This book is divided into four sections. They are the Introduction, Feeling Calm, Feeling Mindful, and Feeling Centered. There is also a section at the end entitled Embracing Imperfection.
Inside these pages are many suggestions for self-care, something that many have to remember is important in the midst of busy lives. While some of the information/practices in these pages will not feel new, the gentle reminders to consider one’s self have merit.
In these pages, there are writing prompts, checklists and more. Spending time with these could well be helpful.
Throughout this title, there are peaceful illustrations. They enhance the text.
At the end of this book, readers will find a number of references cited.
Give this title a look if you want help in caring for yourself.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter-Ten Speed Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 17 March 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Find calm every day with this pocket-sized self-care manual featuring simple rituals, journal prompts, activities, and affirmations from the creator behind the hit Instagram account My Self-Love Supply.
This beautifully illustrated guide provides reminders and routines to get you back on track when life gets tough—all backed by simple science. The book is divided into four sections: Calm in a Book, Feeling Calm, Feeling Mindful, and Feeling Centered, each including:
reflective journal pages
prompts and mood trackers
empowering words of affirmation
soothing activities and illustrations,
and more
Filled with lovely, vibrant artwork, self-care routines, and accessible practices you can tailor to your own needs, Calm in a Book will help you feel happier and more centered.
The authors of this title have been going to the Vineyard for thirty years so they are wonderful companions for a virtual visit. The artwork is colorful, textured and catchy, while the observations in the text show why the island is a special place.
This book is truly lovely. I will enjoy paging through it many times. It would make a good gift for anyone with a connection to Martha’s Vineyard, or who enjoys escaping through a book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 24 March 2026
Post first published on 3 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
A poetic and painterly tribute to Martha’s Vineyard, Away to See captures the beauty, stillness, and spirit of this iconic coastal destination through lyrical prose and vibrant, full-color paintings.
With 46 original works by Paul Norwood and reflective vignettes by Liz Norwood, this contemplative gift book invites readers to pause, reflect, and truly see. It’s the first in a series that lives at the intersection of art, travel, and mindfulness—offering sensory journeys through beloved places around the world.
Longtime summer residents Paul and Liz share their favorite island experiences and illuminate its slower, quieter side: the astonishing seascapes, the spirit of community, and the joy found in everyday details.
Why Readers Treasure This Book:
• Sensory Travel Experience: Evokes the rhythm and essence of island life through expressive artwork and poetic language. • Local Insight, Universal Appeal: Created by longtime residents with an intimate understanding of Martha’s Vineyard’s landscapes and culture. • A Fresh Take on Travel Books: Blends fine art, reflection, and narrative—offering more than a typical guidebook or photo collection. • Display-Worthy Format: Small, elegant casebound hardcover—perfect for coffee tables, gift shops, or coastal home libraries.
Whether you’re an armchair traveler, art lover, or island local, Away to See: Martha’s Vineyardis a meditative escape that celebrates slowing down, looking closer, and savoring the world around you.
I think anyone who wants to make pizza and related items in their home kitchen should take a look at this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated title. There is much that will inspire. Even those who do not aspire to making their own pizzas, will enjoy the mouth watering illustrations.
This is a book that pizza makers will, I think, very much enjoy. I like that, before going to recipes, the author sets the cook up for success in the introductory sections. Then, find recipes for so many kinds of pizza (including desserts) as well as focaccia and pita based ones. Seasonal pies, white pies, sauces and so much more are found in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 24 March 2026
Post first published on 14 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
From acclaimed baker Tara Jensen: The definitive primer on baking pizza dough, with brilliant color photos, illustrations, and easy-to-follow recipe layouts.
Pizza dough is a gateway for many home bread bakers, allowing them to experiment with different tools, toppings, ingredients, timings, and shapes. This companion guides you step by step from the simplest doughs to artisanal bakes. Here are 89 recipes any baker can perfect, with simple cook-along layouts and ways to explore different ingredients, techniques, flours, and heat sources for perfecting pizza, pita, and focaccia.
