Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

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An Illustrated Guide to Amazing Women Artists

by Katy Hessel

with Ping Zhu (Illustrator)

Arts & Photography-Children’s Nonfiction-(Art) History

Pub date: 06 October 2026

My thoughts:

I love this book that introduces elementary school aged children to women artists from different schools over the centuries. The illustrations are completely engaging as is the text from the author. From the introduction to the last page, kids are invited to think about art. There is much information (in small sections) and questions for young viewers to contemplate. There are also many works of art to see.

Readers/viewers begin with the Renaissance and move forward from there. The journey will, I hope, be enjoyable for them.

I easily and enthusiastically give this book five stars. I think that, along with its intended audience, adults may also enjoy this title.

Many thanks to Norton Young Readers for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

An illustrated remix of Katy Hessel’s best-selling The Story of Art Without Men illuminates the works of women artists throughout history.

In The Story of Art Without Men, best-selling author and renowned art historian Katy Hessel journeys from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century, and across the globe, from Cornwall to Manhattan, Nigeria to Japan, to discover the stories of women who changed the world with their incredible art. She invites readers to explore the works of Sofonisba Anguissola, whose glittering Renaissance paintings blended art styles; Harriet Powers, a freewoman who quilted stories from her faith and her community; and Tarsila do Amaral, who painted her Brazilian culture to preserve it from colonization—and more than ninety other visionary women artists both famous and lesser known.

Buoyed by Ping Zhu’s dazzling illustrations and Katy Hessel’s signature sense of humor, The Story of Art Without Men upends our perspectives on art and its true masters—and cracks open the canon for women artists still to come.

About the Authors: 

Katy Hessel is a London-based art historian and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Story of Art Without Men.

Ping Zhu is an illustrator and an instructor at the Pratt Institute. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Advance Praise

“Makes for an inquiring, chatty guide, and the pages will fly by. [Hessel] deftly intertwines explanations of concepts such as perspective and discussions of great works with context about the systemic sexism these women faced… Concise yet thorough and engaging, this is an impressive introduction to art history; its focus on those whose names are often omitted makes it essential reading. An inspiring feast for eyes and mind.” -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

It has been a long time since Stedman wrote The Light Between Oceans. I highly recommend that book and was very eager to read this new novel.

A Far Flung Life includes some beautiful prose. Here are a few examples.

-In the end, we’re all looking for a place to ride out the storms of life. Among all these husks of houses and fossils of trees, we are like hermit crabs, borrowing a shelter for a time and moving on. (64)

-We think we know who we are: that each day, we’ll wake up more or less the same person. But just as rocks are weathered, we are perpetually formed and changed by time and experience until we leave this world… (65-66)

-There are some events you can’t come back from. Some gates close off every other path you could possibly take. A single moment in your past denies you a future…(164)

As can be seen, this novel was extremely well written. The sense of what life is like on a sheep ranch in an isolated community came through very strongly as did the challenges of that life. The characters are similarly described in ways that make the reader see and know them. That sense of the characters and caring for them did, for me, make the book hard to read at times. I wanted so much for them or even just some happiness. There were many tragedies and moments where the menace was palpable in these pages.

Readers will remember Matt, Bonnie, Rosie, Andy, Peachy and others long after they turn the last page. I do highly recommend this novel but with the caveat that it is not always an easy read.

Have you read this one? If so, I would love to know your thoughts.

Description:

from the publisher

From the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Light Between Oceans comes a breathtaking and epic novel set in the vast outback of Australia—about tragedy, family secrets, and the enduring power of love.

When we do something that can’t be undone or mended, how do we go on living? How do we find our North Star when there is no right answer? These are the questions at the center of M. L. Stedman’s unforgettable and magisterial new novel, A Far-flung Life. From the author of the beloved and bestselling The Light Between Oceans, this is a sweeping and epic story of a family, a tragedy, and the aftermath that reverberates for decades.

Remote Western Australia, 1958: here, for generations, the MacBrides have lived on a vast sheep station, Meredith Downs. It is a million acres, an ocean of arid land. On an ordinary day, on a lonely road, under the unending blue sky, patriarch Phil MacBride swerves to avoid a kangaroo. In seconds the lives of the entire MacBride family are shattered. And then, tragedy revisits when a twist of consequences claims the life of one sibling, and leads another to give up everything for the sake of an innocent child. Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional journey for which there is no map, no guide. The secrets at the heart of this gutting and beautiful story force him to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness.

A Far-flung Life is a tale about family and belonging, fate and time. It is about people trying to do their best, and each, for private reasons, seeking shelter from the storm of life.

Can a fleeting moment unravel a whole life, mar it indelibly and irrevocably? Can compassion, resilience and forgiveness allow us to come to terms with our human imperfections? These are the questions Stedman asks in A Far-flung Life, her profoundly moving, uplifting, and luminous new novel about what the heart can endure for the sake of love.

#TimeTravelforBeginners #NetGalley

As soon as I heard about this book, I was intrigued and wanted to read it. I was not disappointed.

Here is a perfect book for summer reading. It is long (over 500 pages), immersive and has both traditional narrative and other style as, for example, group chats.

