MADreads

Murder most discussible
Mystery Group Reads

I haven't reported in a while about what our mystery book group has been reading. We're meeting currently at the South Madison branch on the second Thursday of the month, but will switch back to the new central library (so exciting!) in October. The best thing about a book discussion group is hearing the different reactions to a book. Our last three titles were variously not-liked, liked, loved and a range of things in-between - which makes them all good choices for your book discussion group. ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on May 22, 2013 | 0 comments

If you are at all into food, here's a delicious one
A review of Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley

 Lucy Knisley loves food.  Hey, me, too!  So I couldn't wait to read this new graphic novel from the author of French Milk.  It's a collection of vignettes and happy, Technicolor graphics about Lucy's life with food.  Her mother is a chef and her father is a gourmet, so her relationship with food is certainly rich and delicious.  She shares her special food memories from childhood and adolescence ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on May 21, 2013 | 0 comments

Doing the right thing
A review of The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls

 Although I don't read as many galleys as some of my coworkers, I was excited to learn that I could read the galley of Jeannette Walls' new book. For a book group I had read her true-life novel Half Broke Horses, which I really enjoyed and many people have recommended her memoir, The Glass Castle. Her new novel ...read more

Reviewed by Kathy K. - Central on May 17, 2013 | 0 comments

Painting from the heart
A review of Just Behave Pablo Picasso by Jonah Winter

 If you are looking for a book that reinforces following your heart, this is it. Pablo Picasso has a natural ability for painting, and people love his “rose-colored paintings.” He makes a very good living painting them. However, he is bored to tears and doesn’t care about making a living, he longs to paint something different. After viewing an art exhibit featuring African masks, he begins painting in an abstract manner and creates his famous painting,“Les Desmoiselles d’Avignon.” It is so ...read more

Reviewed by Lesley K on May 17, 2013 | 0 comments
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Worlds of the rich and crazy
A review of Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

 This book is a trip, literally and figuratively. Crazy Rich Asians takes you into the world of the crazily rich families who make up the Singapore elite. These people are wealthy beyond my imagining and I loved delving into this wild world.  Nick Young and Rachel Chu have been dating for a while now and Nick has talked Rachel into flying with him to Singapore for a family wedding. He wants her to meet everyone. Rachel is thrilled to meet the family of her handsome, professor ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on May 15, 2013 | 0 comments

Spring reading
Staff Reads

It's been a while since I've touched base with some of the staff about what they've been reading. So today's the day. Molly has been really obsessed with happy/pretty kid's graphic novels lately, in particular Chi's Sweet Home by Kanata Konami and Hildafolk by Luke Pearson. Jaime's ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on May 14, 2013 | 0 comments

Food matters
Award Winning Cookbooks

Looking for a new recipe to try? Then check out the winners of the 2013 James Beard Foundation Book Awards. Cookbook of the Year: Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America by Maricel E. Presilla American Cooking: Mastering the Art of Southern ...read more

Reviewed by Kathy K. - Central on May 13, 2013 | 0 comments

Who needs everything?
A review of Mole Had Everything by Jamison Odone

 Mole thought he had everything he needed. That is, until his good friend Emerson stops by for tea and points out the he only has one cup. Mole sets out on a mission to acquire "everything." But once he finds it and brings it home, will it truly make him happy? With soft illustrations and short, easily digestible text, this is the perfect book for kids who really do have everything and may need a gentle reminder. ...read more

Reviewed by Krissy on May 10, 2013 | 0 comments

More hot pink superheroes, please
A review of Who is AC? by Hope Larson and Tintin Pantoja

 All of Hope Larson's books feature strong female characters, dreamy/magical elements and cool artwork. Her latest graphic novel is somewhat different from her previous works, Gray Horses, Chiggers, and Mercury in that it's about a teenage superhero and illustrated by ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on May 9, 2013 | 0 comments

Edgars announced
Year's Best Mysteries by

The Edgar Award winners were announced on May 2nd and I'll admit to being surprised especially by the Best Novel winner. Not that Dennis Lehane isn't very deserving. He's a great writer. But he beat out the literary phenom known as Gone Girl (which ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on May 7, 2013 | 1 comment
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Katharine on Edgars announced
Totally agree with The Last
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Thanks! I also loved Carlo -
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You caught the essence of
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That is sad.  RIP, Ivan. 

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