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!

Experience: Joy by Mike Bond

The very first poem in this collection captured my heart. “Burgundy” felt wise and profound. This was true for many of the works in this collection. Who wouldn’t love the words “To see your face across a room delights my heart…To hold your hand heats my soul with love.” Some are sadder, as for example, the poem titled Gray Clouds.

What all of the poems in this collection share is their approachability (maybe not a real word but the concept I want). These are works that one may contemplate but that can be understood. I will be dipping in and out of this book for a while.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Big City Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in November 2022.

What would happen: If Wishes Were Fishes

A Celebration of Animal Group Names

by Anne L. Watson

#IfWishesWereFishes #NetGalley

This short, brightly illustrated title informs kids of the names for groupings of animals, for example, a pride of lions. There is whimsy here with some rhyming and appealing illustrations. A cute story for sharing with a young child.

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

Pub date: 01 April 2023

Now out:

Walking Literary London

by Stephen Browning

This book is exactly as described. Included are 11 London walks that offer pedestrians glimpses of this most literary of cities. Each walk highlights both fictional and actual figures. For example, walk 5 includes Pall Mall, Picadilly and Mayfair. A few of the streets in this walk include St. James Street, Berkeley Street and Bruton Street, among others. Mention is made of those who belonged to the Reform Club including Anthony Trollope, Arnold Bennet, Conan Doyle, Thackeray and others; that is just one of many neighborhood stops.

There are photographs and maps for each walk. I also really liked that walking conditions are noted.

Both real and virtual travelers will be impressed by the rich history that is revealed in these pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this title. All opinions are my own.

From my backlist:

Atlas of the Unexpected

Haphazard discoveries, chance places and unimaginable destinations

by Travis Elborough

#AtlasOfTheUnexpected #NetGalley

The subtitle of this intriguing book is Haphazard Discoveries, Chance Places, and Unimaginable Destinations. Ready to explore? Start turning the pages.

I was drawn into this work right away, simply by looking at the dotted world map. How interesting to see just how widely scattered the finds were. Topics covered include Accidental Discoveries, Strange Roots, Haphazard Destinations, Cavernous Locations, and Serendipitous Spaces. Within each group find things like Vaseline, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Chess City, Uros Floating Islands and the Lascaux Caves; there are so many choices within this title. Each entry is pretty fascinating.

Recommended for those with eclectic and inquiring minds.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in 2018.