A Novel

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This title follows upon the highly regarded, Before the coffee gets cold. Once again, the author spins a world that comes vividly to life. There is a bit of sci fi or magical realism within, call it what you will.

The tales take place in a very special cafe. A customer can go back in time so long as they are ready to return to their world before the coffee gets cold. This title follows four such patrons of the cafe. Each of these customers will come back changed.

This book is a treat. Those who enjoyed The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World are most likely to enjoy this title as well. It is a short book at 145 pages but also one to savor.

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

A Christmas Carol is, I think, one of Charles Dickens’ most popular stories. So many know the main aspects of the tale but, I imagine there are those who either have never read the original or who have not read it for many years. Now would be a good time to change that!

This version of the story is enhanced by its’ absolutely gorgeous and appealing illustrations. They are detailed and have a softness to them that I found that I very much appreciated. The illustrator’s artistry clearly adds to the reader’s experience as the pages turn.

Rereading A Christmas Carol has led me to remember that it would make a great Christmas season read aloud with a child. True, some of the vocabulary may need to be explained but there is something to be said for introducing a child to such a well-known and loved story.

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

One Hundred Essays from Colonial Times to the Present

by Phillip Lopate

This book is aptly named; it is truly glorious. It contains such a wide range of essays and covers works from Colonial Times to now. It is such a treat and will be loved by readers with inquiring minds. It is extraordinarily generous as well, clocking in at over 900 pages.

Start at the very beginning of the book, following an excellent introduction. There you will find authors including Cotton Mather, Jonathan Edwards and Thomas Paine, to mention just the first three. Or…just dip in anywhere that appeals. It is impossible to do justice to all that is found here. How about Washington or Lincoln? Henry James? Elizabeth Cady Stanton? Edith Wharton? Zora Neale Hurston? The choices go on and on until one finally approaches the end of the book to find Marilynne Robinson and Zadie Smith among others.

This is a gorgeous book. Think about getting it for yourself or someone you love right now or maybe as a holiday gift.

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

nyti.ms/3uqbH77

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www.nytimes.com/2021/09/12/books/review/apples-never-fall-liane-moriarty.html

Spectacular Spreads

50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion

by Maegan Brown

There are loads of spreads in this title. They cover Breakfast & Brunch; Lunch & dinner; Special Occasions; Holidays; Desserts, and Drinks.

The book opens with some helpful sections as, for example, How to Use This Book, What You’ll Need, and Planning. Then come the spreads beginning with a Continental Breakfast that includes cinnamon swirled coffee cake, mini banana muffins, blueberry streusel quick bread, and mini cinnamon rolls. These recipes are followed by suggestions for accompaniments. Some of the recipes that follow are familiar crowd pleasers; there are soups and sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. Holiday spreads include one for a family Valentine’s Dinner, an Easter Brunch and more.

This cookbook has many illustrations that may well inspire those who are planning gatherings…once we are again able to do so.

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

From the publisher:

In this stunning book, you will find spreads for special occasions, holidays, breakfast and brunch, lunch and dinner, dessert, and drinks, including:

Breakfast & Brunch Spreads Rise and shine with exciting morning spreads that will get everyone up and going for the day. From savory tacos to sweet waffles, everyone will start the day happy and satisfied. Treat overnight guests, invite friends for brunch, or just gather your family with these spreads that make fueling a crowd easy. Top Your Own Waffles Few things are better than the perfect waffle, crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. And now your family can put their own spin on perfection with this spread! Are you easy to please and like yours classic with butter and syrup? Feeling fruity? Try a cascade of fresh bananas, blackberries, and rich whipped cream. Or really go for it with chicken and waffles. There’s something for everyone and plenty of room to mix it up for your family or guests.	Lunch & Dinner Spreads Take the stress out of pleasing everyone at mealtimes with these delicious spreads that can easily be prepared in advance for a great family meal on a busy weeknight or made with the entire family on a slow Sunday for supper. Your family and friends will be delighted with the variety they offer, while you will be dazzled by their versatility and customization. Fill Your Own Chili Bowl Meet your new favorite meal! This spread truly elevates the chili-eating experience, and the star of the show is Brandon’s Best Darn Chili. Seriously hearty and perfectly seasoned, it’s craveable all on its own. Top it off with some crunchy corn chips, avocado, cheese, and green onions, and you’ll be back for seconds. And probably thirds.	Special Occasion Spreads These delightful spreads will have you looking for a reason to celebrate! Whether you’re toasting an exciting milestone or having friends over just for fun, you want to serve something that’s memorable and delicious. These wow-worthy spreads feature small bites, manageable mains, and satisfying sweets for hosting your favorite folks—all without a ton of fuss. Baby Shower Lunch Celebrate the parents-to-be with this fresh, easy, and gender-neutral spread. Choose from a selection of bright salads, flavorful sandwiches, and sweet little bites, but be sure to save room for dessert. The Mixed Berry Vanilla Layer Cake is just subtle enough not to upstage the guest of honor, but it won’t soon be forgotten.

