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!
Ellen Hart has been writing stories about Jane Lawless and Cordelia Thorn for many years. This is a series that I read but then stepped away from though not for any particular reason. All to say, that I was happy to meet up with these characters again.
This time the story takes them to Castle Lake where Jane and Cordelia are visiting their friend Emma and hoping to enjoy an arts festival. The weekend will also include a high school reunion and one that has repercussions in the present.
Private investigator by trade, this situation lures Jane in. Read this book to find out what happened then and what that means for now.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Here is the latest in a series that is designed to painlessly educate and engage young children through telling the stories of well-known adults who, of course, were once children themselves. Each title in this series includes simple text, good illustrations and back sections with extra resources.
This time the little person with a big dream is young Harry who grew up to be an amazing magician and escape artist. Children follow him from his time as an immigrant to America named Ehrich, through a career that included performing for royalty and teaching American soldiers in WWII how to escape restraints. Still…be sure the child that reads this knows not to try Houdini’s stunts themselves!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln’s Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Brenda Novak has written many women’s fiction titles. I have enjoyed all of the ones that I have read including One Perfect Summer and The Bookstore on the Beach. Ms. Novak has perfected the art of telling intersecting stories of women’s lives.
This book follows three primary characters and those around them. There are divorce attorney Marlow and the two friends that she made during the course of her work. One of these women, Aida divorced Dutton. Aida and Marlow met Claire when Claire told her that she had been involved with Dutton, not knowing that he was married. From this unlikely beginning, the three go to Florida for a summer of drama, relationships and growth.
Will Marlow return to her law practice in California? Will Aida who has mostly spent her life as a trophy wife find her purpose? Will Claire find her way? She is a yoga teacher who does not always feel zen.
Readers also learn that there is a secret in Marlow’s family. This has something to do with her father, a Senator who died leaving behind a wife with some health issues. Marlow will take care of family business. This will lead to her spending time with housekeeper Rosemary and her two adult sons, both of whom grew up around Marlow.
Meanwhile, Dutton wants to come to Florida to see Claire. What complications will ensue?
Prospective readers can see that a lot happens in this novel that is set on a beautiful Florida estate. They may be able to figure out some of the plot threads but I think that is okay. This is a novel to read for escape and relaxation and it definitely offers that.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Mira Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Summer on the Island will be published on 05 Apr 2022.
Ostriches and zebras; warthogs and Banded Mongooses; Elephants and Baboons; Sloths and Sloth Moths; Bushveld Lizards and Oogpister Beetles-these are just some of the animal buddies who feature in this title. What brings these animal friends together? Young naturalists will enjoy finding out in this interesting and well-illustrated title.
KIds (and adults) will learn about symbiosis in its varied forms. This will help them to understand why certain species spend time together. Be sure to look at the friendly facts that provide additional insights. Read in order or page through; either way there is a lot to learn.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Alexander McCall Smith is probably best known for his No 1 Ladies Detective series. My favorites of his though are the the Isabel Dalhousie books. They combine beautiful titles along with a love of philosophy and a woman of a certain age in Isabel. Over the course of the novels readers watch as Isabel is tormented by someone at her journal, finds a relationship, becomes a parent and more. At the same time, readers enjoy spending time in Scotland and getting to know those around her including Isabel’s unlucky in love, niece Cat.
This time, in the 13th book in the series, Isabel is asked to be the executor of a Highland estate. What troubles will this bring to her? As if that is not sufficient, what is up with Cat and her latest love interest?
The books in this series are gentle and enjoyable. I highly recommend this entry and all of the others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book offers a rather original way of conceiving a counting book. I enjoyed the way that it was illustrated; the people are in color while the backgrounds are in outline.
Unlike other counting books that I have reviewed, this one offers up more for introspection and discussion. While it has a familiar “seek and find” aspect, some of the subject matter might be a bit dark for young children. For example, the number 7 offers a police lineup.
I would suggest that families who purchase this title take some time to discuss the pictures with their child. There seem to be a lot of worried people in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opiniona are my own.
From the Publisher:
One person. He is lying in bed counting his heartbeats. He wonders how many people are looking at the same stars right now.
Six people in an elevator. One of them is scared he’s missing out. Two of them feel lonely.
Eleven people on a soccer team. Ten of them like playing soccer. One of them dreads going to school.
Twenty people in a school history class. One of them is thinking about all the people who’ve lived before us. One of them is thinking about a lost teddy. One of them is dreading soccer training. One of them will become president.
Fifty people in a mall. One of them has great ambitions. One of them is worrying about a disappointed customer. Two of them are planning an important event.
Seventy-five people running a marathon. One of them has won the lottery and is only running because he’s happy. Two of them are sisters but don’t know about each other. One of them likes going to strangers’ weddings and funerals.
A hundred people in a schoolyard. One of them will soon fall and get hurt. One of them will develop a vaccine that saves millions of lives.
A thousand people watch a large comet that won’t pass close to Earth for another 2,533 years. Many of them wonder whether there is life on other planets. None of them knows for sure what the meaning of life is.
Winner of the 2019 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize and the 2019 Gold Award for Visual Communication from Visuelt / Grafill Nordic Association. Shortlisted for the Brage Prize, Norway’s most prestigious literary award, and the World Illustration Awards 2019.
Are you someone who likes to begin or end the day by taking a moment to step out of daily life to think about things? If you are, and have a religious spirit, this book that is filled with 365 short reads may be just the thing for you.
For each day’s entry readers find a quote from the Bible, along with a short narrative that combines daily life and a Christian perspective. Topics include loneliness, a parent’s love for a child, helping those who are struggling and more. There is an entry for every day. Readers are sure to find their favorites within these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Our Daily Bread Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Kristy Woodson Harvey writes the kinds of stories that readers enjoy. Those who have picked up books by authors including Dorothea Benton Frank will want to give this title a look. It is a women’s fiction title that has heart.
As is currently popular (and enjoyed by me), this story travels across several time periods. It spans many years, running from 1914 to the present day. The common thread (no pun intended) is a wedding veil, its history,meaning and beauty a part of the narrative.
This is a story about women who face challenges and changes. Readers will be absorbed spending time with everyone from a bride who feels uncertainty about her wedding in the present day to a grandmother who is making changes. One part of the story that I especially enjoyed had to do with a real people, Edith Vanderbilt and her daughter.
Is there a connection between the Vanderbilts and the other characters? Read this one to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for THE WEDDING VEIL
“Bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey will undoubtedly knock this out of the park.”—Zibby Owens, Katie Couric Media
“The author easily switches between the time periods to locate momentous events in the characters’ lives and connect each story line with the veil at the center. Harvey, ever a fine storyteller, manages to keep the pages turning.”—Publishers Weekly
“Finding inspiration in the true story of Edith Vanderbilt and her mysteriously disappeared wedding veil, Harvey intertwines a veil’s generations-spanning journey, the lives of the women who wore it, and the strength required to remove the veil and follow one’s heart instead.”—Booklist
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 