Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Well, Odysseus took seven years to get home to Penelope so maybe that means that I have seven years to finish this self-set project.  I am moving forward and enjoying both books, but this is a sail, not an ocean liner chugging.  Thought for now is about heroes.  How do you envision them?  Mr. Mendelsohn, the auditing dad, believes that they should not cry while in The Odyssey they do.  Which makes for a more heroic stand?  Acknowledge painful emotions or keep them inside?  My social work background leaves me with a bias but I welcome all opinions.  This is just one example of the timelessness of the topics raised in Homer’s work.

Many years ago, I began to order British books from Amazon UK.  One of the first novels that I received was by Jill Mansell.  I continued to enjoy her light, funny and romantic reads as late night books.  More recently, the novels have been available in the US through Sourcebooks.  Head Over Heels, my most recent read, reminds me of a modern Shakespearean comedy as couples come together, move apart and come together again.  If you enjoy a fun read, all the while knowing that all will turn out well, this could be for you.

#TheLegacy #NetGalley  The Legacy is the start of a new series by this Icelandic author. The protagonists are a detective and psychologist. The crime is rooted in decisions that were made in the past regarding the welfare of children. This book was too dark for me but, if you can take bleakness and grit, maybe this one is for you.

This book comes with an excellent pedigree. Jessica Fellowes, daughter of Julian and Downton Abbey fame, is a writer in her own right. The Mitford Sisters who led fascinating lives and are the subjects of many books are the children of the book, while Nancy is the protagonist. The setting is Britain, the time is after WWI so all of the elements are in place. Despite this however, I found the book to be good but not extraordinary. There is a mix of romance, mystery, secrets from the war, questions of identity and yet to my disappointment, it was not a five star book. This is the start of the series; I will hope the next book is just a little bit better.

#TheMitfordMurders #NetGalley

This book, which is an account of Ada Lovelace’s life for young readers, was charming, accurate and inspiring. The illustrations were engaging and added to the story’s narrative. Highly recommended for both girls and boys who will recognize that talent and imagination know no gender or intellectual barriers. This book is part of a series on adults who can inspire young readers and thinkers. Please note that I reviewed an adult book on Ada Lovelace, Enchantress of Numbers, by Jennifer Chiaverini on my blog. Amazingly, this children’s book, a quick read, included a fair amount of the same biographical data.

#AdaLovelace #NetGalley

Thanks to every visitor who has looked at the blog this month.  I truly appreciate that you have taken the time to browse.  I continue to look forward to  your visits, likes and feedback.

In the fall of 2017, I audited a class on 19th century European painting which was largely a class about French artists. I also recently saw a wonderful exhibit on Renoir at the Phillips Collection in DC. So, you can imagine how eagerly I looked forward to reading this biography. Renoir’s Dancer absolutely did not disappoint. Renoir’s Dancer was Suzanne Valadon, a fascinating woman who was an artist’s model and artist in her own right. She was a woman who reinvented herself and evolved from Marie-Clementine to Maria to eventually Suzanne.
The author’s writing style is fluid and engaging and the pages kept turning. The book starts with the lives of Suzanne’s parents which were fascinating in themselves. Suzanne’s early experiences and temperament set the stage for the young adult and adult she would become. While reading Renoir’s Dancer, I revisited or learned even more about French history and artists. Such a pleasure to spend time in their company. If you read only one biography this year, make it this one!

#Renoir’sDancer #NetGalley

Many of us make resolutions on December 31st which are no longer in effect by the end of January.  This year, I decided to make/take the time to read something with inspirational potential each day.  So far…so good!  If you are of a similar inclination, look at one or both of these books.  Each gives you a short something to think about each day.  Let me know if this works for you!

So many people that I know enjoyed reading Me Before You.  The next book in the series was After You, also a best seller as far as I know.  Just a heads up for fans…the next book in the series comes out at the end of the month.  This is definitely chick lit/women’s fiction but with heart.  Enjoy more time with Louisa or meet her for the first time.

#ThePlotIsMurder #NetGalley  I have often had the dream of owning a mystery bookshop. A dream nurtured by stores like Otto Penzler’s and the old mystery bookshop on New York’s upper westside. For me, it will not happen but for Sam it does. In this book, she opens a shop while turning her hand to amateur detection. Sam needs to solve the murder of an unlikable victim who died outside her door. Sam is most ably assisted by her Nana Jo and Nana Jo’s friends. In addition, you also get to read the mystery that Sam is writing. This book is a pleasant cozy to while away some time on a cold winter night.