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!
I loved the illustrations in this book. They did a marvelous job of evoking mood, character and place.
This book is about Mimi who wants to see fairies in her garden, but what is the right kind of garden to create so that can happen? Readers will learn in a text that is a bit didactic at times.
There are projects included at the end of the story and ideas for making an ecologically safe space. These are nice extras.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
I have been reading the novels by Elizabeth George since the beginning. The first book was A Great Deliverance and many others have followed. I have read them all; there are some that I have liked better than others but I will always give her books a try.
This title is aptly named. There are many things that the characters in this book are trying to hide. Will their secrets be exposed? How will these revelations affect the people whom the reader meets? I don’t want any spoilers so will leave that for readers to discover.
George takes on a literally and emotionally painful topic in this novel. I don’t think that this should keep anyone from reading the book but it is important to be informed. The carefully researched topic is FGM known as female genital mutilation, a practice performed on young girls in some African cultures. Along with this, George portrays the culture of those from Nigeria and Somalia. A corollary is the extent to which those who are white can understand those whose lives may be very different from theirs.
The primary case in the story centers on a murdered police officer. She was a victim of FGM and readers will watch to see whether she was killed by family, a stranger or someone in the FGM community.
This story is filled with characters. Regular series readers will be happy to see Tommy and Simon. Deborah has a significant role this time around. Readers also learn more about Winston Nkata and his family and Daidre and hers. In addition to many series regulars there are a host of new people to meet. The stories of the new characters are often complex and raise questions about which to think. Some of these have to do with marriage, others with having a disabled child and many about FGM and its impact and/or prevention. My one criticism about characters is that I was a bit tired of Barbara Havers and Dorothea’s interactions. Those who are not familiar with the series have no need to worry. Who all of these people are will be clear to you as you read.
The settings in the novel are mostly places in London. They were so descriptive that I often found myself looking up the real places on line. Such a reminder of London’s many neighborhoods and populations.
This is a long novel coming in at 700 pages. I think that it could have been shorter without sacrificing anything. Still, I am glad that I read it.
Katie Fforde has a genuine talent for writing “nice” books that have likeable protagonists, good story lines and pretty happy endings. This novel is no exception. And, believe me, there are times when that is just what the literary doctor has ordered, a nice escape from the rigors of all that which is overwhelming us.
This story is mostly about mom, Gilly, and her daughter Helena. They live in what sounds like a very nice part of the English countryside. Gilly, victim of a bad marriage, runs a B and B that I so wish was real. I would dash right over for Gilly’s homey atmosphere and delicious food. Daughter Helena is a weaver who specializes in large scale projects. Each is moving ahead in life and it looks as if both will find romance and love by story’s end.
In a plot that reminded me a bit of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Gilly’s rather greedy son and daughter-in-law want her to sell her property in order to fund a new home for them. They ever so kindly (sarcasm intended) will give Gilly a granny flat and allow her to babysit for her granddaughter. Will Gilly be able to resist their blandishments?
Gilly has two potential love interests. There is Leo who is attractive but…and William, Gilly’s accountant. Who will she choose and what will it take for her to recognize what she wants? Will she listen to Helen’s opinions, especially as Helena, a super recognizer, knows something about one of these men?
Helena becomes a very good friend of Jago, a property developer with heart. Will their relationship become the real thing?
This is an easy to read book that goes perfectly with a cup of tea and a few minutes of quiet time. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
To begin at the end, although readers should not do this as there are spoilers, I learned that this novel is based on real people and real events that occurred in the build up to WWII. The story is well told and engrossing.
Protagonist Evelyn was raised in what seems to be a “typical” British home. Her father had a job, her mother was a homemaker and, while not terribly well off, the family managed well. Evelyn , who was intelligent, moved away from her family’s sphere. First she went to a boarding school and later was an Oxbridge graduate. She studied German at university, a helpful language for the time in which the novel took place. Evelyn’s best friend Sally is from a wealthier and more upper class and influential family. They happily included Evelyn in their world. Sally’s cousin Julia is her own woman and a bit of a black sheep. The novel revolves around these three women but with many other characters as well.
What happens when Evelyn becomes involved in war work? What starts out as a secretarial job leads to much more. Readers learn about this and the consequences that Evelyn’s decisions and actions have for her.
One thing that the author does extremely well is to portray the anti-Semitic and pro German attitudes of a group of British citizens. On their own, with Russian emigres and more, they wanted a world in which Hitler was ascendant. This made for some chilling reading.
Another well done aspect of the story was its presentation of work done in MI5. Where did women fit in this? How were agents supported (or not)? These issues add to the intrigue of this story.
What happens to the Unlikely Spy both before and after the war? Read this involving novel to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Here is another excellent entry in this inspiring series. Readers follow Florence Nightingale from childhood on. She was bright and cared deeply for others. Florence was a girl who grew up to do what we now call following her passion. She did not want to marry but wanted to care for others. Florence’s dream was to become a nurse at a time when nursing was not viewed as respectable. She subsequently did much to change that way of looking at the profession, even being honored by Queen Victoria.
Any child who dreams of being a nurse will be very inspired after reading this title. They can go to the end of the book and also enjoy the timeline and other information that is there, including some photos..
One thing that I learned from this title was that Florence was named for the city in Italy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
What a great book for kids and one that will get them outdoors to explore and discover. The idea is to take this book along; no worries about its getting grubby as that is the idea. Fill it with all sorts of thoughts and things relating to nature.
The book opens with an introduction of how to use this one and then goes on to many short sections. Some of these include Searching for Rainbows, Shell collecting, Dragon hunt, Eyes on the trees, Tiny treasures, Leaf printing, Garden goblins, Cloud gazing, and Bee friendly, along with many more. All in all, the perfect companion and encouragement to get out and enjoy the natural world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this engaging and beautifully illustrated title. All opinions are my own.
Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and the Romance of the Century
by Stephen Galloway
Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were giants as actors. Ms. Leigh may be best known for playing Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, while Olivier was a renowned Shakespearean thespian. As can often be the case, this external glitter and glory did not fully reflect the actual lives of these two.
This well-researched book, sometimes gossipy in tone, tells the story of the cataclysmic meeting and relationship of these two stars. Just like a meteor (to keep an analogy going), these two were on a collision course.
What were the highs and lows for these two? How did they meet, come together and live a life together? Why did their relationship implode and what happened to each in light of this? Read this title to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
To me, this is an adult’s story masquerading as a child’s tale although both generations may well enjoy it. I loved the nostalgic feel of this story of the umbrella. In some ways it brought to mind, The Velveteen Rabbit, in terms of how important objects from our pasts can be forgotten or discarded but still can have deep meaning.
The illustrations in this title are beautiful; they have an old fashioned appeal that I very much liked. I will go back to enjoy them again, I am sure.
The story is about a special umbrella and what it means to two children and their childhoods. Who are they to one another? How does this special umbrella hold up? Read this very sweet book to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 