Artistic Places

by Susie Hodge

What a lovely title for armchair travelers who enjoy art. In this book, visit London with Whistler; Suffolk with Constable; St Ives with Barbara Hepworth; Guernica with Picasso; Giverny with Monet; Brussels with Magritte,; Florence with Michelangelo, Oslo with Munch; Polynesia with Gauguin; New York with Basquiat and more.

This title begins with an informative introduction on artists, the places that had meaning to them and the ways in which those places were interpreted in their art. Following this the sketches begin. Each is accompanied by an illustration; this is not a reproduction of the artist’s work but rather a rendition of the place by the book’s author. Each essay gives information about both the place over time and the artist. Readers may then well be inspired to look up the specific art works mentioned.

This is not a scholarly tome but a pleasant diversion. It offers a chance to contemplate places and art from one’s home and to enjoy spending time with artists both already loved and those new to the reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Courtney Sheinmel; Colleen AF Venable

Pub Date 13 Apr 2021  

This title is the third entry in the exciting children’s series about Piper and Cosmo. The books are best read in order as the adventures build. That said, readers new to the series are brought up to date in the first chapter.

Each chapter is fairly short, has illustrations and is engaging and entertaining. Beginning chapter book readers will delight in these stories. They have humor, suspense…and, of course, a rather surprising pet.

As this story opens, Piper, her grandmother, Cosmo (the pet slime), and Piper’s friend Claire are being held in at the headquarters of Ma La, a dangerous corporation. Will they escape? Who are the bad guys? Are there any good guys? How does Cosmo help the characters to figure this out? How do Piper and the others use their skills, including origami, to help themselves?

The novel will have readers racing through the chapters as they wait to see what happens. They will enjoy seeing how clever and empowered Piper is as she plots her escape. They will also be interested in what happens at Piper’s grandmother’s lab and more.

Adults will appreciate the bits of education in the novel. Children learn a little about Jackson Pollock and Banksy. They also find out a bit about Sally Ride, Albert Einstein and DaVinci. There are also science facts.

This book is recommended for young readers. It will entertain them as they also learn a little. In a section at the end of the book, kids will learn how a glass can help them to hear through walls, how to make an origami cup, who Sally Ride was and something about SpaceX.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

A Guide to Reading and Reflecting

by Mary Shelley; Karen Swallow Prior

This is the second title that I have read in this series, following on Jane Eyre. This edition includes the full, first edition of Frankenstein. (One thing that you will learn is that there were both an original and later Frankenstein). There is a lot of information in the sections that are included along with the full text of the novel.

Readers learn that Mary Shelley had a somewhat chaotic life and one that was filled with loss. Her bereavements included her mother’s death, deaths of her children and the death of her husband. In addition, readers learn about the free wheeling existence of Mary, Percy and those around them. There were many affairs and interconnections.

This edition also includes a good deal of insight into the novel itself. Those who have never read the book may be surprised to learn that Frankenstein was not the monster. They may also be surprised by who narrates the story. Some of the influences on Shelly in terms of death and its links with creation and birth are explored as are many others as well. In addition context about the Romantics and other influences of Shelley’s era and discussion questions..

This book is published by a religious publisher so there is a section on reading the book from that perspective. Overall, I feel that this edition will be welcomed by readers looking for some insight into Frankenstein before they read or reread it. There are even some questions for discussion included after each of the novel’s volumes.

by FAITH MARTIN writing as MAXINE BARRY

Faith Martin has written a number of mysteries in several series. Here she tells the story of a woman who goes to an Oxford College hoping to avenge her brother’s death by suicide. Is Dr. Lacey responsible? How will this turn out?

There is a secondary plot line as well about another student in the college. She is a young woman who is being harassed by her brother and his friends. What will happen to her?

This book has gotten middling reviews. I concur. I just was hoping for a bit more. I did enjoy the Oxford setting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Karen Cushman

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I was drawn to this middle-grade readers’ title by the author and by the intriguing cover. It matches the book’s content. We see a girl on the beach which should evoke pleasant feelings and yet…there appear to be ominous planes and ships right off shore. This is the introduction to the story of Millie, a girl who lives in California during WWII and, more specifically, around the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

This was a difficult time in American history and it is difficult for our protagonist. She is living her life with the usual issues of childhood including school, friendships, sibling rivalry and a grandmother’s death, but also with rations, Hitler in Europe and a sense that the U.S. is not safe. How will she cope? Who will help her?

Readers who pick up this book will find out. I hope that they will also discuss the book’s content with a trusted adult as the story is not always easy. It is, however, very well done by the author of Catherine, Known as Birdy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook

by Giulia Suro, PhD

#LearningtoThrive #NetGalley This title is about a particular type of therapy that many people have found to be helpful. The author offers readers the opportunity to understand what is entailed in this treatment, known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She then offers a number of exercises that readers can explore. This title is divided into sections including those on family and personal life; health and wellness; and Spirituality for example. There are eight chapters in all. Each can standalone, allowing readers to spend time on the areas that are of most interest to them or a reader can progress in the given order. There are additional resources at the end of the book. The author, a clinical psychologist, states that her goal is to help people become “unstuck.” If you could use that kind of help, take a look. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A critical curation off 100 essential photos • Packed with links to further reading, listening and viewing to take your enjoyment to the next level

by Gemma Padley

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I recently reviewed another book titled, Look at This if You Love Great Art, and recommended it. I also like this title and think that it is well worth a look. The two books have features in common, especially links to additional resources. This information really gives the interested learner a chance to expand their knowledge base.

Again, the book has fun chapter headings. Some of these include Photos That Make You Look Twice; A Punch in the Gut; Photos That Could be Dreams and Colour is KIng. The photos here are intriguing and often elicit an emotional response in the viewer. The author’s text enabled me to see more in each photo than I might have on my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

A life imagined: Rodham A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJuly 9, 2020

I read and enjoyed Ms. Sittenfeld’s, American Wife, which was about a fictional Laura Bush. It felt so true and believable. So I was excited to learn that the author had written another story based in politics, this one about Hillary Rodham.

The first section of the book reportedly stays pretty close to what really happened, with Hillary meeting and becoming involved with the charismatic Bill when they were students at Yale Law. It is, in part in this section, a story of a young woman who always felt smart but not always attractive. Hillary here was fiery and committed, just as she had been in her college graduation speech. This continued in the work that she did for children and families while at Yale. Any woman or girl growing up who feels that being labeled “smart” was a mixed blessing will understand the fictional Hillary’s feelings and surprise that “someone like Bill” was interested in her.

Post graduation, Hillary and Bill live in Arkansas in this novel with Hillary becoming a law school professor and Bill beginning his steps into politics. No spoiler after the publicity for this novel…but Hillary chooses not to stay with Bill. She is uncomfortable with his inability to commit to just one intimate relationship. So…what happens to Hillary after striking out on her own makes up the rest of the novel.

Hillary initially returns to Chicago where she teaches at Northwestern and over time becomes interested in running for office around the time of the Clarence Thomas hearings. I won’t say more but leave it to readers to find out what happens. Would this life have been preferable for Hillary? It is something to think about. Clearly the choices that we make impact how our lives unfold. Readers will no doubt contemplate that as they read discover where the author’s imagination takes them.

The reviews that I have seen for this novel have been mixed. I am in the camp that is glad to have read the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.