by Edward Hirsch

Edward Hirsch is surely qualified to author this title. He has authored a number of books of both poetry and prose. I previously reviewed his 100 Poems to Break Your Heart.

This is an erudite, personal, well-edited collection of poetry ranging from Phyllis Wheatley through Joy Harjo. Just some of the poets whose works are here include Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Amy Lowell, Marianne Moore, T.S. Eliot, Langston Hughes, Muriel Rukeyser, Gwendolyn Brooks and, John Ashbery among many others. This is truly a college level poetry class in a book. I highly recommend it. The Heart of American Poetry is a title to which I will return again and again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Library of America for this title. All opinions are my own. Note that all profits from this title will be used to support the mission of the nonprofit Library of America.

Pub date: 19 Apr 2022

I very much enjoyed this author’s earlier title, One Day in Winter, so was looking forward to reading this book, even though it took me some time to get to it. Another Day in Winter is a similarly absorbing story that follows a host of characters. They include: Shauna, Lulu, George, Tom and Chrissie.

Our most elderly character is George. He has some regrets. How will these affect his grandson, Tom? What are the younger Shauna and Lulu hoping to learn in Scotland, and, what is in store for single mum, Chrissie?

Lots will be discovered over the course of this novel. Ms. Low does a wonderful job in writing about her characters. Readers will care about them!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 Oct 2018

First in the trilogy:

One Day in December by Shari Low

Four main characters and a number of their connections feature in this engaging women’s fiction read. The action takes place over the course of one day with sufficient back story to give the novel some depth. The book begins with a character dying in hospital; it will only be at the end of the novel that the reader learns who this is.

As for the characters…Bernadette is married to surgeon, Ken, their union is not a happy one. She, Ken and their two children are one story line. Media obsessed Lila is another; she is involved with Ken and is half sister to the more likeable Caro. Both Caro and Lila’s mothers were married to the same man but they have never met. Cammy wants to marry Lila but gets to know Caro as well. There are others in the novel including Caro’s cousin, Caro and Lila’s parents and an entire French football team! Each chapter follows one of the main characters.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read; one of those novels that is good for a time when you want to relax. There will be another book by this author coming out soon.

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Current and prospective fans of Middle-earth will enjoy learning about young JRR and how he grew up to be a well-known author. It is a lovely story about the gift of writing and the belief in ordinary heroes.

Young John Ronald Reuel moved to England when he was three. He lived out his life there with losses (his father, his mother, friends from school who died in war) and the wonders of his mind. Tolkien, in over 900 pages, created an indelible world which has been his gift to readers for generations.

Read this book and watch how the young Ronald, who created imaginary languages, grew up to be the author. It is an impressive journey told here with evocative illustrations. Note that there are a timeline and additional resources at the end of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 Apr 2022

#BritishMurder #NetGalley

British Murder is a title in this long running cozy mystery series featuring Lucy Stone. I have been reading about Lucy for many years.

This book is a double treat as it includes two stories, English Tea Murder and British Manor Murder. Each of these takes Lucy away from her native Maine. Both books have murder of course. In the first, a tour leader dies mid flight. Along with enjoying England, Lucy will need to solve the case. In the second novel, Lucy is at a country manor house when she discovers a bludgeoned body. Naturally, she intrepidly solves the case.

Lovers of mysteries that are not gory and those who love all things British will want to give this title a look. It is currently just $1.99 in e book form.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 25 Feb 2020

This weeks’s ShortList (recent books for less than ten dollars:

Some other e book bargains:

From sketch to finished painting in just 15 minutes!

by Angela Marie Moulton

I was very excited to take a look at this title. What I loved about it was how it made water color painting feel possible and accessible, even for those who do not see themselves as artists. The information on how to get started is straightforward and includes things like brushes, types of paper and paints. This section is specific and practical. Go on to learn about techniques and projects…and have fun.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Walter Foster Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 May 2022

#AFamilyAffair #NetGalley

Robyn Carr is the author of several series of novels including The Grace Valley Trilogy, the Virgin River books and the Thunder Point stories. She has also written a number of standalone titles of which this is one.

This is a story about family and the ways in which people react, cope and look for happiness in their relationships. Some of the characters whom readers get to know include:

Anna-She has been recently widowed after her husband went on a dangerous white water rafting trip. What was he tring to prove? Anna, herself, was raised by a single mother and has worked hard since going back to law school. She wants and needs financial security and the knowledge that she can care for herself.. Annar is a judge who, as a lawyer, specialized in cases involving women and domestic violence.

Chad-Anna met him when she literally rescued him. He worked as a counselor but had his own issues (as counselors often do.)

Together, Anne and Chad had three children. Each of them is coping with their father’s death. Jessie is a doctor who pushes too much in her relationships; Mike is a teacher who has trouble committing and Bess, who has Asperger’s, sees life in her own unique way.

Add to this core family, Chad’s best friend Joe. He is a support to Anna but hopes for more. There is also a mysterious young, pregnant woman who appears at Chad’s funeral.

This novel tells the story of each of these people as they cope with loss and growth. Those who enjoy stories with characters about whom they will care and those who enjoy women’s fiction may want to pick up this title.

See my archive for the blog tour on this title.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing-Mira for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 April 2022