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Holiday Spreads Holidays are busy enough, so let me help take the stress out of what you’re going to serve with these creative spreads that are not only special but delicious. Each spread in this section has the perfect balance of festive eats and adorable treats, and is your cheat sheet for a pitch-perfect holiday celebration—from a meal with just the family for Valentine’s Day to a fancier soiree for New Year’s Eve. Most important, there are lots of ideas for you to treat your family and friends to an unforgettable holiday celebration! Christmas Eve Snacks Fuel up for the big guy’s visit with all the deliciously festive snacks in this spread. Kids and kids-at-heart will be charmed by the Rudolph cheese ball, Santa’s hat made of pepperoni pizza bites, veggies shaped into a Christmas tree, and a caprese candy cane. This spread is merry and bright and an absolute delight!	Dessert Spreads Wow your crowd with unforgettable sweet treats! From build your own ice cream sandwiches to cookies served with milk and cocktails, all you have to do is set the spread and let everyone have a blast bringing their dream dessert to life. This is such a savvy way to serve desserts and allows you to enjoy the gathering and build your own tasty concoction too. Easy yet unforgettable, these delicious spreads are ones that you will want to recreate again and again. Build Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich Make celebrations even cooler with this spread! With everyone’s favorite ice cream flavors, an array of chewy cookies, and colorful roll-ins, kids and kids-at-heart will go crazy for the endlessly delicious options. Don’t forget the extra napkins!	Drink Spreads Whether you’re throwing a shindig for kids or adults, the variety of thirst quenchers here will satisfy everyone! And with the opportunity for guests to customize their own drinks, from blending their own milkshake to mixing their own margarita, the creative possibilities are endless. Plus, any of these spreads can be easily paired with the food spreads for the ultimate gathering. Mix Your Own Margarita It’s hard to beat a classic margarita, but with this spread, it’s certainly worth a try, with its gorgeous array of fresh fruits, tangy juices, and spicy rimming salts. Go on a taste adventure with charred pineapple or turn up the heat with smoky red pepper. Who knows? You

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

My earlier review:

Last year I was so excited to learn that there was going to be a new Robert Galbraith book.  I purchased the novel as soon as it came out and then held on to it for quite a while before reading.  It was worth the wait for me.

The Strike books are best read in order although a new reader could pick this one up and still enjoy it. Long term readers of the series may feel, as I do, that the novels are to be savored for the relationship between the protagonists.  Since Robert Galbraith is J K Rowling, a master plotter, I am sure that she knows where she is going to take us in their (not quite) romance.

Along with catching up with Robin and Matthew (and Sarah) and Strike, there is a mystery to solve.  What did Billy see?  How does it relate to the troubled family of the Minister for Culture?  How does this plot intersect with that of the blind minister who is involved in sport and her sleazy husband?  Who is the murderer in the present?

Set in London, Parliament, country estates and the country the book has many settings.  Politics and the London Olympics are the background.

The novel is long, very long, but I was happy to stay within the pages of this book as I both eagerly awaited the denouement and yet, did not want the book to end.   I am already looking forward to the next in this series.

Have you read this one?  Did you enjoy it?  I would be interested to know your thoughts.

Another view:

“At times you might feel as you did when reading the Harry Potter books, particularly later in the series, when they got longer and looser. You love the plot, and you love being in the company of the characters, and you admire the author’s voice and insights and ingenuity, and you relish the chance to relax into a book without feeling rushed or puzzled or shortchanged…. Long live the fertile imagination and prodigious output of J.K. Rowling.”―The New York Times