Month: March 2024

#GreatMindsonSmallThings #NetGalley

I found this to be a rather idiosyncratic book but one that was quite interesting. It worked best for me when I dipped in for random small doses. Thisibook based on philosophy but delivered with the unique perspective of the author.

Organized by the alphabet, there are exactly what the title describes: Great Minds on Small Things. For example, with the letter B, the author thinks about de Beauvoir’s comment on her bath and takes off from there. Just a couple of other letters and topics to give the flavor would be L where there are entries on laziness and listening among others; for T there is Tea. So, if this sounds like your cuppa, give this one a look. For a bonus, there are illustrations.

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

Pub date: 05 October 2024

Four stars ****

Anyone who is a senior, or who knows a senior, may want to purchase this book. It is simple and straightforward. The exercises are described in an easily understandable way. The illustrations show exactly the positions that a person should take. All in all I think this book is a good resource.

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

#PrivateEquity #NetGalley

Before reading Carrie Sun’s insightful memoir, I knew nothing much about Private Equity other than that it made some people very wealthy. The world of this book is not my world but I felt its intensity almost painfully as I turned the pages.

This is a book about privilege (the ability to make a very good living, to work with smart people, etc.) but also about the toll that working in an environment that may not be a good fit ultimately takes on a person. The question then is whether someone can walk away from the benefits for the sake of another (perhaps even better) existence.

Carrie Sun is the child of immigrants. She was raised to work hard, very hard indeed and to be successful. As her memoir opens, she is in a relationship with a man named Josh who is, himself, very successful. However, just as can happen in work, some things that Josh wants from Carrie may take her too far away from her values.

Carrie decides to apply for a job with a billionaire after a position is floated by a headhunter. She undergoes, for this one job, more interviews than I have had in my whole career. Carrie gets the position and readers follow along to share her experiences and decisions.

This book, at times, read like a novel though there were also some technical aspects to it, as when Sun describes what PE is. In some ways it is a cautionary tale. It is also, importantly, a story of discovering one’s self. I recommend that it be read by a wide readership including those who are considering, or feel stuck, in their career choices.

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

Pub date: 13 February 2024

#EssentialLifeSkillsforGirls #NetGalley

I highly recommend this title that teaches and empowers girls (though it could be useful to boys, adults…). It is nicely illustrated and packed with information.

This title is divided into sections on matters related to home, schoo,l and being out in the world. Just to give a flavor of the title with a subsection from each area…learn how to do laundry, to have difficult conversations with friends, to understand money matters.

This title would make a great gift and I think the recipient may refer to it often.

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

Pub date: 09 April 2024

Four stars ****

Deanna Raybourne has written two historical mystery series as well as some standalone novels. A Grave Robbery is the ninth in her series featuring Speedwell and Stoker.

Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist and a free spirited woman who is ahead of her time. Stoker has been an adventurer. Both now live and work on an eccentric’s estate.

The relationship between these two is what I most enjoy; they are clever, witty, and more than willing to challenge one another. That is just what happens here.

Stoker’s employer wants him to install a mechanism in a waxwork. The idea is to make it seem as if the waxwork is breathing. There is a bit of difficulty because…this is no waxwork but a corpse! And so, the adventure begins and the protagonists are on the case.

Those who already know the series will be eager to read this. New fans will enjoy this one as well. They may find that a trip to the backlist is in order for the full experience.

Recommended to fans of slightly quirky historical mysteries.

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

Four stars ****

Jennifer Ryan has become one of my favorite writers of historical fiction and here she has written another successful WWII set story. In The Underground Library, she follows three main and many auxiliary characters.

Juliet has gotten her dream job, even if it may only be because the men are away. She is now the Deputy Librarian of the Bethnal Green Library. (Look it up for some great photos). She hopes to liven up the rather staid premises with a book club, children’s story hour and more. What will she contribute to the project that is the title of this book?

Juliet lives with a landlady and it turns out that she knows the other boarder. Juliet used to have no respect for him. Will her feelings change?

Katie has been working in the library while waiting to attend university. She becomes a friend and colleague to Juliet. However, Katie faces a serious crisis. Will she be okay?

Sophie lived a nice upper middle class life in Germany before the war. She has become a Jewish refugee in London. Sophie works for an incredibly mean spirited man and some in London view her in a rather prejudiced manner. She finds solace in the library. Will Sophie get a chance at something better? Will she ever be reunited with her family?

Readers also get to know a number of the library’s patrons. These include two older sisters and the rather bold Marigold. All of them interact over the course of the story including, of course, the three main characters.

The author does a good job of depicting wartime London. The descriptions of bombing raids, Anderson shelters and running to the underground for safety are all well portrayed.

This is a novel that will be enjoyed by those who like books about books, women’s fiction and WWII set stories. The pages definitely turn.

Look for all of Jennifer Ryan’s novels starting with The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. They offer engaging reads.

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

From the publisher:

Four stars ****

The category of “Regency novel” has expanded to include many new authors and storylines. As is true in this title, there now seems to be more room for original storytelling, humor and a bit of mystery along with the romances that readers crave.

This is a fun read featuring the titular Lady Charlotte. When she does NOT want to be married to a man who may have killed his two previous wives, she wants to take action. Of course, this is not a recipe for a great marriage if true. Charlotte knows that she needs to find out more.

Charlotte is then led to the brother of this possible villain. He is very different. What will happen when Matthew, a doctor, and Charlotte meet? What will be discovered about the viscount? And, what does Matthew want to hide? With whom will Charlotte find romance? This is all enough to keep the pages turning.

Readers who enjoy this genre should definitely put this book on their spring reading list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

#AfterAnnie #NetGalley

In my opinion, Anna Quindlen is one of the premiere practitioners of the art of deeply felt domestic fiction. In After Annie, she once again goes deep into the heart and soul of a family, one that is facing loss and all that entails.

Annie was a mother to four children, all of whom counted on her, taking her for granted in the ways that children do. Her sudden, seemingly unpreventable death from an aneurysm at a young age, is the catalyst that deeply affects these children, her husband and her best friend.

Readers find out more about Annie as they spend time with those around her. Her daughter, Ali, is forced to grow up, her husband falters, and her best friend faces a renaissance of old issues. Will these folks who were left behind be able to move forward? Will they be okay? How will Annie continue to be a presence in their lives? Find out in this work of literary fiction that is as good as anything the author has written (and that is high praise).

Note: Anyone who has experienced a recent loss may find this book both difficult and worth reading

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

Pub date: 27 February 2024

From the Publisher

The book my mother gave me — by Max Hastings, Camilla Long and more

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d7d8f01b-47ca-4dc8-90a1-e5d5a8f64590?shareToken=f76453a508dbaeef8b331f31e1528e79