randy and Kevin. They’re College Senior students who work hard at their studies and play just as hard, goofy friends who love nothing better than a good prank on each other, harmless fun that lightens their work load. Some have risen from poverty and are paying their tuition by the skin of their teeth but they don’t focus much on the hardship part of it all. They are loyal to each other and beyond that focusing
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This is a story with meaning at Christmas and year round!
Five college friends have begun their final year. Jesse, Izzy, Ava, Randy and, their regularly late friend, Kevin, meet on Thursday nights to share college life over a meal, card games, songs and laughter. The setting is college sparse, mismatched but cozy. The young people, especially the boys, often challenge each other with pranks. During one night’s banter one of the young men shares wisdom imparted from his grandfather. He asked the y ...more
Five college friends have begun their final year. Jesse, Izzy, Ava, Randy and, their regularly late friend, Kevin, meet on Thursday nights to share college life over a meal, card games, songs and laughter. The setting is college sparse, mismatched but cozy. The young people, especially the boys, often challenge each other with pranks. During one night’s banter one of the young men shares wisdom imparted from his grandfather. He asked the y ...more
The Thursday Night Club are a group of five college friends who meet every Thursday on Izzy and Ava’s front porch to share in good food and the joy of close and happy friendship. They are comfortable and familiar in each other’s company and the light hearted banter shared between them reiterates just how important they are to each other. When tragedy strikes the group, they decide to honour the spirit of their friendship and show just how simple acts of kindness can have a profound effect, not j ...more
Synopsis: "Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are
...more
What happens after five college friends who hang out every Thursday start a typical college journey together but only four will finish that journey? Steven Manchester’s The Thursday Night Club is what happens.
The Thursday Night Club takes you on an exhilarating emotional journey of grief, mortality & the fight to keeping living. You journey along as Izzy, Kevin, Ava, Jesse & Randy whom all love practical jokes take a hard hit. As these college seniors lose one of their own to a car accident. Th ...more
The Thursday Night Club takes you on an exhilarating emotional journey of grief, mortality & the fight to keeping living. You journey along as Izzy, Kevin, Ava, Jesse & Randy whom all love practical jokes take a hard hit. As these college seniors lose one of their own to a car accident. Th ...more
I have read several of the authors novels and enjoyed each and everyone. I am very happy I have also had the chance to read his first novella. This book has everything in it, a diverse group of long time friendships, familiarity, tragedy, heroism, and kindness.
At first I was saddened by the death of one of their friends but that death was not in vain. They learned to take the lessons of their friend and put those lessons into practical use that would last a life time. Their motivations were not ...more
At first I was saddened by the death of one of their friends but that death was not in vain. They learned to take the lessons of their friend and put those lessons into practical use that would last a life time. Their motivations were not ...more
In keeping with his style Steven Manchester did not disappoint with The Thursday Night Club. For me personally I felt the touch of the Christmas spirit more poignant in this book then any other novel. 5 friends, touched by tragedy are encouraged by a professor to not dwell on the tragedy, but rather celebrate the life that was lived.
I often find myself dwelling on my grandma’s passing, and how I wish I had more time to really spend with her. I think I took for granted the last few years of her l ...more
I often find myself dwelling on my grandma’s passing, and how I wish I had more time to really spend with her. I think I took for granted the last few years of her l ...more
Five college friends are at the start of their last year together in school. They meet every Thursday night to play cards, drink beer and fill each other in on their lives. Theirs is a tight bond full of practical jokes and challenges. Then the unthinkable happens, one of them is killed in a tragic accident. As they struggle to make sense of this tragedy, they are challenged to a contest. They have to come up with an idea to make a difference in someone’s life, but it must be anonymous.
This is ...more
This is ...more
Five college friends, who have formed a lot of history together, are settling in, after their final college moves. They gather each week for their “Thursday Night Club” and are ready to begin their last year of school when the unthinkable happens – one of them dies tragically. And the story unfolds ---
A contest is planned, to honor the memory of their friend, and whoever does the greatest or kindest deed wins. They soon discover that when they are helping other people there is no time to dwell o ...more
A contest is planned, to honor the memory of their friend, and whoever does the greatest or kindest deed wins. They soon discover that when they are helping other people there is no time to dwell o ...more
This is the second emotional read for me from this author within the space of a few weeks. He knows how to get the tears flowing.
This is a short read but the author has certainly packed an awful lot into it, and I honestly think it's one of the best short reads I've actually read.
Its a story of five friends, who, as the title suggests, get together on a Thursday Night every week. Suddenly, something happens to one of them, which leaves just four. Rather than just sit back and dwell on what has ...more
This is a short read but the author has certainly packed an awful lot into it, and I honestly think it's one of the best short reads I've actually read.
Its a story of five friends, who, as the title suggests, get together on a Thursday Night every week. Suddenly, something happens to one of them, which leaves just four. Rather than just sit back and dwell on what has ...more
Have you ever loved someone,admired them , but sort of took them for granted. Then when they unexpectedly pass away from life's grasp, you know you should have celebrated them every single day you knew them? It often happens that way and Steven Manchester wrote a story of five friends who experience a great loss....one of their little group. But it turns out this one individual had learned the true meaning of value and worth and had a giving heart.
