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Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors
Marriage of convenience plots are a not-uncommon trope in the romance genre, but generally they work a bit better in historical romances (where marriage for practical purposes just feels more possible). In contemporary novels the MOC usually comes about from a couple of scenarios; either there's an inheritance at stake or someone needs to gain a green card. With Roomies, we're talking about the second scenario and it mostly works.
Two siblings enjoy messy, active play all day long and then finish up the day with supper, a bath and a cozy bedtime routine. This story is told in the most mouth-pleasing rhythmic onomatopoeia that I’ve encountered in a long time.
This book gave my 2018 reading log a jolt! The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller of extreme paranoia, psychosis, medication and wine. These elements combined are dangerous for the characters in the novel and, as I was describing the book to a colleague, I felt drunken and off-balance while reading it.
Two college students are forced off a road and over an embankment by someone driving an old- fashioned hearse. One girl (Janie Rose) is killed, the other (Charlie Delaney) is seriously injured.
May and June are the big months for summer publishing, with most top-selling authors getting their works out just as school vacation begins and leisure reading begin in earnest (at least in theory). But April serves as a kind of sweet spot for publishers—early enough to avoid overshadowing by the big name authors, but still close to the golden summer sales period to establish buzz and perhaps snag a spot on the bestseller lists. Here are the highlights:
Melissa Rivers and Scott Currie compiled this phenomenal tribute book to Joan Rivers. It's a massive tome, coffee-table-sized, 336 pages, and approximately five pounds full of the queen of comedy's memorabilia organized by decade. Scrapbook style, with photographs of joke cards, letters, scripts, and even a report card from first grade, this book is a wonder to me as a fan and librarian.
Bear lives alone, and that's just the way he likes it. But when a family of pesky rabbits moves in next door, knock knock knocking on bears door... his whole life is about to change. Fantastically told, Ciara Flood pairs her minimal text with illustrations that add layers to bear's grumpy responses to his neighbors. Bear tells the rabbits he is "too busy to help them chop wood!" when in the next page turn we see him snoozing in front of the fire while all the rabbits work together just outside his window.
Have you felt enchanted when experiencing live theater? I have! This new graphic novel series explores the weird and wild magic that happens behind the scenes of high school theater productions. Jory is a new student at St. Genesius looking for an after-school activity. He stumbles into the backstage crew on accident and immediately finds a place in their ranks. They are a welcoming and motley bunch working the lights, sound, sets and costumes and they have a secret.
