Back to top

MADreads

Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors

Influenced by People magazine headlines

Cover of Let Love Rule
A review of Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz

This is partly true. I had been planning to read this book for over a year but it moved to the top of my reading list because I was influenced by the news that Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa had recently split. Let me start by saying that I think Lenny Kravitz is the coolest human living on planet earth today. This book covers the first 25 years of Lenny's life and I'm hoping that by the time a book about the next 25 years is published, Lenny and Lisa will be reun

Feb 1, 2022

The power of story

Cover of Watercress
A review of Watercress by Andrea Wang

Watercress is this year’s winner of the Caldecott Medal for the illustrations by Jason Chin, a Newbery Honor for the writing by Andrea Wang, and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the picture book category. And it deserves all the accolades. It is an outstanding book about the power of story to connect generations and to heal.

Jan 27, 2022

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2022

Cover of New Holocaust Titles
New Holocaust Titles

"Every year around 27 January, UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945.

Jan 25, 2022

Share a tea break

Cover of Chaiwala!
A review of Chaiwala! by Prita Birla Maheshwari

In this beautiful picture book, even the youngest book lovers can appreciate the simple comfort of a satisfying refreshment while on a journey. With vibrant cut-paper collage art, the reader  can be transported to a train station stop in Jaipur, India. Part recipe, part sensory experience, this story is based on the author’s remembrances of visits to India as a child. Told with familiar yet descriptive language, children can delight in re-reading this accessible adventure story, while noticing all of the colors, sounds, smells, actions and tastes of this friendly momentary encounter.

Jan 21, 2022

Does anyone really know what time it is?

Cover of The Verifiers
A review of The Verifiers by Jane Pek

Claudia Lin is living a double life. Her mother and siblings think she's still working a low-level corporate job (found for her by her brother). In reality she's quit that job and taken an entry level investigative position with Veracity; a firm that investigates dating app misbehavior (not showing up for dates, cheating, lying, ghosting, etc). The work in her new job is extremely confidential, but that's not a problem for Claudia who is used to keeping secrets.

Jan 19, 2022

A cut above?

Cover of J. D. and the Great Barber
A review of J. D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard, illustrated by Akeem Roberts

J.D. is this librarian’s new hero. The night before his first day of 3rd grade, his wonderful, well meaning mom gives him a terrible haircut. Facing ridicule and embarrassment at school J.D.  takes the clippers into his own hands, practicing on his little brother and then giving himself his own perfect fade. An artist and comic book lover, he is soon transforming the trims of his entire peewee football team, and drawing some unwanted attention from the local barber who is losing business. But J.D. won’t give up his budding business without a fight. Let the great Barber Battle begin!

Jan 14, 2022

Shaped by our world

Cover of Deep Creek: Finding Hope i
A review of Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston

I am an urbanite to the bone, I like the bustle, noise and plethora of activities available. I do not hike, camp, fish, backpack, etc. because for one insects (one and all) appear to think I am the best buffet they have ever come across. I am allergic to wool (that natural fabric so often used in outdoor life); at best it gives me a rash—at its worst if there are loose fibers floating around, I have come close to not breathing.

Jan 11, 2022

Pages

Subscribe to MADreads