joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Be inspired: Maya Angelou-Little Guides to Great Lives by Danielle Jawando, illustrations by Noa Snir

This book is part of a series of biographies; this time elementary school aged readers will learn about Maya Angelou. Maya’s story is clearly and inspiringly told. The ups and downs of her life, the struggles, losses and victories all receive attention, although the full details of some of the more difficult aspects of her life are not fully explicated. This makes sense given the book’s audience.

Maya’s early life, her move to her grandmother, her return to her mother and subsequent elective mutism are all here. Her love of reading and her eventual finding of her voice are described.

The many accomplishments and first that this remarkable woman achieved are described beginning with her becoming the first black woman train conductor, work in television and of course, her commitment to civil rights and teaching. Maya knew and grieved the loss of other well known African Americans including Malcolm X and Martin Luther king. Ms. Angelou’s writings are also cited, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and going through her inaugural poem for Barack Obama. Her many awards are also listed.

The back of the book details a timeline and there is also a glossary.

This is an excellent and inspiring biography. As an adult, I finished the book knowing more about this remarkable woman than I had previously.

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

#MayaAngelou #NetGalley

Now out: Gilmore Girls (Stache and Davidson)

I remember watching Gilmore Girls with my daughters. Every week we looked forward to seeing what was happening in Starrs Hollow. The cast of characters, the wit, the charm, the patter, the place; the show was just perfectly pitched. There was Emily, aloof but somehow vulnerable; Loreli, fast talking and rebellious and Rory, the funny teen who was intense and driven to succeed. Around them were so many others from Luke to Richard to Max and to Rory’s loves, Dean, Jess and Logan. Then there were all the friends and frenemies from Lane to Paris, Sookie to Michel and more. There was angst, college and love of child, friend, family, place. All these came together in a perfect mix. (For those of you who missed the Gilmore Girls phenomenon, the shows are available on Netflix).

So, as you can imagine, I was very excited about this book. It did not disappoint. Following an excellent introduction there are chapters that focus on relationships including mothers and daughters, fathers, romances and friendships. Throughout the reader learns about or is reminded of the depth of the characters. The second half of the book is about the role of the show in popular culture. There are sections on feminism, popular culture, class and small town life.

If you enjoyed Gilmore Girls, give this book a look. It will let you relive many good times in Stars Hollow with so many friends. If you missed the series, here is a chance to enjoy it and learn more.

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

Some e book bargains for September 15, 2019. Especially for readers of mysteries.

It is a lucky day for mystery readers! My favorites among these include Still Life and A Killing in the Hills. Many of the books below are the first in series, so if you enjoy one, look for the next…and the next.

Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Book 1) Sworn to Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel The Dry: A Novel Back of Beyond: A Novel (Cody Hoyt Book 1) Knots and Crosses: An Inspector Rebus Novel (Inspector Rebus series Book 1) A Beautiful Blue Death: The First Charles Lenox Mystery (Charles Lenox Mysteries Book 1) Crimson Lake: A Novel The Quiche of Death: The First Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries Book 1) The Tourist: A Novel (Milo Weaver Book 1) A Death of No Importance: A Novel (A Jane Prescott Novel Book 1) The Janissary Tree: A Novel (Investigator Yashim Book 1) A Killing in the Hills: A Novel (Bell Elkins Novels Book 1) Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel The Punishment She Deserves Garden of Lamentations Chaos

Now Out: Portrait of an Artist-Vincent Van Gogh (Brownridge)

This book is part of a series on artists. I have read the one on Frida Kahlo, which was well done, and now there is an entry of Van Gogh. This short book does an excellent job of telling the story of Van Gogh’s life and work. Young readers will learn about Vincent’s struggle to find what he wanted to do; for example, they will read that Van Gogh was a minister for a time before becoming an artist. Van Gogh’s mental health issues are included in an honest, but not too detailed, way. Readers will also learn about Van Gogh’s brother Theo and his relationship with Paul Gauguin. And of course, there is the art! The illustrations are vibrant and many of the artist’s works are found on these pages. This book should be a welcome entry for a school collection on artists for young readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the Publisher

Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh


Vincent started painting new friends he had made in Paris, including art dealers and other artists. One of his new friends was a painter called Paul Gauguin. Paul had also given up his old job to become an artist.	Vincent made paintings of the house and the bedroom and everything he saw. But Vincent started acting unpredictably and his paintings became more and more frantic. He started painting manically. He couldn’t stop and over the next few years he made nearly two thousand works of art.	Vincent knew that hurting himself wasn’t a good response to being upset with Paul, so he took himself to hospital to get better. While he was there he comforted himself by painting the view from his bedroom window. In his diary, he wrote that the stars made him dream and he thought that the night sky looked more alive than in the day.

Vincent took himself for very long walks.

He was overwhelmed by the beauty in the swirling leaves on the trees and the warm orange colors of the fields. He felt as though couldn’t get enough of the world around him and he couldn’t paint it fast enough.

