The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMarch 29, 2020

We are now living in times of tremendous uncertainty.  Many of us and our young reading buddies wonder what will remain the same and in what ways our lives will change indelibly once we are on the other side.  While the subject of this fine novel is not Covid 19, but divorce and life afterwards for protagonist Bea, some elements may well resonate.

When her parents divorce, Bea is given a notebook.  In it she will write about the things that will not change.  Middle grade readers will learn along with Bea that some things remain the same while others evolve.  They will spend time in this rich story and hopefully come to see that change, even when not asked for, can help to make us who we are.

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

#TheListOfThingsThatWillNotChange #NetGalley

A Better Man? by Louise Penny

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 27, 2019

This entry in the author’s long standing Gamache mystery series is truly outstanding.  It is one of the very, very best mysteries that I have read this year.

The plot involves the death of a woman who had been abused by her husband.  Does that mean that he was the murderer?  If yes, how to convict and, if not, who was it and why are central to the plot.

But…it is the way that Penny writes that makes this book so truly excellent.  She is philosophical and thoughtful, all the while enhancing, not taking away from the plot based action.  The book is full of references to Moby Dick whose relevance becomes apparent.  Many of the characters are chasing their own versions of that great whale and, as in the novel, they are distressed.

Penny has a true talent for making  her characters com to life.  This is true for the series regulars as well as those who fully inhabit this novel. The people are complex and within contain both much goodness and potential for wrongdoing, even if sometimes for what they feel are the right reasons.  In addition, the early chapters of the book about potential flooding made me feel the cold, the rain, the fear and the worry.

Penny herself states:

“These books are about community.  About love and belonging.  About the great gift of friendship.

How lucky I am to live in Three Pines.”

You, too, will be most lucky to visit Three Pines.  I give this one 6 stars out of five.  Really.

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A December 2018 Indie Next Pick
One of Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2018 Picks
BookPage Best of the Year 2018
A LibraryReads Pick for November 2018
A LibraryReads Hall of Fame Winner
Washington Post’s 10 Books to Read This November
One of PopSugar’s Best Fall Books to Curl Up With
One of Publishers Weekly Booksellers’ Favorite 25 Titles of the Year in 2018

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 7, 2020

Wendy Holden has been a writer of light women’s fiction for many years. With The Royal Governess she most successfully ventures into historical fiction.

Marion Crawford is the woman who became “the royal governess.” It was not her aim in life as she started out wanting to be a reformer who taught children living in the slums. Crawfie, as she became known, changed direction when she realized that she could potentially introduce Princess Elizabeth to the “real” world, hopefully making her better able to understand “normal” people and normal life.

This novel offers an excellent history of the royal family; it is all here. There are young Elizabeth and Margaret, the future King and Queen, David and Mrs. Simpson, Prince Philip, Peter Townsend and many others. There are all of the events including WWII, the abdication, Elizabeth’s marriage and more. All are told through the lens of Marion Crawford’s experiences.

Readers also learn what Marion gave up for her job. They will also see how she was treated by those she served.

Readers of historical fiction and those who enjoy books about the Royal Family are sure to enjoy this novel. Kudos to Ms. Holden on her new direction.

nyti.ms/3rvbmyf

Pub Date 10 Aug 2021

I always enjoy this free resource. Cozy Case Files 13 includes descriptions of forthcoming mysteries along with generous excerpts. The authors featured in this one include Donna Andrews; Diane Kelly; Elizabeth Penney; Ellie Alexander; Jane K. Cleland; Jess Dylan; and M. C. Beaton. The Jane K Cleland is in my TBR pile of ARCs and looks intriguing with possible Jane Austen letters having been found. Another author, Elizabeth Penney is new to me and I would like to read her novel that has a book related theme along with a trip to Cambridge, England. Other entries also look interesting. Spend time with this volume and plan your upcoming reads. Those who like their mysteries without excessive violence will get some good ideas here.

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

Sometimes a couple of books are published close together that have similar plots. That is the case of the novels Falling by T. J. Newman and Hostage by Clare Mackintosh. Each has a story line in which a threat is made to someone who works for an airline. These threats in both cases are to cause harm to family members of the employee unless certain demands are met. In each case, there are moral decisions to be made. Further, in each of these novels, there is a lot of action and that action includes some violence. Within that framework, I found the beginning of Falling to be rather grim, more so than the opening of Hostage.

In Falling, a pilot, Bill, is putting over 100 passengers at risk. Who will he enlist to possibly help thwart a total catastrophe? What decisions will he make? Can it possibly end well (or less badly)? To find out, read this novel that many have hailed as a best book of the summer while, other reviews, have been just one star.

If you feel brave about flying, learn more about this title and decide if it is for you. The author has worked for an airline and has some inside knowledge.

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

75 Classic Cookie Recipes for Every Occasion

by Danielle Rye

#LiveWellBakeCookies #NetGalley

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021  

Caution! This book will make you hungry. There are 75 cookie recipes and I want to try all of them. Included are recipes for everything from Chocolate Chip to Oatmeal Raisin to Peanut Butter to Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Snickerdoodles, Shortbread, Chocolate Chunk, Thumbprints and Small Batch Cookies…and that is just the recipes listed in the first column of the table of contents.

Before bakers get to the recipes, there are several helpful sections at the beginning of the book. These cover such topics as Tools and Equipment, Troubleshooting and more.

I was not familiar with the author before looking at this title, She is a blogger and expert baker from what I can see.

This looks like just the book for a baker you know, even yourself!

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

A seek-and-find adventure in The Met

by Will Mabbitt

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021

This title would be a great one for a child and adult to spend time with together, although some children might also enjoy this book on their own. The author and illustrator know their Met, the world famous museum located in Manhattan. The text is informative and the illustrations are intricately detailed.

Children will become familiar with the many treasures of the iconic museum as they visit the galleries with Stevie, the young girl who has gotten lost. There are many search and find activities within these pages, along with some questions to think about.

The end of the book includes additional information about some of the art works that are in the Met.

This title provides an excellent resource for (budding) art lovers.

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