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Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors

Sweet Anticipation for August 2024

Sweet Anticipation graphic
New Titles

August is pretty much synonymous with vacations as people try to eke out the last of summer fun before school resumes. So it’s no surprise that the publishing industry is a bit similar, with houses holding back for the big Labor Day weekend sales push. But there are still a few notable releases heading to shelves this month for readers who might have some space in the luggage…

Aug 9, 2024

Finding your love (hold the garlic)

Cover of Fangs
A review of Fangs by Sarah Andersen

My last couple reviews have been books with darker theme and tone, so I thought I should switch it up. Now, if you've seen the book cover and title, Fangs, you may be thinking, how is a book about a vampire (and a werewolf, btw) going to lighten things up? Here's how: throw in a sweet, quirky romance and about as many (sometimes groanworthy) dad-type jokes poking fun at paranormal stereotypes and you have a graphic novel that will have you smiling (for sure) from first to last, and likely giggling often along the way.

Aug 8, 2024

Those who are lost

Cover of Sisters of the Lost Nation
A review of Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina

In his debut novel Nick Medina blends mystery, suspense and a touch of supernatural horror in a story that focuses on the disappearance of indigenous women. At the heart of the story is Anna Horn who is finishing high school and trying to figure out her place on the rez and in her tribe. While grappling with her own struggles, and feeling haunted by a entity of ancient myth, Anna is forced to reckon with a larger battle. Women on the reservation are going missing and no one seems to care. It becomes personal, and more immediate, when two women in Anna's life are lost.

Aug 5, 2024

Four dead husbands and an amazing estate

Cover of The Heiress
A review of The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

The star of this Gothic thriller is Ashby House, a magnificent estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains and home to Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore. Ruby, also known as Ruby "Killmore," reigns over Ashby House and neighboring community Tavistock, North Carolina, with benevolence and a lifetime of scandal. Abducted as a toddler in the 1940s and married four times to husbands who died under mysterious circumstances, Ruby's life is shrouded in mystery and intrigue and lots of speculation.

Aug 1, 2024

The magic of a book that can read to you!

Cover of Audio-enabled Books
Audio-enabled Books

I had a local friend recently ask me why Madison Public Library didn’t have Tonies for check out - if you’re unfamiliar they are small plastic figures that pair with an integrated system for audio stories - and I knew all of the answers. New systems are expensive to start on a large scale, and our collections management team thinks really critically about system wide implementation before investing in a new product…. But as a parent? I have all kinds of other thoughts. With two little kids at home, we have a LOT of STUFF floating around.

Jul 29, 2024

Criminally explained

Cover of Unspeakable Acts: True Tal
A review of Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession by Sarah Weinman

Sarah Weinman has been in and about the crime writing world for years. She's written for the New York Times and Vanity Fair as well as for more genre connected publications like Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and for the CrimeReads site (highly recommended if you're a crime/mystery fan). Her first full length book was about the connection between the book Lolita and the real life kidnapping of Sally Horner in 1948.

Jul 24, 2024

Making a fresh start

Cover of On the Hustle
A review of On the Hustle by Adriana Herrera

Dominican-American Alba Duarte is trying to do it all and is in danger of completely losing it as On the Hustle by Adriana Herrera opens. Alba is putting in the work towards her dream of being an interior designer and instagram influencer, but she's doing so on top of a full-time job and being a support to her immigrant family. Something's gotta give. And when Alba decides it's giving up her job as assistant to the arrogant Theo Ganas and moving to Dallas? Well that sets in motion a whole new set of complications in this fast-paced, sexy, and flirtatious contemporary romance.

Jul 22, 2024

The magic of Perla and Isabel Allende

Cover of Perla: The Mighty Dog
A review of Perla: The Mighty Dog written by Isabel Allende
Sandy Rodriguez

Perla's two superpowers are making people love her and roaring like a lion. She is a little, scruffy dog, but her powers are mighty. She makes the Rico family fall in love with her at the shelter even though they were hoping to find a guard dog. Then she learns to roar like a lion to demonstrate what an excellent guardian she will make. 

Jul 19, 2024

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