MADreads

Paths taken, choices reconsidered
A review of Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

 Sometimes it takes a while for a book to make it onto readers' radar, and if that book has been published in another language, some great authors may never make it onto readers' book lists.  Per Petterson's novel ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on January 24, 2008 | 0 comments

Zookeeper's Wife
A review of The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

 The Zookeeper's Wife tells an unusual story of life in Poland during World War II.  Only this one includes both people and animals.  It is the story of the zookeeping Zabinski family, which includes Jan and his wife Antonina, and their son Rys (short for Ryszard, the ...read more

Reviewed by Mary K. - Central on January 23, 2008 | 0 comments

Three-Ten to the 1950s
A review of Three-Ten to Yuma by Elmore Leonard

 There isn't much to the short stories collected in Three-Ten to Yuma. The title story is over and done in the blink of an eye.  I can see that the elements of the story would make for an exciting ...read more

Reviewed by Jon - Central Library on January 22, 2008 | 0 comments

Austen update
A review of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

 I am not very good at keeping things updated.  Every card I have is pretty much expired all the time; all my computer software is about 4 versions old; and I won't buy any new electronics because frankly, I haven't the heart to learn how to use them. But some things, I like to keep on top of.  And one of those things is tracking down every single new work of fiction that is written--not BY Jane Austen, that would be quite the trick--but that is written in her style and usually set in ...read more

Reviewed by Sarah - Alicia Ashman on January 19, 2008 | 0 comments

Looking for lipstick? Read this.
A review of Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me by Paula Begoun

 I spend a significant part of my day reading book reviews, then deciding if the books are worth buying for the library, whether or not people will check them out, and which libraries would fit best with which books.  Some folks might get tired of reading reviews when the work day is done, but I really enjoy it.  I continue on my quest for assessment when looking for entertainment: reading movie reviews, reviews of television shows, restaurants, hotels and roadside attractions when on ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on January 18, 2008 | 0 comments

Made to be a movie?
A review of The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta

 Tom Perrotta avoids cliche in the set up of The Abstinence Teacher, his newest fiction work about a former addict now evangelical christian and his relationship (will it be ...read more

Reviewed by Liz - Central Library on January 17, 2008 | 0 comments

You be the judge
A review of The Echo Maker by Richard Powers

 The Echo Maker by Richard Powers is one of those books that even a few weeks ...read more

Reviewed by Mary K. - Central on January 15, 2008 | 0 comments

Attempting the gothic
A review of The Keep by Jennifer Egan

 Jennifer Egan's novel, The Keep, is a novel within a novel within a novel.  The novel at the center is an ...read more

Reviewed by Library Staff on January 14, 2008 | 0 comments

Evolution of a reader?
A review of Looking For Alaska by John Green

 I used to read a ton of fiction. Then, it seemed like I hated all of the fiction I brought home from the library. So I started reading nonfiction.  Hardcore, pretty much exclusively, nonfiction only need apply. But then a funny thing happened: I read John Green's ...read more

Reviewed by Sarah - Alicia Ashman on January 12, 2008 | 0 comments

For our freedom and yours
A review of Rising '44 by Norman Davies

 Rising '44: The Battle for Warsaw is an engaging book on a little-known subject.  Toward the end of World War II, Warsaw's underground Home Army began a rising in anticipation of the Soviet Army's arrival.  Unfortunately, the Rising didn't go according to plan.  An action that was ...read more

Reviewed by Jon - Central Library on January 11, 2008 | 0 comments
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