A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce

by Nuala O’Connor

I alternated between reading and listening to this title. Both gave a good insight into the lives of Nora Barnacle and James Joyce. I did adore the narration and could hear that voice in my head when I was reading the text. The voices are beautifully captured in the audio.

So many find the works of James Joyce to be difficult to understand. It is fascinating to hear this icon simply referred to as “Jim” by Nora. It puts him in some perspective.

When the novel opens, Nora is working as a hotel maid. She meets Joyce on that fateful Bloomsday of June 16th and her life is transformed. Although he will not marry, Nora agrees to leave Ireland with her Jim as they seek a better life in Europe. It soon becomes clear that finding this life will not be easy. Readers become part of these characters’ worlds as their lives unfold.

Nora and Jim are earthy, bawdy lovers and their relationship is described in some detail. This adds to the aliveness and intensity of the characters and I feel belongs in the book. It is possible that some will wish for less of this description though.

I recommend this historical novel for its characterizations, details and keen look at the lives of these two well known Irish lovers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 05 Jan 2021  

Stone Cold Heart is the second of this author’s three novels, sandwiched between Sweet Little Lies and Shed No Tears. I will definitely go back to read the first book and do think that the events of that novel are critical in defining protagonist, Cat. That said readers receive enough backstory to be able to read the titles out of order.

One thing that I very much enjoyed in this book was Kat’s voice as she tells the story. There are also all of the elements that make police procedurals good reading including the cast of characters in the police station.

The story’s victim is a young Australian girl who came to London to escape a suffocating relationship. Who killed her? Was it someone in the company where she was a temp? Her male roommate? Was it the man who owns a very upscale coffee place? How do the characters stories intersect? Read this well paced book to find out.

This title will be enjoyed by readers who like stories by Tana French, Susie Steiner and Dervla McTiernan. I recommend it!

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

The Best American Magazine Writing 2020

by Edited by Sid Holt for the American Society of Magazine Editors

Go to any article in this collection and you will find something meaty and interesting to read. Entries are from publications including The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Fortune Magazine, The New Yorker and The Georgia Review, among others. All of the entries’ writers were either a finalist or prize winner in categories including Reporting, a Single Topic Issue, Feature Writing, Profile Writing and more.

This is a collection that includes many serious and thought provoking reads. It is definitely worth the reader’s time and attention.

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

This is the third book that I have read by Jennifer Ryan. I very much enjoyed her earlier novels, The Chilbury Ladies Choir and The Spies of Shilling Lane. Ms.Ryan has found her authorial voice writing fiction about women and WWII. The Kitchen Front, also set during WWII, is a book that I highly recommend.

As the novel begins, the men are mostly away or involved in war work, while women try their best to manage both on the home front and in the kitchen. Food is scarce and rationing pervasive. There is a campaign to make creative, practical recipes using what is at hand.

In this story, food concerns lead to a cooking contest in a small village. The winner will be given co-hosting duties on a food related BBC radio show. The novel tells the story of four of the women who, through their recipes, try to win first prize. They are Audrey, a young widow with three children; Audrey’s sister, the snobby Lady Gwendoline; kitchen maid Nell and pregnant, unmarried, French trained chef, Zelda. Each of these characters comes to life with a backstory and relationships. I very much enjoyed spending time with each of them and also enjoyed the village setting. An added plus of this book is that each cook’s recipes are included, giving insight into what cooking was like in the 1940s.

I highly recommend this enjoyable novel. For Ms. Ryan, third time (for her historical novels) is definitely the charm!

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

Pub Date 23 Feb 2021  

I have reviewed The Other Windsor Girl, The Country Guesthouse and The Heir Affair. Below is my review for the title about Princess Margaret.

The “other” Windsor Girl is Princess Margaret, known to many because of the successful tv series, The Crown.  This book is another way to gain perspective on Margaret, those around her and the times in which she lived. Readers will move through the sedate 40s right up to the 60s.

