MADreads

Sister, I couldn't finish
a review of Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat

 It's not often that I don't finish a book. But I put this one down one day and never got back to it. I wanted to like it. I've read some of Edwidge Danticat's fiction and loved her lyrical language and her sense of place. But her family history, ...read more

Reviewed by Lisa - Central on December 22, 2008 | 1 comment

It's the most wonderful time of the year


The time when everyone publishes an end-of-the-year list. If the New York Times can do it, why not me? I've really only been keeping track of my reading since July 1, so here are many of the books I've read since then. Brown, Wayne. Landscape with Heron. Insightful vignettes, ...read more

Reviewed by Jon - Central Library on December 21, 2008 | 0 comments

My sleeper hit of 2008

A review of What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn

 British novelist Catherine O'Flynns's ...read more

Reviewed by Katharine - Sequoya on December 18, 2008 | 1 comment

Ghosts in your backyard
A review of Haunted Wisconsin by Michael Norman

 Wisconsin's history of hauntings and spooky stories is rich indeed.  When I was a kid, Haunted Wisconsin by Beth Scott and Michael Norman was THE book to check out from the school library.  It has since been rewritten and reprinted by Michael Norman and is still very popular at the public ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on December 16, 2008 | 0 comments

Feeding the habit
A review of Baring Arms by Jo-Ann Power

 During the presidential campaign I was obsessed.  I watched every scrap of punditry, I read every newspaper article, I spent hours at night catching up on blog posts.  I was a campaign junkie.  So what's an addict to do when she's cut off cold-turkey?  Watch old Sarah Palin clips on YouTube?  Okay, maybe, especially the one with the turkey!  Read about Obama's transition team and quest for a puppy?  Sure.  But none of that quite gets at what I want. What' ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on December 15, 2008 | 0 comments

Listening to read
A review of Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos

 Listening to an audiobook is a great way to "read" a book. A good audiobook can help a long car trip pass quickly, is a good companion on a walk, or while doing chores. They are great for vacations, especially those that can be downloaded and taken along on a portable device. I downloaded several books on my last vacation and the one I enjoyed the most was ...read more

Reviewed by Mary K. - Central on December 12, 2008 | 0 comments

Watch TV, find a great author

A review of Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

 A while back, someone with a good understanding of my obsession with English costume dramas suggested that I watch Cranford, the new PBS/Masterpiece production based in part on Elizabeth Gaskell's novel of the same name.  Having never read anything by ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on December 11, 2008 | 3 comments

The German invasion
A review of Resistance by Owen Sheers

 Award-winning Welch poet Owen Sheers' debut novel, Resistance, is an ...read more

Reviewed by Lesley - Central on December 10, 2008 | 0 comments

Postpartum crime scenes
A review of Novel About My Wife by Emily Perkins

 Many of the books I've read that are considered 'psychological thrillers' are pretty heavy on the thrill and light on the psychology.  Emily Perkins's subtly creepy A Novel about my Wife and Sophie Hannah's poetic page-turner ...read more

Reviewed by Kylee on December 9, 2008 | 0 comments

Gong shows and freak woes
A review of: Skim by Mariko Tamaki

 Mariko Tamaki's two new graphic novels featuring arty biracial punk/Goth girls provide similar glimpses into teen angst. Both novels take place in Canada, in different decades, but could easily be set anywhere and anytime because the plots are so character driven. ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on December 8, 2008 | 1 comment
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