The Gravity of Joy

A Story of Being Lost and Found

by Angela Williams Gorrell

I love the title of this memoir; it reminds one that finding joy is not something to be taken lightly. It is also a reminder to fully experience joy when it appears in one’s life.

This book is one that tells about both heartbreak and resilience. The author was offered the incredible opportunity to study the topic of joy at Yale’s Center for Faith and Culture. While given this experience, the author was also presented with multiple family losses in quick succession. Joy was not her dominant emotion.

However, Ms. William Gorrell went on to learn a lot about joy through her work at a women’s prison. Interacting with and hearing the inmates’ stories was an extraordinary experience and influenced the author’s world view.

This book is geared towards a Christian readership but those of other faiths might also enjoy it.

by Mitchell James Kaplan

#Rhapsody #NetGalley

I have listened to George Gershwin’s music for quite some time but all that I really knew about him was that he had a brother named Ira. I now have a much deeper understanding of him and of his relationship with Katherine “Kay” Swift. Their relationship is brought to glowing life in this fine historical novel.

Spend time in jazz age New York with George and Kay. Each was a genuine musical talent and individual in their own right. Readers will be interested to watch their relationship evolve. What led Kay to George, despite her being married? How did their relationship unfurl?

Fans of historical fiction and of music will enjoy this novel. Give it a read.

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

Note that I both listened to and read this book. The narration enhance my enjoyment of the novel.

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

by Chloë Ashby

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I love the chapter titles in this book. Here are just a few: You Can’t Leave Your Hat On; Troubled Dreams; To the Barricades and Natural Wonders. There is wit here too, as, for example, the section with leaving one’s hat on is actually about nudes. There are ten chapters in all and 100 artworks discussed.

The author’s goal was to include both well and lesser known artists. She also wanted to cover a wide time period. Both the selections and commentary held my interest.

A feature of this book that I very much liked was about links. These include the topics “see this, visit this, read this, watch this, listen to this and like this? try these.” These greatly add to what readers can get from the book itself.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know a bit more about history. It is very well done.

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

Cold Tuscan Stone and Two Days Gone are free!

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

This latest entry in the excellent Little People/Big Dreams series for young children tells the story of Hans Christian Anderson. Appealing detailed illustrations accompany the text throughout.

Readers learns that young Hans grew up very poor. Still, the family had one book and this book was loved by Hans as it was full of exciting stories. The somewhat circuitous route by which Hans got from his family’s book to writing his own is told in this title. As usual with this series, there are additional facts about the book’s subject included at the end.

I like this title very much. Through it readers learn about an author with whom they may already be familiar. He truly was one of the most beloved writers of fairy tales.

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

Who can you believe or trust? The Suspect by Fiona Barton

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsFebruary 5, 2019

I recently posted a NYT Book Review’s review of this title.  In many ways, I agreed with it.

I had read The Child, this author’s second novel. and very much enjoyed it.  See my review of that one below.  I began this book with high expectations that were not quite realized.  Nonetheless, I found that I was constantly turning the pages of the short chapters until I got to the end.

The central story is about Rosie and Alex who travel to Thailand for their gap year.  The two are very different with Alex having a stronger moral compass.  Rosie wants to party while Alex wants to see and experience the country.  What happens to them and why forms the central mystery/suspense of the book. No spoilers here. Around them, there are other characters in Thailand and Rosie and Alex’s families at home in England.  The reader also spends time with a detective and reporter who were also in this author’s earlier novels.  Their relationships and backstories figure prominently in the narrative.  There is an overlap in that Kate is reporting but her son is also traveling in Thailand and a part of the story’s events.

This novel deals with tragedy and the impact of a difficult upbringing. I won’t say about whom or whose so as not to spoil the suspense.  Yet, despite this, I found that I did not care about the characters or story as much as I had hoped to.

I give this one a solid three stars.  If you read it, I would love to know what you think.

True Stories of Fantastic Felines

by Penelope Rich & Isabel Muñoz

Pub date: April 1, 2021

The cover of this book will undoubtedly appeal to young cat lovers as will the illustrations inside. They are adorable. Cat lovers will also enjoy browsing through the content of this title. Inside are short stories about many famous cats. The book is divided into categories including Cats Throughout History; Cats with Jobs; Extraordinary Cats; and Famous Cats. There are also sections on caring for cats and kittens and further reading suggestions. I enjoyed learning about Hemingway’s cats and Unsinkable Sam who survived the sinking of three warships during WWII. There are many additional entries here, all of which are fun to read.

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

The Windsor Knot

A Novel

by SJ Bennett

Narrated by Jane Copland