Sometimes he gathered flowers from his walks, and from their beautiful garden paintings

An old song in book form: Five Little Monsters Jumping on the Bed (Cotter)

In this board book, toddlers will delight in that old song about jumping on the bed. The illustrations are quirky and fun. As each monster falls, toddlers are invited to help by kissing the monster or putting on a band aid, etc. Young listeners will enjoy the repetition and soon may be singing themselves!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this read in exchange for an honest review.

For young scientists: Geo Detectives-Water Cycle (Oxlade and Ganeri)

This was my second exploration with the intrepid George and Ava. I previously read and reviewed another in the series George and Ava are good company. They are curious and eager to learn. In this one, young scientists will learn a lot about the different forms of water, (solid, liquid, gas), as they perform experiments and learn geo facts. There is a quiz at the end so kids can see what they retained and also suggestions for additional resources for teachers. This series provides a wonderful way to learn science. Science becomes fun and curiosity is rewarded. Perfect!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this book in exchange for an honest review.

TheWaterCycle #NetGalley

One delightful thing about reading and reviewing children’s titles is the opportunity that is presented to learn like a child again. I never studied volcanoes and earthquakes when I was in school; I remember magma from my kids’ studies and that was about it. In this appealingly illustrated title, I learned about geology with Ava and George. They were excellent guides.

This book provides lots of information and terminology in small easy to learn pieces. There are many GeoFacts and experiments to try at home as children learn about volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. At the end of the book, there are a useful review section, an author’s note and a list of websites for young scientists who want to learn more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. You and your young scientist will love it.

Now out: The Spotted Dog (Greenwood)

The cover makes this book look like it could be a juvenile title; it is not. Rather this is the latest entry in Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman series. Readers may already know the author’s Miss Phrynne Fisher series of novels and the later Australian TV series. Those who like Miss Fisher may enjoy finding out what Ms. Greenwood has also written.

This book is peopled with eccentric characters. On occasion, I had a bit of difficulty recalling who was who. Readers will definitely remember Corinna and her Israeli boyfriend though. They are a couple who enjoy food and each other. He is an Israeli agent of some kind while Corinna is a baker whose goods sound quite delicious.

The plot centers on a Scottish/Australian soldier whose dog has gone missing, most likely kidnapped. This is not just any dog though; Geordie worked hard in Afghanistan and is the most important connection that our traumatized former soldier has.

Readers will see what happens as Daniel, our Israeli protagonist, and Corinna solve the case. Along the way, readers will enjoy Corinna’s acceptance of others, wit and friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Make some time for this: Seeking Slow (Barnes)

Ironically, I started to read this book when I had ten minutes free before rushing off to do something. I came back again later and began to make the time to read this book and think about its messages and suggestions.

We all know that life is hectic, that many only feel okay while being productive and that it is hard to slow down. This book will help readers to think about what is important about slow living, as it helps you to understand why slow living is important. It is well worth your time to find out.

The book is divided into many chapters and is illustrated throughout with beautiful photographs. Readers can read straight through or look first at what makes most sense for them. There are sections on everything from creating rituals to explanations of what mindfulness and meditation are, to learning to listen to your body, pay and more. Hopefully, readers will take away the intended message and will begin to slowly enjoy life more.

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

#SeekingSlow #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Slow Living AN INTRODUCTION

What would happen if we lived our lives at a slower pace? If we occasionally paused for thought, simplified our lifestyles, and created space for moments of stillness, perhaps we would also find more joy and happiness. We all know how easy it is to get swept away with a busy day; time can pass in a bit of a blur and we often don’t feel like we were there for any of it. In order to be the happiest and healthiest we can be, it is necessary to look at slowing down and reconnecting to ourselves. Living slowly and simply is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of twenty-first-century life.

Seeking Slow provides simple ways for you to slow down and reconnect with yourself, your family, and your surroundings—while finding joy in doing so


The Challenges of Our Modern Age With the demands of twenty-first-century life, no wonder people are looking for alternative ways to live. For me, slow and simple living encompasses all the fundamental values that help my family live a more wholehearted life, from being connected to the present moment to appreciating the little things, and taking time to enjoy and celebrate life. Of course, there are many things that can hinder us on our quest to live more slowly, including the glorification of being “busy,” consumer culture and materialism, and our digital age and virtual consumption, all things that we need to evaluate in our lives and decide whether we want and/or need a lifestyle change.	Time We would all like more time to do as we please, including time to slow down, relax, enjoy life, and connect with the ones we love. Time can seem so elusive; it can both drag and fly by. Time is a resource that we simply cannot get back. Once it has gone, it is gone. No wonder a lot of us are obsessed with being as productive as possible with our time. Perhaps we feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete all the things that need doing. Maybe that’s why we clock-watch and cram every minute of the day with tasks. If we are not achieving things and crossing them off our to-do lists, many of us feel like we have wasted our day.	Learning to Nurture Ourselves Learning to nurture and really look after ourselves is one of life’s essential lessons, yet many of us find it difficult to do. However, in recent years, “self-care” has become an increasingly popular topic and a growing industry. We are also beginning to understand how far the term “well-being” stretches and what it encompasses, realizing that it is linked to our personal happiness, as well as a healthy body, mind, and spirit. It is crucial to carve out time in our week to tend to ourselves; otherwise, we are left running on empty. If we do not make time to look after our well-being, then we cannot be present for those around us, fulfill our responsibilities, and live a wholehearted life.