The time travel aspects of this book were so much fun. The possibility of visiting past moments in one’s life are tempting. There are also opportunities to go somewhere in history. For example, there are times spent with Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden), the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and many others. Discovering them is part of the joy of reading this title.

At its heart though I would say that this is a story of people living their lives, connecting, growing and learning, and looking for love. There are a number of characters including Teddy. He has visited the Time Travel premises with a collapsing marriage and a complex relationship with his brother. Will time travel and those who work at the agency help him to find his way?

Then there is Anna. She is a single parent who was in a dead end job until the unexpected opportunity to work at the agency came up. Will she find what she wants in life? Will her daughter and the other daughters in the book find their way?

There are two other women who figure in the plot as well as the staff and owner of the time travel agency, Teddy’s friends and more. It is easy to see how a long book was needed to hold all these characters.

I highly recommend this enjoyable read. It can be read with just a bit of suspension of disbelief as regards time travel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 August 2026

Post first published on 13 February 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Three strangers’ lives are forever changed when they’re all drawn to a mysterious agency claiming to have unlocked the secret to time travel in this dazzling novel from award-winning author Jaclyn Moriarty.

On a bustling road in Sydney, Australia, lies a nondescript storefront known simply as the Time Travel Agency. Inside, you’ll be welcomed by the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, a selection of baked goods…and the question, Where in time do you wish to go?

The guidelines are simple: you can go whenever you wish into the past, and there’s no fear of altering the present. Have tea with Jane Austen, scream at a Beatles concert, witness the Olympics in ancient Greece. Perhaps a more personal trip? Visit your long-lost grandmother, recapture the heady days of your youth, return to the idyllic time when your teen was a babbling baby—or watch yourself make the one decision that changed everything.

Is it a hoax? And if it’s real, what’s the catch?

When single mother Anna is offered a job at the agency, she glimpses the possibility of happiness. Meanwhile, Teddy’s a customer hoping to untangle his recently imploded marriage. And Jade, who has a deeply buried secret, despises the agency for offering false hope.

In Jaclyn Moriarty’s incandescent novel, Anna, Teddy, and Jade leap headlong into time, hurtling on a crash course toward one another. At turns entertaining and illuminating, Time Travel for Beginners explores the moments, big and small, that shape our destiny.

Children’s Fiction

240 pages

Five stars *****

Pub date: 25 August 2026

My thoughts:

Misty Copeland was a trailblazer in the world of ballet. She was the first Black woman to become a Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Anyone lucky enough to have seen her dance knows that they watched someone special.

Now, among other things, Copeland is turning her hand to fiction that is for children between ages 8 and 12. With her insider knowledge of ballet, she pirouettes right through this story.

Readers meet Josie for whom dance is of utmost importance. She is willing to work hard to achieve her goals. However, she also faces a unique challenge as described to her by one of the teachers.

With its background of a school,The Firebird, a protagonist who is likeable, dance, and a bit of magic, this book will surely appeal to many young girls (and I hope some boys). Adults who love ballet and stories about resilient kids may also want to look at this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for this title.

I hope that there will soon be a second book and that this is a book in a series. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

From New York Times bestselling author and former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes the first book in a middle grade series about a girl who must balance her ballet aspirations with her magical destiny.

Twelve-year-old Josie can’t wait to start classes at the prestigious Star Fire Academy for the Performing Arts. She has been dancing ballet since she was three years old and hopes she can live up to the expectations of the school—and make her parents proud.

When she arrives at the academy, it only takes one class for Josie to know she’s going to have to perform like never before to keep up with her talented fellow students, especially if she wants a shot at the coveted solo in the upcoming fall recital. As Josie digs deep for the confidence and inspiration required for the role, she grows closer to her ballet teacher, Miss Fiona, who tells Josie she’s destined for something far greater than a solo.

According to Miss Fiona, centuries ago an evil sorcerer attempted to turn himself into the most amazing dancer in the world. Instead, his spell went wrong, transforming him into a monstrous being full of rage and envy—but also creating a beautiful dance spirit full of goodness: the Firebird.

Ever since, the two timeless entities have been fighting for the souls of young artists. In every generation, the Firebird is embodied by a new hero, and Josie is next in line. Suddenly, Josie is faced with two roles of a lifetime. Can she rise to the occasion?

NOTE: AS OF THE TIME OF THIS POSTING, THIS BOOK IS AN E BOOK BARGAIN AT JUST NINETY-NINE CENTS.

#ABookshopSummer #NetGalley

Women’s fiction

350 pages

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub date: 12 February 2026

Description:

from the publisher

📚 An intriguing, twisting and heart-warming novel set in a bookshop that has an unexpected impact on people’s lives. From the author of The Second Chance Book Club and Found in a Bookshop 📚
When the Lost for Words bookshop in York hosts an event for a new reading project, four strangers’ lives will change in ways they could never have expected . . .

Trixie is hosting the event. She loves her job at Lost for Words, and she’s feeling grounded and calm – until a phone call from her ex throws everything off course.

