Mary Kay Andrews knows how to tell a good story. She has given her readers many fun beach reads. This one is among her best.
In this long (over 450 page book) a lot happens as readers spend time with journalist Conley. She certainly experiences some ups and downs. They lead her back to her small hometown when she wanted to be a hotshot in DC. However, there she is. What is Hello Summer and what is Conley’s contribution to it? What will transpire after something happens to a congressman? Will there be romance in the storyline? Find out as you rapidly turn the pages in this title. I recommend it for those who want a fairly light yet involving read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
I am a great fan of books about books. A favorite of mine is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, and I recently read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop. Aoyama’s lovely title shares with the others a love of books and reading, an acknowledgment of how books open worlds to readers, and an understanding of how self-knowledge and growth are fostered through reading. A bit like, Wait Until the Coffee Gets Cold, What You are Looking for consists of a series of vignettes about people who are at a crossroads. When they meet a very particular librarian, they may not understand why she gives them certain recommendations (a small felted frying pan, the suggestion of a children’s book when the reader was asking for books on Excel) but readers can trust that all will become clear and that the books’ borrowers will benefit. This book is one that reads in a deceptively simple manner. There is much to think about as well in these pages, however, especially about the meaning of work. This book would make a delightful gift for a book lover. It looks very nice in its hardcover version. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.
Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.
The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.
This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.
I am reviewing the audio version. It was a beautiful listen and I was sorry when the story ended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful historical novel based upon the Book Women who delivered library materials to those in the out of the way sections of Kentucky. The book women were part of a program started by President Roosevelt under the WPA.
There are many book women in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky but the protagonist of the novel is the unforgettable Cussy. Cussy speaks in dialect which helps the reader to fully enter into her world. Cussy faces special challenges because she is the last of the ‘blues.’ There really were blue-skinned people in America as a supplement at the back of the novel attests. They were objects of curiosity and also of prejudice, just as was the case for the African American population.
Cussy wants to be independent both before and after her disastrous short term marriage. And yet, what will happen with patron Jackson who is one of the few to call Cussy by name, rather than the derogatory Bluet?
Cussy’s love of books flows through the novel. There are references to books that were popular at the time, including those by Steinbeck and Rex Stout. Cussy’s inventiveness in making books and delivering what her patrons need is impressive.
The landscape of rural Kentucky, the small towns, the mines, the mountains are all well described. Each patron that Cussy visits has a back story and readers will even come to learn more about the mule who transports her.
If you are a reader who enjoys historical fiction set in the U.S., consider this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I truly enjoyed Annie Lyons’s novel about Eudora Honeysett and gave it five stars. I, was then, of course, quite eager to read The Air Raid Book Club. It did not disappoint.
This is an historical novel that will appeal to those who have read Dear Mrs. Bird, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Last Bookshop in London, and other similar titles. It is warm in the same way with characters about whom writers will care. Plus, there are books, lots of books. At the end of the novel titles are listed should readers wish to explore further.
Gertie was married to Harry. Together the two opened and loved a bookshop. Sadly, Harry died from the very thing that kept him from serving in the military. Gertie has subsequently lost her zest for life. When she is asked by one of Harry’s friends to take in a Jewish child as WWII looms, she hesitates before making her decision. What happens as a result of this choice, the importance of books, and more make this title a most satisfying read, even with some sadness in the events of the story. As an extra bonus, get to know Mr. Hemingway…no, not that one! He is Gertie’s lovely dog.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 July 2023
From the Publisher
My review of Eudora…
So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I read it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others. Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be? Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more. In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister. Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them? At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. Give it a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
This entry in the popular series tells the story of the world renowned gymnast. Her successes in competition are certainly given attention but so are some struggles and her willingness to stand up for what is right. All of these facts of Biles make her an inspiration.
Simone Biles is a role model. Here kids will get to know more about her.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
This alphabet book that is about belonging features compassionate words for all of the letters. For example G is for gifts (not material ones), K is for kindness, R is for relationships, and U is for understand.
This title is cheerfully illustrated with children of many backgrounds. The text is simple but well able to inspire conversation.
This is a terrific alphabet book. It encourages children to understand themselves and others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Teacher Created Materials-Free Spirit Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
For those who may not know, haiku poetry consists of seventeen syllables. While this may seem short, so very much can be expressed in this form.
This title includes works by four masters of haiku. Read about each of them before going to the poems. The overall introduction is also informative.
The included poems are often gorgeous and thought provoking. I love that each page includes calligraphy and a transliteration of the Japanese as well as the English translation.
In my opinion each work is a jewel and meant to be savored. Read slowly and take in the experience in this lovely book.
Many thanks to Amber Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
For those who may not know, haiku poetry consists of seventeen syllables. While this may seem short, so very much can be expressed in this form.
This title includes works by four masters of haiku. Read about each of them before going to the poems. The overall introduction is also informative.
The included poems are often gorgeous and thought provoking. I love that each page includes calligraphy and a transliteration of the Japanese as well as the English translation.
In my opinion each work is a jewel and meant to be savored. Read slowly and take in the experience in this lovely book.
Many thanks to Amber Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Readers will be able to decide if this book is for them just as soon as the title is read. Anyone who feels that they may indeed people please too much (and perhaps to their own detriment) will find much of value here.
Readers get to learn about Bowen family theory and will understand why people pleasing is so prevalent and, equally, why it may be important to not completely succumb. One thing that I liked in this book was that points are made through the use of vignettes of clients engaged in the therapeutic process. The book is written in a very easy to understand way and will, I think, be welcomed by its target audience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-St. Martin’s Essentials for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 