Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

In “Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman,” Lucy Worsley revisits the weird story of one of the 20th century’s most popular and enduring authors.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/09/06/books/review/agatha-christie-elusive-woman-lucy-worsley.html

Meet the People Who Live, Work, and Play Across the USA

by Margeaux Weston; Sarosh Arif

This book contains a colorful two page spread for every state. Included are things that make each state unique, famous people associated with that state, the state flag, and many other fascinating facts. I began by looking at the state where I grew up and learned things that I had not known. This book also addresses issues of past history such as discrimination and changes that have taken place historically.

I would have loved this book when I was a kid. It is engaging and can be dipped into in any order. It really shows the breadth and depth of the country.

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

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022

The titles listed above are on this week’s Short List. They are recent titles published at discount.

Fashioning Modern Femininity in the Twentieth Century

by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell

It is a truism often stated that “Clothes make the man.” Well, the same can be said of women as this interesting social history clearly shows. Its author is a good guide as readers discover from the start of the book.

In her introduction, the author shares her thoughts, feelings, wardrobe choices and professional experiences. Next are chapters on many iconic dresses. These include, for example, the little black dress, the tennis dress and the strapless dress, among the well-known ones. There are also garments with which I was unfamiliar as in the bar suit and the Delphos.

Each chapter is packed with facts. Readers learn about the history of the featured garment, its construction and some of the famous names who wore it. My only quibble is that I wish there had been illustrations in each chapter. Note though that I read an advanced copy of this title and the final version may well be filled with photos.

The end of this title includes notes and a helpful bibliography for those who want to explore further. Anyone interested in fashion history may well enjoy this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 September 2022

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An entertaining and insightful look at the evolution of the skirt across the 20th century… Exquisitely detailed and evocatively written, this stylish history casts an underappreciated garment in a rewarding new light.” –Publishers Weekly

“A love letter to the many-faceted qualities of the skirt and a fascinating look at how the skirt has changed – from who is wearing it to how it reflects the times we live in.” –Alexandra Shulman, former editor-in-chief of British Vogue and bestselling author of Clothes and Other Things That Matter

“The Marriage Portrait” is the fictionalized story of the 16th-century Italian noblewoman Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/09/05/books/review/maggie-ofarrell-marriage-portrait.html

www.nytimes.com/2022/09/05/arts/recipes-for-love-and-murder-series-tv.html

The Classic Novel

by Hermann Hesse

This title is part of what St. Martin’s Press is calling its Essentials collection. I would agree that this is an essential book and one that it is worth reading. I first encountered this novel many years ago and found it so full of life and meaning. It is wonderful to see it reissued in this edition.

The story of Siddhartha is one of discovering what is important. It will leave readers with much to ponder.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 October 2022

This colorful title introduces little ones to a wide variety of shapes, everything from ovals to stars. Each shape word appears in both English and Japanese. There is also a section at the end of the book with an explanation for each shape’s illustration. For example, the circle is a sumo wrestling ring.

The Sumo series provides nice, easy learning for young ones. Take a look at the other titles as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sasquatch Books Little Bigfoot for this title.

Pub date: 27 September 2022

A novel

by Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement was a literary success and a book that was made into a movie. A new novel by this author will make his readers eager to see what he has accomplished now.

This title is not an easy read in my opinion. But, it does take on so much of the world out there along with the events that shape people’s own smaller worlds. Here we have Chernobyl with its nuclear fallout and a main character whose own life is deeply impacted by a fallout of a different kind.

Ian McEwan is an author who takes on epic issues of many years of history as well as the life of a man who lived through these events. I think that it takes someone of his talents to attempt this. Readers will follow Roland’s life and acknowledge the fullness of existence.

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

Pub date: 13 September 2022