www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/books/review/anthony-doerr-cloud-cuckoo-land.html

This has spoilers. I have my review on the blog.

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Write. Draw. Reflect.

by Matilda Tristram

The author of this title feels passionately about the ways in which writing comics can be helpful to the one doing the drawing and captioning. It may also be helpful or inspiring or humorous or…to others if shared. The comic offers a visual way of thinking that can be augmented with text. The cartoon can make a point, evoke emotion, provide catharsis or more.

Ms. Tristram began making comics when she was diagnosed with cancer. Expressing herself with this form was important to her and she shares why this is so.

After a detailed introduction, there are a number of prompts. These are followed by pages where the owner of the book can make their own comics. She shares her own on each subject and these help to put budding artists in the spirit to create.

For those who are looking for ways to express themselves, this book may be quite intriguing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing it. All opinions are my own.

Four stars

From the Publisher

A unique insight into recording your daily life and embracing the ordinary through comic art

The 52 sections in the book can be completed in any order. Start with a prompt that appeals to you. If you find any subject particularly inspiring, do continue with it outside of this book.

Or you might find that some of the starter subjects don’t appeal as much, in which case use those sections to continue with other narratives that you are enjoying. You could ignore the frames provided and divide your pages differently, if you like, with similar or larger boxes. It will be a record of your life that grows with you.

As I got further into writing and drawing this book, I noticed my drawings improving. It’s tempting to start again at the beginning and redo the whole thing – but that’s just what happens with drawing, and with any kind of creative art: the way you work will always develop and change.

ME / MY HOME

Take inspiration from yourself and your immediate surroundings, from everyday rituals, activities or spaces, to objects or garments that mean something to you. Enjoy thinking about how each experience or thing makes you feel and write those fragments down.

ME / MY HOME

THE WORLD AROUND YOU

MODERN LIFE

FAMILY & FRIENDS

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 3

by T E Kinsey

This title is part of a cozy, historical mystery series. In this entry, Lady Hardcastle and her maid are invited to the country for some car races and parties. It sounds like fun to Lady H so off they go…but, of course, where she goes murder often follows. It does here when a driver dies. What happened? Who did it? Read this lighthearted story to find out Along the way, enjoy the unusual for its purported time bantering relationship between Lady and maid.

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

I recommend the Maisie Dobbs series. There are also a number of books for kids by Rick Riordan as bargains today.

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The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis sets her novels in iconic New York City locations. She has told stories set at the Barbizon Hotel for Women, The Dakota, Grand Central Station and now at the Chelsea Hotel. In each of her three prior novels, the narrative took place during two eras; in this book, the author follows two characters in the same time period. They are actress Maxine and would be actress and playwright, Hazel.

The novel opens with Hazel joining a USO troop in Italy during WWII. These scenes were so evocative, both in terms of the war and the emotions raised for the performers. This beginning left me feeling very excited about the rest of the book except…for a while, I then found the narrative less engaging. However, round about chapter 18 there was a twist and I again became very involved in the story and the characters’ lives. It is worth sticking with the book in my opinion.

Much of this book centers on the activities of HUAC, the House Un-Amercian Activities Committee. Who is a Communist? Who is being targeted unfairly? Should we be rooting people out and encouraging them to turn on others? What are the consequences to everyone when a government sponsored witch hunt is going on? You will think about these issues as you read and may also find the subject relevant in our current political climate.

In addition to HUAC, the reader spends time at the Chelsea Hotel, the Tonys, on Broadway and more. There are actors, government workers, names dropped of famous and real Chelsea Hotel denizens and more. Most of all, readers will connect with Hazel and Maxine, their friendship and its challenges.

All in all, this was a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-galley. All opinions are my own.

by Happy Yak

This is a short vibrantly illustrated book about some wild animals. I found it to be simple and appealing, just what is needed for the very youngest book owners.

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

The Secret Halloween Costume

With 2-Way Sequins!

by Sophie Vaillancourt

Charlotte is a young witch. As Halloween approaches, she does not want to follow her family tradition of dressing as a scary witch. Can she do something different? What costumes will she reject? What plan will she carry out? What is the message of this holiday story for young children?

Add this to your list if you are looking for stories about independent girls this October.

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