So good to spend time with her: Eleanor by David Michaelis

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJuly 1, 2020

The “Eleanor” of the title is, of course, Eleanor Roosevelt. She had most difficult early years and went on to live a truly remarkable life. How did Eleanor go from a child so alone in the world, an orphan at an early age whose mother ridiculed her and whose father loved her but suffered from alcoholism and an inability to cope with life, to a most admired woman? What was it like to be sent to school in England? What did it mean to have an uncle who was larger than life and a president? To fall in love with an ambitious, pampered cousin who could not be faithful and who also had serious health challenges? How did Eleanor go from an insecure young woman to a woman who was among the most admired in the world, a surrogate for Franklin and a first lady throughout WWII? Who did she lean on and love once she knew that Franklin had affections elsewhere?
All of these questions come under the scrutiny of Mr. Michaelis who has written an engaging and very readable biography of Eleanor. It covers her whole life and finds the sweet space between a serious biography and an absorbing read. I recommend it highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  October 6, 2020

Of note, readers of this title may also enjoy the novel White Houses by Amy Bloom, Franklin and Lucy by Joseph Persico (non-fiction), Lucy by Ellen Feldman (fiction) and the biography of Eleanor by Blanche Wiesen Cook.  I have read them all and have reviewed White Houses on the blog.

It’s going to be okay: Group

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 30, 2020

How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

by Christie Tate

The guide in this memoir is an author with a unique and honest voice. While very accomplished, she has clearly had her struggles. In this memoir the reader observes Ms. Tate as she brings her issues to a therapy group and her rather unconventional therapist. As a result her life was changed.

This book has received mixed reviews. There are those who have given it five stars and others who have barely given it one. Having facilitated support groups as part of my career, I was intrigued to read about the author’s experience with her therapist and the other members of her group. I recommend that you take a look and decide for yourself. I am glad to have read it.

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

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 1, 2018

The Ruin is a first novel by an author who is Irish and currently living in Australia.  Readers who know Tana French will think of her when they read Dervla McTiernan’s book.

A brief plot synopsis:  A detective had a case twenty years ago that involved two children who were not adequately cared for.  In the present, that little boy, now an adult dies.  What happened?   Was it murder? Why?  Is his sister involved?  Guilty?

The story is involved and complex with multiple characters.  They are well drawn, have personalities and evoke reactions in the reader.

I finished this  novel already looking forward to the next in the series.  One small criticism;  the author includes so much, maybe too much in the final solving of the case.

This novel gets 4 plus stars from this reader.  Other opinions below:
“A gripping mystery set in Galway that spans twenty years. It’s a complicated page-turning story that touches on corruption, clandestine cover-ups, and criminal conspiracy. . . . A story that’s as moving as it is fast-paced.”
—Daily Mail (London)
“Powerful . . . McTiernan neatly ties [the threads of the novel] all together in the suspenseful conclusion. McTiernan, born in Ireland but now living in Australia, is a writer to watch.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel

by Anne Hillerman

Pub Date 13 Apr 2021

Many mystery readers recognize the name Hillerman. It is shared by father, Tony, and daughter, Anne. Both are authors of excellent mysteries that draw on Native American themes. Anne took on the characters of her father’s novels, the well known Leaphorn and Chee, among others.

Spend time in the southwest among the Navajo as Bennie reconnects with an old friend’s brother whom she tries to help. This causes friction with Bennie’s husband, the long running series regular Chee. This leads to Joe Leaphorn’s involvement as well.

Those who already enjoy this series will be delighted to spend time with them again. New readers may well find that they want to go back to the beginning and have an enjoyable journey through the many earlier titles.

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

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 11, 2018

This is a charming woman’s fiction read about Emilia, her father, the people in her community, romance and BOOKS!  I read it a little while ago and enjoyed it as a very good light read.  It $1.99 today.

“Henry describes her novel as an ode to bookshops, and it is that. . . Readers who laughed and cried over ­Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove will love this one.”
—Library Journal

“Romantic, utterly heartwarming and a perfect treat for bibliophiles everywhere.”
–Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of The Café by the Sea

“Henry’s quirky cast of characters with their heartwarming intertwined tales of loss, love, and community make this a must-read for summer.”
—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake 

“Henry’s sweet novel, filled with likable characters and shaped by a love of books, will appeal to fans of tender fiction who find bliss in bookstores and libraries.”
–Booklist

“A gorgeous escapist read.”
–Good Housekeeping (UK)

Bridges and Connections: The Secrets of Love Story Bridge A Novel by Phaedra Patrick

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMarch 16, 2020

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge is a warm-hearted tale of  flawed yet hopeful individuals who find one another and move forward in their lives.  The main character is Mitchell; he is a man with many regrets for how he lived his life with his partner Anita.  Now he is finding it difficult to move ahead without her.  A workaholic, Mitchell was often missing out on day to day life with Anita and their daughter, Poppy.

As the novel opens, Mitchell and nine-year-old Poppy form a tight (but somewhat rigid) twosome as Mitchell tries to control for all eventualities.  Mitchell tries to maintain his connection to Anita by writing letters that she will never read. He cannot get himself to read the last letter that Anita wrote to him.  Full of guilt, will Mitchell ever forgive himself?

Mitchell lives in Upchester, a town of many bridges.  One day he sees someone leave a love locket on the bridge and then go overboard.  He rescues this unknown young woman and this starts a period of change in his life.  Who went over?  What happened to her?  How will the private Mitchell cope with the ensuing publicity?

Mitchell was late to pick up Poppy on the bridge day so she was with a teacher, Liza.  The story of Liza and Mitchell will be the romance that you root for.  Readers will also learn about the connections between the woman on the bridge and the other characters in the novel.

This is a story of quirky characters who want what most of us want-a sense of connection and hope for the future.  In that sense, bridges that connect two places, form the perfect analogy for the novel.  During our current difficult times, this is a sweet book and may help readers to take a break from their worries.

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

#TheSecretsofLoveStoryBridge #NetGalley

A Guide to Reading and Reflecting

by Karen Swallow Prior; Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre is, of course, a classic and one that many have read or plan to read. This edition includes the full text of the novel along with some added sections. These include a biographical essay on the author. One thing that became clear from reading this was the number of losses that Bronte faced.

This title also includes sections on reading the novel. A number of topics are covered including to what extent the book was autobiographical and other influences on the author as she wrote. The evolution of the novel and Bronte’s originality are also covered as are themes in the work. In addition, there is background on the Gothic novel and Romanticism.

This title is published by a Christian firm. So, there is also a part of the book on reading the novel “as a Christian today,”

Overall, I feel that this edition will be welcomed by readers looking for some insight into Jane Eyre before they read or reread it. There are even some questions for discussion included after each of the novel’s volumes.

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

by Inspired Inner Genius

This title is for young readers and has graphic novel like illustrations. It tells the story of Albert Einstein. Readers learn that he had his struggles, especially when young. His teachers did not always like him and did not recognize his intelligence. Of course, he went on to achieve amazing things as the author of this book duly notes.

This book gives a positive message to kids. It reminds them that, even if there are setbacks, perseverance can pay off.

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