This title seems geared to pre-teens and older, those who have the capacity to stop for a moment to reflect on themselves and their approaches to tasks and life. The author offers mindfulness practices to study habits and the process of learning. For example, she writes about the importance of being present in the moment. This means not judging one’s self by past school performance. Equally it means not worrying too far ahead about school tests and projects but going step by step. The need for self-care is also stressed and, for example, relaxation exercises are given.

It strikes me that in the heat of the moment it might be difficult for a student to take the time to read this book even though it would, perhaps, be helpful. I propose that this title would make for good summer reading with the chance to relax, reflect and be ready for the next academic year.

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

#DoodleDays #NetGalley

Pub Date: July 6, 2021

Often when I am in a class or talking on the phone I find myself doodling. Forever, it seems I have drawn faces, coffee cups and flowers. I am getting bored with these so was very excited to see this book. It is full of ideas about making those fun little pictures.

Short sections include everything from how to use the book to tools and materials, and lines and shapes. By the end of this sample, I wanted the full book and was full of ideas. I am very eager to get started.

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

by Stéphanie Boulay, ills. Agathe Bray-Bourret

#RileyCantStopCrying #NetGalley

This book will be welcomed by both the families for whom it was most likely written and also by all families that want to teach their young children acceptance of others. Its message is important.

Riley is lucky to have his older sister Regina. She cares about her little brother and wants to figure out what is leading him to cry all the time. She industriously works on this, talking to Riley, drawing pictures, and thinking about what she knows about herself and how this might help. Together, Riley, Regina and their dad address what is going on.

The importance of Riley, and by extension, others being who they are is the important message of this vibrantly illustrated story. It is a good title for school library shelves.

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

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living

by Massimo Pigliucci

What can modern readers take from the wisdom of the Stoics? How can they help us now to lead a good and meaningful life? It is impressive to read this title and discover the many ways in which the stoics can help us in making decisions and choosing the life that we want.

Take a look at this title by Professor Pigliucci. He writes in a thoughtful style and offers a glimpse into his own life in these pages. This title may change your worldview or at least provide some welcome perspective.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 18, 2020

#TheKillingsatKingfisherHill #NetGalley

The New Hercule Poirot Mystery

by Sophie Hannah

#TheKillingsatKingfisherHill #NetGalley The Killings at Kinfisher Hill is the fourth mystery that Sophie Hannah has written with the permission of the Agatha Christie estate. The books feature Hercule Poirot. They are stand alones so can be read in any order. This book, along with the others in the series, have an old fashioned feel. They have some Christie trademarks with traditional settings, intricate plots and some interesting characters. Readers know that with the help of his “little grey cells,” Poirot will solve the case. There are a number of threads to the story. In one, a young woman refuses to initially board a coach because she has been told that she will be murdered if she sits in seat seven. What will happen to her whether she sits there or not? Poirot has a conversation with a mysterious woman on this same coach. She tells him that she has murdered someone and regales him with the tale while remaining anonymous. Who is she? Did she do what she said? How will Poirot find out? Then there is Helen. She has confessed to a murder but it is not clear that she actually killed the victim. Did she? Why if she did, and why confess if she did not? And…who is the second murder victim? Why were they murdered? HOw does this connect with the first murder in the story? Thank goodness that Poirot is around to bring order to the case and the reader’s world. Fans of traditional mysteries and/or Agatha Christie will enjoy this case. Can your “little grey cells” figure it out? Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable read. All opinions are my own.

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 22, 2019

Lady Clementine is a wonderful historical novel and one that I highly recommend. As can be seen from the title, it is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston. The story is told in Clementine’s voice and Ms. Benedict inhabits that so well that, while reading, I truly felt that Clementine was telling her story. The book focuses quite a bit on WWII but there was much before that in Clementine’s biography and these earlier times merit also captured the author’s attention.

Readers learn that Clementine’s childhood was rather insecure and find out why this was so. The losses she experienced and her opportunities to marry before meeting Winston are detailed.

Clementine and Winston had many years together prior to WWII. Readers experience the ups and downs of their relationship, Winston’s political and military woes and their significant family tragedy. Winston’s neediness and strong need for Clementine to be available become quite clear. Readers also witness Clementine’s mental health struggles and the challenges that she faced as a mother. Throughout there is the lens of Clementine finding her own voice and her desire to be appreciated and recognized for the incredible woman that she was.

I give this novel 5 stars, something that I rarely do. I recommend it that highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this read in exchange for an honest review.

Trace Elements A Comissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMarch 4, 2020

Where I live, the weather is currently cold and the days are short. When Trace Elements takes place during a summer in Venice, it is as hot as hot can be. Clothes are sticking, meals need to be light and our detective, Guido Brunetti is mystified by the tourists who want to be in Venice at this miserable time. I could feel the heat and the need to drink mineral water. All of this is to say that Ms. Leon is a master at creating her scenes and characters. When Brunetti was eating his cheese and salad, I salivated. When I followed this essentially good man throughout the story, I wanted to know him and his colleagues as real people. When Brunetti was with his wife, Paola, I wanted a marriage like theirs. All of this adds verisimilitude to a novel that, in parts, is deeply tragic.

Tue story begins when Brunetti and a female colleague go to visit Benedetta, a women in hospice care, who is dying a miserable death from cancer. Readers will feel great sympathy for this character’s suffering. Before she dies, Benedetta presents Brunetti and Claudia Griffoni with something to investigate. They learn that Benedetta’s daughters are about to become orphans as Benedetta’s husband recently died in a crash. Was his death an accident? If it was murder how, if at all, does it relate to his job?

In Trace Elements (an apt title), the crime as it relates to Venice feels all too plausible. Ms. Leon has done her research and written a believable and sad tale of human corruption and its consequences. Wrong actions happen but the reasons for them differ.

This title is the latest entry in Donna Leon’s long running series about Guido Brunetti. It is a most excellent novel and I recommend it highly.

A Novel

by Susan Wittig Albert

I have long been a fan of this author’s China Bayles mystery series. Here she branches out into historical fiction telling the story of Eisenhower and his love affair with Kay Summersby.

At the time, Eisenhower was, of course, married to Mamie. He was in Britain because of the war and former model Kay was his assigned driver. This novel vividly imagines and brings to life their attraction to one another during times of great stress and their becoming involved with each other.

This book is titled The General’s Women because, of course it tells the story of what Mamie’s life was like as well. It was not easy. Eisenhower’s own perspective is also included.

Readers may well know which relationship Eisenhower ultimately chooses. This will not interfere with their absorption in this story.

The title covers the war but also the time after it as Eisenhower seeks a number of positions.

Fans of historical fiction, give this book a look. It makes for a good read.

Kudos to Albert for doing her research and bringing this story to life.