Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

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!

Help in experiencing: How to Love the World

Poems of Gratitude and Hope

by James Crews

#HowtoLovetheWorld #NetGalley.4

I very, very much like this title. It is a collection of poetry that I read first thing in the morning, last thing at night or anytime that I want to feel better about the world and myself. Each poem is absolutely not abstruse and offers something to which the reader can relate. There are some poets known to me, including Amanda Gorman, but most are new discoveries. This means that each poem is an exploration, albeit a short one.

A brief quote from the first poem sets the tone:

Hope has holes

in its pockets.

It leaves little crumb trails

so that we,

when anxious,

can follow it.

If this excerpt appeals to you, you will want to own this book. It offers a promising way of viewing our universe.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What is it like to feel like an: Oddball

A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection

by Sarah Andersen

#Oddball #NetGalley Pub Date 07 Dec 2021

Out just in time for holiday shopping is this new Sarah Scribbles collection. If you know someone who loves cats and has a unique sense of humor, this could make the perfect gift (even for you!).

Oddball seems like the right title for this book. The humor is unique and reflects what it feels like to not always belong or be comfortable in one’s skin. The comics center on someone who is an introvert and show how hard this can be in an extroverted world.

Fans of this cartoonist, along with some others, will surely welcome this collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Grace Kelly Dress is an e book bargain for 11.8.21

The Grace Kelly Dress A Novel by Brenda Janowitz

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. Rose 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?

Unconventional Rocky, Joan’s daughter, is conflicted about wearing her mother’s wedding dress although not about her fiancee. Can she make it into something that makes sense for her?

Around these primary characters, there are many others whose stories are also told. The emotions, mistakes, regrets and decisions that these characters make form the basis of the novel as each makes the dress her own.

The Grace Kelly Dress is women’s fiction with conflict and fairy tale. Try it on for size if you would like a light read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.