I found the illustrations in this title to be absolutely endearing. I loved how Little Polar Bear looked in each of them. I think that an adult and child could delight in looking turning the pages of this title.
That said, I found the story to fine but not as enticing as the visual aspects of the book. Our little bear helps to bring a tiger back home. Each encourages the other and is always kind. Along the way, the two get help from others, giving a message of how we care for one another. Lars and little tiger Sasha are sweet throughout.
Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Every year I look forward to the next novel by Mary Kay Andrews. She consistently tells a good story and ranks high on summer reading lists.
In this book, listeners meet Hattie Kavanaugh. She married and was widowed young. Now Hattie is busy as a house renovator.
Over the course of the novel, Hattie gets the chance to be on TV, gets involved in an old disappearance case and meets a burned out detective. Where will things go? As usual, there is a lot going on here so get ready to enjoy this long audio book.
Note: Due to the limited time that I had access to this title, I did not get to hear all of it From what I did listen to the narration was well done.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this title I hope to get this from the library to hear the rest of it.
Monica Ali has written her first novel since the popular and well-received Brick Lane. I was delighted to be given an ARC of this title and was eager to read it. To me, it was worth the wait between the two books.
First, think about the title. It is not Love, Marriage or Love and Marriage but Love Marriage. Readers learn that the title is not about the sequencing of relationships but rather about a love (not arranged) marriage. This seems to refer to the marriage between protagonist Yasmin’s parents but could also refer toYasmin’s upcoming marriage to Joe. Readers who follow the characters will learn, not surprisingly, that relationships can be complicated, fraught and sometimes places where there is dishonesty.
Yasmin is the child who has done mostly what was expected of her. She has studied hard and is in the process of becoming a doctor like her father. Yasmin’s brother is adrift as the book opens. He has a third class degree in Sociology so the world is not on his doorstep offering employment.
Yasmin is engaged to Joe. He is white and a fellow doctor. There is at least one big thing that he has not shared with Yasmin. Arif’s girlfriend Laura is pregnant and due shortly before Yasmin’s wedding. Early in the novel, Arif is not dealing with this. What will happen in each of these relationships?
Then, there are the parents. Yasmin and Arif’s parents were raised in India where they were of different castes. Yasmin’s father is a self-made man (mostly). Yasmin’s mother takes care of everyone. I love that she was described as short and cozy, not chubby. Was their marriage truly a love marriage?
Joe’s mother is a well-known feminist. Once she invites Yasmin and her parents over for a meal, all bets are off. Spiraling begins. For example, suddenly Yasmin and Joe may be married by an imam when they wanted a civil ceremony. As the reader continues this book that can be funny and poignant much will happen.
Love Marriage is an involving read. I recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for this title. All opinions are my own.
This time the Little Person with a Big Dream is Elvis Presley. How did this musical icon find his way? In this title, kids will have the chance to find out. As always, in this fine series, there are some additional resources at the end of the book.
Readers watch as young Elvis, who was born in a shack, becomes interested in music. With talent and perseverance, Elvis became the “King” of Rock and Roll, a new musical style. For it was Elvis who joined country music and blues in a new way that became known by that iconic term.
Elvis had a huge following for all of his performing talents including acting. Readers also learn that Elvis was loyal to his country and served in the armed forces. His dream brought him all the way from that shack to Graceland.
Many thanks to Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Maggie D’Arcy is back! This is the third in a series that I very much enjoy. These books can be read out of order but, if readers have time before this book’s pub date to read the other two, they are best read in order. There is a lot of backstory.
Maggie is surrounded by many people and their interrelationships. These are as much a reason for reading the novels as are the actual mysteries.
In this latest entry, Maggie and her daughter, Lilly, are spending a few months in West Cork, Ireland. They are there with Conor and his son. The history of Conor and Maggie’s relationship begins in one of the earlier books so, just for here, know that they are now a couple and that Maggie and Lilly are considering permanently moving from Long Island, New York to Ireland.
A lot happens in West Cork and Maggie, a (former) police detective, becomes very involved in all of the goings on. There are several murders, drug dealers, real estate development, immigration issues and more in these pages.
Part of the “more” has to do with goings on at an Anglo-Irish stately home in the past. Was a governess murdered? What is the story of the owner/artist who lived there with his family?
Police officers whom Maggie knew from previous cases are here along with a new detective, Ann, and various members of the force including one who is with the drugs squad. Readers also meet the people who live in the area and who are intimately involved in the events depicted. Readers also watch as Lilly falls in love with a young Polish immigrant.
This book at times moves a bit slowly over the course of its more than 350 pages. Nonetheless I enjoyed it. The sense of place is very strong. It felt a bit like I was on the cliffs overlooking the waters, on the village streets and in the homes of the characters.
Readers who already know Maggie will want to read this and catch up with her. New readers may be a bit confused at first but should be able to find their footing. Of course, they can go back to the earlier books to get a better grasp on Maggie, Conor, their pasts and more.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 