Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!
Great reads for adults and children!
This is a cute book for young children. In rhyming text, it tells the story of a family and dog who go on vacation. Otto does not want to stay at doggie day care and instead follows the family to the amusement park. Oh, the (mis)adventures that he has there though, of course, all ends happily.
This title includes additional activities like search and find puzzles and a matching game.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 02 June 2023
A SUNLIT WEAPON
The best new paperbacks for July 2023 — Ian McEwan, Maggie O’Farrell and more
#CozyCaseFilesVolume19 #NetGalley
I am a great fan of the cozy case files. They include helpful descriptions of forthcoming titles along with generous excerpts and information on the authors. Just the thing for planning what to read next.
In this edition of the free resource, readers will learn about forthcoming mysteries by Celeste Connally, Elizabeth Penney, Cate Conte, Diane Kelly, Korina Moss, Ellie Alexander, Donna Andrews, and, M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green. Some of these writers were known to me while others offered a chance to learn about something new. Cozy readers will find much to enjoy here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 22 August 2023
Lisa See has written many works of historical fiction yet this is the first book of hers that I have read. It won’t be the last.
Ms. See tells an absorbing story and one that is filled with historical detail and, numerous characters and aspects of Chinese culture. Her settings come to life so gorgeously. Early in the book, the protagonist is traveling to Shanghai. I could feel her seasickness and claustrophobia. I think I was as eager as she was to get outside for some air. The author’s words made this voyage so vivid.
Characters are a strength of this writer. They are complex, multidimensional, interesting and relatable, despite the fact that they lived long before us. For example, the protagonist’s mother dies very early in the story. I had been admired her and was upset when she collapsed. The why of this was historically accurate and tragic to those of our present day. I could feel the daughter’s grief. Another example… a concubine was living in the home. She, too, was not a cardboard figure but rather a woman with feelings, education and a wish to help this grieving girl.
These are examples from early in the book but so much more follows. This is a long and involving novel. Along the way, readers will learn much about the China in the 1400s.
Readers are introduced to Yunxian and her friend/colleague Meiling . Yunxian has a life in which she tries to balance her love of medicine with the traditional women’s roles of the time. Readers will hope that she can achieve all that she wants.
Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction. I know that I will now read more titles by this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 06 June 2023
368 pages
Five stars *****
The cover of this book gives a good indication of the range of feelings that are explored in these pages. The authors are well qualified for their task with one a psychologist and the other a parenting and health writer.
This book is for children although adults may want to peek at it as well and be open to what their child wants to say while reading it. They may also want to sit down and share some of the ideas in this one with younger kids.
This title covers many day to day feelings and situations that kids face in their friendships and more. It is cleverly designed with cartoons, information and even a cat and dog who make points. I like that the book covers serious topics in a fun way.
I highly recommend this title. It is a gift (for a lifetime) to help children identify, understand and learn to cope with their emotions. Get this one for your home library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Beyond Words Publishing. All opinions are my own.
