by Robell Awake

#AShortHistoryofBlackCraftinTenObjects #NetGalley

I am delighted to recommend this title as we celebrate Black History Month. It is engaging, interesting and enlightening. Plus, I love the illustrations/photos beginning with a quilt and going through all of the twelve chosen objects.

There is everything from the above mentioned quilt and those of Gee’s Bend (I was so lucky to see some of these in an exhibition), to jugs, blacksmiths’ work, couturier Ann Lowe (who was instrumental in making Jacqueline Bourvier’s wedding gown) and more.

This is a terrific title for a personal or library collection. Awake tells the stories of his artisans in a most readable way. There is a lot to learn and appreciate in these pages. I plan to purchase a hard copy of this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 February 2025

From the Publisher

I had been meaning to read this one for a long time but was a bit put off by its length. At 1448 pages, that is a lot of reading time. I finally picked up The Ink Black Heart when the latest season of C.B. Strike was about to be aired on TV. I wanted to have finished the book before watching.

The Ink Black Heart tells a somewhat complicated story that features many, many characters. At times, I found it a bit tricky to keep track of all of them; ultimately that did not really matter so do not worry if picking this up.

The tile refers to a character in a comic that takes on a big life of its own with the original, a spinoff game, plans for a movie and more. All of these actions, impact a number of characters and leads to some murders.

Behind all of this is the mysterious Anomie. Who are they? How will all this get resolved? How much will all of the texts actually matter? Who is who when a character has a game name that is anonymous but is a real person.

At the same time, the true fans of the series will be wondering what will happen between Robin and Strike. There will they/won’t they has kept readers going through multiple volumes.

Do I recommend this book? Overall yes but be ready to set some time aside for it.

Have you read this one? I’d love your thoughts.

The best paperback books of 2025 — February’s picks

https://www.thetimes.com/article/0e4c79fc-3e60-4221-9818-3da6ea7b88a1?shareToken=da0e154f6315bb48deac53d1ee2f7e17

#MamaNeedsaMinute #NetGalley

This book felt so true to me that I almost feel that I could have written (at least parts of) it. The situations, feelings and complexities of being in a relationship and being a parent rang so true. I think that this is especially true of the woman/mother’s role as it comes across here.

I think that there is a lot of minimizing what it is like to become a parent; that barrier is broken here. Why do we do this? Would it not be better to acknowledge that, no matter how wanted a child is, the transition can be overwhelming. Not only is there responsibility for a small, helpless being but relationships transition as well…and sometimes there are resentments.

Those who have gone through the stages in life that the author describes will ruefully recognize much in these pages. For those who aren’t there yet, don’t panic but think about what the author says. It might help.

This book has both humor and heart. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 March 2025

A War and Justice Diary

by Victoria Amelina

It is painful, tragic, sad and upsetting to come to this book knowing that its young (37), brave, fierce, talented author is no longer alive. Amelina was killed in Ukraine when she was out having pizza with other writers. Just knowing this, brings all of the horrors of the Ukraine war to light. So many innocent people have been caught up in events that did not have to be.

Left behind is this work which will, I think, become a classic. It looks at war’s impact on women and the resistance that they wage. It is beautifully written and unfinished for reasons that the reader knows. This greatly adds to its impact.

This is not an easy book to read but it needs to be read. I recommend it most highly.

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

Pub date: 18 February 2025

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Devastating…not to be missed.”
―Publishers Weekly (Starred)

“Amelina’s absence may be felt on every page… It slows you down. It transmits a powerful sense of chaos. It compels attentiveness, as the TV news does not.How to process such things? …As the months roll on, it’s sometimes hard to feel anything at all. Her colleague Oleksandra Matviichuk tells her that when this happens, she should find a pot of face cream and rub it into her cheeks: its coldness, softness and scent will bring her back to life, she’ll find. And it’s true. After a day of heavy bombardments in Kyiv…Amelina tries it for herself, and it works. Such details doubtless won’t be found in any of the bigger, more complete books that will one day be written about the war in Ukraine, but to me they are of inestimable worth: not fiction but written, nevertheless, with the fine sensibility of a novelist.”
―The Guardian

“Amelina has an impressive eye for detail and an incredible capacity to lyrically capture an image and imbue the smallest moments with humanity….Gorgeously rendered.”
―Kirkus (Starred)

“Makes you want to weep, because what the pages of Looking at Women Looking at War instantly make clear is just how much Amelina had to offer…[An] anguished attempt to answer the question: when your country is facing an existential threat, what role can the creative artist play?”
―Financial Times

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 22, 2019

Lady Clementine is a wonderful historical novel and one that I highly recommend. As can be seen from the title, it is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston. The story is told in Clementine’s voice and Ms. Benedict inhabits that so well that, while reading, I truly felt that Clementine was telling her story. The book focuses quite a bit on WWII but there was much before that in Clementine’s biography and these earlier times merit also captured the author’s attention.

Readers learn that Clementine’s childhood was rather insecure and find out why this was so. The losses she experienced and her opportunities to marry before meeting Winston are detailed.

Clementine and Winston had many years together prior to WWII. Readers experience the ups and downs of their relationship, Winston’s political and military woes and their significant family tragedy. Winston’s neediness and strong need for Clementine to be available become quite clear. Readers also witness Clementine’s mental health struggles and the challenges that she faced as a mother. Throughout there is the lens of Clementine finding her own voice and her desire to be appreciated and recognized for the incredible woman that she was.

I give this novel 5 stars, something that I rarely do. I recommend it that highly.

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

The best thrillers of 2025 so far — our critics’ top books

https://www.thetimes.com/article/1a102492-e55b-4c47-ae5d-659732fc01de?shareToken=5470dac9d5d69e40911bbfd11a768a67

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/18/books/review/20th-century-classics.html

Getting the Most from Your New Cuddle Unit

by Queen Olivia III

#TheCatOperatorsManual #NetGalley

This title offers a tongue in cheek perspective (purrspective) on the relationship between Cuddle Unit 5 (a cat) and humans. The text is quirky but fun and the illustrations help to make the points.

There are what feel like the daily experiences (expurriences) of the cat-human relationship described here. For example, see the section on bed making. Many cat folks will related to how their Cuddle Unit feels about feeding, being disturbed and more.

This book will very much enjoyed by a cat lover.

Many thanks to Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 March 2025

For fans of The Crown. This novel, set in post WWII England, is a story about the women who made Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  Part of the story takes place in 1940s Britain while there is also a modern thread (no pun intended).  I think that this will be an absorbing and fun read. Start the year right with this one.  (Full review to follow)

“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.”   (Library Journal)

“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between… Toronto to London in 2016… giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.”
(Kirkus Reviews)