When Angela Bricker walked into the Brighton High library carrying a thick binder stuffed with research and notes, students didn’t just meet an author, they encountered the long, determined process behind her published book, “The Silent Canary.”

Bricker visited Brighton’s book club to discuss her World War I historical fiction novel based on the 1918 Chilwell, England ammunition factory explosion and instead of offering a polished talk, she invited students to flip through her binder that included characters’ back stories, life events, personality traits and local World War I history and events.

“With Angela’s presentation, she focused on the full writing process she underwent to get that title published,” said librarian Marissa Merket, who said Bricker spent 10 years building her story and has a sequel planned. “From the topic idea to building her characters thoroughly, to having multiple drafts read and reviewed, to adding a character during one of last drafts. She brought a lot of humanity to her experience and publishing success.”

Merket said sharing the binder as well as her journey gave students an inside look to being an author.

Senior Mary Ann Jensen, who helped bring Bricker to campus after connecting with her through the Bookstagram community, has penned and illustrated books since she was 11, so hearing her speak made a real connection.

“‘The Silent Canary’ is her first book and it’s one of the best books I have ever read,” Jensen said. “Being an author and hearing an author speak about her book, her journey, how she made her book happen is inspirational and helps me to know that I can do the same.” 

Other students appreciated the chance to have an honest conversation with the writer.

“I actually thought it was fun to mention some of the things maybe that weren’t my favorite to Angela and she was so kind and so understanding,” said junior Lillian Smith. “Being able to talk it out with the author, I almost feel like I liked some of those choices more and I connected with the book a little better after understanding how she wrote it and why she wrote it the way she did. That's not something you can get without meeting the author.”

Freshman Xandrie Wilcox, who has an interest in pursuing writing, said talking with Bricker helped put the journey in perspective.

“Hearing her process and realizing that it took her 10 years, but she persevered that whole time kind of helped me realize that I don't need to rush it,” she said.

Senior Percy Pew appreciated meeting the person behind the words.

“Books are a reflection of the person who made them and there are a lot of values and dreams of the person in the book,” he said.

The author’s visit is part of the mission of Brighton’s book club — to build friendships while strengthening critical thinking. That draw is what pulled in Iszabella Vangale.

“I just like to read, and I like the community aspect of it,” she said.

At the start of the year, 93 students signed up and through monthly meetings, discussions are paired with themed activities tied to each book’s setting or ideas. The titles have ranged from Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

“The best advantage of being in a book club is the opportunity to discuss and critically analyze the book you are reading with others,” Merket said. “With generative AI being used more and more, we need to push our brains to critically think and analyze the media we are consuming. Whenever you read something, take every opportunity to write or at least talk about the topic. The ease of generative AI is robbing us of our cognitive functioning.”