Month: May 2023

Martin Edwards has been editing titles in this series for a while now. He does a most excellent job.

This time, Edwards turns to Scotland with a collection of seventeen stories from the classic mystery fiction tradition. I found many of my favorite authors here including Conan Doyle, G.K. Chesterton, Josephine Tey, and Cyril Hare. I was also introduced to some new authors which added pleasure to my reading experience.

Be sure to read the introduction. It is filled with interesting and helpful context. I also liked the author biographies that prefaced each entry.

This book is just right for when a short story (and not a novel) is called for. Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 May 2023

Those who enjoy word puzzles may well want to add this book to their library. The way the anagram puzzle works is clearly explained and then the fun begins. Puzzles range from the easy to the very difficult. Progress or start at the level that seems right. This is a brain teasing, fun collection and one that would be easy to carry around. I enjoyed it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

#MindfulnessinBaking #NetGalley

This series shows how mindfulness can be found in every day tasks. I previously reviewed the entries on gardening and knitting. Here is one for the bakers among us.

While each title is unique, all offer a chance to connect more deeply while doing something familiar. Here readers spend time with Julia Ponsonby who has been baking fr over 25 years. Clearly, she has had time to think about the topic.

Chapters include Simplicity, Using Our Hands, Baking for Well-Being, Baking for Enlightenment, and an Afterword. There is also a section on resources.

The timeless quality of baking and its long history are acknowledged right off. Through baking it is noted that we focus completely on an activity in the present and may therefore have that “beginners’ mind” that is a part of mindfulness. Also, the author notes that all of our senses are engaged.

I very much enjoyed spending time with this author. I liked that she shared personal anecdotes. Also, there are some mindfulness activities to practice and even some recipes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 20 June 2023

by Holly Rosensweig

#LetsGoPuppy #NetGalley

Adults and little ones are certain to find the illustrations in this title absolutely adorable (and often humorous). In addition, the front of the book informs adults about how this title might be used to encourage a toddler’s early language development so it is not only about the cute factor.

Simple words accompany the pictures and are repeated several times to help in learning. I think that both adults and kids will like spending time with this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and NInewise Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 27 June 2023

The Sunday Times pick of the best new popular fiction

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/9a61c6a8-e8da-11ed-bf13-ef78badfc41f?shareToken=2faeac741a375a975befa621dcb0ac1b

The Sunday Times Bestsellers List — the UK’s definitive chart

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f2c6f942-da35-11e9-8fc3-6e1b00e49ce4?shareToken=70a783ecb4f7729f7740caad59da9183

There are three sections in this title; Anxiety Machine, Growing Pains, and Onward to Good Things. In them, the author/cartoonist shares his view of the world and some of his struggles. Heart and Brain may sometimes be in conflict but they both are needed.

Those who like comics with a somewhat existential bent may want to give this book a look. It did not fully gel with my sense of humor but that certainly doesn’t mean that it might not be perfect for others. Many readers have given this title five stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

#ACertainDarkness #NetGalley

A Certain Darkness is the sixth title in the series that began with This Side of Murder. While the books can be read in any order, it is worthwhile (and entertaining) to start from the beginning. This way readers may best understand the relationship between protagonist Verity and her husband Sidney. It has been a complicated one.

This title takes place in the aftermath of WWI. Peace may have been declared but that does not mean that life is peaceful. Sidney is asked to interview a woman who wanted to talk only to him-why could their meeting not take place? Verity, for her part, is supposed to secure some documents. Readers can imagine that events around this will not move forward smoothly. Verity will have doubts about those for whom she works. How will what Sidney has been asked to do relate to Verity’s own work?

In these pages are murder, a series of confusing events and a deepening of the relationship between the main characters. Readers also travel some through post war Europe. This all makes for a good read.

I enjoy this series and look forward to each new entry. As noted above, I do think that perhaps the titles are best read in order so those who have not yet met Verity have a lot of good reading ahead. For those who start with this novel, some background is provided.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: August 2022

From the publisher: