Month: September 2025

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.

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I looked to 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.

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. The audio version is also well done and the narrator reads with a clear, easy to follow style.

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

King Arthur Baking Company’s Cookbook for Young Bakers

by King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur flour is pretty well-known so it seemed to me that they would be ideally situated to create some recipes. They are.

This is for young bakers but I always feel that adults who are new to baking can also enjoy books like this.

The information at the beginning of this book is very helpful and will getbakers off to a good start. There are then lots of recipes organized by sweet or salty. A few examples include peanut butter and jam bars, lemon pudding cake, no knead crusty bread, and pick your pan pizzas.

There are lots of photos and the recipe steps are clearly explained. I also really liked the sections with questions as there were some interesting things to learn in these. One example was about the difference between baking powder and baking soda, another about what is macerating, somethings that kids might not know.

This is a really nice book. I may just buy the hard copy. Anyone who would like to bake with a child should take a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 September 2025

#InLove #NetGalley

Amy Bloom is not writing about fictional characters in this heartbreaking, moving and extremely well written work. Instead the novelist tells a story that is as impactful as any of those that came from her imagination. In some ways, she asks her readers to think about the unthinable.

This book relates what happened when the author’s husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Brian knew that he wanted to end his life. As this is not currently possible in most of the U.S., he wanted to go to Dignitas in Switzerland where assisted suicide is a choice. Bloom recounts her and Brian’s experiences, the emotional impact of the decision, the story of their relationship and the poignancy of their last days. Readers will also spend time with the author as she begins to experience her life without Brian.

Many will be touched by this book. I think that it will resonate and also open some hearts and minds.

This is an unforgettable book. Publishers Weekly states: “The result is a stunning portrayal of how love can reveal itself in life’s most difficult moments.” I definitely agree.

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

This book was published in 2022.

ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Publishers Weekly
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, Time, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, USA Today, Real Simple, Prospect (UK), She Reads, Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in exploring classical (or what is often called Western) music. This title contains one entry for each day of the year. The reader is told something about a piece of music and its composer. A piece to listen to is then suggested. By the end of the year, readers will have learned about many pieces in a delightful way. Note that Spotify has a playlist for this title so it is very easy to access the music. Highly recommended. I started today with Bach and am eager for tomorrow’s piece. I hope to continue all year.

A Novel

by Chris Chibnall

#DeathattheWhiteHart #NetGalley

When I was offered an early read of this title, I was beyond excited. I had already known about Death at the White Hart and knew that I would want to read it (as would anybody who saw Broadchurch). So, did it live up to my expectations? Definitely, yes.

This book has a somewhat cinematic feel to it which makes sense given the author. I could very much picture it as a TV series with the multiple settings, many characters, and some strong visuals (antlers attached to a dead man, anyone?)

The story is well told but, initially, asks that the reader pay attention as the characters are introduced. Their interrelationships are very much a part of the plot. There are pub keepers, police officers, many people in the community, relatives and acquaintances, as well as at least one more organized crime figure type.

The detective has her reasons for having come back to the community where she grew up. Still, Nicola had expected a somewhat better station. How will she and her team fare? Will her marriage make it?

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. It is easy to suggest that mystery/thriller readers pick this one up. Kirkus Reviews states “Hopefully, this is the start of a beautiful series.” I most definitely agree.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group- Viking Penguin for this time. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/02/books/review/novels-quotes-quiz.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/books/review/fall-nonfiction-book-releases.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/books/review/fall-fiction-book-releases.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/well/reading-tips-habit.html

#LayingDowntheLatte #NetGalley

Description-From the publisher

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, Oregon!

Baker Jules Capshaw, along with her husband, Carlos, and Torte’s resident barista, Andy, are packing their bags and preparing for the ultimate coffee excursion in Costa Rica. A fortuitous invitation from one of Carlos’s former colleagues, Valentina, has them venturing to the coffee capital of the world for a tasting tour and an immersive weekend at her family’s organic coffee farm.

They soak in the tropical breezes, the vibrant colors, the sounds of morning birdsong, and the sweeping views of the historic coffee farm. Valentina is the ultimate host, offering them traditional meals and thrilled to have their input as she’s preparing to open a coffee counter and bakery on the farm.

The getaway is just what Jules needed. A chance to relax and unwind, curl up with a book and iced latte by the pool, and tinker in Valentina’s kitchen, dreaming up new recipes to bring home. Except her tranquil weekend quickly turns into a nightmare when one of Valentina’s employees is found dead in the pulping machine. Now, Jules will have to put her vacation on hold to try and uncover the murderer before one of Torte’s beloved workers becomes the next body thrown into the mix.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 26 August 2025

My thoughts:

I like the title of this book with its invitation to think about coffee drinks. I also found the cover to be a fun one with it spilled coffee skull, delicious looking pastry, and sense of a beautiful location.

The trip that Jules, Carlos and Andy took sounded like fun and started out so promisingly with its offer of relaxation, good food and drink in a gorgeous setting, and a lovely host. Of course, all of this was disrupted by murder

It was enjoyable to watch the mystery unfold. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and liked the location.

This title will, I think, appeal to those who enjoy traditional mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 26 August 2025