Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

Now out: Triple Jeopardy (Perry)


Anne Perry is a prolific writer of British historical mysteries. She has written series including the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels, the William Monk books, a series set during WWI and the Christmas novellas.
Perry’s most recent series features Daniel, the son of the Pitts. The first in this was last year’s Twenty-One days.
 Daniel, a new lawyer, is now the protagonist of Triple Jeopardy.
What I loved most about this book was spending time with favorite characters including Daniel’s parents and his sister, Jemima. Jemima is now grown up, married to a police officer and living in the States. She has two young daughters. I also was delighted to again see Miriam fford Croft.
The plot takes time to build and engage the reader as it moves to a courtroom climax. My favorite scenes, however, are the ones that take place on the small island of Alderney.
Did a young employee of the British embassy in Washington D.C. commit crimes including breaking into a young woman’s bedroom, embezzlement and murder? If he did not, who did and why? You will have to read the book to find out.
As always, I love reading anything by this author. I give Triple Jeopardy a solid four stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a very good read. All opinions are my own.

This is such a wonderful book and it is out today. The Book of Dreams (George)

When was the last time that you read a book and found that tears were rolling down your cheeks? For me, it has been quite a while but I cried over this one.

When I told my husband about this novel, he said that it must have been depressing. I replied that it was not depressing but that it was sad. Sadness is an essential piece of this book and yet to me it was a wonderful read and one that I recommend highly, if it is your kind of book or if you are willing to see if it is.

Henri, a French man with a history, is a journalist who covered wars. His thirteen year old son, Sam, did not know him. Just when they are about to meet, Henri saves a young girl but himself is injured and thereafter is in a coma. This means that Sam and Henri’s reunion takes place in the hospital where Sam, who has synesthesia, senses deeply and feels Henri’s presence. Sam spends every day at the hospital sharing himself with Henri and the novel’s other protagonists.

This book is the story of several characters: Sam, Madelyn who is a young girl in a coma and Eddie, the woman that Henri let get away. Their relationships are explored and intersect with one another over the course of the novel which is told in alternating voices.

There is a philosophical underpinning to this book. The characters both live their lives and imagine the ways in which their lives might have played out differently with the same people. The author also explores what she imagines that characters think and feel when they are in a non-awake state and what happens when someone is about to die.

Nina George comments that she wrote three of her novels, of which this is the third, to better understand death. She was writing in the aftermath of her father’s death. The book is beautifully written.

I very much enjoyed this author’s novel, The Little Paris Bookshop and feel that The Book of Dreams is also a keeper. For me, it is a five star novel.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a moving and wonderful read. The opinions are my own.

Now out! My Mommy and Me (Slegers)

This picture book for toddlers has very bright, appealing and cheerful illustrations. The simple text describes activities that moms and their children enjoy together. I had an e-galley so no flaps, but the real book has them to lift and I am sure that makes this one even more fun.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

A girl who grew, overcame adversity and prospered. Oprah Winfrey, Run the Show Like a CEO (Moss)

#OprahWinfrey #NetGalley

This is an inspiring biography for kids. It features many quotes and wonderful illustrations that appear to be made, in part, from cut paper.

In our celebrity obsessed culture, it is easy to think that someone who is successful has always been successful or has had a life without struggle. This gives a false sense about how to succeed and about important values.

Now, many know Oprah for the wide platform that she has…from TV, her book club, her school in Africa, etc. But she was once a little girl who felt alone as she moved among her grandmother, mother and father. How did she come to believe in herself? What lead to her success and what lessons can be learned from it? Read the book to find out more.

In my opinion, this is a great biography for kids. They will learn a lot about Oprah and may also begin to develop their own dreams. Told simply and factually and not avoiding issues like racism, this is a well researched biography.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this excellent read. I learned things that I had not known. All opinions are my own.

 

Oprah’s Early Childhood: The Little Preacher

Chapter 1 Oprah’s Early Childhood: The Little Preacher

Oprah Winfrey sat on the steps outside her grandmother’s farmhouse in Kosciusko, Mississippi, inspecting the dress she had been given to wear that morning. She was only four years old, not even old enough to go to school, but she knew she was different from the other children she would see in town and at church.

First Black News Anchor in Nashville

Chapter 4 The First Black News Anchor in Nashville

At the end of high school, Oprah started working at radio WVOL, a local black station where the managers and producers liked her so much that they asked her to continue to work for them during her time at the University of Tennessee. This was a big deal. Usually college students are not old enough or experienced enough to do professional jobs until they graduate with a degree in order to be qualified. But as we already know, many adults saw potential in Oprah, just like her grandmother Hattie Mae did.

