Login
Don't have an account? Register now
Did you forget your password? Get it by email
Book Reviews
Search All Book Reviews
We Have Always Lived In The Castle
by Shirley Jackson
View in Library Catalog
book cover


Love that this book was selected for the 2018 Community Read! Shirley Jackson's writing style flows dreamlike and makes for a fast, engaging read. The story encompasses many issues, including bullying, individual and group neuroses and the cruelty of mob mentality and attacks on anyone who is different. A perfect read for October!
We Are Okay
by Nina LaCour
View in Library Catalog
book cover


beautifully-written description of relationships, but little happened and the resolution felt lacking.
Mike Fink
by James Cloyd Bowman
View in Library Catalog
book cover


This book tells the life of the legendary Mike Fink, brawler and noted keelboatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Nicely illustrated and full of tall tales of the rough life of the men rowing the river boats until displaced by steamboats.
Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the SupernaturalSupernatural
by Mary Giraudo Beck
View in Library Catalog
book cover


Kushtakas were half man-half otter, spirits of those who had drowned. These phantoms appeared to those in danger of drowning and offered to rescue them, but aimed to turn them into kushtakas too. Only those with respect for elders and traditions and a strong will from ascetic practices were able to resist these spirits. The shamans were healers and could see into the future and tried to use their powers against the kushtakas. There are beautiful illustrations at the chapter headings. This is a nice book of native American legends.
Better Off Read
by Nora Page
View in Library Catalog
book cover


This book involves murder, a small town public library, and a bookmobile. It is a pleasant read for those who enjoy a cozy mystery. It also includes a delicious recipe for hummingbird cake.
The Wall Growing Up Behind The Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis
View in Library Catalog
book cover


I really liked this book! 5 stars because it only took me 45 minutes to read. Even though it is technically a children's book, I still found it enjoyable and not simplistic. Sís doesn't shy away from the violence he and friends experienced under Communist control in Prague, and also doesn't shy away from a more advanced vocabulary (what children's book uses the word cataclysmic in the second sentence?). Being born about a decade after the Cold War ended, people always talk about it as if I should know exactly what it was like, diving into deep details before giving me a general overview (and I've already taken both years of global history, so that's not the problem!). This book gave a really excellent summation of how the Cold War started and developed across Europe while also keeping a strong focus in the daily effects in Prague. I would definitely recommend this quick, educational read with wonderful, colorful artwork!
Queen Meryl
by Erin Carlson
View in Library Catalog
book cover


This show business biography of Meryl Streep marches through her movie roles and co-stars but leaves one wanting to know more about the person as opposed to the actress.
11 Birthdays
by Wendy Mass
View in Library Catalog
book cover


11 birthdays is an ultimate magical present day fantasy. With its many plot twists along with other things unimaginable for example a witch in the present that works at the historical society also drives your bus! Wendy mass has definitely turned up the strangeness element a large amount compared to say the candymakers. I loved this book for the pure awesomeness of a repeating day . even the first time around it seems that something is brewing. Inside joke : the band is bad, slap your knees funny! This is an absolute need to read book! if you like either science fiction, fantasy or both.
If We Were Villains
by Ml Rio
View in Library Catalog
book cover


I would recommend this book because it was both quick to read but also because the events of the story move quickly as well. The author does an excellent job characterizing the main 7 throughout. There are certain times when you have to be familiar with Shakespeare to get more out of the scene- for example, important references/parallels are made with both Hamlet and Pericles (among others). The Hamlet themes are easier to pick up on, since nearly everyone has read it, but with a more obscure show like Pericles I ended up googling a lot of information that effected the events of the book. But if you have ANY interest in Shakespeare (or found family dramas) then you'll probably really enjoy this book.
Are You Listening
by Tillie Walden
View in Library Catalog
book cover


A dreamy, though at times tense, road trip graphic novel about running away from ones past before learning to trust in yourself. Walden's graphic novels are simultaneously rooted in real life and in fantasy and "Are You Listening?" is no different.
Copyright (c) 2013-2026    ReadSquared