Bright and visually rich, with more than 60 color photographs, this baking book provides expert guidance on how to:
Set up your baking space with the right ingredients and tools
Cook over fire or with an outdoor oven, or trick out the oven that came with your apartment to bake an impressive pie
Learn the perfect ratios of toppings to crust
Build classics such as Margherita, Clam, and Pepperoni pizzas, as well as a collection of fancifully delicious takes, including Breakfast pizza; Delicata Squash, Shallot, and Gruyere; and a particularly luscious Pancetta and Brown Butter Pineapple pie
Craft a foolproof focaccia
Discover all you need to know to make pita with kids
And much more!
No book on pizza is complete without simple sauces, dips, and drizzles, such as Lemony Roasted Garlic Cream, Hot Honey, and a simple, fresh Uncooked Tomato Sauce. For after your pizza, Jensen offers dessert: homemade ice cream, cobblers, brownies, simple chocolate chip cookies, and a classic yellow birthday cake with chocolate frosting.
The first pizza bible written by a woman and one of the preeminent bread bakers in the US, Pizza Practice offers a new approach and everything you need to bake your best pizzas.
ACCESSIBLE RECIPES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS: These are baking recipes that meet you where you are, with the equipment in your kitchen. Step-by-step instructions, timelines, and photography for all the phases of the dough-making process, as well as folding, shaping, stretching, and baking, make this pizza cookbook indispensable for all home cooks.
TO YEAST OR NOT TO YEAST: Many baking books are emphatic in their approach to sourdough, resisting the addition of commercial yeast. Jensen’s dough uses both commercial and instant yeast—each alone or in combination—so bakers can experiment and know what makes the dough of their dreams.
EXPERT AUTHOR: Tara Jensen is one of the country’s most acclaimed bread bakers, instructors, and trusted bread baking cookbook authors. Flour Power was named one of the Washington Post’s top 10 cookbooks of 2022. Her breads, pizzas, pies, and pastry have been featured in Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, and she was named one of Southern Living’s chefs of the year in 2021. She runs her first pizzeria, Dough Baby, in Loudon County, Virginia, and posts daily musings on life and baking to her eager followers on Instagram @bakerhands.
What could be better than sitting down with a new Marie Benedict novel? I have read nearly all of her books and admire her wide ranging subjects and the ways in which she brings the past to life. That is certainly true in this new novel.
This is a dual timeline story, something that is popular in historical fiction. What makes this one unique is that it is about Hatshepsut in ancient Egypt. Some readers may indeed know her name but they will get to go so much deeper as they read this novel. Truly the parts of the book about her and life in her time were very interesting.
I also enjoyed spending time with Evelyn (Eve) Herbert in the story that took place in the 1900s. It was fun to experience Highclere Castle (of later Downton Abby) fame and to spend time with Eve’s family and, of course, Howard Carter (he of the momentous discoveries). Of course, being on a dig was fascinating too.
Readers will see that Hatshepsut and Eve were both women of their time and women who wanted more than traditional roles. Readers will not forget either of them.
This is a novel that will be welcomed by fans of historical fiction, women’s fiction and the author. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 24 March 2026
Post first published on 18 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Known for her “delightful blend of historical fiction and suspense” (People), New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever.
In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.
Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.
When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.
Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.
From the Publisher:
“Immersive … Benedict evokes the excitement of archaeology in colonial Egypt with an abundance of lush details. There’s plenty to enjoy in this story of two women defying expectations.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Benedict’s flair for bringing the past to life draws in readers, providing not only lessons in history but an engrossing and entertaining tale. The complex issues of exploration and the collection of antiquities add resonance to the story.” ―Library Journal
Note:
There are a number of reviews of other Benedict books on my site. They have all offered good reads. Are you a fan?
