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High School (9-12)

Flashpoints

Posted by on May 1, 2020
A review of Almost American Girl by
Robin
Ha

Sometimes it can take a lifetime to understand a flashpoint decision which changes your life completely.

Sometimes the biggest pivot you take in life is one you do not choose yourself.

For cartoonist and memoirist Robin Ha, there is life before age 14, in South Korea---a life of solid academic achievement, good friends, favorite comics, and a proud role as her mother’s “warrior apprentice” in the fight to gain respect as a single mother running her own business.

Then, FLASH.

There is life after age 14, in America.

Every day is lucky

Posted by Jane J on Apr 29, 2020
A review of Lucky Day Collection by

I've mentioned it before but when you're looking for something to read right now (in our digital world) you can always find something in the Lucky Day Collection on Overdrive (Libby). The books in this collection are checked out for a shorter amount of time and don't allow for anyone to place them on hold. As you can see from the graphic here (today's front page of available LD books) you'll see a little of everything.

MADmatches tonight

Posted by Jane J on Apr 14, 2020

Maybe you just haven't met the right one, yet? MADmatches pairs local readers with the books of their dreams! 

Post the last three books you read and enjoyed on our Facebook MADmatches event page from 5:30-7:30 pm tonight, and our librarians will respond with a few titles they think you’ll enjoy. Madison librarians will be on Facebook from 5:30-7:30 pm with custom book recommendations just for you.

A library card isn’t needed to take part in MADmatches.

Everyone should have an EDC (Emergency Day Carry) Bag

Posted by Jody M on Apr 10, 2020
A review of Emergency Contact by
Mary H. K.
Choi

How would you, a college freshman with little social skills, get the attention of the hot, tattooed baker/barista with an equally hot-but-manipulative ex-girlfriend with an enviable Insta feed named MsLOLAXO?Answer: Save his life with your EDC (Every Day Carry) bag of emergency items and become each other’s emergency contact (cause you know, the baker/barista is bare bones making it in life and can’t afford healthcare).

Check out a book from your couch

Posted by Jane J on Mar 20, 2020

Most area libraries have been closed for a few days now and many of you are social distancing and staying home (and washing your hands, natch). And if you're like me your anxieties and stresses are many, and perhaps among them is 'will I have enough books to read?' Sure, this may seem like a minor consideration in the grander, global scheme of things, but for me right now distraction of any kind helps me in de-stressing. I'm guessing the same may be true for many of you.

Morning madness (or is it?)

Posted by Jane J on Mar 9, 2020
A review of Headliners by
Lucy
Parker

Lucy Parker never fails me. When I need a warm hug of a book I know I'll find one in Parker's London Celebrities series. That said, Headliners doesn't start out all warm and cozy. The protagonists (introduced in The Austen Playbook) are rival TV presenters who pretty much loathe each other. And with good reason. 

More than she bargained for

Posted by Kathy K on Mar 3, 2020
A review of A Front Page Affair by
Radha
Vatsal

The Lusitania has recently been sunk. World War I is ongoing and the United States is trying to stay neutral. That is the setting for a new historical mystery set in 1915 New York City. The main character of A Front Page Affair is a privileged young woman journalist who has started working at the New York Sentinel. Capability Weeks, aka Kitty, works for the Ladies page editor as an apprentice. Her first assignment is to cover a society party, the Independence Day gala north of the city. At the party a man she has interviewed has been shot and killed.

Royal scandal has always been

Posted by Jane J on Feb 19, 2020
A review of A Murderous Relation by
Deanna
Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are back and faced with an unwanted assignment, one that will help to shield the monarchy from a massive scandal. And struggle as they may to avoid the task, events (including being kidnapped with a prince) force them to resolve the issue and save the world, again.