Well-Being BODY We often do all our “thinking” with our minds, even though our bodies possess inherent intelligence. They often know what is best for us: when we need to rest, when we need fresh air and exercise. If we take just a moment to think about all the amazing things our bodies do—all the movements, automated bodily functions, brain processing, tissue growth and repairs, hormone releases, etc.—then it makes sense for us to put some time aside to take care of and look after them. By slowing down things, we are able to listen to our bodies with more clarity and develop our body-mind connection, which in turn allows us to feel connected to our “self” in new ways.	A Slow Home Our homes and what we surround ourselves with are deeply intertwined with our slow-living experience. And it is essential to invest some time looking closely at our homes and whether we have them set up in a way that supports us and encourages a slower pace. How our homes feel, and the space around us, can make an impact on our well-being. A slow home can help us to connect deeply to ourselves and allow us to focus on the important things.	Seasonal Living Connecting to and understanding the seasons has been a big part of my family’s slow-living journey. There is so much inspiration to be found in nature and the seasons with regard to slowing down and living more simply. Nature does not know how to hurry; the blossoms bloom when they are ready and the leaves fall when it is time. Living seasonally gives the year a shape and rhythm of its own and a lot of comfort can be gained from familiarity with these rhythms.

Being fully present and intentional with your time allows you to embrace the wholehearted moments that are right in front of you every day


Sustainability When slowing our homes, we also need to consider reducing our environmental impact. There are two key areas to examine to live as sustainably as possible: our conscious shopping habits (this applies to everything from shopping for food, housewares, and clothing to luxuries and cleaning and beauty products) and how responsible we are when disposing of any waste we create.	Well-Being MIND AND SOUL When we begin to live more slowly, we find we have time to look within—space unfolds and allows us to deeply think and reevaluate things. We have time to think about the purpose and meaning within our lives, and naturally, we become more intentional and thoughtful with the decisions we make. Both meditation and mindfulness are explorations of the mind and help us be more thoughtful, focused, and calm. Practicing meditation and mindfulness is the perfect way to take the time to understand the intricacies of our minds and ourselves. They can bring out the best side of human nature and help us cope with the day-to-day challenges that life throws at us, like stress at work, paying our bills, and raising children.	Daily Slow-Living Rituals There is an art to creating a ritual. A ritual is a moment that we consciously take the time to absorb and be truly present in. If we deconstruct it, a ritual is a ceremony of a series of sacred actions. Tiu De Haan, ritual designer and inspirational speaker, describes a ritual as a container around a moment, rather like a frame around a piece of art. She also explains that a “ritual nourishes the soul like food and water nourish the body.”22 Rituals can bring moments of reverence into our days in the simplest ways. The art of the ritual becomes a visual and physical cue for our body to slow down, be mindful, breathe a little deeper, and be more present. By understanding a ritual in these terms, we can see the benefit of making rituals a part of our daily routine.

Time for School: Whizzy Willow’s First Day at School (Rayatt)

This is the time of year during which adults look for books to help prepare children for starting school. In this one, some of the characters are a mix of tree and human which is slightly odd and not directly related to the story. The illustrations are bright and may well appeal to young listeners.

Whizzy Willow leaves home with his parent, worries about the first day of school but all goes okay. Whizzy becomes involved in a variety of activities from hand painting to playing soccer to lunch. He leaves at the end of the day believing that all will be well.

In my opinion, there is nothing that particularly makes this book stand out in a crowded field. It seemed just a bit disjointed to me. Still, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

#WhizzyWillowsFirstDayAtSchool #NetGalley

Let’s try again: One More Time (Loewen and Quintanilla)

This is a board book for young children. It is peacefully illustrated with just a few cartoon like colors who enhance the text. The story is a simple one that gently encourages young children not to give up and to accept that things do not always go perfectly right away.

Young children will relate to this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

#OneMoreTime #NetGalley

From the Publisher

Whee! Whoa! Whoops! Ready to try again? One More Time introduces and develops the idea of perseverance for children aged 1–3.


Today I get to ride my beautiful blue birthday scooter	“You’re okay,” Grandpa says. “Ready to try again?”I shake my head.	But whenever I fall, I get right back up. “One more time!” I tell myself.