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!
Lucky Cat is a picture book that tells the story of an immigrant family from a child’s point of view. June is trying to adapt as her parents try to get a business up and running. They show her a Lucky Cat statue and let her know how it should bring good things to them. But…first there are challenges as the figure comes to life and is seemingly seen only by June. Will things ever work out? Read this one to find out.
The author of this book gives a hopeful message. It is that families will benefit from keeping on trying and that the love of one’s family matters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Everyone was once a child with a dream. That is why there seems to always be a new person to feature in this series for young children. As usual, this book tells the story of a successful person who had to work their way toward their goals.
Here, readers get to meet Mae Jemison. Young Mae knew that she wanted to travel to the stars. She also understood that no one who looked like her had become an astronaut in real life, even if they had on TV. Well, she became the first and made history. She also did so much before going to NASA, studying engineering and becoming a doctor, volunteering for the Peace Corps and more. Find out about her in this charmingly illustrated latest title by Ms. Sanchez Vegara.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln’s Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
This is the third novel in a series that features ex-cop Nico who has moved to a small Italian town following the death of his beloved wife. Over the course of the stories, he has established himself in his new community.
Nico works at a relative’s restaurant for the joy and focus that it offers. He also helps the police in some of their murder cases. Given his avocations, readers get to know police officers, Nico’s family and friends, and some eccentric locals as they experience the story. Readers are also treated to many descriptions of cooking and foods. There is even a bit of romance. All of this makes me pretty certain that readers who enjoy the novels of Donna Leon will also want to read these stories.
This time, an elderly bartender is murdered. Was it because of his family land, his being gay, his connection to hotel owner Laura, or something else entirely? To what extent, will a tragedy in Laura’s past play into the story? All will, of course, eventually be revealed.
This book can be read as a standalone or readers may want to begin at the beginning. Either way, this leisurely paced series is one to savor.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Beginning in the 1930s and running up to the 1960s, British poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis wrote a series of mysteries under the pen name Nicholas Blake. The series follows Nigel Strangeways and, in many of the titles, Georgia Strangeways as well.
This time the two visit a country house in the winter. It is a strange and unsettling location with odd occurrences. However when a murder takes place, Nigel is on the case.
Those who enjoy old fashioned British mysteries will want to give this one a look. There are many novels about Nigel so those who enjoy this one will have lots to look forward to.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ipso Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
This is a lovely and inspiring book about the difference that a child can make, the importance of birds and ways in which a species can be reintroduced to an environment. Oh, and the illustrations are just the most lovely and beautiful accompaniment to this story about Beanie.
Beanie is a little girl who loves birds. She is an observer and a person who takes action. Young children will see what happens when she thinks about the white storks and their futures.
This is a fictionalized account of events that happened in Britain. There is an end note about this.
This book will encourage children to engage with the natural world. It will also help them to see that kids can make a difference.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Ivy Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.
Often WWII historical novels take place in France or Germany. However, the European front was not the only location where battles were fought. Novels have also been written about the code breaking that took place at Bletchley Park. However, this is the first time that I have read a WWII novel that involves breaking Japanese ciphers.
In her latest book, Ms. Ackerman has readers enter into the stakes of the war immediately as they meet Isabel. Isabel is in DC where she strives to decode Japanese messages. She is a bright and somewhat quirky young woman. For example, when her brain is humming, she literally wants to hum as well. Isabel’s life has been influenced by deep loss. Readers will viscerally feel the tornado that leads to her first reasons to mourn. Isabel also has lost her brother in the war. She longs to be in Hawaii so that she can learn more about what happened to him.
It is not a spoiler to say that Isabel goes to Hawaii. After all, all of the author’s historical novels take place there. Readers will eagerly follow Isabel’s life there as Pearl Harbor events unfold. Especially intriguing is the male character who enters the story. He is a “hotshot” pilot, a friend of Isabel’s dead brother and a man with his own story. Will he and Isabel come together?
As is often the case in historical novels, there is a dual story and timeline. Lu’s story takes place in the 60s as a luxury Rockefeller hotel is about to open, again in Hawaii. A guest goes missing. Lu links up with her own male counterpart. How will their stories intersect with that of Isabel? Readers will most definitely want to know.
I very much enjoyed this novel. It contains both mystery and romance in each of the time periods. I recommend this one to those who read WWII fiction and are looking for something new.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
“Beautifully structured and well-told with authentic historical detail, interesting relationships, and the mystery of two young women who go missing from the same spot 22 years apart, this is another top historical novel by Ackerman.” —Booklist (starred)
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 