Manchester produced viable and lovable character ...more
Manchester produced viable and lovable character ...more
If you are looking for a good inspirational Holiday read, look no further. This is a quick read, but there is no lacking for good content in this one. The story does just what it sets out to do and it's an emotional journey.
I'm not going to do a summary of the book because the synopsis does a wonderful job of that and the story it too short to add much without spoiling anything. This story is about what it truly means to have a generous heart and to do things with no expectation of anything in r ...more
I'm not going to do a summary of the book because the synopsis does a wonderful job of that and the story it too short to add much without spoiling anything. This story is about what it truly means to have a generous heart and to do things with no expectation of anything in r ...more
I always feel so honored whenever I receive an email from Steven asking me if I would like to review his books. Immediately I would say yes, because his books are so thoughtful, heartwarming, and tear-jerking, and The Thursday Night Club was just that.
Thoughtful, heartwarming, and tear-jerking.
The book started off light with some humor and of course, it began during the groups usual Thursday night meet ups. It felt quite easy going until the untimely death of one of the groups beloved members. ...more
Thoughtful, heartwarming, and tear-jerking.
The book started off light with some humor and of course, it began during the groups usual Thursday night meet ups. It felt quite easy going until the untimely death of one of the groups beloved members. ...more
I know that the title suggests that this is a Christmas book, but it's really a book that you could read any time of the year. Because the message of the book transcends beyond Christmas. It's a story about hope, generosity, and serving others who are in need.
The story is about a group of college friends. They meet every Thursday night to play cards and talk about life. It had been a tradition of their's for years. However after one of their friends is tragically killed, the group decides they ...more
The story is about a group of college friends. They meet every Thursday night to play cards and talk about life. It had been a tradition of their's for years. However after one of their friends is tragically killed, the group decides they ...more
The Thursday Night Club
By Steven Manchester
2015
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
This novella introduces readers to Jesse Cabral and his friends Izzy, Ava, Randy and Kevin, college seniors who meet weekly on Thursdays to play cards.
Excellent characterizations and dialogue allow readers to be privy to the club as if they are part of the group. Each member’s distinct personality comes across well in their initial bantering and joking, transitioning at the end of chapter three, bringing the ...more
By Steven Manchester
2015
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
This novella introduces readers to Jesse Cabral and his friends Izzy, Ava, Randy and Kevin, college seniors who meet weekly on Thursdays to play cards.
Excellent characterizations and dialogue allow readers to be privy to the club as if they are part of the group. Each member’s distinct personality comes across well in their initial bantering and joking, transitioning at the end of chapter three, bringing the ...more
The Thursday Night Club by Steven Manchester
Wanted to read this book as it's one I've yet to read by the author. All his other works I have totally enjoyed.
Summary of the book makes me think I would join the club... 3 college boys and 2 girls and the guys have agreed to a bet, who is the funniest one there. Some of the pranks are great, took a lot of time and effort and some are tame-filling out job application for one of the other boys.
When tragedy strikes they are reminiscing with a professor ...more
Wanted to read this book as it's one I've yet to read by the author. All his other works I have totally enjoyed.
Summary of the book makes me think I would join the club... 3 college boys and 2 girls and the guys have agreed to a bet, who is the funniest one there. Some of the pranks are great, took a lot of time and effort and some are tame-filling out job application for one of the other boys.
When tragedy strikes they are reminiscing with a professor ...more
Steven Manchester is an author that every time I pick up one of his books I am sure that I will find a touching and loving story. The Thursday Night Club is exactly that. It is a great story of amazing friends that when faced with the loss of a friend steps up and make changes in their lives. I cannot choose my favorite character as each was unique in their own way. Each character had their own history and still manages to make it to college and succeed.
As each character makes their choices, or ...more
As each character makes their choices, or ...more
We Can All Learn to Let Our Lights Shine and Pay it Forward
What a wonderful story! Steven Manchester’s “The Thursday Night Club” is the story of five friends in college who meet every Thursday just to hang out, play cards, chat about school, and enjoy some down time. Come along and venture into the lives of Kevin, Randy, Jesse, Ava, and Izzy and discover the true meaning of friendship. See how out of a tragedy, the friends learn that we all can do good in this world without always having to rece ...more
What a wonderful story! Steven Manchester’s “The Thursday Night Club” is the story of five friends in college who meet every Thursday just to hang out, play cards, chat about school, and enjoy some down time. Come along and venture into the lives of Kevin, Randy, Jesse, Ava, and Izzy and discover the true meaning of friendship. See how out of a tragedy, the friends learn that we all can do good in this world without always having to rece ...more
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Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers, Twelve Months and The Rockin' Chair. He is also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, as well as the critically-acclaimed novel, Pressed Pennies, A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Wilbur Avenue (novella), Just in Time (novella), The Thursday Night Club (novella, released November 2014) and Gooseberry Island (novel, releas
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