Month: August 2019

Last year I was so excited to learn that there was going to be a new Robert Galbraith book.  I purchased the novel as soon as it came out and then held on to it for quite a while before reading.  It was worth the wait for me.

The Strike books are best read in order although a new reader could pick this one up and still enjoy it. Long term readers of the series may feel, as I do, that the novels are to be savored for the relationship between the protagonists.  Since Robert Galbraith is J K Rowling, a master plotter, I am sure that she knows where she is going to take us in their (not quite) romance.

Along with catching up with Robin and Matthew (and Sarah) and Strike, there is a mystery to solve.  What did Billy see?  How does it relate to the troubled family of the Minister for Culture?  How does this plot intersect with that of the blind minister who is involved in sport and her sleazy husband?  Who is the murderer in the present?

Set in London, Parliament, country estates and the country the book has many settings.  Politics and the London Olympics are the background.

The novel is long, very long, but I was happy to stay within the pages of this book as I both eagerly awaited the denouement and yet, did not want the book to end.   I am already looking forward to the next in this series.

Have you read this one?  Did you enjoy it?  I would be interested to know your thoughts.

Another view:

“At times you might feel as you did when reading the Harry Potter books, particularly later in the series, when they got longer and looser. You love the plot, and you love being in the company of the characters, and you admire the author’s voice and insights and ingenuity, and you relish the chance to relax into a book without feeling rushed or puzzled or shortchanged…. Long live the fertile imagination and prodigious output of J.K. Rowling.”―The New York Times

A to Z with Dear Dragon is part of a series for very beginning readers. In this brightly illustrated book, readers will find a word for every letter of the alphabet. There is a glossary with pictures to help children to know the word, even if they cannot yet read it. In addition, at the end of the book, there are suggestions for activities and further learning.

This book could be a good teaching tool. I don’t think, however, that there is anything especially engaging in it. Still, if you are looking for an alphabet book, this is one possibility.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is part of a series on artists. I have read the one on Frida Kahlo, which was well done, and now there is an entry of Van Gogh. This short book does an excellent job of telling the story of Van Gogh’s life and work. Young readers will learn about Vincent’s struggle to find what he wanted to do; for example, they will read that Van Gogh was a minister for a time before becoming an artist. Van Gogh’s mental health issues are included in an honest, but not too detailed, way. Readers will also learn about Van Gogh’s brother Theo and his relationship with Paul Gauguin. And of course, there is the art! The illustrations are vibrant and many of the artist’s works are found on these pages. This book should be a welcome entry for a school collection on artists for young readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the Publisher

Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh

Vincent took himself for very long walks.

He was overwhelmed by the beauty in the swirling leaves on the trees and the warm orange colors of the fields. He felt as though couldn’t get enough of the world around him and he couldn’t paint it fast enough.

This book is the first in a new series. The story of Amelia Earhart is told in a combination of straight text and more cartoon like illustrations. Children who want to learn about living one’s dream or who are interested in aviation or women’s history, will enjoy this chapter book.

The story starts with young Amelia aka Millie’s early years. She was not like the other girls that she knew; Amelia wanted to dress as she wished and to have adventures. At times, she did not fit in. Amelia was also plagued by issues in her family. While her father loved her, he had his own struggles with unemployment and alcohol. Nonetheless, he tried to help Amelia to do the things that she wanted.

Before taking to flying, Amelia witnessed the plight of WWI veterans and did nursing. She enrolled at Columbia University where she hoped to study medicine. However, when her family needed her, she returned to California. It was there that she took her first flight and, as we know, over time became a part of history. Amelia’s accomplishments were great. The mystery of her last flight has still not been solved.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this interesting read in return for an honest opinion I now know more about this famous aviatrix than I did.

A contemporary romantic comedy and some classics.

Over 1,000 posts and looking forward to more.

The first three Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels for $2.99

This book is very clever, funny and yet full of art history. It is a wonderful way to learn about or review art movements. The facts are well researched while the art reflects each period. Covering everything from Ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, Fauvism, De Stijl to Abstract Impressionism and more, the book provides a thorough introduction to art movements. I even learned about several art periods that I did not know including CoBrA and the Young British Artists.

For each era, there is one large and other smaller illustrations. There are sections of the painting techniques and the artists of each movement. For example, the Fauves use of bright colors and collage are noted. For this section the illustration is of a cat that could have been painted by Matisse. For on Pop Art there are cat food cans that are recognizable as being in Warhol’s style. At the end of the book there is a timeline which provides a helpful additional reference.

I will enjoy going back to this book time and again. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the fun and informative read.

Here is the publisher’s description for readers’ additional a-mews-ment:

Become litter-ate in the basics of important art movements through a host of beautifully illustrated cats, each one inspired by a specific period in art hiss-tory: Surrealism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Ancient Egyptian (of course), and many more. From Claude Meow-net to Jackson Paw-llock, these creative cats will introduce you to key themes and artists you won’t soon fur-get. Purr-haps even inspiring you to make your own version!

I think that Anne Lamott is very wise.  This book of hers is on sale today.

From Booklist

I would be the first to say that I have no talent for sewing.  I still remember my skirt and jumper from home ec in seventh and eighth grades; neither was a great success.  So, I am not sure that I would be successful in making these projects but I can tell you that they are so cheerful and appealing that just looking through the book was a delight.

The author describes her works as “happy and lovely,” as indeed they are.  There are instructions for making a number of bags and pouches and also decorative objects for the home.  The directions appear to be detailed and helpful.

I enjoyed looking through this book and feel inspired.  Maybe you will too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.