A Novel

by Allison Pataki

Readers of historical fiction, mark your calendars for this books release da te. It is fabulous.

Allison Pataki tells the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post from her childhood right on through her “many lives.” She was a daughter, wife (multiple times), mother, key part of Post (later known as General) Foods, society woman, charitable worker and donor, ambassador’s wife, builder of multiple estates and more. The pages just flew as I followed Marjorie through her life.

Readers will travel with Marjorie to many locations. Among these are Battle Creek, Washington DC, Manhattan, the Adirondacks, Palm Beach (Mar-a-Lago) and Moscow. Readers experience Marjorie’s own experiences in each of these places.

Relationships were a big part of Marjorie’s life. No spoiler so I won’t write about how many times she married or who her husbands or children were.

I so highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. It is one of the best that I have read in this genre.

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

365 Meditations for the Here and Now

by Osho

I found the cover of this collection of meditations to be quite appealing in its calmness. I felt invited in to see what the entries would state. There are 365 messages in all, one for each day of the year; the purpose of these meditations is to direct readers to be mindful in the here and now. If you are a person who likes to take a little time each day to ponder life’s mysteries, give this title a look. It definitely offers food for thought.

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

Join Easter Bunny on a layer-by-layer egg hunt!

by Jennie Bradley

This is a simple book about the Easter Bunny that is geared toward the very youngest children. It has engaging, busy illustrations that include things for a child to find. It could be a good addition to a toddler’s Easter basket.

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

by Colleen Cambridge

Those who enjoy mysteries will most likely recognize the name Mallowan in this book’s title. For those who don’t know, Mallowan was the name of Agatha Christie’s second husband. Two facts…He was younger than Agatha and was an archaeologist.

This book is delightful and clever. The Mallowans are characters in the novel but do not dominate the story. It is a take on the English country house murder and is told with warmth and a nod to those who know their mysteries. For example, readers will observe Agatha getting the brainstorm that later results in The Body in the Library.

The book’s conceit is that Agatha’s housekeeper, Phyllida, is an old friend. Because of this, they chat often and do not maintain a strict employer/employee relationship. Phyllida is the amateur detective for the case. She is an astute observer even as she ends up in some trying situations.

The Mallowans host a house party. The murder victim does not appear to be whom he said he was. Photos that he possessed are found and these include all of the guests at the party. What was the victim after? Who murdered him? Why? Read the story to find out.

Both this book and Murder at Greenway were recently published. Each has some connection to Agatha Christie. I preferred this novel.

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

The Maid has garnered so much praise both before and after publication. It is a book that is definitely worth reading. Those who enjoy The Thursday Murder Club and Ruth Galloway mysteries are certain to love this novel with it quirky, idiosyncratic and (morally) good protagonist.

Molly sees the world in her own way. She appears to be “on the spectrum,” though I hate to use that term and do not want to make Molly anything other than the unique woman that she is. Molly has trouble reading social cues and people’s facial expressions. This can lead to her being naively trusting. Molly speaks with a beautifully old fashioned syntax and sometimes makes rhymes as, for example, “a tissue for your issue.”

Molly lives with her grandmother who works as a domestic. Molly is herself a maid, working at the Grand Hotel. It is a job that suits her orderly personality and Molly takes great pride in her work. (She will hopefully leave readers with more respect for those who toil in hotels for the benefit of the guests).

Molly becomes involved in a series of events that leave her in over her head. There were times when I wanted to yell “stop” to Molly when she trusted some of the hotel staff and guests but, of course, could not do so. The fact that I wanted to is a tribute to the author’s ability to create characters for whom readers will care.

Who will protect Molly? Will she get out of this mess? Will she or the hotel ever be the same? Read this charming, heartfelt novel to find out. To use one of Molly’s favorite words, it is “delightful.”

I sincerely hope that the author’s next book is published soon. I give this first novel of hers five stars.

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

Wake Me Up When It’s All Over…

Unpublished Letters to The Daily Telegraph

by Kate Moore

A Guided Journal to Start Each Day Feeling Calm and Energized

by Editors of Rock Point

This book invites readers to make the most of those first moments after they wake up. The author asks them to briefly engage with setting a self-reflective tone for the day. Each pastel colored two page spread includes a thought from the author while on the opposite page there is a journal question. For example, in one entry it is suggested that cities are most peaceful early in the day while the next page invites the reader to think about how they will receive peace that day. Another talks about how plants grow up and down and then the reader is asked to consider how they are growing inward and outward.

Do these kinds of thoughts and exercises appeal to you? If yes, this book will become a welcome c0mpanion.

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

Fall gently to sleep with this nighttime routine, from A to Zzz

by Erica Harrison

This sweetly and brightly illustrated book seems just right for toddlers. It is one of those titles that a child might listen to night after night as it helps them to transition to bedtime. In addition to the story, there is a letter and word on every page. This book makes a nice addition to the simple, bedtime story niche.

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