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!
Anyone who enjoys Gorey’s unique, quirky, macabre way of looking at the world will, I think, adore this book. There is so much within these pages. Look at cats, Broadway poster designs, programs. photos, the iconic Mystery for PBS drawings and so, so much more. This is really a treasure chest of a book with terrific accompanying text by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
When I was contacted by the publisher with an invitation to read this book, I was over the moon. I had heard about it and was eagerly awaiting its release. It was an immeasurable treat to have early access.
This title offers a series of reflections and conversations between Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea. Originally written for an archive, the two got the idea to publish a book together, and the reader is so lucky that they made that decision.
Within these pages, readers get to share in Judi’s life and her professional career. Her love for her husband, her daughter and her craft all come across. She is witty, wise, and it was an absolute pleasure to read her words.
Judi Dench and her husband, referred to Shakespeare as the man who pays the rent because they were in so many productions over the years. However, Shakespeare never really became routine for them and Judi brought her best self to every performance.
The first play that is reflected upon is Macbeth. Judi Dench very much views it as a play about the relationship between Lord and Lady Macbeth. She sees the deterioration of their marriage as a true tragedy.
Included here are Dench’s thoughts on nineteen plays interspersed with other reflections. A couple of examples of these are Company and Fireside Ramblings.
For anyone who admires Judi Dench or who wants to more deeply understand the bard, this book is a must read. I adored it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Cat lovers (and others) will enjoy this one. Some of the entries are comic. Others are written to offer a bit of self-love, comfort and wisdom. Who couldn’t use that?
This book would make a nice holiday gift for a cat person (purrson?).
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book of 365 short meditations begins with Advent and continues through the year. Each entry includes a quote from the Bible followed by something to think about.
This is a book for those who are of the Christian/Catholic faith primarily. It does offer some good opportunity for reflection. Think of concepts like grace and gratitude.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Loyola Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
I was/am a great fan of this author’s Max & Ruby series. I did not know about the stories contained in this volume and was delighted to give them a read.
This book has some of the same qualities that have made Wells a beloved author. The illustrations are whimsical and the stories are imaginative. I think that kids and their adults will enjoy this collection of averted cooking disasters. I know that I wish that the Little Chefs would come to visit me!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for this title. All opinions are my own.
Anyone who enjoys puzzles and/or mystery novels will want to take a look at this title. Within the framework of a traditional crime story readers find a number of puzzles; these are completed in order to solve the case. Some of the puzzle types may be familiar to solvers while others may be new.
Anyone who has happily purchased the Murdle books will enjoy this one as well. I plan to buy the hard copy as I think that I need pencil and paper to truly enjoy this one fully.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Collins Reference for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book has gotten a lot of hype, including being picked for Reese’s book club and receiving a starred review from Library Journal. Based on that, readers may expect a lot from this first novel. In my opinion, it delivers. It is the kind of read where I kept saying that I would return to other things that I had to do when I finished the chapter that I was reading…but then, I just kept on going. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. There are humor, family relationships, a murder…and all of this is well executed in these pages.
Readers meet the three women of the family. Lana has been a real go-getter. A cancer diagnosis has led her to needing some assistance not an easy thing for her. Lana asks her daughter for help and Beth brings her from LA to a quieter community by the water with a slough.
Beth was a teen mother. She is a nurse who lives on the grid but with a homespun lifestyle. She and Lana have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Beth is mom to Jack (Jacqueline), who, when the story opens has been a pretty independent and competent teen. She has led many expeditions on the waters near her house.
What will happen when a body is found? Which of these women will be under suspicion? (Readers find this answer early on.) Who will get involved in finding the truth? Will they succeed? Read this one to find out. Readers will be glad that they did!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my now.
Pub date: 05 September 2023
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Simon’s dazzling debut delivers everything a mystery fan could crave, including a realistically nuanced cast of characters, a vividly evoked coastal California setting, writing imbued with a deliciously desiccated sense of wit, and a perfectly plotted murder with enough red herrings deftly dropped in to confound the most experienced mystery reader. Insightful and frequently funny analysis of family dynamics wrapped up in a cleverly crafted cozy crime novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)
“Three women bond while investigating a homicide in Simon’s spirited debut…. Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark. Readers will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly
For anyone who thinks about the holiday season well in advance, here is a book for you. Instead of the blazing sunshine that I have today, I will think of fireplace warmth as I peruse these recipes.
The chapters are a bit whimsically named. For example, one is title Yummy Stocking Stuffer Sides, while another is Deck the Halls with Sips & Sugar.
The recipes seem easy to follow. The illustrations are inspiring. See for example the Ho, Ho Holiday Appetizer Wreath. For another appetizer, consider Santa Suit Button Mushrooms. Keeping with adorable recipe/illustration, see the one for Rudolph’s Reindeer Burgers. A nice looking dessert is the Joyeux Dark Cherry Clafoutis.
All in all, this cookbook teams up the cute and the tasty. It seems perfect for its audience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion
by Nancy MacDonell
I am no fashion plate. Still, I have very much enjoyed the novels by Natasha Lester that have consistently highlighted French fashion and, in her latest, American fashion. This led me to be aware of the Battle of Versailles, just one of many fascinating events in fashion and one that is covered in the Empresses of Seventh Avenue. I also was glued to The New Look on Apple TV. These experiences primed my interest in this title.
Here readers find out how American fashion came into its own and who some of the women were who led the charge. This was a radical change as American fashion had very much copied French couture. The events of WWII changed this radically.
These women came from many fields including design, retail, advertising, magazines and more. I recognized some of the names that were attached to the fashion evolution including Carmel Snow, Diana Vreeland and Claire McCardell. I was eager to learn more about them and others.
Anyone interested in fashion, social history, women’s contributions in the world and more will I think very much enjoy this social history. It is very readable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 27 August 2024
Fashion writer MacDonell delivers a colorful chronicle of the female journalists, designers, and retailers who revolutionized American style during WWII. MacDonnell’s fine-grained character studies complement her fascinating insights into the political and cultural forces that ushered in a new era of American style. Fashionistas won’t be able to put this one down.” —Publishers Weekly
