A Novel

by Zakiya Dalila Harris

#TheOtherBlackGirl #NetGalley

The Other Black Girl has received a great deal of attention and praise. This is a first novel about publishing, being Black, ties, connections and more. It is written by an author who worked in publishing and she most successfully creates her fictional house. There is jockeying for position from the lowly assistants through the editors…and, of course, the authors. All of this is very successfully portrayed.

Nella has been working as the only person of color in her position as an editorial assistant at Wagner. Mostly, early in the book, it feels as if everyone gets along with Nella, although there are microaggressions and the firm is certainly not forward looking. One day, another Black young woman is hired. Hazel exudes a confidence that Nella does not always feel. The two develop their relationship but it is complicated.

Layered into the plot are an author who mysteriously disappeared and thet troubling notes that Nella begins to receive. These notes clearly state that Nella should leave Wagner. Why? Who is behind this? Pages turn in this novel as readers await the denouement.

All credit to new author, Ms. Harris for writing a novel that is entertaining, even if some plot elements strain credulity, It is also one that may make the reader think.

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

A Good Morning America, Esquire, and Read with Marie Claire Book Club Pick and a People Best Book of Summer

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Time, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Parade, Goodreads, Fortune, and BBC

I admit that I have only watched part of one episode of Bridgerton, the series that everyone seems to be raving about. I may go back and watch more. In the meantime though, I will enjoy some of the scrumptious recipes that are in this book. I am enough of an Anglophile to know that there is no time like teatime, so I am eager to sample some of these treats.

This title is broken into chapters on canapes; scones and spreads; teatime sweets; dinner party fare; and Regency Cocktails. So many things look delicious but I admit that I especially love scones so that was my favorite section.

The recipes are varied and look easy to follow. So if you are an Anglophile and.or Bridgerton fan, this book is for you!

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

#TheGiverofStars #NetGalley

Jojo Moyes has written many novels that I have loved. There, of course, was the trio of books that began with Me Before You. I also enjoyed The Last Letter From Your Lover and Silver Bay, among others.

I was interested in reading The Giver of Stars but hesitated for a while. The reason was that I had recently read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and I knew that the books covered similar territory (literally in terms of geography and also in concept). I am glad to report that both novels are well worth a reader’s time.

Each of these historical novels is premised on the love of books and ways to make books available to readers. In this one, readers follow Alice. She was born in England and has married an American. Her life is not exactly what she was hoping for so, when Eleanor Roosevelt is looking for women to distribute books, she is eager to rise to the challenge.

Over the course of the novel Alice and her new female friends learn a lot about one another and how they want to live their lives. Follow along with them and enjoy this latest novel by one of our best writers of women’s fiction.

My only quibble with this book is that it is so similar to Troublesome Creek. For that reason, readers may want to spend time with just one of these titles.

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

Editorial reviews:

“Though she made her mark writing contemporary romance, Moyes proves just as adept at historical fiction. . . . The Giver of Stars is a celebration of love, but also of reading, of knowledge, of female friendship, of the beauty of our most rural corners, and our enduring American grit: the kind of true grit that can be found in the hills of Kentucky and on the pages of this inspiring book.”
—The Washington Post

“Moyes paints an engrossing picture of life in rural America, and it’s easy to root for the enterprising librarians.”
—The New York Times Book Review

by Nikolas Ilic

Pub Date 20 Jul 2021   

This entry in the ABC book market features 26 colorful, cartoon-like animals. For each creature, there is a fun fact beneath the illustration. Some of the animals are well-known, as for example, a dog and a fox. Others are a bit more obscure; there are a komodo dragon, a quetzalt and an urial for instance.

Those looking for an ABC that has a unique character may want to pick this one up.

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

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BN-Jul-21.pdf

IN HARDBACK:

The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 16, 2021

pub date: June 29, 2021

Elly Griffiths is currently writing three different mystery series. There are the stories (historical) set around Brighton and the Harbinder novels in addition to those about Ruth, Nelson, Michelle and those around them. While I would happily read anything that Ms. Griffiths writes, I admit to a special soft spot for the stories about Ruth. Last year’s book featuring her as been nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. I hope she wins.

