marinadoramartino

An inventive and continually surprising novel, The Aching Plane by Cody Lakin tells an intimate story about grappling with the past. Since Charlie lost her friend Marion who disappeared when she was only twelve years old, and then her mother who left home when she was seventeen, she has been dealing with deep issues of abandonment. In her twenties, she finds her lifelong hallucinations are getting worse, and one day, she receives a call: Marion is back, and she’s alive, challenging Charlie’s sense of reality. At once surreal and true to life, Lakin’s novel works most of all for […]

Danish Connection: The Dansgaard Family Saga by Keith Thye is a compelling historical epic inspired by the author’s own family heritage. Bjorn Dansgaard, born in a southern Danish town lost to Germany in 1864, is enrolled to fight in World War I as part of the German army. From Europe to America, World War I to 9/11, we follow the Dansgaard family as they love, grieve, and change with the times, for a deeply relatable story that is at once personal and universal. With elegant prose, rich historical detail, and lively, credible characters, Danish Connection shows just how our personal […]

Rosie and the Hobby Farm by Kolina Cicero, with exquisite illustrations by Khoa Le, is an educational yet poetic picture book about the importance of nurturing a caring relationship with the world around you, which ticks all the boxes for superlative children’s literature. Rosie lives at the Hobby Farm with her dog Keeper where she explores the countryside, meeting a cat, a bird, a horse, a pigmy goat, and many other friends. As the seasons roll on, each animal teaches an important lesson, such as the value of patience and self-care, which is subtly bolded in red, while Rosie gives […]

A well-written and informative introduction to the world of SQL, or Structured Query Language, which is how computers and databases communicate with each other, SQL Quest: A Journey Through Data by Neha Saini is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow overview of a complex topic. Aimed at young learners at least in its initial presentation, the book may be overly detailed for many young readers, but it is a perfect level for teenagers or adults looking to learn about the intricacies of computer science. Packed with imaginative examples, challenging exercises, and clear explanations, the book may not be wholly effective in its […]

Taking place in Cheeston, a town inhabited by a mice society, Not Yo Cheeze by Amy Winfield is an exhilaratingly fun piece of middle grade fiction. Tone Provolone and Cheddar Chessman’s cheese shop, inherited from their fathers, is almost always empty, but a new catering contract with the powerful Donna Parmesan could finally be their chance to succeed. As the names and clever set-up might suggest, Winfield loves to play with language, and with some added life lessons about standing up for yourself, this is a lighthearted but meaningful read that is perfectly crafted for young readers, which rivals other […]