Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

Readers of Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe will be delighted to meet up with their old (character) friends in this second novel set in Texas. Piper, the mayor, and her Texas Ranger are back along with the widows and a number of other folks from the first novel including Pecos and his young bride. For those who have not read Breakfast, there is a lot of information given to catch you up; however, for a more leisurely read, take the books in order.

In part, this title tells the story of Marcie. She was a character in the first novel too, but comes into her own here. Marcie is a singer who made the mistake of getting involved with the wrong man. She expects little to bad things from relationships. Will it be any different with Brand?

Readers also meet Jesse, a young widower. He takes excellent care of his three children and his farm but can he hope for more in life? Will he find love with the baker of the most perfect scones?

Spending time in the locations and with the characters make for a relaxing read. Travel to Texas; readers will want to stay for a while.

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

From the publisher:

If you are a James Bond fan, there are additional titles by Ian Fleming as bargains today.

www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/09/cozy-mysteries-popularity-crime-without-gore/620085/

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook

by David Chang; Priya Krishna

David Chang became very well known when Momofuku overtook Manhattan. His food was good and his restaurants were popular. Now, in this book, the well known chef addresses the home cook. He notes that he learned to cook in the classic way but believes that the best food comes without slavishly following recipes. His goal, and one that he successfully achieves, is to show how to cook without panic. He is even a fan of the microwave. This is not a traditional cookbook with precise measurements. This is deliberate.

Both Chang and his co-author Priya Krishna comes to life in these pages. Take a chance and try this different kind of book about cooking. Maybe it will work for you!

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

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BN-Oct-21.pdf

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

I truly loved this entry in the long running series. Ruth’s story is told simply and well. Readers get a fine sense of what motivated Ruth and all that she accomplished, despite much overt sexism. They also learn that she was a broadminded fighter for everyone’s rights. Unlike some, readers learn that she could get along with those who disagreed with her. Watch for the short part in the story about her and Antonin Scalia.

Throughout the illustrations are quietly appealing. I loved the attention paid to Ruth’s glassses.

I highly recommend this title.

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

The Body in the Garden

A Lily Adler Mystery

by Katharine Schellman

#TheBodyInTheGarden #NetGalley

The Body in the Garden is the first title in the Lily Adler historical mystery series. A second book has already been published. This one will be an engaging treat for those who enjoy cozies set in the past. The characters are brought to life and readers will be interested in their connections to one another.

At a time when a woman’s role was to be a wife, in this story set in 1815, Lily is a young widow. This makes her place in society different from that of her peers. When the story opens, Lily has recently returned to London. Her best friend invites her to a ball, assuring Lily that, as she now wears lavender mourning garments, it is acceptable to attend. While at the soiree, Lily overhears a heated conversation in the garden. When a murder occurs, she is determined to find its cause, especially as the nascent police service has been paid not to investigate.

The victim is a friend of Miss Oswald. She is of mixed race, born outside of marriage but acknowledged by her father and is a young woman with a great fortune. She, Lily, a friend of Lily’s husband named Jack, and others are involved in the unfolding events.

Reading this book requires some suspension of disbelief. I am not convinced that Lily would have been able to do all that she does had she been a real person in this time period. However, readers who will not be bothered by that will find this to be an easy and enjoyable read.

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

The Agatha Christie is free.

The Paris Dressmaker

by Kristy Cambron

Pub Date 16 Feb 2021

This is another book set in France during WWII. Before you think that you’ve read enough of these, give this one a chance. It is an engaging and involving read.

The Paris Dressmaker follows several women and the men and families that surround them. Lila is a talented dressmaker and designer. Lila’s closest friend is Amelie, another seamstress. Then there is Sandrine and her close friend Michelle. Sandrine works at the Jeu de Paume. Each of these characters faces moral decisions, choices and moments of fear and courage.

The settings in this book are wonderfully rendered. There are the dress salons, a bookstore, the Jeu de Paume, a bakery, The Ritz..and the list goes on. Each is vividly portrayed as are the streets of wartime Paris.

This is a novel that tells moving stories of love, friendship, resistance, traitorous behavior, courage and consequences. The narrative moves back and forth in time from 1939 and into the 1940s.

I became quite involved in the lives and stories of these characters. I think that readers will as well.

I alternated between reading this book and listening to it. The narration was excellent with characters well delineated and the French accents of the characters.

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

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper

This author clearly has the background to be writing for teens. She has received a number of awards already. In addition, she is a high school English teacher so is exposed to her intended audience regularly. She has also been a teacher of the year.

This deeply moving novel for preteens and teens tells the story of Melody. What a beautiful name for a bright girl who, among other things, cannot speak. But Melody hears and absorbs and has a deep inner life that is not diminished by her physical limitations. She narrates the story and in doing so demonstrates a gorgeous ability to express herself. Early on, Melody lets readers know that music is important to her. She comments on lullabies, harmonies and a “painted musical sound track play background to my life.” Melody know that her Mom likes classical music while her father enjoys jazz. Melody, herself, likes country music. Her musical sense also seems influenced by synesthesisa. So, readers know early on that there is a sound track to Melody’s life.

Right from the start of the story, readers know that there will be a kind of disconnect between Melody’s inner world and what those around her perceive about her. Her inability to make herself known makes Melody so real. She is not always happy, can be frustrated and is in no way a martyr.

Spend time in her world, readers. You will see those around you differently by the time that you finish this luminous book. And, watch to see how Melody’s life changes by the end of the story. (no spoilers)

This title seems perfect for a book club for adults and children, for school discussion or just for a perfect read. The lessons of the story are not too heavy handed but they seem so important. Highly recommended.