A lot going on in this title. There is a mysterious and scary dog who apparently lives in a pretty horrible house in the middle of nowhere. Unlike with Holmes, this dog does bark but it is unclear why he is frequently sighted and to whom he belongs. He does terrify people though.

The farm where this beast has been seen is the site of two deaths. Was there a murder/suicide or was this a crime committed by an outsider? The murdered doctor is a singularly unlikable character. He has intimidated his wife and children and has been doing some mysterious research with fatal results. Which unsavory aspect of his life led to his demise?

The Night Hawks of the title are a group of men who go hunting for metal objects. Their finds include bodies, both historical. Some of these men have connections with the doctor and his family. Does that make them suspects?

Ruth also has a new colleague with whom to contend. What is in his past? Will Ruth rue having hired him? Where will he fit in the events of the story?

Around all of this, are Ruth, Nelson Kate, Michelle and their relationships. Where will they be by the end of the book?

Readers who are fans should absolutely rush out to get this 13th title in the series. I recommend it highly for its local geography, the people and the story itself.

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

IN PAPERBACK:

All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny-Audio Book

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 11, 2020

  I love this book!  I did not want it to end as I did not want to bid farewell to Gamache and the other characters for at least another year.

I’ll start by commenting on the audio.  The book was extremely well and engagingly narrated.  I was constantly stealing time to listen to just a bit more.  The narrator’s tone is just right and he captures each character’s voice in a unique way.

The story itself will be very welcomed by series readers although new readers could also enjoy it.  Readers learn so much backstory about Armand Gamache including SPOILER? the loss of his parents and the roles of his grandmother and godfather in his life.

The setting for this title is a fully realized Paris where the Gamaches are visiting their son, daughter and their spouses and children, all of whom now live there.  Armand also spends time with his godfather.  I loved the opening scene at the Rodin Museum.  Having visited there, I enjoyed my virtual return.

Just who is Stephen Horowitz?  What has he done?  Who wanted to harm him?  What does it mean to be in a family? What are the responsibilities of corporations? What does loyalty mean?  Can we protect those we love?  These questions and more are raised in this thoughtful, deeply moving mystery.

I recommend this title most highly.  I now plan to go back and read or listen to all of the books again.

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

by Lynn Plourde

Pub Date 01 Aug 2021

Anyone who can remember what it was like to adore a childhood pet will want to share this title with a child that they know. It is that sweet. And, speaking of sweet, this quote sums up the relationship between this child and his dog:

Like cake and frosting, the best buddies always stuck together.

The story begins when a baby boy is born and comes home from the hospital. From that moment, until the boy starts school, person and pet are inseparable. Having to be away from each other challenges both. What do they do to stay connected?

This is a lovely book. The illustrations are so engaging and adorable. They perfectly show the close relationship between human and animal.

I highly recommend this one.

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

Edited by Fred R. Shapiro

Pub Date 31 Aug 2021

Often when a person has something to say, they want their words to be backed up. Other times, someone wants to randomly explore what others have said to see if the words resonates in some way. Sometimes a person needs to give a speech and wants their words to have a bit more weight. For these and many other reasons, people look to quotes. So, what could be more welcome than a book that is packed full of quotes? And even better, a book with the imprimatur of Yale University.

As noted above, this book is jammed with quotes. It is easy to just wander through taking time to think about what has been said on a subject. No matter who or what a reader is looking for, they will find inspiration here.

The book is organized by author. Each entry includes an identifying characteristic for the author and their dates of birth (and death, if needed). Happily there is also an index of keywords. In addition, there are a number of special sections; for example, there are ones on slogans and proverbs. Therefore, when words are needed they can be found.

The New Yale Book of Quotations is a title that should be available for school and home libraries. It is not inexpensive but the collected wisdom makes it worth the price.

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