MADreads

Ipswich lace and the witches of Salem
A review of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

 I've heard of fortune telling by reading tea leaves, palms, tarot cards, crystal balls and Ouija boards, but reading patterns in lace is new to me.  The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry features the Whitney women of Salem and their psychic ability to read lace.  This talent is complex--not only ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on September 3, 2008 | 3 comments

Absolutely a YA standout

A review of Absolute Brightness by James Lecesne

 Absolute Brightness was recommended to me by my niece, a ferocious reader, who once read  ...read more

Reviewed by Katharine - Sequoya on September 2, 2008 | 2 comments

Fearlessly formulaic?
A review of Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

 Who would have thought that a series that seemed so creative and innovative when Janet Evanovich wrote  ...read more

Reviewed by Mary K. - Central on August 29, 2008 | 0 comments

Just the thing
A review of A Much Married Man by Nicholas Coleridge

 There's nothing like a good British soap opera/social comedy.  Especially in the summer.  Nicholas Coleridge's ...read more

Reviewed by Lisa - Central on August 28, 2008 | 1 comment

Graphic essentials
A review of 500 Esssential Graphic Novels by Gene Kannenberg

 Gene Kannenberg, Jr. has compiled a book containing what he calls the 500 Essential Graphic Novels : The Ultimate Guide.  Now that's the sort of inflated title that's just begging to be punctured once or twice.  Kannenberg even helps by admitting upfront that the phrase "graphic ...read more

Reviewed by Dennis - Central on August 27, 2008 | 0 comments

Isle reading
A review of Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins

 I feel like I'm going to write a back-to-school report entitled "What I Read on My Summer Vacation".  I'm just back from a trip to Isle Royale National Park and since the island has no tv, telephone, computer, or radio, there was time to read in the evening after hiking all day. First up was ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on August 26, 2008 | 0 comments

Orphans tales
A review of In The Night Garden by Catherynne M Valente

 Reminiscent of Scheherezade and her need to tell a story in order to live one more night, The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden begins with an orphan with no name or history telling stories to the son of the Sultan.  ...read more

Reviewed by Liz - Alicia Ashman on August 25, 2008 | 0 comments

A photo is always better than a photocopy
A review of Generation Loss by Elizabeth Hand

 According to Wikipedia, generation loss is "anything that reduces the quality of the representation when copying, and would cause further reduction in quality on making a copy of the copy".  After reading Elizabeth Hand's book  ...read more

Reviewed by Kylee on August 22, 2008 | 0 comments

Loose? Or just lost?
A review of Loose Girl by Kerry Cohen

 Mamma Mia! the popular stage musical and now feature film starring Meryl Streep celebrates feminism and sexual liberation in such a playful, entertaining way that many moviegoers might not even think much about it. Meryl's character cavorts with her middle-aged pals and frets over her daughter finding out that she slept with three different men the summer that her daughter was conceived. Everyone is dancing, everyone ends up happy, no harm ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on August 21, 2008 | 2 comments

Noz, patzers and ganefs
A review of The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

 "These are strange times to be a Jew." That's a common refrain in the Federal Districk of Sitka, Alaska.   After losing the war to the Palestinians, European Jews settled on the frigid coast of Alaska, left to fend for themselves for 60 years.  But the district is about to revert to Alaskan jurisdiction, and three milion Jews have started the long, uncertain journey in search of a new homeland.  Detective (noz) Meyer Landsman should be ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on August 20, 2008 | 0 comments
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