Giving Back

Chapter 10 Giving Back

Oprah could not keep up the pace of her professional life forever. In 2010, she felt that it was time to say goodbye to The Oprah Winfrey Show. A voice deep inside of her told her that she had done everything she could there and it was time to leave. People were so sad, and so many tried to convince her to stay on the air forever, but Oprah did what she did best – she listened to herself…

Now out: Literary Humor. The Ultimate Cartoon Book of Book Cartoons (Eckstein)

From the publisher:
Description

This exuberant collection of cartoons is an enthusiastic love letter to books and bookstores. The cartoons celebrate and critique the literary world through the work of thirty-three of the masters of cartoon art, including Sam Gross, Roz Chast, Arnie Levin, Danny Shanahan, Peter Steiner, Mick Stevens, Nick Downes, Liza Donnelly, Bob Mankoff, and Michael Maslin. Many of the cartoons have been published in the New Yorker, while others are published here for the first time.

I agree with the description above. I think that those of us who enjoy all things book and publishing related will enjoy the humor in this collection. I know that I did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for helping me to smile! The opinions are my own.

Enjoy your time at this cafe: Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe (Colgan)

Thanks to Sourcebooks for re-issuing this delightful title by Jenny Colgan.  It was the first of her books that I read and I have been reading her stories ever since.  The author has a knack for developing relatable characters and warmhearted story lines.

In this one Issy Randall takes a risk and starts her own business.  The Cupcake Cafe is an appealing place in a lovely town.  You will feel that you can taste Issy’s food as you read the novel.  This is also a love story and a story about friendship.

For readers who want to read a book for sheer enjoyment this one is highly recommended.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to revisit Issy and co.

Note that there is another novel about Issy:

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe: A Novel

What reviewers are saying about Meet Me At The Cupcake Café:
“A hilarious, fast-paced fantasy about starting over, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. Absolutely adorable.”—Booklist
“A funny novel about friendship, food and love… “—Kirkus
“A delightful story… warm, funny and well-written.”—Fresh Fiction
“Absolutely adorable… charming… an endearing, delightful read”—Silver’s Reviews

From Booklist

Isabel Issy Randall learned everything she knows about baking and business from Grandpa Joe: use high-quality ingredients, mix by hand, and if people look hungry, give them a cake. So when she loses her job and her boss/boyfriend in one embarrassing swoop, she takes her severance pay and opens a bakery in her out-of-the-way London neighborhood. No one believes she will make it, except Grandpa Joe and her flatmate, voluptuous nurse Helena. And the handsome, disheveled bank manager, Austin, who has a good feeling about Issy, even if she gives away a lot of merchandise for free. But when her ex comes back, is he looking for more than just cupcakes? (Yes.) A wonderfully diverse cast of supporting characters keeps Issy from indulging in self-pity and provides plenty of drama. The recipes, sent to Issy from Grandpa Joe, include cute reminders from a man who knows his granddaughter well. A hilarious, fast-paced fantasy about starting over, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. Absolutely adorable. –Susan Maguire

For lovers of L.M. Montgomery (Part 2) Anne’s Feelings (Hill)

#AnnesFeelings #NetGalley

This is an adorable book featuring the irrepressible Anne Shirley in delightful embroidered illustrations.  Each feeling relates back to something in the novels.  Young children can learn to identify how feelings are expressed when looking through this book.  Another welcome addition to what I hope will be a long series of Anne books.

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

For lovers of L.M. Montgomery (Part 1). Anne’s Alphabet (Hill)

#AnnesAlphabet #NetGalley

This is a lovely alphabet book in which each letter is represented by something from Anne of Green Gables. The illustrations are particularly charming.  While this title may appeal to toddlers, I think that its greatest impact will be with adults who have happy memories of reading the Anne books.  Still, this is an opportunity to interest your child from Anne at a young age.  Go for it!

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

Now out. Giraffe Asks for Help (Chikowore)

Gary Giraffe is turning six and thinks that he will now be able to reach the sweetest leaves on the Acacia tree. What happens when he can’t? How does he feel?

This is another in the series from the American Psychological Association. It is written to de-stigmatize asking for help. There is a good lesson here for kids: it is okay to ask and others will help.

As always in the series, there are helpful suggestions for adults at the back of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another helpful entry. I wish that these books had been around when my children were little.