Cherry only goes to the event because she needs to get out. Caring for her grandmother without any help is exhausting – and lonely. Maybe things will be different if her long-lost sister finally comes home.

Rhiannon and Guy really hit it off at the bookshop; it feels like the start of something special. And Guy is fantastic with Rhiannon’s baby. But Rhiannon is keeping quite a big secret . . .

When you spend time with people who love books, you’re sure to learn something about yourself – and maybe see a way to start in a different direction. As each of them is about to find out . . .

My thoughts:

The first book by this author that I read was The Lost for Words Bookshop. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story and how much I cared for the protagonist. Since then, I have always looked forward to this author’s new books.

It was delightful to discover that this story takes place at The Lost for Words where Trixie has a project about which she is excited. She wants to bring together a group that will want to read aloud at each meeting. The first book she chooses is Virginia Woolf’s, The Waves. I find this to be a charming premise as it is very far from living life on a screen-the participants will meet at the shop for the readings.

There are a few characters who are important in addition to Trixie. Cherry is the focus of much of the story. She is the twin who remained home when her sister went off to have adventures. Cherry is really missing her as the novel opens and she is feeling the weight of caring for her grandmother. How will Cherry grow over the course of these pages?

There are others who are important as well including mother to a young child, Rhiannon. What is she keeping private and not telling the others? Rhiannon gets along well with Guy. Will they become more than friends?

Those who enjoy a book about books, people who care for one another, and stories in which characters grow, will want to give this title a look. Readers will also enjoy the many book titles that are sprinkled throughout the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All thoughts are my own.

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From the Publisher:

Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors. She writes good stories with character about whom I care. Hello Stranger is one of my top two read by her, the other being How to Walk Away. That was the book that made me know that I would always want to read Center’s titles.

This novel has a heroine whose voice I loved. Sadie Montgomery can be funny and sassy. She is a portrait artist who has some complicated family relationships. Her mom, also a portrait artist, died young while Sadie’s father was very disappointed that she walked away from being a doctor (his profession). There are also a stepmother and stepsister who challenge Sadie.

Sadie has many other relationships too. There was a boyfriend and there are her dog, a vet, a good Samaritan whom she does not seem to like, a therapist, a best friend, coffee shop baristas, a neighbor whom she finds creepy, and others. It is fun to watch all of these relationships over the course of the story.

Center also looks at a serious and real issue in this story. Looks is just the right word as Sadie suddenly has a medical crisis that leaves her unable, literally, to see faces. She knows that they are there but nonetheless can’t make sense of them. This is a real condition and one that the author researched for the novel. It is especially challenging for Sadie as she is an artist and her work has always been face centered.

Readers will want the best for Sadie. Read this very enjoyable novel and wait to see how her life evolves. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 July 2023

Now out in paperback

#TheLibrarians #NetGalley

The Librarians is the first book that I have read by Thomas who will now become one of my favorite authors. Her earlier books were historical mysteries, I think, while this one is contemporary.

There were many things that I loved about this title. Scenes set in libraries appeal to me most definitely. I also very much enjoyed getting to know the four main characters and their backstories.

Readers meet Astrid, who has hidden something about her identity; Hazel, who has left behind a tricky past involving her husband; Sophie, who did something that she should not have but had reasons for it; and last, Jonathan who has taken time to accept his identity.

When two murders occur, there are complex links and actions binding these four librarians to one another. Who killed a man who ghosted Astrid only to reappear? Why was a woman who came to an evening event at the library found murdered that very night? What is it like for characters when people from their pasts reappear? Finding out will keep readers turning the pages.

Spending time in this book’s worlds (Austin, Singapore, Madeira), with its characters, and in its timeline made for a very fun read.

I am eager to see what Ms. Thomas does next.

Kirkus Reviews states: “This knockout mystery mixes the camaraderie of The Thursday Murder Club with the chic family and romantic drama of Crazy Rich Asians. Thomas’ virtuosity shows in this fast-paced and intricate yet emotionally moving mystery.” True.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 September 2025

From the Publisher

370 pages

Fashion & Photography

Four stars****

Pub date: 01 August 2026

My thoughts:

This book offers a brief introduction to each of fifty fashion designers. Readers can look for their favorites (Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Quant-to name a few) or page through this title in order. Readers may also discover some creators who are new to them.

For each designer, find out when they lived and what they looked like, learn a bit of their biography, understand something about their fashion ethos and see examples of their work. If anything, readers will just wish for more on their favorites.

This book is currently only ninety-nine cents of Amazon. Take a look and think about buying it today.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 01 August 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Fashion writer Emma Baxter-Wright introduces 50 of the world’s most influential fashion designers and a selection of their most celebrated pieces, showcased with full-colour photography.

Starting with the foundation of the 19th century House of Worth, perhaps the first real fashion house, through the designs of the hugely influential Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves St Laurent, to Japanese designers such as Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake whose designs ‘deconstructed’ fashion in the 1980s and 1990s and the emerging stars of the present day, this stunning book is a fascinating history of how fashion has developed over the past 160 years. Two double-page spreads are dedicated to each designer, outlining their influences, the legacy of their ideas and revealing the beautiful designs that have made them famous.