My favorite part of this book was the illustrations that highlighted the text so well. They did a good job of showing the main character’s feelings.
Of course, adults know that the star of this book is a donkey but…he does not know this for quite a while. He lives with cats, imitates cats’ behaviors and thinks that he too is a cat. What will happen as this certainty fades? How will he find his place in the world and reconcile his identity? (hint: watch for his new description of who he is in his own vocabulary).
The author is, I think, writing about finding one’s place comfortably in the world. Perhaps this is something that the adult who reads this one with a child will choose to explore a bit.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
When Cat Jones is given the opportunity of a lifetime to present one of Ireland’s most popular live daytime shows, alongside TV royalty David Fitzgerald she isn’t sure she is ready for the challenge.
But after being pushed by her mother’s friend Lorraine to say ‘yes’ to everything for a month, she reluctantly agrees.
What follows is a whirlwind of opportunities where Catis forced outside her comfort zone with varying degrees of success.
Once she accepts the challenge to take the plunge with the eclectic sea swimming tribe The Forty Footers’in Dublin Bay, she never looks back. She is warmly welcomed into their lives, and learns to find reserves of strength she never knew existed which helps her deal with a toxic ex, and a growing attraction for a handsome TV executive.
With best friends, Becca and Sinead also in need of a re-boot, can Cat empower them to choose ‘risk and adventure’ or will they go back to their old, safe lives?
Say ‘yes’ and your whole life will open up in wonderful ways
Sian O’Gorman was born in Galway and now lives just along the coast from Dublin. She works as a radio producer alongside writing contemporary women’s fiction inspired by friend and family relationships.
I love reading stories about women sharing an activity together. Learning about the characters lives and friendships always engages me and that was the case here. I very much enjoyed watching how the women swimmers were there for Cat as she faced challenges.
Cat is being offered an amazing opportunity but, like many, she can’t decide if she is ready for such a big risk. Readers will observe Cat’s growth as she “just says yes” for a while. They will also root for Cat’s friends Becca and Sinead.
Growth, risks, friendship, careers…all the elements of a good story here. I recommend this one for those who enjoy women’s fiction.
Readers may also want to read this one:
Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources. I loved being a part of this tour. It is a fun summer read.
Also thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books. All opinions in the review are my own.
This title is part of a series on mindfulness in…knitting, baking and several other activities where mindfulness can be practiced in every day life. This one is about connections between mindfulness and drawing. When I thought about reading this book, I considered how I doodle and how this can be a soothing activity. Therefore, I was curious about what I might find in these pages.
As is true of other books in this series, readers will find personal anecdotes, suggestions for practice and more. It is a welcome addition to a good series. Find the one(s) that speak to you; they may just help in achieving at least a temporary sense of calm.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are mine.
Oh, to spend time with Sarah Booth, Tinky, Coleman, and, of course, Jitty. Just a delight to read the titles in this series. Old readers will enjoy catching up with the people who populate these pages while new readers may read this one and then look for the backlist. That is now 26 titles long, beginning with Them Bones which was published in 1999.
This time, Sarah Booth and her partner in detection, Tinky, are asked to look into a cold case disappearance. Needless to say lots will happen before all is resolved. Along the way, the two will question this case’s relationship with others that involve those who have gone missing. They will hit the road to figure things out.
There is a reason that this series has so many entries. It is because readers just love what the author offers. Highly recommended to those who like cozies with a bit of quirkiness.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
I am an Anglophile for sure. So, I was very happy to receive an e arc for this title. It is just packed with good ideas for trips that are not too far away from the well-known city.
This book is divided into three sections, City & Town, Coast, and Countryside. I liked the maps with landmarks that begin each of these. In addition, there are many enticing photographs throughout. Cities and Towns that are featured include York, Bristol, Bath, and Edinburgh, along with many more. Coasts include Margate, Whitstable and a number of others, while find the Countryside in Cliveden House, Beaverbrook Country Estate, Box Hill and again, lots more.
I tested the book by looking up some of the places where I have spent time. I think that the authors did a nice job in describing these places. This gives me trust about the places that I have not visited (but would like to) that are featured here. That having been said, each entry is short so readers may want to explore their key locales with additional resources.
There are also helpful sections called UK Travel Tips, and Photo Tips included here. They are worth a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Note: I enjoyed this couple’s earlier book, Pretty Little London.
From the Publisher
Divided into Coast, Countryside, City and Town to make it easy to plan the perfect London getaway.
In her novels, Fiona Davis brings the world of New York City to her readers. I have spent time at the Frick Mansion, the New York Public Library, the Chelsea Hotel and other locations with her as a guide. Each time Ms. David brings the landmark to life, sharing some of its history and mystique. This is exactly what she does in The Spectacular, where readers go to Radio City Music Hall and spend time with the famous Rockettes. As usual, Ms. Davis tells an involving story with not just the intriguing setting, but also good characters and an involving plot.
Readers get to know the members of the Brooks family. The father is a widower with a prosperous business and strong opinions. Judy is the less beautiful daughter, the one who works at her father’s company and seems to mostly do exactly what is expected. For her part, Marion is expected to be and do the same; she is supposed to marry the right sort of young man and he has just proposed to her early in the novel. However, Marion is more like her deceased mother who was artistic. Marion loves to dance and decides to take a chance, auditioning for the Rockettes. This decision to become a Rockette affects Marion’s family relationships. She wants their support but is not sure that she can count on them.
Marion also meets many new people, including Bunny (another dancer) and Peter, a psychiatrist, among others in her new life. Readers not only learn about these people, they also get to witness the grueling rehearsal schedule and indeed spectacular formations of the Rockettes.
At the same time there is a bomber in the city. How will that play at Radio City? What will be the impact on Marion and what role will take on in events?
The novel opens with Marion when she is older. It then goes back and takes readers on her journey. They will watch Marion as she faces real threats and emotional ones, all the while deciding what kind of life she wants for herself.
Here is yet another very good read by the author. Recommended for historical fiction and women’s fiction readers. It is a delight.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.
I devoured this author’s first book, The Appeal. It was told in a series of documents, had a wide cast of characters and a terrific plot. I am happy to say that The Twyford Code is a most worthy successor to that title.
Once again, the author takes an idiosyncratic approach. This time much of the story is told through a series of audio tape transcripts. Some transcribed well, others less so, giving room for questions and ambiguity.
The book’s narrator has had a hard life, including time in prison. Understanding events from the past motivate the (unreliable?) narrator.
When he was younger, he was in a remedial reading class with some other students (who will be met in these pages). One day, Steve took a book that he found on the bus \, rather than turning it in. His teacher recognizes it and feels a connection, a strong one, to it. And so, things go from here.
Who was the author of this book? What was its significance? What happened to the teacher? Settle in for a satisfying read with this title as the story unfolds.
On another level, this book points to the glories of literacy. Reading opens worlds and nothing can replace that in my opinion.
In a starred review, Publishers Weekly observes: Filled with numerous clues, acrostics, and red herrings, this thrilling scavenger hunt for the truth is delightfully deceptive and thoroughly immersive.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 