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!
Mystery fans are undoubtedly familiar with the “Golden Age” of detective fiction. Writers including Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey were popular then and remain popular today. Of course, there were many others writing during these years, of whom one was George Bellairs. Readers who enjoy this time period in mystery writing will want to give this title a look.
This novel has all of the key features of the stories of that time. Readers can tell this from the first page when a character named Rev Ethelred Claplady is introduced. There follows a murdered busybody along with a Scotland Yard inspector.
There is also the small village where much transpires. Sound good to you? If yes, read this and other entries in the series both of Bellairs book and the British Library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Daneille Steel has been writing novels for many years. She has been highly successful with her titles regularly becoming bestsellers. Readers know that they will find a story that makes them turn the pages and one that has some emotional resonance.
In this novel, the subject is surviving the Holocaust and trying to make a new life. This is difficult for the couple in the story and also has implications for their son. Jakob and Emmanuelle, make a life together after the war. It is based on hard work after they are able to come to America. Will they be able to put their past in a less fraught place and will they achieve the “American Dream?” What of their son? He faces his own obstacles but no spoilers so I will not say more.
Those who enjoy historical fiction and/or women’s fiction should enjoy this title. It is hard though to be reminded of the very real issues involved with war and survival, especially in light of current events.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I found the cover of this book to be so lively that I knew that I wanted to see more. Indeed, the pages inside are so vibrant and engaging. Anyone who has ever thought about taking up watercolors or who thinks about mindfulness would do well to give this title a look. It is packed with good information. A chapter that I found especially helpful was the one entitled “What Stops Us.” I also like the chapter on “Mindfulness and Being Present.” There is also the bonus of seeing the author’s work; I found it so cheerful.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I volunteer as a reading tutor. This is a serious commitment on my part as I believe that learning to love reading and to be a competent reader, ensures a much better future for any child with whom I work. So, I was interested in this phonics based title, hoping it would be appealing to young students.
This is a book that can be used in many ways. It can be read as an enjoyable story with its accompanying lively illustrations. There are also vocabulary words and/or activities to work on. At the end of the book there are illustrations that will help a child with memory and concentration as they cab recall and retell the story.
I found all of this to possibly be a bit overwhelming for a child. I think though that this book could be very helpful if everything is done in steps, i.e. first read the story and later go back to try the activities on the bottom of the pages. I would love to spend time with a child while thinking about his title. I would then know how best to use it to encourage a young reader. All said though, this looks like a good resource.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Natalie Jenner’s previous novel, The Jane Austen Society, was a true favorite of mine. (See review on my blog). I was so excited when I learned that she had a new novel coming out. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the double thrill of receiving advanced copies of both the audio and print book editions. I enjoyed toggling back and forth between them, being able to listen on my walks and when doing chores.
The audio is read by one of my favorite actresses, Juliet Stevenson. She is brilliant and captures the voices of each of the characters, all of whom have different accents. This audio is a real treat!
Before picking up the novel, I thought that it was a standalone. It can function as that but there are some recurring characters from The JAS. Readers of that book will, undoubtedly, be happy to encounter Evie and some of the others again.
This novel has moved forward in time to the early 1950s. Much of the action (though action is not exactly the correct term for a leisurely read), takes place in a bookshop. This is a bookshop with rules; each chapter is headed by one of them. I loved imagining what the interior looked like based upon the descriptions. I adored the dropping of book title names and the famous real life literary people who came in, including Daphne DuMaurier and Ellen Doubleday.
The story focuses on a number of people who work in the shop. My one minor quibble is that I would call them women not girls, as in the book’s title. Evie is a character from The JAS. A Cambridge graduate, she is not able to easily find a job as the better jobs go to men. How does she get her job in the bookstore? There is some drama around this. Vivien has worked in the shop for a while; she has been thwarted by her inability to advance. She has also faced a tragedy. Change may come for her….Finally, there is Grace. She is presented as calm, practical and less than happy in her marriage. Will anything change for her?
There are a number of men in the story as well. There is the Indian gentleman employee who is interested in entomology. Readers also meet an employee who has a touchy relationship with Vivien. Another character is a Lord who owns the shop. Each of these men is well portrayed. They interact with the book’s female characters.
As was true for The JAS, this is a slower moving book and one to savor. I most highly recommend it. Note: All opinions are my own.
This title will be published on Pub Date 17 May 2022.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 