New historical fiction for September — an explosive postwar comedy and more
Month: September 2024
Now out:
Jewish Voices
Inspiring & Empowering Quotes from Global Thought Leaders
by Dana Rubin
This collection of thoughtful quotes is organized by topic. A few of these include Art and Culture; Laughter and Tears; Antisemitism and the Holocuast; Family and Home; and more. Each of these sections begins with an orientation to the topic.
The author-compiler’s introduction notes the importance of language and words to the Jewish population across the diaspora. She has chosen quotes from Greek, Latin and Aramaic teachings as well as Yiddish lore. In addition, there are sayings from migration to the Aegean, the Iberian Peninsula, Asia Minor and the Russian steppes. Quotes cover a wide period of years up to the present day.
Readers are also given information on those who are quoted. Some of these authors may be well known, for example there are quotes from Amy Shumer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg while others will be from those not previously known by the reader.
The quotes themselves are plentiful. In addition, the text is accompanied by graphic illustrations.
This book would make a lovely gift or addition to libraries. It would maybe be a nice title to give to someone at the time of the Jewish fall holidays. I hope it will be read by many and will help to open dialogue during fraught political periods.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
She may not be who you think: Queen Macbeth
A Novel
by Val McDermid
#QueenMacbeth #NetGalley
Val McDermid is one of my very favorite authors. She is so versatile, writing the Tony Hill-Carol Jordan series, the novels that feature Karen Pirie, the historical series beginning with 1979, and her earlier Kate Brannigan and Lindsay Gordon stories. In addition, she has had several free standing novels like The Vanishing Point and A Place of Execution, to name just two.
So…is there still room for her to do something new? Indeed there is. Here, McDermid takes a new look at one of the best known characters in Shakespeare. It is a story of Lady Macbeth that is not the tale as he wrote in that drama. It is an excellent read.
Here, for example, the three witches are redefined as is the marriage to Macbeth and the nature of the conflicts. Readers become immersed in medieval Scotland.
Fans of historical fiction and McDermid will want to take a look at this short (122 page) title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 24 September 2024
Rooney’s newest
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney review — her characters just aren’t normal people
Let’s explore: Amazing Asia
An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent
by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
#AmazingAsia #NetGalley
Do you know a child who might like to know more about the many countries that make up Asia? Would they like books with maps, photos and a nice layout? Are they interested in history, people, culture, food, wildlife, sights, the past and future of this continent? And, this book has even more.
If they (or you) can answer yes to some (or all) of the above, this book is an excellent resource. It is organized by geographic areas, for example, South Asia or West Asia, etc. and packed with information.
This book would make a fantastic addition to a home or school library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 01 October 2024
Wish that I could join: The Best Life Book Club
A Novel
by Sheila Roberts
#TheBestLifeBookClub #NetGalley
I very much enjoy stories that offer a window into the lives of characters who are facing the sorts of issues that any of us made have to deal with. In this story, for example, there is divorce, death of a spouse, raising kids, looking for and starting new jobs and even a cute dog who needs a bit of training.
Readers get to know Karissa and her daughter who are learning to live with their new circumstances. When they move to their new home, they meet Alice. She was widowed a few years ago. The third primary character is Margot; she, too, has a divorce and (lack of a)job issues with which to deal. In addition, there is also Alice’s sister in the story.
How these women and those around them fare makes for an involving read. Plus, I do love any book that is about books and book clubs.
Anyone who reads book by authors such as Brenda Novak, Susan Mallery will, I think very much enjoy this title. I will now look to read more novels by Roberts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 07 May 2024
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Don’t we all want to become the heroine of our own story? Well, welcome to The Best Life Book Club. In a charming setting on an island off the Northwest coast, a set of characters so vivid we want to be their best friends, and a story that keeps us turning the pages, The Best Life Book Club is your book club book of the year. When Karissa, Alice, Margot and Josie discover the power of books and story to change their lives, they must decide whether to take the chance for something new: cue laughter, tears and love. With her trademark wit and warmth, Sheila Roberts delivers a story nestled inside a story, a novel of pure delight! —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
“Sheila Roberts makes me laugh…and come away inspired, hopeful and happy.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From the Publisher
Would you like to join: The Summer Book Club (Susan Mallery)-an e book bargain
#TheSummerBookClub #NetGalley
Those who have read other novels by Susan Mallery will welcome this story about a group of women and their complex lives. Those who have not read the author’s books before may want to pick this one up when they are looking for an escapist read.
The main characters are Paris, Laurel and Cassie. Each has faced challenges in life and all are trying to figure out their next steps. Paris runs a farm stand that readers will wish that they could visit as it is both adorable and stocks quality products. In the past, Paris had been abused and her own temper led to the end of her marriage. Now her ex is back in town…
Laurel’s husband left her and the school says that her older daughter constantly puts men down. They ask Laurel to fix this, a big ask as where is a good man? Laurel runs her own business as well selling on goods from estate sales and other sources.
Cassie is living in Maine when the reader first meets her. However, her family wants her to start thinking of herself and they push her to go to California to see an inheritance.
As readers no doubt expect, these three women will get to know one another well. Readers will hope that they each find their way. As they try, the summer book club will be there for them and for the reader who may find some other suggested titles to be ones that they want to explore.
This book will appeal to readers of women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 13 February 2024
Book Nooks
Inspired Ideas for Cozy Reading Corners and Stylish Book Displays
by Vanessa Dina; Claire Gilhuly
Book lovers who wonder where to put their volumes will, I think, swoon over the photos in this title. This is a book that lets the observer feel like a voyeur as they witness the many ways in which books are arranged in people’s spaces.
In addition to looking at different types of nooks, for example those for kids or traditional libraries or small spaces, there are also other tidbits. One of the first of these, for example, details Gillian Flynn’s Favorite Mysteries. To whet your appetite I note that she likes Case Histories and The Westing Game, among others. Another of these lists is Jasmine Guillory’s Must Have Romance Novels. She likes Mrs. Nash’s Ashes and The Boyfriend Project, to name just two
This title will be adored by book lovers. Just a perfect gift.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
How to Understand and Deal with Anxiety
Everything You Need to Know
by Rasha Barrage
#HowtoUnderstandandDealwithAnxiety #NetGalley
Feeling anxious? Know someone who is? If the answer to one or both of these questions is yes, then definitely take a look at this title. Readers will leave this one feeling that they have a better understanding of what constitutes anxiety and what may lead to it but, more importantly, they will have a sense of hope. There ARE things that can be done to help manage this difficult emotional state as the author makes clear.
The tone of this book is designed to encourage and not judge. For example, in the very first section, the author notes that anxiety is part of what makes us human. That already sounds helpful as a starting point. Of course, that this is true does not mean that one should not examine ways to cope more effectively. Just some of the techniques covered include mindfulness and breathwork. The author also acknowledges that there may be times when more professional support is needed.
Each section of this book is short and the book is 125 pages long. This makes it feel like a very unintimidating read. I will definitely look at the other titles in this series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The Experiment for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 10 September 2024
From the Publisher
Now out: Love Story by Lindsey Kelk
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.
Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 