MADreads

Posts by Molly W

I'd listen any time

Cover of Thank You for Listening:
A review of Thank You for Listening: A Novel by Julia Whelan

Do you wonder about art imitating life when it comes to writers and fiction? Popular audiobook narrator and actress Julia Whelan's new novel is about a famous audiobook narrator and actress named Sewanee Chester whose next project pairs her with another famous audiobook narrator named Brock McNight and all of it feels very real. Things start out with an industry convention in Las Vegas that is almost identical to a library or book industry conference. The author panels, the publisher booths and exhibit hall are exactly the same. I can attest to that.

Posted by Molly W on Dec 6, 2022

Eyes that rise to the skies and speak to the stars

Cover of Eyes that Speak to the Sta
A review of Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho

A boy returns from school hurt that a friend drew a picture of their group and he has eyes like two lines stretched across his face. The others have big, round eyes with green, blue, brown or black irises. His Baba stood him in front of a mirror and said, “Your eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars. The comets and constellations show you their secrets, and your eyes can foresee the future.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 26, 2022

Determined to secure a fortune at any cost

Cover of A Lady's Guide to Fortune
A review of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

Well-bred Lady Kitty Talbot must secure a fortune in twelve weeks in order to save her family’s country home, pay off her father's crippling debt and provide for her four younger sisters. She’s unapologetically ambitious and unwilling to risk the alternative. It’s not easy being forever responsible and she cannot waiver in her plan to save her family from ruin. She’s basically the best older sister ever.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 12, 2022

Rom-com retelling of Disney's Cinderella

Cover of If the Shoe Fits
A review of If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

If the Shoe Fits is the first in the new “Meant to Be” series for adults inspired by classic fairy tales. What was “meant to be” in a Disney-way is now updated for modern sensibilities and women who aren’t waiting around for a Prince or Princess Charming. If they find one along the way, cool, but their lives are pretty awesome as is.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 4, 2022

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it*

Cover of The Memory Librarian: And
A review of The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

Inspired by the author's critically acclaimed album Dirty Computer, this Afrofuturistic collection of five connected stories center around a woman named Jane 57821 who is looking for refuge from the world of the Dirty Computer. The Dirty Computer is what society views as human imperfection, tainted by memory, emotion, and time.

Posted by Molly W on Aug 24, 2022

Watch out for the gooseberry pie

Cover of Miss Butterworth and the M
A review of Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron: A Graphic Novel by Julia Quinn

This graphic novel companion to the Bridgerton series is an absolute delight - candy for the mind and soul. I don't mean that in the empty calories and high fructose corn syrup way. I mean that in the irresistible way that fresh saltwater taffy, or homemade fudge, or hand dipped chocolate candy overwhelms the senses, and for me, is perfection. Sweet as honey combined with buttery brickle. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Posted by Molly W on Aug 16, 2022

Dancing with the dead

Cover of The Dead Romantics
A review of The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Florence Day is a ghost writer for one of the most famous romance authors in the industry and finds herself stuck after a bad breakup. She believes love is dead and the inspiration to write has vanished. Yet, she cannot shake the dead, because she also sees and communicates with ghosts, no matter how hard she tries to ignore them. So, you have a ghost writer who sees ghosts and believes love is dead even though the dead are present all around her. Are you following all this?

Posted by Molly W on Aug 8, 2022

The oldest of five daughters

Cover of Amal Unbound
A review of Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

Amal is the smartest student in her Pakistani village with the best grades, highest scores, and a desire to become a teacher. Her family is in crisis after the birth of a fifth daughter and Amal struggles to care for her younger sisters, complete homework, and help around the house while her mother recovers. Well aware of how she's treated differently because she's a girl, Amal wants another kind of life for herself. She misses school and her classmates and especially her best friend, Omar.

Posted by Molly W on Jul 25, 2022

Pages