Jenny Colgan writes stories that are always enjoyable. The locations are brought to life in a way that makes me want to book a plane ticket. The characters are people with whom I want to spend time. The plots are involving and just right for a break in the day.
This time the story takes begins in very northern Scotland. Readers meet Gertie. She is an island girl who thinks that she may want something more. What will she decide? How will Callum Frost fit into the story? Pick this one up to find out.
This book is perfect for readers who want a bit of escape, especially those who also like to knit. Those who’ve read other books by the author will be delighted to meet up with some friends from the earlier novels.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.
I love Buzz Books titles. They offer a terrific way to build reading lists. This edition features romance books.
This sampler is organized by type of romance; note that there are many. These categories include Contemporary, Paranormal, Post Apocalyptic, Regency, Rom-Com, Romantasy, Sci-Fi, and Sports. There is an additional section that sorts the books by age category.
For each featured book, there are a summary, a substantial excerpt, information on the author, basic book information (for example, price and pub date), and promotional information. Just a few of the authors included are Jasmine Guillory, Mia Sheridan and Sabrina Jeffries.
This title is worth a look. It will be welcomed by its target audience and may inspire some new readers to try the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publishers Lunch-Buzz Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
This title offers a valuable resource for children and those who care about them including family, caregivers, teachers and mental health professionals. It is an updated edition of a book about helping kids who worry.
This book is very readable and relatable. It offers helpful text and activities to help children to manage their anxieties. Huebner notes that adults often tell kids not to worry or push them forward or shield them while none of these tactics work very well. Instead, this book helps kids to understand what worry is, how it is triggered and ways to manage their fears.
This title is meant, I think, to be read with a trusted adult. Going through this book multiple times may indeed be useful. In fact even some adults may find some help in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association-Magination Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
I was initially drawn to this one by the book’s title and the cover which I found very appealing. Happily, the story inside these pages also offered an enjoyable read with gorgeous locations, some good characters and an interesting plot.
Sadie was the kind of person who lived a predictable life as exemplified by her position as an actuary. Her life changes following the unexpected death of her best friend, Gemma (not too much of a spoiler as this happens very early in the book).
Sadie needs a change and purchases a bike tour company in France (now that sound pretty nice). However, of course, there are problems. These include vandalism and murder. No spoilers so hard to say much more except that this was a fun, cozy read. I hope that it is the start of a series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
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.
Readers will know pretty quickly whether or not this book is for them. If a reader feels that there is in fact nothing to get over, they may want to pass. For many others though, exploring the complex relationship between parent and child may be compelling. For that matter, maybe those who are thinking about having children will want to read this to think about how they hope/want to be as they take on the role.
Not all therapists focus on a person’s childhood these days. However, many do and this title is well within the camp that believes in the deep and profound influence that a parent has on a child’s life. The authors go for a deep dive examining parenthood and coping strategies for their offspring in these pages.
The authors suggest that there are different types of parents. For example, a parent could be preoccupied, overprotective, controlling or defensive. Each of these (perhaps unconscious) ways of being has a cause and also an effect upon that parent’s child. Interested readers may well see their childhood as influenced by one or more of these ways of being.
Luckily this book also offers a number of exercises that are meant to help. However, I do urge proceeding thoughtfully. This book may uncover a lot. If that is the case, it would be important to be anchored in some way while working things through. This could mean therapy or perhaps another way of reaching out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for this title. All opinions are my own.
Stephen Fry wears a few hats. One of these is author and, in that guise, he has written his version of the Greek myths. Readers are lucky that he has taken on these stories of the gods with all of their powers but also their human flaws.
This is a long (over 500 pages) book that will keep readers entertained for hours. So many stories are included here. Read about Gaia’s Revenge, Hera, Artemis, Cupid, Phaeton, Hyacinthus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Midas… and that is just a very small sample of the characters found in these pages.
This is a new edition of the previously published Mythos. It is lavishly illustrated. Mythos will bring so much pleasure to readers. Think about giving this as a gift to someone who loves Greece, mythology and beautiful editions of books. I am certain it will be welcomed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 