MADreads

Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors

The language of music

Cover of Accordionly: Abuelo and Op
A review of Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music by Michael Genhart

A young boy loves to visit with his Abuelo, who plays accordion in a mariachi band. He also loves to listen to his Opa play accordion in his polka band, yodeling along with the music. But, when Opa and Abuelo meet, there is silence between them. They don’t share a language. Happily, the boy discovers they DO share a language, the universal language of music. Each grandfather shares music from their experience and pretty soon, everyone is singing, playing and dancing together as one big family. 

Posted by on Jan 7, 2022

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Cover of Kingscastle
A review of Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway

A couple of things drew me to this book immediately. One, the cover, yep, I'm shallow like that. And two, the description of the hero/heroine. He's a retired naval captain and she's the put-upon companion to a difficult woman. My favorite Jane Austen novel is Persuasion so this description hit me in my Austen sweet spot. Did it live up to my hopes based on those two enticements? Mostly, though, in ways unexpected.

Posted by Jane J on Jan 6, 2022

Doing what it takes

Cover of The Violin Conspiracy
A review of The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

This is a heist story. It's also an examination of institutional racism in the rarefied world of classical music and of hope and perseverance in a world that doesn't always reward such. Brendan Slocumb, a former principal violinist and concertmaster, manages all of this in a delicate balance of a story that held my attention from first to last pages.

Posted by Jane J on Jan 4, 2022

They mean EVERYTHING

Cover of A Pizza with Everything On
A review of A Pizza with Everything On It by Kyle Scheele

"When your dad owns a pizza shop, you can have whatever kind of pizza you want." This light hearted tale of a father and son's journey to make the PERFECT pizza is sure to please. After a father asks his son what kind of pizza he wants, the young lad informs him that he would like a pizza with EVERYTHING on it. During their quest to make the most out of this world pizza, the father son duo accidentally set off a chain of events that will change the universe forever. This turn of events is sure to melt your brain like warm mozzarella. With perfectly quirky illustrations by Andy J.

Posted by on Dec 30, 2021

When she fell, she bounced back

Cover of Madam: The Biography of Po
A review of Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age by Debby Applegate

If one were to check the wallets of some of 1930s New York more prominent male citizens, it’s likely one would find a business card bearing simply a sketch of a parrot and a phone number. This card might be inscrutable at first glance, but to those in the know, that card would lead to the home of one Polly Adler, New York’s most notorious and successful madam during the city’s hedonistic Jazz Era.

Posted by Katie H on Dec 29, 2021

Alert: cutest animal ever

Cover of Down the Hatch
A review of Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green

This latest installment in the Agatha Raisin series brings Agatha eye-to-eye with the most adorable animal ever: the quokka. Seriously, these creatures are the cutest. They are a small type of wallaby about the size of a cat with a brown face, rounded ears, and what looks like the sweetest smile in the animal kingdom.

Posted by Molly W on Dec 28, 2021

Holiday party gone wrong

Cover of The After Party
A review of The After Party by A. C. Arthur

Three women, colleagues and the kind of sort-of work-friend you make at your job, find their darkest wishes have come true after the company Christmas party. That shocking event forces them to team up in order to avoid at the minimum, unemployment, and at a maximum, prison.

Posted by Jane J on Dec 27, 2021

Magical whimsy

Cover of Chirri & Chirra: The Snowy
A review of Chirri & Chirra: The Snowy Day by Kaya Doi

This magical book by Japanese author/illustrator Kaya Doi and translated by Yuki Kaneko is a must-read. In the third book of the series, twin sisters Chirri & Chirra are back exploring beautiful winter scenery with their animal friends. The story has foxes, bears, birds, goats, and cats. It also has hot springs, delicious food, and creative landscapes. Doi brings us a delightful, unique art style. Her winter wonderland story connects the reader to a magical miniature world with a touch that evokes the same emotions as reading a traditional Japanese children's book.

Posted by on Dec 23, 2021

A very sweet story indeed

Cover of Magic Candies
A review of Magic Candies by Baek Heena, translated by Sophie Bowman

Baek Heena is one of Korea’s most famous picture book authors and artists.She grew up with a vivid imagination and her inner child shines through in her books. She makes a conscious effort in her artwork and storytelling to show the perspectives and emotions of children. You’ll definitely get a sense of awe along with a few giggles reading this book.

Posted by Jody M on Dec 17, 2021

A craving for spaghetti con aglio e olio

Cover of Taste: My Life Through Foo
A review of Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Taste: My Life Through Food is actor and cookbook author Stanley Tucci's culinary autobiography. It makes an excellent gift book for food lovers and is perfect for this time of year. The recipes that frame Stanley Tucci's life are shared lovingly and with an expertise that is inspiring and comforting.  This guy knows his way around the kitchen, the fire pit, the wine cellar, all of it.

Posted by Molly W on Dec 16, 2021

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