Also, some may want to look for Gill Paul’s novel, The Collector’s Daughter, which also features Evelyn Herbert. See review on my blog.
Every entry in this title refers to the natural world. A few examples include Plum Tree, Black-eyed Susan, Geranium, and Pine. All have meaning in these pages.
The author tells his own story of the loss of his sister at the beginning of this volume. This was clearly very painful. The reader know that the author has empathy for any losses others may also face.
In these pages, losses are acknowledged, along with the grief that follows. There is also some hope for joy.
My favorite part of this book was the beautiful illustrations. I could easily return to them again and again.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Red Hen Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 24 March 2026
From the Publisher:
Description:
from the publisher
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
“Morning Leaves is a gift to all who open their eyes to its images and their hearts to its whispers and exhortations.”—Faith Salie, Emmy-winning contributor to CBS News Sunday Morning and author of Approval Junkie
A radiant fusion of poetry and nature art, Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy is a tender, soul-stirring meditation on grief, healing, and the quiet joy of rediscovering beauty one morning at a time.
Steeped in beautiful art and verse that invites reflection, Morning Leaves is the perfect gift book or self-purchase. Steeped in beautiful art and verse that invites reflection, Morning Leaves is the perfect gift book for self-purchase or those seeking greater meaning and joy.
An award-winning blend of reflection, poetry, and nature-inspired art, Morning Leaves invites readers to slow down into the beauty of everyday life. With honesty and warmth, Laing Rikkers offers insights on healing, presence, and hope.
Through the lens of nature and creativity, she reveals that in uncertain or chaotic times, there is a path to meaning, connection, and light. Walk with her through the garden of imagination and rediscover your own wellspring of joy.
AWARD WINS FOR MORNING LEAVES: 2023 FOREWORD INDIES AWARDS WINNER 2023 PUBWEST DESIGN AWARDS WINNER 2024 FEATHERED QUILL BOOK AWARDS WINNER | GOLD 2024 IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS WINNER | GOLD
MORE PRAISE FOR MORNING LEAVES: “The poems within Morning Leaves are tender, compassionate and full of wonder. Laing’s writing and Kelly’s illustrations are conduits for healing and hope.” —Kristin A. Meekhof, co-author of A Widow’s Guide to Healing
“So beautifully written and thoughtfully constructed. Visceral. Visual. Vulnerable. The passages cracked open my heart.” —Amy K. Hutchens, award-winning speaker and bestselling author of Get It and The Secrets Leaders Keep
This is a very cute alphabet book that has delightful illustrations of animals and their environments. Just a few of these critters include a dormouse, a hedgehog, a Norway lemming, a puffin, a wildcat and, of course, many more as there are 26 in all.
What gives this title a bit more is that there are simple hide and seek activities for each entry. This adds a fun element to this book.
I think this one will make a welcome addition to family bookshelves.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Finch Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 20 March 2026
Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description:
from the publisher
Let’s go on an adventure through Europe. Hidden within the forests and mountains, within the snow or seas what will you find? European animals are hiding from your eyes. What do they look like? What sounds do they make? From A – Z, can you find the European animals with me?
When I was a child, I read a biography of Elizabeth Blackwell and still remember how fascinated I was by her life. This, I think, left me with an affinity for stories about trailblazing women in the medical profession, leading me to this title.
I did not realize that this book was connected to others by this author. I may well go back to read them. Nonetheless, I was able to follow the characters and events in this story without any problem.
This is a story of a woman fighting against odds as she cares for her patients. It is also a story about Nora as a character and those around her.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction that features a strong female lead may want to give this one a look. Library Journal’s verdict is that the book is “recommended for those who enjoy a strong women protagonist who who advocates for her rights and the rights of women everywhere.”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 24 February 2026
Post first published on 23 March 2026
Description:
From USA Today bestselling author Audrey Blake comes a story of love, hope, and perseverance, following one woman’s fight against an invisible enemy.
