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Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors

The novel that was meant to be

Cover of The Man Who Lived Undergro
A review of The Man Who Lived Underground: A Novel by Richard Wright

This novel is a spectacular case of righting a decades-old wrong in publishing. Richard Wright wrote The Man Who Lived Underground nearly 80 years ago and it was partially published as a short story. Wright believed it to be his most authentic work and desired to have the novel published in its entirety. This did not happen during his lifetime but thanks to the Library of America and Penguin Random House, readers have access to the full work as well as an essay that provides essential background information called "Memories of My Grandmother."

Apr 26, 2022

Expanding your horizons

Cover of The Sea in Winter
A review of The Sea in Winter by Christine Day

Twelve year old Maisie Cannon is all about ballet. But now, after an accident and surgery, she is recovering rather than dancing. And all is not well. Her grades are slipping, she is growing distanced from her friends, and she is being uncharacteristically snippy with her family. All that Maisie wants is to get back to dancing. While on a family trip to the Olympic Peninsula, Maisie learns about her Native heritage as well as about some of her own personal family history. And that it is ok to ask for help.

Apr 25, 2022

Heart and depth

Cover of It's Not Like it's a Secre
A review of It's Not Like it's a Secret by Misa Sugira

I tried it, and I liked it! I’m not usually into angsty teen romance novels, but Sugiura provides plenty of layers to this one. Sana is discovering her sexual identity (lesbian), she is discovering her father’s infidelity (he is having an affair of sorts), and at the same time she is struggling with her peers’ racism (she is of Japanese descent), and her own racism (she falls for a Latina girl at her high school and stumbles with her own preconceived beliefs).

Apr 19, 2022

Animals, they're just like us

Cover of We All Play = Kimêtawâ
A review of We All Play = Kimêtawânaw by Julie Flett

Kimêtawânaw! We all play! Animals hide, peek, swim, chase, wiggle, and yawn in this gorgeously illustrated book by Cree-Meetis author, illustrator, and artist Julie Flett. And we play too! Children follow along with the fun, running and rolling in fields, climbing up snowy hills with their sleds, and winding down for a nap at the end of the book.

Apr 18, 2022

Do we ever really know?

Cover of More Than You'll Ever Know
A review of More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez

Freelance writer Cassie Bowman's specialty is true crime and she is used to murder cases involving husbands who kill their wives, or even wives who killed their husbands. Having done this kind of investigative writing for a few years, it takes a bit to surprise her. When she comes across a news article about a woman who was not only a bigamist but a widow after one of the husbands killed the other in 1985. Cassie knows if she can get Delores "Lore" Rivera to agree to talk with her for an article, it could make her career.

Apr 14, 2022

Reading that sparkles

Cover of Bunbun and Bonbon
A review of Bunbun and Bonbon by Jess Keating

Adorable Bunbun looks for a friend and finds the perfect companion in sugary Bonbon. They have a lot in common including their ability to hop, their positive outlook on life and their love of all things fancy. Their adventures include picnics, wearing costumes, eating donuts and super sparkly fun times meeting new friends. There's no limit to the kindness and helpful ways of this vibrant duo and I hope they star in many more books. For now, there are three:

Apr 11, 2022

Finding her way home

Cover of The Beatryce Prophecy
A review of The Beatryce Prophecy written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

This realistic fairy tale follows Beatryce, a young girl with no memory of who she is and being hunted by the king because of a prophecy that she will unseat him, as she threads together a small band of allies with the strength of her love and courage. These friends include a very disagreeable goat, Answelica, a timid and kind monk, Brother Edik, an adventurous errand boy, Jack Dory, and a mysterious sage, Cannoc.

Apr 8, 2022

Stylish noir

Cover of Tangerine
A review of Tangerine by Christine Mangan

If you need a break from the damp, chill, gray days of early Wisconsin spring (and at this point, who doesn't?), here's your chance to escape to hot, sunny 1950s Tangier in Christine Mangan's Tangerine.

Apr 7, 2022

Sweet Anticipation for April 2022

Sweet Anticipation graphic for April
New Releases for April

It’s spring(ish) time, and time to turn thoughts to new beginnings. Publishers relish this time of year, as April marks the start of the big push to for new titles. This year is no different, and along with a lot of familiar names, there are plenty of new authors who have been waiting, after the ups and downs of the pandemic years, to see readers back in bookstores and libraries to discover their new works.

Apr 5, 2022

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