Month: January 2024

This is not the book anyone dreams of. Who in a happy relationship wants to face the death of a partner? And yet, of course, this is a part of life. Sadly, two friends of mine are currently in the early stages of figuring out this new identity.

The author of this book understands what it means to become a widow. Nutter knows that it is a change of immense magnitude. She tries to gently guide and offer support to the members of this (unwanted) club. 

The reflections in this book are divided into chapters. A few of these are titled Some Widows Say, Gratitude List, Spiraling, and The Presence of a Friend. Each chapter has a number of short entries. There are suggestions in them for building on the entries with reflections and thoughts. There are also a number of quotes about grief scattered through the pages.

Our Daily Bread is a religious publisher but I don’t think one has to be Christian to find some solace in these pages. Take a look at  this one for someone you know and sadly, perhaps for yourself one day.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ****

#SecretBritain #NetGalley

his beautifully illustrated title will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the British Isles, history, archaeology and more. It is a beautifully photographed and wide-ranging tile.

The author begins with an introduction, a timeline and a map. She follows this with the many places where she is interested in “unearthing our mysterious past,” as the title of the book notes.

There are so many places included. To name some there are the Tomnaverie Recumbent Stone Circle, Seahenge, Must Farm, Snettisham Treasures, the Dagenham Idol and Stonehenge. The geography includes Kent, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Moray and many more locations. The first object featured is the Westray Wifey which is over 5,000 years old and was found on Orkney. There are so many more to follow.

This book can be dipped into or read in its entirety. I very much enjoyed the time that I spent with this fascinating title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 12 March 2024

Seven of the best browsable bookshops in the UK

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5f7d354e-8c66-45ba-b5a8-9377584cfd76?shareToken=b9d2bf22ad5eda1cb6604efe4df8dd79

FREE

Also:

The Case of the Hook-Billed Kites / The Down East Murders

People drink for different reasons. For many alcohol consumption does not pose any issues while, for others, there is an awareness of discomfort with their intake of drinks. There are those for whom a drink serves to calm, to feel better in social situations and so on without it feeling like an issue but others may feel that they want/need to try something else.

For anyone who is interested in thinking about this topic, this book is definitely worth a look. It delivers on exactly what it promises which is to give tips on how to unwind without using alcohol.

The authors use practices that are well regarded and considered to be evidence based to help. They specifically suggest things to try from meditation, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy).

This title is divided into sections including Soothe Your Mind; Engage with Your Body; Love Your Home; Rediscover Nature; Nurture Your Relationships, Reconnect with Your work; Savor Your Food and Drink; Embrace Your Family; Bond with Animals; and Celebrate Your Spirit.

A few examples of the fifty ideas included within these sections are Meditate But Keep it Short; Explore Nature Trails; Schedule Your Down Time; Reignite Your Nutrition; Bond with Animals and many more.

Be sure to read the introduction. It gives a nice sense of the authors’ perspective. Then, as they suggest, go slow and see what makes sense. This book is filled with ideas.

While this book is written for those thinking about alcohol consumption, in my opinion there is much here for the general reader as well. It is a very good resource.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harbinger Publications for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ****

From the Publisher

I first saw this book when I was browsing in a British bookstore on line and knew that I wanted to read it. It was great to find that it was also being published in the U.S. and it felt like a real treat to receive this one from NetGalley. 

Anyone who is (or has been pregnant) or knows someone who has, and those who enjoy somewhat frothy mysteries laced with humor should take a look at this one.

Imagine a baby being delivered right in the middle of a prenatal class. If that weren’t enough, imagine that a murder follows not long after. 

A group of women from the prenatal class are on the case. Will they solve it?  Readers can guess the answer to that. The fun is in watching events unfold.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own. 

Pub date: 09 January 2024

British cover and next in series

Rereading: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck — get swept along by the fury

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c986bf00-381f-4e5e-91c9-8136065d612a?shareToken=e953073a96bb50795e3aafc8454ca3ca

It might not feel romantic but this book would make an excellent gift for a couple that you know…even if you, yourself, are part of said couple. It seems to me that it will be especially helpful to those in new(ish) relationships, say two people who are about to begin living together. Reading this could help to avoid trouble spots later in a relationship.

Clearly, people evolve their thinking about money in both conscious and unconscious ways. The author of this book, a behavioral scientist, unpacks how these attitudes influence a person using the categories of spendthrift and tightwad. Early in the book, there is a short quiz (I find quizzes tend to draw people in) that helps a person to acknowledge their overall perspective. 

Following this, are chapters that will, hopefully, lead to deeper understanding and connection between partners. I like that there is even attention paid to how a current generation may influence the one below.

Struggling with a partner about money? Not struggling but don’t want to have to? Either way, take a look at this helpful book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 09 January 2024

From the Publisher

Keep an eye out for Hannah’s next novel. It is out soon and set during the Vietnam War. I am reading it now.

and a number of others in the series

by that Michael Caine