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!
Young children often enjoy learning about animals and this cheerily illustrated book allows them to do just that. The guide animal in these pages is a brown bear and readers are told that he represents Russia, a bit tricky for this moment but book buyers are free to make their own decisions about that.
Children will see animals from many countries and will learn fun facts about each one. Each entry has illustrations, a view of the flag for that animal’s country and more. At the bottom of each page are all of the animals that have been shown up to that point. These can be reviewed or maybe even memorized by some kids in a fun game. All in all, this is an enjoyable way to learn about animals and our world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Regular readers of Jodi Picoult’s novels know what to expect…the unexpected, plot twists, a social issue and lots of information on an interesting topic, in this case bees.
Here is a story in which Ms. Picoult partnered with Ms. Boylan, a fortuitous and successful pairing for this novel’s topic and one about which readers will learn a great deal. As I mentioned in a review of a spark of light, I think that a service is done for readers who are hungry for information and may not have easy access to it; in this instance, the subject is being trans.
Well, yes, as noted above, there is always a bit of a didactic turn in this writer’s works but there is also always a terrific story. Here readers get to know Asher and his bee keeping mom, and Lily, a person of great importance to Ash. Around them flow many other characters.
When something really bad happens, Asher is in trouble. Did he do what he was accused of? How will events play out? What will the impact be on the small New Hampshire town where the novel is set?
Around the central plot, are backstories for many characters. There is a good deal about families and parents who are absent, along with the impact of that on children. Is it ever better not to be with a parent is one of many questions.
As this book opens readers meet two moms are single parents for complex reasons. What happens when this new(ish) ecosystem is messed with? Will it be like it is for the bees when they face disruption?
I, for one, really wanted to know what would happen in this story, not only to Asher, but to many of the people around him. I think readers will feel that way too.
Congrats to the authors. They have written one heck of a book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 October 2022
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for Jodi Picoult
“Picoult is a skilled wordsmith, and she beautifully creates situations that not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us.”—The Boston Globe
“Jodi Picoult is that rare, one-in-a-million writer whose books both squeeze your heart and expand your mind.”—Emily Henry
Praise for Jennifer Finney Boylan
“Jennifer Finney Boylan is an exquisite writer.”—Augusten Burroughs
“One could not ask for a wiser, warmer, more engaging companion than Jennifer Finney Boylan.”—Mary Roach
With a reputation for having more authors per capita than any other country, Iceland is a destination for readers. Olaf Olafsson, whose most recent book is “Touch,” leads a literary stroll through its capital.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/08/17/books/books-iceland.html
I am not a person who loves flying so it was difficult for me to approach this title. It is the story of Edward who is the sole survivor of a plane crash. His parents and older brother are gone in an instant, leaving twelve year old Edward in a heartbreaking situation.
How Edward manages his survival and figures out how to live is the theme of this story. It will both make you cry and root for this (extra)ordinary young man.
Note: Readers get to know some of the passengers on the flight. It can make for hard reading knowing their fate.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 06January 2020
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A surprisingly uplifting story, full of hope and dry humor, with an underlying, noncloying message about the decency of strangers.”—The New York Times Book Review
“A harrowing yet ultimately optimistic story about the sole survivor of a plane crash.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
“A haunting novel that’s a masterful study in suspense, grief and survival . . . Napolitano’s fearless examination of what took place models a way forward for all of us. She takes care not to sensationalize, presenting even the most harrowing scenes in graceful, understated prose, and gives us a powerful book about living a meaningful life during the most difficult of times.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
“Transportative . . . Make sure you have tissues handy when you read Ann Napolitano’s Dear Edward, a sure-footed tearjerker.”—NPR
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • “Make sure you have tissues handy when you read [this] sure-footed tearjerker” (NPR) about a young boy who must learn to go on after surviving tragedy
Soon to be an Apple TV+ series starring Connie Britton, written and executive produced by Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights and Parenthood)
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Parade, LibraryReads
If you are planning to take the GRE, mark your calendar for this title’s release date. It will be of great help in reviewing for the verbal reasoning test. Readers will understand how the test works and will be able to do practice tests and learn many tactics for approaching the exam. Included are reading comprehension, text completion and sentence equivalence questions along with three full length practice tests. Hope it helps…it should.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this title. All opinions are my own.
Brain Stretching Challenges Inspired by the Scientific Genius
by Dr Gareth Moore
Are you a person who enjoys a challenge? Would you like to solve some fiendish puzzles? If yes, give this title a look.
The puzzles are Einstein inspired and there are over 100 of them here. Beware though, these are pretty tough puzzles. If you buy this book, I will be eager to hear about your successes (or failures).
Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
