We’ve picked out 10 authors like Louise Penny that will satisfy readers of her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels.
— Read on earlybirdbooks.com/10-authors-like-louise-penny

FELLOWSHIP POINT is the masterful story of a lifelong friendship between two very different women with shared histories and buried secrets, tested in the twilight of their lives, set across the arc of the 20th century.
— Read on www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/fellowship-point

Did you know that this series has been published since 1988? The first editor was John Ashberry. So, this year’s volume is part of a long and respected tradition. Here are many poems to read, think about and enjoy. They are gathered from a variety of sources. An especially nice feature is that there are biographical information and comments by the poets on their poems.

Begin with the interesting forward and then dip in wherever you like. For me, this is a title to savor. I welcome the opportunity to read the works of the many poets with whom I am unfamiliar, interspersed with those I know.

Poetry fans or those who want to expand their horizons will enjoy this book. It will provide hours of thoughtful reading.

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

Pub Date 13 Sep 2022

How to Teach Your Cat a Trick

in Five Easy Steps

by Nicola Winstanley

This picture book is for young children but any adult who has a pet may laugh as they share this title. Watch as a child tries to teach their cat, cleverly named Einstein, a trick…the dog participates but the cat not so much. This is a very cute book as a bit of mayhem ensues.

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

Pub Date 27 Sep 2022

The mainstream publishing industry is intimidating. How does a writer break in? Follow Jessamine Chan’s “The School for Good Mothers” through the roller coaster of its creation.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/08/25/books/how-to-get-published.html

40 Stories Recommended by Literacy Experts

by Gabby Dawnay

#ATreasuryofTalesforFourYearOlds #NetGalley

This collection of stories and poems for four year olds is absolutely delightful and I highly recommend it. The illustrations offer beautiful complements to the short entries. A collection of forty tales seems perfect for an adult and child to share together at bedtime or any time of the day.

I think that both adults and children will enjoy this collection. I KNOW that reading to kids makes a huge difference for their futures. So have fun with this book. I like it so much.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 20 Sep 2022

A Novel

by Eva Carter

Here is a novel that I had been meaning to read for a while; I am not at all sure what took me so long. Here is a story about three friends, their hopes, their realities and their interconnected lives.

Tim, Joel and Kerry are schoolmates who are finishing up their educations. Tim and Kerry are taking their A levels and hope/plan to study medicine. Joel, on the other hand, is an upcoming football (soccer) star.

A lot happens between this description and the very early events in the novel. What will happen to the three as they move into their post school days and life does not (always) cooperate?

The interrelationships among Kerry, Joel and Timare complex. Will they be able to help one another through? Those who have recently entered this stage of life will relate to this novel. Others who have passed through these developmental phases will either look back with nostalgia or be glad to be in a different life moment.

This is a book about growing up. It is a story of trying to find one’s way.

A note: The author shares that her husband’s life was saved when he received CPR. She is very much an advocate of people learning this procedure. Readers will see how this fits in with the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 May 2021