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!
Are you a reader who enjoys cozy mysteries? Do you find Portland, Oregon to be an interesting city? And, do you like coffee? If yes, this title may just percolate (sorry for the pun) for you.
The protagonist is engaging and will be back as this is the first entry in a new series. Why was someone left murdered in front of Sage’s coffee cart, the cleverly named Ground Rules? Read this one to find out. It is an easy and fun read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
A FEW COMMENTS: I LOVED THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP. CRANFORD IS FREE. THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL IS THE FIRST OF THREE BOOKS IN SUJATA MASSEY’S NEW SERIES.
I adored The Little Paris Bookshop with its story of how one can become isolated and yet have a richer and more meaningful life when moving beyond that unsatisfying safety. This is truly a beautiful and satisfying read.
From Amazon: “Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. (INTERJECTION BY ME…WHAT COULD BE BETTER?) From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can’t seem to heal through literature is himself; he’s still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.”
Will Perdu open the letter? If he does, what will this mean to him? Find out in this lovely book. Highest recommendation by me!!
Dorothea Benton Frank loves the Carolina Lowcountry. The setting is as much a part of her novels as any of the characters. She encourages readers, wherever they live, to fetch a glass of sweet tea, put their feet up and enjoy a summer read.
This novel is about Holly, her sister Leslie, their mother QB (Queen Bee) and all those with whom they interact. The people in their lives include two adorable boys who live next door and their widowed father, Archie; Leslie’s husband Charles who likes to dress in women’s clothes, the new love of QB’s life and… as you read, you will also find out who is Holly’s true love.
Holly is a beekeeper. As a result there are loads of fascinating facts about honeybees in the novel. They add to the quality of the story. Readers will enjoy watching Holly find her strengths and her voice even as she chats to her bees.
This novel is a most pleasant read and I recommend it.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
If I haven’t learned anything else this whole year, I learned that love comes in every color, shape and size.
That’s what it is to live in the Lowcountry. The colors are a little brighter. The air is a little sweeter.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
One thing that all of my favorite Italian/Sicilian mystery series have in common is their love of food and drink. Brunetti and Paola on their terrace is a place that I always love to visit (Donna Leon) as is Montalbano’s favorite Sicilian restaurant (Andrea Camilleri). Now, in her two novels (the first was Murder in Chianti), Ms. Trincheri has successfully found her place in that gastronomic firmament. To readers’ delight, there are frequent visits to the restaurant where retired NYC detective, Nico, works with his wife’s family; to the local breakfast spot (I want cornetti!) and to several wineries. Perfection! Oh…and there is style the murder mystery to be enjoyed as well.
This time, Nico is involved in trying to discover who has murdered a (crooked) wine critic. Some of the suspects are people that Nico knows well, including his landlord and his landlord’s wife. There are also the victim’s wife and girlfriend among others. The mystery is fair to readers who want to try to solve it. That said, as already noted, there is much to be enjoyed around the case.
Readers can read this title without having read the first book, although both are quite enjoyable. Those who read the first book will enjoy again meeting up with all of Nico’s family members, those in the police department and the people who live in his town.
This is a perfect summer read mystery. Buon Appetito e buono lettura!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
A Visual Directory of 100 of the Most Popular Songbirds
by Noble S. Proctor
NOW OUT!
During Covid I often went for walks at my local botanical garden. While there, I saw and heard a number of birds. I recognized a few-robins, cardinals, sparrows, red tailed hawks and several more but I always wished that I knew more. In terms of sounds, I recognized a woodpecker and that was about it.
This book was created for folks like me although even those with more knowledge can also enjoy this title. There is a helpful introduction about why, how, when and where songbirds may be found. The book goes on to include lots of songbirds in categories, as for example, larks swallows, jays, nuthatches, wood warblers, tangers and many more. Readers enjoyment of the text is enhanced by the many detailed illustrations.
This book also has information on topics including making feeders and homes for birds. Some of these projects will undoubtedly lead to even more enjoyment as birds could land right in a reader’s backyard.
This title is an excellent resource for learning about birds. There is plenty of information on each bird that is featured within these pages. For example, take the Olive-sided Flycatcher. I now know where they can be found, what their song is like, how they behave, what they eat and more. There is similar information for each of the included birds.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own. I can’t wait to get back in nature to learn more.
As soon as I saw the title of this book, I wanted to read it. The magic word, of course, was bookshop. I also found the cover to be very appealing. So, I initially judged this one by its cover. That said, I wasn’t’ disappointed.
This novel’s protagonist, Grace, is a young woman who recently lost her mother. Along with her best friend, Viv, she moves to London to stay with a family friend. The two arrive only to have war declared not long after. Viv enters one of the women’s units while Grace remains with her mother’s friend. She takes a position in a bookshop and the shop is also a character in the book.
This story points out the importance of literature. In a lovely scene, Grace goes underground during a bombing raid where she begins reading Middlemarch to those who are stuck in the shelter over night. Those stuck there look forward to additional chapters when the next call to go underground comes.
Grace organized the bookshop and develops a relationship with its curmudgeonly owner. She studies way to make the shop successful and, for example, advertises buying books to read while unable to sleep in one’s beds due to the bombings.
The author does a good job of portraying wartime Britain. There are losses of people, property, usual foods, a way of life. There are also the joys of friendship, love, books and connection.
There are so many WWII set novels being written now. My theory is that, awful as the war was, it is more reassuring to look back at that time than our current one. For all of the suffering, the reader knows that eventually Britain will declare victory.
I think that this title is worth reading. Let me know what you think!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
I adored The Little Paris Bookshop with its story of how one can become isolated and yet have a richer and more meaningful life when moving beyond that unsatisfying safety. This is truly a beautiful and satisfying read.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 