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!
Where I live it is snowing today. So, what a perfect time to think about spring. This picture book shows the many changes that occur over the course of the season. With charming illustrations, this title shows two children and their dad exploring nature. There are additional sections at the end of the story about plants, animals, things kids can do and ways to find out more. All in all, a nice book for young children about the beauty of the world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own..
This title will definitely be welcomed by book club members and also by those who read on their own and want to deepen their enjoyment of what they are reading. For each title, there is a synopsis and some questions to consider. Books included are The Opium Prince, The Hierarchies, Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything, A Knock at Midnight, The Butterfly Lampshade, The Smash-Up, The Children’s Blizzard (see my review on my site), In the Garden of Spite, Transcendent Kingdom, The Midnight Library, The Center of Everything, Ties That Tether, The Prophets, Miss Benson’s Beetle (see my review on my site), Agent Sonya, A Burning, Mexican Gothic, The Thursday Murder Club, The Book of Two Ways (see my review on my site), Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, A Room Called Earth, What’s Left of Me is Yours, The Smallest Lights in the Universe, Friends and Strangers, The Great Offshore Grounds, Memorial, Caste, When Apricots Bloom, Glamour Girls, The Brother Years, Ready Player Two, Sophomores, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor, Deadly, Wider Than the Sky, and Perestroika in Paris. There are also several titles in Spanish.
There are so many kinds of books here, both fiction and non, some by authors more well known to me than others. All look absorbing with their various plots, settings, characters, real life dilemmas and complexities. Readers are sure to go away with long lists and stacks for their TBR piles.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Minotaur, a division of St. Martin’s Press, consistently publishes excellent mysteries. Gathered here are generous samples of new books by Mary Dixie Carter, Ragnar Jonasson, Joanna Schaffhausen, Ashley Weaver and Brian Klingborg.
The domestic suspense novel by Mary Dixie Carter is her first. Brian Klingborg takes readers to China. Jonasson, Schaffhausen and Weaver have each written a number of books. Here, Weaver starts a new WWII set series. Schaffhausen’s protagonist is involved with a cold case while Jonasson sets his stories in cold places.
Take a look. Readers are sure to find a good read here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.
The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.
In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Charles Lenox has been engaging readers since his first appearance in A Beautiful Blue Death. An Extravagant Death, fourteenth in the series will be enjoyed by those who already know the series and those who want to begin here.
It is now 1878. Lenox is an established detective who also has a full and busy personal life. However, he cannot turn down an opportunity that is brought to him by Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. The situation leads him to the U.S., upper crust Society and a murder. Will Charles’s reputation remain intact? Will he solve the case of the debutante’s death? Readers will delight in turning the pages as they wait to find out.
This book has interesting characters and settings. I especially enjoyed spending time in Newport.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. Keep those Lenox titles coming, please. All opinions are my own.
First, there were the murders a couple of years ago but now, there is another one. The case needs to be solved. Involved in all three in terms of trying to find a killer is Detective Eddie Mahler. He is invested but is suffering from migraines that impede his ability to solve the case. So, a new member comes on the case. She and he work to obtain justice for the women who can no longer speak for themselves.Are the cases related? How and will they be solved? Read this one to find out. This is a police procedural that will be enjoyed by those who like that genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
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.
This (free) sampler includes excerpts from ten upcoming fiction titles. These books cover quite a range so there is sure to be something for everyone who enjoys reading. How about a book about a dictionary, a southern family, an elephant in Belfast, an “opium prince,” or chickens? The included titles are The Opium Prince, The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano, The Music of Bees, Highway Blue, Things We Lost to the Water, Brood, Dial A for Aunties, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, The Elephant of Belfast, and The Dictionary of Lost Words.Take a look. Decide on your next read. Highly recommended for those looking for new books.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 