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!
There was no book like this when I was growing up. This is a modern, social justice based ABC. While its board book format makes this a book for toddlers to look at, the concepts are more sophisticated and for (slightly) older children…or the book can grow with your child. A few examples: D is for Difference, G is for Gender, P is for Privilege, etc. Each concept is explained in a positive way. The illustrations are bright, appealing and inclusive. This book is a good resource for opening discussion about how people treat one another. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Endless Beach is one of three novels set on Mure, a fictional town in northern Scotland. The first in the series was The Cafe by the Sea and the newest entry is Christmas on the Island.
Here are my earlier thoughts on The Cafe by the Sea:
Jenny Colgan is a talented writer of light, humorous women’s fiction. I find that her novels are good reads for when I want to escape. In this book, The Cafe by the Sea, the escape is to the fictional island of Mure in very northern Scotland. The scenery is beautiful, the family life complicated and the romance eventually works out as it tends to in this kind of fiction. Recommended for a relaxing, stressfree read.
My thoughts on The Endless Beach:
This novel picks up where the earlier one left off. It can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.
In The Endless Beach, old characters are back and the town is as idyllic as ever, although the characters’ lives are not. Story lines felt deeper and more complex than in some of the other books that I have read by this author. The story of Saif was especially moving. A refugee and physician, Saif’s wife and sons were left behind in Syria when he was given asylum in Scotland. In this novel, his sons are located and the trauma that they experience is explored. The reader watches as Saif tries to help the boys to adjust. For a writer of light fiction, this is a story of some depth.
Then there are Fintan and Colton, two gay characters whose relationship forms a key part of the novel. The author presents their deep love for one another while also making the reader well aware of a major obstacle that they face. No spoiler so I will not say more.
Flora and Joel are also working on their relationship. For reasons that the reader comes to understand more fully, commitment is frightening to Joel. What will happen to them? Will there be a good next step for them?
I found this to be the best book that i have read by this author. I was sorry to leave Mure but glad to know that I still have one more book in the series to read. If you have read/plan to read these novels, let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
The Killings at Kinfisher Hill is the fourth mystery that Sophie Hannah has written with the permission of the Agatha Christie estate. The books feature Hercule Poirot. They are stand alones so can be read in any order.
This book, along with the others in the series, have an old fashioned feel. They have some Christie trademarks with traditional settings, intricate plots and some interesting characters. Readers know that with the help of his “little grey cells,” Poirot will solve the case.
There are a number of threads to the story. In one, a young woman refuses to initially board a coach because she has been told that she will be murdered if she sits in seat seven. What will happen to her whether she sits there or not?
Poirot has a conversation with a mysterious woman on this same coach. She tells him that she has murdered someone and regales him with the tale while remaining anonymous. Who is she? Did she do what she said? How will Poirot find out?
Then there is Helen. She has confessed to a murder but it is not clear that she actually killed the victim. Did she? Why if she did, and why confess if she did not?
And…who is the second murder victim? Why were they murdered? HOw does this connect with the first murder in the story?
Thank goodness that Poirot is around to bring order to the case and the reader’s world. Fans of traditional mysteries and/or Agatha Christie will enjoy this case. Can your “little grey cells” figure it out?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable read. All opinions are my own.
This series began with last year’s Mastering the Art of French Murder. This second title is every bit as delightful.
Here is an historical mystery set in post WWII Paris. It features a fictional protagonist, Tabitha, and a friend of hers. That friend is the larger than life Julia Child. Together the two become involved in murderous situations.
This time, chefs should beware what they drink. Not too far into the novel, two have died after imbibing what should have been very special vintages. Tabitha and Julia are on the case even if the police inspector (and possible romantic interest for Tabitha) does not want their help.
What I like best in this book (and in the first one) is the evocation of Paris. When Tabitha and Julia visit a market it is easy to visualize the food and want to start cooking. And speaking of which, every time Julia is around food, and that is often, the book is so much fun.
Highly recommended to those who are foodies, those who love Paris and those who like historical mysteries. I hope there will be a third book soon
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Sloane faced an unthinkable loss when her sister died (not a spoiler as readers learn this early in the story). She is engaged to a somewhat pompous fiance who has an over involved family and often make Sloane feel inferior. On top of all this, Sloane’s parents are not the easiest people.
Sloane escapes into her work as a librarian although that also has it challenges. One of these is an older gentleman who enjoys mentally fencing with Sloane. Will these two change each other? Will others also be drawn in? Readers may know the answer but will still, I think, enjoy this book. It gives voice to some of what is important in life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this title. All opinions are my own
This is a wonderful historical novel based upon the Book Women who delivered library materials to those in the out of the way sections of Kentucky. The book women were part of a program started by President Roosevelt under the WPA.
There are many book women in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky but the protagonist of the novel is the unforgettable Cussy. Cussy speaks in dialect which helps the reader to fully enter into her world. Cussy faces special challenges because she is the last of the ‘blues.’ There really were blue-skinned people in America as a supplement at the back of the novel attests. They were objects of curiosity and also of prejudice, just as was the case for the African American population.
Cussy wants to be independent both before and after her disastrous short term marriage. And yet, what will happen with patron Jackson who is one of the few to call Cussy by name, rather than the derogatory Bluet?