The narrative includes a mix of historical and fictional people and a wide variety of both royal homes and places where Margaret spent time. The most prominent of the fictional characters is Vera who becomes a lady in waiting to Margaret, thus giving her a fly on the wall perspective to royal life.  Her story is one of making choices after coming under the royal gaze.  Are the choices that she makes ones that she will regret?

The underpinning of the novel is the impact that being A princess but not THE princess had on Margaret who garnered less attention and found it difficult to establish a meaningful life.  She often wanted what she could not have and did not want what was there for her.

In my opinion, this novel started a bit slowly but  is worth staying with until the end.  The skill of the author is such that I kept hoping for Margaret to have the life she yearned for, especially in her relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend, all while knowing what happened historically.

This book can provide a bit of escapism as we all are in our homes dreaming of having a more exciting life.  I rate it at four stars.

The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Doctor

by James Herriot

James Herriot was the pseudonym for a vet who wrote with warmth, humor and insight about his experiences learning how to do his job and to get along with his animal patients and their owners. There was a TV series made based on these titles a number of years ago and a new series is set to air in the U.S. early in the new year. (It has already been seen in Britain).

This title is the second of Herriot’s memoirs and it is every bit as engaging as the first. If you are looking for a gentle escape from daily life, look no further. This very well narrated title will offer you hours of escape to another time.

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

by Rebel Girls

#GoodNightStoriesforRebelGirls #NetGalley

I have reviewed a number of titles in the Rebel Girls series. I think that these books are a wonderful way for kids to be reminded that they can do amazing things. The life stories that are featured are always well told and have engaging illustrations.

Now, the publisher has made a box set of five of their chapter books for early readers. The books that are to be found are:

• Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code
• Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business
• Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest
• Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains
• Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage

Each of these stories is engaging. Below is a review that I wrote for the Ada Lovelace title. It gives a sense of what makes the series so good.

This well-researched and written book tells the story of Ada Lovelace. Ada was the daughter of the famous poet, Lord Byron, although she did not know her father well. Ada’s mother was a woman of strong opinions who had definite ideas of what she wanted for Ada.

Ada was educated by governesses in her early years. She often found her lessons boring until Miss Stamp was hired. Miss Stamp allowed Ada’s imagination to soar, despite Ada’s mother’s not wanting this. Miss Stamp and Ada read stories and did experiments, including trying to fly.

Soon after Miss Stamp was let go, Ada became quite ill and took years to recover. She then moved along the path of expectations, attending balls and eventually marrying. However, she also observed and exercised her mathematical skills. Influential thinkers with whom she spent time included Mary Somerville and George Babbage, the designer of an important precursor to the computer.

I have read several books about Ada Lovelace. This is one of the best, especially for its target audience of elementary school aged children. They will relate to Ada’s spirit and curiosity. Hopefully, readers will be encouraged to pursue their own studies and interests, even if not everyone agrees with their pursuits.

The end of the book includes a number of suggested activities and and afterword.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this excellent, well-illustrated story of Ada Lovelace in return for an honest review.

AND HERE IS MY REVIEW FOR THE BOOK ON C J WALKER

This book is targeted to a young elementary school aged audience. It is divided into short chapters and has beautiful, vibrant illustrations. Madam C J Walker Builds a Business tells the story of Sarah Breedlove from when she was the first in her family born in freedom, not slavery, through her remarkable business success and accomplishments. Sarah faced many obstacles including the closing of her segregated school, the deaths of her parents, her difficult time living with a sister and her sister’s demanding husband, her early marriage, becoming a parent and her husband’s violent death. The book shows how Sarah went from this background that included the most menial jobs to becoming Mrs. Walker and a woman who was incredibly successful in building her business centered on caring for African American women’s hair.

This is a detailed, readable biography. There are additional sections at the end of the book to encourage further learning. This book should be in classrooms and is highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The other stories are equally engaging. This book deserves a place in both home and school libraries.

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