One woman physician. A group of talented midwives. A deadly disease spreading.
1849. Dr. Nora Gibson is the only female surgeon in London. In all of England, even. After earning her medical degree and overcoming the prejudice of those who wished to see her fail, she’s finally earned her place at the Great Queen Street Hospital alongside her newlywed husband and her eccentric but ailing adoptive father, the great Dr. Horace Croft.
But peace is hard to come by as a physician, and for one like Nora, it’s almost impossible. When Nora takes up the fight to bring midwives into the medical field, her already fragile reputation comes under fire by colleagues and London society itself. And if the possibility of losing her rights to practice medicine wasn’t enough, a dangerous enemy has made itself known: the deadliest cholera epidemic in over a century. It’s a swift disease that wreaks havoc and tragedy across the city, especially amongst the working classes, and Nora will do anything she can to help. Soon, she finds herself on the frontlines of the disease, and as those around her begin to fall, she’ll have to find the strength to stand alone and maintain her greatest oath: to save lives. Whether she’ll make it through, though, is up to fate.
Are you now, or were you ever, a mother with young children? If yes, did you feel that you received the support that you needed from your partner? Did you want not just help but proactive assistance? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may well identify with Nora Spangler.
Nora has a four-year-old, is pregnant and it is her year to become (or not) partner in her law firm. She is trying her best but is overwhelmed. Nora loves her husband (she says) but some days is incredibly irritated by him.
So…Nora and Hayden look at a house that is for sale in an upscale community. Interestingly, the husbands there are way more helpful than usual. The women all have these incredibly high powered jobs. What is going on here? Do Nora and Hayden want to live here? Will they?
Also, what about that arson that killed Penny’s husband. Nora is investigating it thinking about a wrongful death suit. Is it that or is it murder?
There are many threads running through this novel. I have seen mixed reviews but I found it to be a book that I enjoyed. Make up your own mind. Give this one a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I very much enjoyed Jennifer Saint’s earlier foray into ancient myth and history. Her first novel, Ariadne, was an absorbing read that captured a time and place and did so from the women’s point of view. I also highly recommended this new book to those who like historical fiction and are fascinated by ancient Greece.
Some of the characters in this novel may be known to readers while others may not; they are numerous and may be a bit challenging for some readers to keep track of. It is worth the effort to sort them out!
The historical period is partly around the Trojan War. Complex loyalties and revenge dictate much of the action leading to war and other decisions made by the men in this book.
Some of the couples whom readers get to know are Penelope/Odysseus; Clytemnestra/Agamemnon; and Helen/Menelaus/Paris. There are also many others who are important to the narrative including Elektra, Iphigenia, Achilles and Cassandra. Each is entangled within their family, marriages, infidelities, history and gods. It makes for a satisfying narrative.
Inside this story are wars, complex relationships, revenge, honor, daily life and more. Reading this novel, of course, I saw how over the top the Greek Gods could be. Life from the female point of view is very well portrayed.
I found this title to be an immersive read. I recommend it highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Debbie Macomber has been writing women’s fiction for many years. She has a keen sense for what her fans want; this includes a family story, a romance, something heartwarming and nothing that is rated above PG…and she delivers.
In this story two single moms, Jenna and Maureen, have children who are growing up, leaving home and facing some adult issues…college, leaving college, having a baby. The empty nest looms for both, especially Jenna who struggles as her daughter leaves home.
Jenna, a nurse, and Maureen, a librarian become involved in romances with Rowan, a surgeon and Logan, a plumber/construction worker. Each couple has their ups and downs but the ending of the novel is never in doubt.
If you are looking for a comfort read, nothing too taxing but a gentle escape, Debbie Macomber could be just the author you need.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviews
“This heartwarming story sweetly balances friendship and mother-child bonding with romantic love.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Macomber’s work is as comforting as ever.”—Booklist
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 