Cussy’s love of books flows through the novel. There are references to books that were popular at the time, including those by Steinbeck and Rex Stout. Cussy’s inventiveness in making books and delivering what her patrons need is impressive.
The landscape of rural Kentucky, the small towns, the mines, the mountains are all well described. Each patron that Cussy visits has a back story and readers will even come to learn more about the mule who transports her.
If you are a reader who enjoys historical fiction set in the U.S., consider this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I knew that I wanted to read this novel as soon as I saw the beautiful cover and the name of the author. Many may recognize Helen Simonson from her book Mr. Pettigrew’s Last Stand. In that work and this, Simonson writes with her own distinctive sensibility.
The Hazelbourne story begins not long after WWI has ended. Readers may think that the armistice resolved everything; however, for many figuring out a life post-war was not always easy. In this novel, the author spends time with some of those folks.
Constance grew up somewhat beholden to the family of her mother’s best friend. There were class differences between them but a relationship endured. During the war, Constance managed the family’s estate. Once the war was over, her sense of purpose was taken away since the job was given back to a man.
Poppy is a happily unconventional young woman. She seems to live as she likes. A big part of this is her motorcycle business. Riding along in one of these vehicles when driven by a woman was not expected at the time.
Poppy’s brother served and lost a limb. All he wants to do is fly again but no one will look at him as capable as the story opens.
The lives of these characters come together at a seaside hotel when Poppy asks Constance for a favor. Poppy’s mother, brother and she have seemingly taken up long term residence there While Constance is visiting as a companion to an older woman.
In addition to these main characters, many others are in these pages. In this way, the author creates a broad canvas for her story.
Lots happens as readers get to know the characters in this novel of manners that unfolds at its own leisurely pace. Issues are covered that are reflective of the time period.
Readers will become attached to many in this story and will wait to see how things l turn out. They will enjoy every bit of this over 400 page book.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this title that teaches and empowers girls (though it could be useful to boys, adults…). It is nicely illustrated and packed with information.
This title is divided into sections on matters related to home, schoo,l and being out in the world. Just to give a flavor of the title with a subsection from each area…learn how to do laundry, to have difficult conversations with friends, to understand money matters.
This title would make a great gift and I think the recipient may refer to it often.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for this title. All opinions are my own.
As many may remember, Radcliffe was once the women’s college affiliated with Harvard University. As such, it was one of the prestigious seven sisters schools.
As this novel, set in the 1950s, opens four young women are enrolled as Radcliffe freshman. They each arrive at school with their own family history. Tess hopes to be a writer and is happy to leave an unhappy home life behind in order to be a scholarship student at the school. Tess’s roommate, Caroline, is a wealthy young woman with a voluminous wardrobe. She seems less interested in academics than in dating and having fun. There are then Merritt and Evie rounding out the group.
A new bookstore has opened in Cambridge. The slightly mysterious owner, Alice, is planning to have a monthly book group with the first selection being Jane Eyre. Our four protagonists join.
I enjoyed this book’s setting and the way that the gracious life of a 1950s women’s school was brought to life. I could completely visualize the common room’s sofas and the dorm dining room where waitressed meals were served. These details accurately reflect the novel’s time period. I also enjoyed and eagerly waited to see which book would be discussed each month.
Many things happen to and around these four young women. They go through some difficult times on their way to adulthood and the story can be quite dramatic.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.
The unnamed protagonist/narrator of this book is a ghostwriter. (It was when sitting down to write this that I realized she was never named. Kind of clever since a ghostwriter is a person who is meant to be anonymous when her work is published.) The job requires an ability to seamlessly fit into the subject’s life in an unobtrusive way. This time, the ghost has been asked to write the biography of Dorothy Gibson. Dorothy recently lost a presidential election. A bit like Hillary Clinton, it was felt that she had a low likeability rating. The biography is meant to give a new look at who she is.
The narrator quickly heads up to Maine where Dorothy lives in a gorgeous, somewhat isolated home. There she settles in and meets the staff including Dorothy’s personal assistant and various security personnel, at least one of whom is quite good looking.
Early in the book, Dorothy and our narrator go out to buy some wine. While at the store, they are accosted by a woman with a somewhat unique way of earning money. When she asks Dorothy for a selfie, Dorothy agrees. Most unfortunately soon after, Vivian dies. It emerges that her death was not suicide but…murder! (of course)
Dorothy and the narrator will be on the case. There will be a few twists before all becomes known.
The narrator of this book has her own unique, sometimes snarky spin on the world. She is most likely neurodiverse. She can be funny and seems to know a lot, perhaps from spending time learning so much about her subjects when ghostwriting. Readers will hope that she is a good detective too.
This book will be enjoyed by its readers. They will likely hope for a second book by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 23 January 2024
Praise for The Busy Body: A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books Selection A January 2024 Library Reads Pick A February 2024 IndieNext Pick
“Given Kemper’s knowledge and admiration of Agatha Christie—he cohosts the podcast All About Agatha—it isn’t surprising that he displays a similar flair for clever cluing and crafty characterization, not to mention the ability to throw in a killer plot twist at the end that would make Dame Agatha proud. Fans of David Handler’s equally entertaining Stewart Hoag series or those in search of a modern take on classic crime fiction will snap up this stellar mystery debut, which delivers an addictive mix of Dorothy Parker’s waspish wit and Agatha Christie’s deft hand at ingenious plotting.” —Library Journal STARRED REVIEW
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 