Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

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!

#TheCafébetweenPumpkinandPie #NetGalley

This title is the third in a series that is sweet and light as can be guessed from the book’s covers. Readers will enjoy some latte and bakery treats (virtually, sadly) and also follow the romances of several characters in this Maine set collection.

Tired of summer? Here is a story that will get you thinking about fall.

Readers will find stories by three different authors. Those who want a read with a bit of magic and nothing v ery bad may well gravitate to this anthology.

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

This book was published in 2021.

Have you ever been: Board to Death (by CJ Connor)

#BoardtoDeath #NetGalley

Cozy authors generally need to find a setting for their stories. This is the first time that I have seen a cozy set in a game shop and I loved the idea. I also like the pun in this book’s title.

Ben, the protagonist of this Salt Lake City based story, had been a married English professor. He is now diivorced and has taken over the running of his father’s shop. It is quite a change.

Someone who tried to sell Ben a rare board game (was it counterfeit?) is murdered and Ben needs to clear his name. Cozy readers can trust that he will do so. How suspicious will the investigator be?

Another aspect of this book centers on Ben’s attraction to Ezra. Will the two be able to make a go of it?

I liked that there were discussion questions at the end of the story. There was also info on how to play a card game called Nertz.

Read this one for the romance or the light mystery. I imagine that it is the first in a series.

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

Pub date: 22 August 2023

Literacy Matters: The Ultimate teach Your Child To REad Activity Book-Prereading (by Autumn McKay)

About the book:

The author of this book has excellent credentials as both an educator and a parent. She has also carefully developed the framework, rationale and activities that are included in this title.

Prereading is described as an essential early skill. A few of the concepts introduced to children in this book include recognizing upper and lower case letters, understanding concepts of rhyme and more. The author strongly advises that adults read the parts of the book that precede the activities section in order to be most effective.

All of the activities are described and there are illustrations for all of them in the appendix. In addition to focusing on these, the author recommends reading to children as a key activity.

To me, this title looks like it is directed to those who are doing home schooling. Those who are leaving the teaching of reading to the school might want to use some of these activities as adjuncts.

I confess that I left much of my kids’ learning of literacy skills to the school. Certainly we read a lot at home but I did not do too many workbook like activities. I am very glad to have raised readers. That said, it is up to each adult to make their own decisions on this topic.

However it is approached reading is a fundamental skill and one that, in my opinion, should be taught with a sense of joy and excitement. If your child would have fun with this book, go for it…or go for it if you feel it is helpful.

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

This title was published in 2022.