#MyFirstPianoSheetMusic #NetGalley

This is a great title for kids who are learning to play the piano. There are forty simple songs here along with many fun facts. Just a few of the pieces include When the Saints Go Marching In, John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, Amazing Grace, Bingo, and the Birthday Song. Young students will feel a measure of accomplishment at they successfully play these songs.

I found this to be a nice title for its intended audience. I even want to play.

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

Pub date: 11 July 2023

#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

#MyFirstPianoLessons #NetGalley

This book, along with the author’s My First Piano Sheet Music, are good resources for kids who want to play the piano. This title introduces music concepts like the Treble and Bass Clefs, types of notes, staffs and more.. There are many songs to practice including Alouette, The Wheels on the Bus and more. Each is tied to the concept of a lesson.

This book is a good resource for little learners. Hopefully, it will make learning to play the piano fun.

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

Pub date: 11 July 2023

A Mystery at the Incredible Hotel

by Kate Davies

This book is a terrific read for a young lover of mysteries. They will meet Matilda who is a hotel bellhop. Will she be able to solve the case of the stolen secret recipe? It is needed for the World Baking Contest. The hotel’s Chef Stefan sure hopes so!

Matilda faces some doubts and accusations from those around her. Will she triumph? Who turns out to be behind the theft? Young children will enjoy finding out.

Isabella Follath has created delightful illustrations that enhance the enjoyment of the story. All in all, this is a short and appealing book.

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

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

What to Do and When

by Yolanda Zappaterra and Sarah Guy

#TheLondonYear #NetGalley

Those who live in England, along with those who plan to visit will find this book to be essential. It highlights the many events that happen in London over the course of the year. For each, there is a helpful description and there are also a number of photos. For example-in April be part of The Tweed Run, in July attend the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and so on.

Whenever a person is in London, this book should be part of the trip.

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

Pub date: 01 October 2024

by Lindsey Kelk

#LoveStory #NetGalley

Here is such a fun and feel good story and one that confirms what author Lindsey Kelk believes-that we love happy stories during difficult times. Her protagonist and, I think the author as well, see a role for romances as fiction that is just as worthy as any other reads.

Este Cox has written a book that takes off and becomes a huge bestseller. But…there is no Este, she is really teacher Sophie. Sophie is from a literary family and does not want to acknowledge her authorship of a sexy, romantic read to them. Lots of shenanigans ensue from this decision.

Playing against Este is Joe. As this is an enemies to lovers tale, readers watch as these two spar and come together. Watching them and the other characters in this story made for a delightful read.

I could pretty much say that, moving forward, I will read anything that Ms. Kelk writes. She knows how to help readers escape and enjoy her world for a few hours. Kelk gives readers a nice mix of plot, character, humor and heart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 September 2024

Yes, it is that Milne! What many may not know is that the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories also tried his hand at detective fiction. It is a shame that he only wrote one story since, as it turns out, he was pretty good at it!

This is a classic, country house mystery. There are a murder, many suspects, a prodigal brother’s return, an amateur detective (and his friend) and more than enough to keep the pages turning. There is even some humor.

It is very easy to recommend this reissue to fans of the Golden Age of Detective fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press-Pushkin Vertigo for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

by Carol Cooper

#TheHistoryofMedicineinTwelveObjects #NetGalley

We all go to see a doctor at some time. But, do we ever think about the implements and objects that they use? The discoveries that have helped with diagnoses and care? Each has a history. In this book, readers get a deep dive into twelve of these. Can you guess what any of them are?

Well, to name a few…the bone saw, the microscope, the stethoscope and obstetric forceps. Find out about these and others in this fascinating look at discoveries in the medical world. For each, there is a photo or illustration and a lot of information on the object.

This book would make a good gift for budding medical professionals and others interested in the history of medicine.

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

Pub date: 22 October 2024

by Kate Storey

The Memory Library tells the story of a mother and daughter who have a complex relationship-is that not always the case? For Sally and Ella in particular, their issues lead them to live on opposite sides of the world (England and Australia) for decades. When Sally suffers a bad fall, Ella returns to England for a month and the stage is set.

One thing that I very much liked in this story was the love for books that came across quite clearly. Early on Sally reads Little Women to Ella and gives her a copy of her very own. They enjoy a tradition of a new birthday book each year. What a nice idea!

The title comes from what Sally did during Ella’s absence. Each year she purchased a book for Ella and inscribed it. What happened to them? Can they ever be shared?

This story delves into the lives of these two characters and those around them. It looks at how a parent-child relationship might fall apart and how it could be healed. It offers a heartwarming and enjoyable read.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys stories about relationships and families.

Note for those with Kindle Unlimited, this is a free read. For others, it is worth buying.

Pub date: 01 February 2024

From the Publisher

Sophie Mayhew is married to an English politician who is poised for great things, hopefully to be the next P.M. Devoted Sophie is the perfect spouse.  She is intelligent, beautiful, supportive and kind with a tragedy in her past.  She is the one who shows compassion for her husband’s constituents and stands by his side to enhance his profile.

However, Sophie, though well-educated and seemingly perfectly suited for this role, is quite unhappy.  Things come to a crisis point (no spoiler as this happens early in the novel), when she learns of her husband’s second affair.  Groomed carefully on what to say to the media, Sophie instead says what she wants and of course, chaos results.

Sophie escapes to the one place where she had been happy, lives under an alias and begins to know what she wants for herself and to feel entitled to this.  Along the way, she forms friendships and a potential romantic relationship.  However….Sophie knows that she must return home.  What will happen then?

This is a delightful escapist read so, of course, readers can imagine what will happen.  Still, getting there is enjoyable and I very much enjoyed this light read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Editorial Reviews