Recently published:

The Holistic Guide to Decluttering

Organize and Transform Your Space, Time, and Mind

by Michele Vig

#TheHolisticGuidetoDecluttering #NetGalley

While we have all been dealing with Covid, we are spending more time at home. If you are like me, you look around and think, this place could use some work and so could I in terms of mindfulness and awareness. This title addresses these topics from a number of perspectives.

Many people have been exposed to Marie Kondo by now; this book provides an additional perspective. There are many practical tips here as well as a good linking between physical clutter and mental/emotional overload as well.

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

Now out:

First Prize for the Worst Witch

by Jill Murphy

#FirstPrizeForTheWorstWitch #NetGalley

The Worst Witch books are a popular series for young readers. They have also been made into a Netflix series. So, children who know these books, and new readers, should both be delighted to add this book to their shelves. It will give them an enjoyable and fun read.

Much like in Harry Potter, Jill Murphy creates an entire world for her characters. It is based on British boarding schools but with its own take as Miss Cackle’s Academy. This entry starts with Mildred flying to school on her broomstick. Readers are immediately engaged as Mildred alters her flying height for her dog’s comfort, but what is bothering him? And, the adventures go on from there.

I recommend this title highly. It is fun and imaginative. Those who are beginning to explore the joys of chapter books should delight in this one.

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

A Different Crime Story:

The Eighth Detective

A Novel

by Alex Pavesi

This intriguing mystery draws the reader in immediately. Right away, the reader encounters the story of Henry, Meghan and Bunny in the first chapter. There is a murder. Who did it? The characters tell their story only for the reader to learn that Henry and Meghan are characters in a story within a story. By the time the reader realizes this, they will most likely want to know why and to know more.

The book unfolds as the story of a mathematics professor who wrote a treatise on murder mysteries. He now, somewhat mysteriously himself, lives alone on an island. He is visited there by a young editor whose employer is interested in re-publishing the mathematician’s earlier book.

From this point, readers will feel instinctively that there will be many twists and unfoldings over the course of the remaining novel. Turning the pages will feel desirable as readers race toward the end of the title.

The author promises and provides a clever and original take on the crime novel in this title. I think that it will be enjoyed by many readers of the genre.

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

A delightful bedtime story for horse loving children:

Night Night, Norman

by Marie Dimitrova

#NightNightNorman #NetGalley

pub date: October 20, 2020

This is a sweet and engaging story with absolutely charming and, at times, amusing illustrations. Young horse lovers will truly enjoy it as will the adult who reads the story to them.

What happens to Norman after Ellie says good night to him? How will he spend his time until the morning? Young children will delight in finding out as they share in his adventures.

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

Some e book bargains for October 9, 2020

I am going to purchase The Editor which features Jacqueline Onassis. The mysteries are from well-known series, then there is a novel about the Mormons and two non-fiction titles. Enjoy.

From the NYT

Recently published:

Secret Britain

Unearthing our Mysterious Past

by Mary-Ann Ochota

#SecretBritain #NetGalley

This beautifully illustrated title will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the British Isles, history, archaeology and more. It is a beautifully photographed and wide-ranging tile.
The author begins with an introduction, a timeline and a map. She follows this with the many places where she is interested in “unearthing our mysterious past,” as the title of the book notes.
There are so many places included. To name some there are the Tomnaverie Recumbent Stone Circle, Seahenge, Must Farm, Snettisham Treasures, the Dagenham Idol and Stonehenge. The geography includes Kent, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Moray and many more locations. The first object featured is the Westray Wifey which is over 5,000 years old and was found on Orkney. There are so many more to follow.
This book can be dipped into or read in its entirety. I very much enjoyed the time that I spent with this fascinating title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. All opinions are my own.

Now out:

50 Adventures in the 50 States

by Kate Siber

#50Adventuresinthe50States #NetGalley

The author of this children’s book beguilingly invites her readers to come and have some adventures. Starting with letter “A,” readers are invited to climb a giant boulder in Alabama, to walk on a glacier in Alaska, to horseback ride in Arizona and to kayak in Arkansas. From there it goes on to all of the states.

I found this to be an interesting and appealing title. Readers, whether or adults or children, will learn a lot as they enjoy both the text and illustrations in this book.

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

From the publisher:

ILLINOIS – ICE SKATE IN CHICAGO

Layer up and lace up your skates. It’s wintertime in Chicago and the whole city is frosty and white. That means it’s time to glide across the ice on the city’s famous skating ribbon! Unlike boring old oval rinks, this one winds like a snake and is twice as long as a normal rink.

A novel to savor: Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You

#EudoraHoneysett #NetGalley

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I read it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. Give it a try.

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

Val McDermid fans, this is your day!

I just reviewed this author’s new novel, Still Life. Every title that I have read by Ms. McDermid has been very enjoyable. Today, many of them are e book bargains. I have included the titles that I know; there are also some Tony Hill and Carol Jordan books as well. They generally involve serial killers so not what I typically read. Enjoy.