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Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors
Anna McDonald has no idea of the double whammy that's about to hit her as she starts her day in the normal fashion; getting the kids lunches and clothing ready for school while starting a new true crime podcast. The first blow comes as she listens to the opening segment of the podcast and realizes that the true crime that's being narrated features a former friend who she is now learning is dead and may have taken his family with him on a sunken yacht in the Mediterranean.
Helen Oyeyemi's Gingerbread is the story of three women, Margot, Harriet and Perdita Lee, how their lives intertwine with the Kerchevals, a wealthy family of landowners in the fictional country of Druhástrana, and a legacy recipe for gingerbread. It's hard to put into words all of the magic that's present in this novel. I'll tell you one thing: it was impossible for me to read this book without craving gingerbread something fierce.
--It’s a very good month to be a Wisconsin author. This May sees the release of three titles with ties to the Badger State. Longtime local favorite Jennifer Chiaverini continues to explore the lives of real women through a historical fiction lens with Resistance Women. Her central character, Mildred Fish-Harnack, was raised in Milwaukee before moving to Germany where she worked as a spy against the Nazis. It’s on shelves mid-month. Madison-based author Kelly Harms scored recent hits with The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay and The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane.
We're winding down on National Poetry Month so this will be my last entry for this year of new poetry titles.
Sometimes you're reading a book about a person who is stalking their neighbor and you think, huh. That's a little creepy. And then it might keep you up at night wondering if you've locked the doors. And then you double check on the whereabouts of your pet. And you realize you should not read scary books before bed. This is not a healthy way to live!
Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading some poetry. Throughout the month of April I thought that I would feature some new poetry titles over the whole month of April, doing four posts. So check out part 3 of some of the new and upcoming poetry books listed below.
This book is full of close-ups of a variety of baby/parent experiences – with babies and parents playing, singing, cuddling, holding, reading and more. The text is so simple, yet it reveals so much about quality time with baby and how to help baby develop language skills and learn about what’s known as the “serve and return” of conversation. “I love you, and you love me. I talk to you, and you talk to me.” This is definitely a highly recommended choice.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading some poetry. Throughout the month of April I thought that I would feature some new poetry titles over the whole month, doing four posts. Poetry isn't everyone's cup of tea, but you never know, there may be a poetry book out there for you. So check out part 2 of some of the new and upcoming poetry books listed below.
This novel is all the things. All the words. All the awards. All the feelings.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading some poetry. Throughout the month of April I'm going to feature new poetry titles. Poetry isn't everyone's cup of tea, but as with a lot of genres, sometimes it's just a matter of finding the one that works for you. So check out some of the new and upcoming poetry books listed below and let us know if you find the one.
