Month: June 2020

This title is a book of short stories that were collected to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Mystery Writers of America.  Each author has written a tale that has to do with a special date.  The authors who contributed to this book are a “who’s who” of excellent crafters of mysteries.  Some of the contributors are Petr Robinson, Marcia Muller, Margaret Maron, Peter Lovesey, Carolyn Hart, Sue Grafton and many more.

This is an outstanding collection and I recommend it highly.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#DeadlyAnniversaries #NetGalley

Mostly light reading today except for The Fountains of Silence.  I just bought it as my sister said that it is one of her favorite books.

Mostly mysteries with a bit of fiction.  I loved The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.  See the blog if you want to read more.  The Edith Wharton book is free.

Robyn Carr has written many novels that readers of women’s fiction have enjoyed; some of her books are standalones while others are parts of series.  Virgin River is the first title in this author’s longest series with twenty books in all.  Virgin River was written around 2007 but was released again to coincide with the tv series that recently came out.

The stories take place in a fictitious town where neighbors watch out for one another.  As long term readers of the series know, each book features a couple but old friends are often encountered as one moves forward with the titles.  This first book is mostly about Jack and Mel.  Jack runs the town bar and is a former marine.  Mel, a widow, is a midwife looking for a new start when she accepts a position in the town.  How will it work out?  Will she stay in Virgin River?  Will she become open to a new relationship?

Readers of genre fiction can undoubtedly guess the answers to these questions.  Still, readers may enjoy the fact that things may end well, especially in these times when life feels out of control.

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

 

I always enjoy spending time with the whimsical Peanuts gang.  Charles Schulz was, in my opinion, one of the best at what he did.

In this title, Snoopy wants to be the first beagle in space, just as the title indicates.  But, of course, the whole gang is included in this title.  The subsequent comic strips often sweetly hint at home truths or philosophical issues.  There are also strips that will just make you chuckle.  This book also includes a section that has a number of interesting facts about space.

In my opinion, one can’t go wrong spending time in the world of Peanuts.  I highly recommend this title.

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

#SnoopyFirstBeagleinSpacePEANUTSAMPSeriesBook14 #NetGalley

A new book by this author is always welcome and this title is no exception.  Big Summer is a summer read but one with a bit of food (apologies for the pun) for thought.  Protagonist Daphne has spent much of her life struggling with her weight and the impact this has on her self-esteem.  As the novel opens, she is an “influencer” who is feeling better about herself.

Daphne lives with a roommate she likes and has caring and supportive parents.  She cares for two children whom she likes, and maintains all of her social accounts.  But…her life is about to change.

When Daphne was in 6th grade, she enrolled in the private school where her father taught.  While there, she made some good friends including her current roommate.  She also came under the spell of Drue.  Drue seemed to have everything that Daphne wanted and when Drue offered her friendship, even a flawed one, Daphne was willing to accept this.  Of course, she subsequently got hurt as happens when one cedes to the desires of a mean girl.

After a period of about 6 years, Drue comes back into Daphne’s life again seeming to offer Daphne something but, of course, also wanting something.  What will happen moving forward?  No spoilers so you will have to read the book to find out.

This book touches on some issues that matter:  the importance of family, the nature of friendship, self-acceptance and self-esteem are some of them. Another is what it means to live life by social media posts.  Never hitting readers over the head, Ms. Weiner just invites them to think while they enjoy a Big Summer.

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

#BigSummer #NetGalley

Mostly light reading here.  There is a review of Treacherous is the Night on my blog.  I reread the E.M. Forster not long ago and enjoyed it.

This is a vibrantly illustrated story about a girl, her grandmother and a grandmother school in India. The classrooml was created to help grandmothers obtain the education that they were denied when younger.

Readers and listeners will delight in the close relationship between a young girl and her grandmother who both want to learn. Those who pick up this story will feel the joy when grandmother no longer needs to sign with her fingerprint at the bank but can write her name. She is on a learning adventure and fee;s such self-respect..

This title helps all of us appreciate what it means to get an education and to take joy in learning and family. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#GrandmotherSchool #NetGalley

Happily Ever After is such a sweet series of comics. Readers will adore spending time with this couple as they live together and negotiate their relationship. Many of the strips offer a glimpse of the universals in relationships and many made me smile. This couple could serve as a model for all of us as we try to live well together while confined. Definitely worth a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#HappilyEverAfterEverythingInBetween #NetGalley