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!
Historical fiction at its best allows readers to immerse themselves in another place and time. When it is done very well, I often find myself wishing for a different ending…even as I know what happened historically. That was exactly my reaction to this novel; I kept wanting to guide the characters when the events are, in reality, long past. The woman who was the woman before Wallis Simpson is Thelma. For anyone who may not know, Wallis married David, the heir to the British throne who abdicated, paving the way for Elizabeth to be the current monarch. Thelma, nee Morgan, was a twin and her twin was Gloria Vanderbilt. Again, for any who may not follow such things, Gloria was involved in a dispute over the custody of “little Gloria,” her daughter, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. (Little Gloria grew up to be the mother of Anderson Cooper). Thelma, herself, had…
The Grace Kelly dress is, of course, inspired by the beautiful wedding gown that Grace Kelly wore although this story is not about Grace Kelly. Rather, it is about three women and one wedding dress that was inspired by the one worn by Princess Grace.
Rose’s story begins in the 1950s in Paris. Rosee is an orphan who works in an atelier as a seamstress. The very talented Rose makes a wedding dress for the lovely Diana and, while doing so, they become friends despite the class barriers. Rose is attracted to Diana’s brother Robert but he is engaged to someone else. What will happen?
In the 80s, Joan seems to have the perfect, if conventional and guarded life. She is engaged to someone who is perfect on paper but…is he the right one for her? What is the story of her sibling who died?
Harry Potter fans are many and many among them may enjoy this title. It offers a compilation of articles on topics dear to the hearts of those Muggles who enjoy the wizarding world. There are sections on Hogwarts as a school; Harry’s psychology, including his resilience; Magic, the worlds of Muggles and magicians; and, a final section on learning from Harry.
This is a book that can be read in any order or straight through. Each article begins with an introduction by the editor. Many of the authors are well credentialed and have PhDs, including the author, a therapist. He believes that lessons from Harry’s world may be a helpful focus for young people who are struggling.
I found many of these articles to be intriguing, beginning with the very first one on learning at Hogwarts. It gave me pause as I reflected on the amount of rote learning that was in the curriculum. The author of this piece wonders why curiosity was not more encouraged but rather everything was accepted. One example of this was the owls who always knew where to bring their messages; this author questions why no one ever wondered how this was accomplished. Of course there are notable exceptions to this theory, of whom Hermione is one and given credit here. There are also some professors, especially in Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts classes who encourage more independent thinking. As this article goes on readers get a crash course in learning and the scientific method. Other entries are equally interesting.
I found the application of psychology to aspects of Harry’s world to be interesting and thought provoking. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. It may be enjoyed by HP fans and psychologists. All opinions are my own.
This title appears to be a reissue of a book that was published in 2007.
From sketch to finished drawing in just 15 minutes!
by Erin McManness
#15MinuteDrawingGettingStarted #NetGalley
This book appears to be part of a series as I recently reviewed a similar title on watercolors. This book on drawing drew (sorry for the pun) me in. It made drawing seems possible and not just something for inherently talented artists.
I very much like that the first sentence of this book notes that drawing should be fun. There is then helpful information on techniques for both drawing and creating letters. Following are many projects that budding artists can try. These are organized by categories as, for example, Leaves & Flowers or Everyday Life. I can’t wait to try my hand at some of these, especially as I am interested in exploring something new and would like to be more proficient than my current doodling.
Note that this title also includes a number of prompts. It gently encourages drawing as a potential act of reflection and dreaming. There is also workbook space throughout.
This book has left me wanting to get my pencils out. I hope that will be the feeling that others have when they pick up this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Walter Foster Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Family life lessons in far flung places (a travel memoir)
by Kate Wickers
#ShapeofaBoy #NetGalley
I found this book to be quite delightful! The author is a wonderful storyteller who makes each of her destinations come fully to life. She also has a terrific sense of humor and an ability to describe the realities of being a parent. At times, I smiled or cringed remembering what it was like to have a young baby. At others, I had to remind myself that the author made it through a difficult experience because, of course, she had published this book.
Ms. Wickers is an adventurer. She worked as a travel writer and loved exotic places before becoming a parent and has happy memories of travels with her family when she was a child. The author wanted to show her own children amazing places and took her first son on his first trip…
What could be better or more cheer inducing than sharing some happy/silly poems with a child? This collection includes some delightfully titled poems. Among them are Monstrous Faces, The Dragging Dragon, A brush with Danger, Memories of Smiles, I Wake Up with A Smile and Fun with Animal Names.
Each entry is short and accompanied by a colorful illustration. They encourage movement, using imagination, laughing and more. Truly an interactive read. Note: some of these poems do not rhyme but they always invite the reader in.
Many thanks to Quarto-Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer Ryan has a talent for writing absorbing historical fiction. She began with The Chilbury Ladies Choir, a book that I very much enjoyed. Next came The Spies of Shilling Lane and then The Kitchen Front. I recommend all of these. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is the next, English set, WWII story by this author. I really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
This is a story that, to me, was about change and transformation. Do people have to stay in their strictly defined (by them or others) roles or can they move toward the lives that they want? Watch the characters to find out.
Readers follow three women whose lives and circumstances have been impacted by loss, the war and a heretofore acceptance of given roles. First is Grace; she is the daughter of a village vicar. When Grace’s mother died she stepped up to support her father. Grace, who puts her own needs last, is a very kind “do-gooder”. She is scheduled to marry another vicar but is she settling? What will happen when she again encounters the son of the squire who was a childhood friend? Readers will want the best for this good and likeable character.
Then there is Violet. She accepts and relishes her place in society. She is a rather self-important snob as the novel opens. When Violet is called up to do war work, how will she change? What talents will she discover? How will her views of people change? Violet has always wanted to marry a title, maybe even more than the man. What will happen when she meets a brash American?
Last, but definitely not least, there is Cressida. She is a successful fashion designer whose life is upended by the Blitz. Cressida is Violet’s aunt and Grace’s father is an old friend. Will Cressida and Grace’s father let go of their past grief enough to perhaps get together? Even if a reader thinks that they know the answers, there is pleasure in reading this title.
The author, in addition to telling her characters’ stories, provides readers with an interesting take on the period. Through fashion, readers learn about the system of clothing coupons and a contest for making do in a fashionable way with less. Cressida enters this contest. She also helps Grace to refashion her mother’s beautiful wedding dress…and, by the way, what is the history of this dress? And, of course, there is the sewing circle.
I truly loved this book. I enjoyed the people, the setting and the historical context. Even if you suffer from WWII historical fiction fatigue, I recommend that you read this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 