Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

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!

Now out:

How to They/Them

A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity

by Stuart Getty

#HowtoTheyThem #NetGalley

Language evolves to meet new needs and has done so for a very long time. The use of they/them in new contexts is part of that history. It is important that language be responsive and make sense. In this book, the author provides a good explanation for the current addition of they/them as a singular pronoun that is responsive to our current time.

The author provides history and engages in dialogue with the reader, all the while helping readers to embrace adding to their vocabularies. This book is recommended for those who want to educate themselves and others in their lives. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

You can help: Let’s Save Our Planet: Forests

Discover the Facts. Be Inspired. Make A Difference.

by Jess French

#LetsSaveOurPlanetForests #NetGalley

Pub date: October 6, 2020

This engagingly illustrated title for kids will inspire them to care about the environment. The subject here is deforestation and the importance of our forests. Kids will learn about some of the many ways that forests are critical to the ecosystem; there is everything from their beauty to the role of forests in climate change. Readers will also become knowledgeable about the many types of forests there are including tropical rain forests, boreal forests and temperate deciduous forests.

After reading about the causes of deforestation there is a section on the effects of deforestation followed by some more optimistic chapters. These include solutions and a “what you can do,” thus helping the young to become engaged and to not feel hopeless about their world. This section includes a number of possible career choices related to the environment.

The children of today will inherit the beauty of the natural world and the calls to care for it. This title will help them to understand the stakes but not to panic.

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

Recently published:

I Do Not Like Stories

by Andrew Larsen

#IDoNotLikeStories #NetGalley

I found this endearingly illustrated story to be charming and sweet. It will be especially enjoyed by children who like cats as the adventurous cat features in all of the illustrations. Our narrator tells about all of the kinds of stories that he does not like as he goes through the events of his day…but wait! What happens at the end? Read the book to find out. It is cute.

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

Now out: All the Sonnets of Shakespeare

by Edited by Paul Edmondson and Stanley Wells

#AlltheSonnetsofShakespeare #NetGalley

This year I have been reading more poetry. Poetry lends itself to this time when there is leisure (at least for me while I go nowhere basically) to read and reread a poem in order to “get” it. This collection is most welcome and part of a new ambitious project for me.

Of course everyone has heard of Shakespeare. Dip into the many sonnets, some of which may be familiar and many of which may not. All are worth some of your time.

Along with the sonnets, there is a good introduction in this book which can be read in any order. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Fountains of Silence (SAMPLER)

by Ruta Sepetys

#TheFountainsofSilenceSAMPLER #NetGalley

I was very excited to see this excerpt from The Fountains of Silence on NetGalley. My sister, who loves historical fiction, highly praised this novel. Although we may not always agree, we agree that this book is worth reading.

Although this title was published as a young adult novel, in my opinion both adults and young adults will find it to be interesting and involving. The setting, Franco’s Spain, engages the reader. There have been many historical novels set in France, Germany and England but not so many in Spain. Readers will learn what happened to the country under the Fascist leader. There are repercussions for today’s politics as well.

As in all good historical fiction, there are characters to learn about and connect with. Over the course of the book, readers will get to know Ana and those around her. They will also meet Daniel who gets to know Ana and her family. They were on the Republican side during the war. This is the side that was against Franco and has impacted them.

This sampler was enough to intrigue me and I now plan to read the novel. Have you read it? If yes, what are your thoughts?

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

Recently published:

Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart

100 Reassuring Devotions

by Julie Gillies

#PrayerstoCalmYourAnxiousHeart #NetGalley

Are you a person made anxious by corona virus? One of the many people whose set point is anxiety? Or, are you just looking for a few minutes to yourself each day in order to feel and enjoy a sense of calm? Whoever you are, this book is worth a look. Each entry has a quote, a short vignette and space to write one’s own reflections. For example there are entries with titles like “When Life Is Harder than You Ever Imagined” or “Fearless.”
This book is Christian in its orientation but may well speak to anyone who is seeking a life with a bit less in the way of anxious thoughts. The vignettes are ones to which many may relate,
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Now out:

Christmas Cupcake Murder

A Festive & Delicious Christmas Cozy Mystery

by Joanne Fluke

#ChristmasCupcakeMurder #NetGalley

I have enjoyed spending time with Hannah Swenson and those around her since Ms. Fluke wrote the first in this series. The Chocolate Chip Murder. With its bakery setting to make you hungry, and the recurring characters and relationships, it is a good series for lovers of cozy mysteries.

This time, as the title states, the story takes place around Christmas. Who is the John Doe who cannot remember much but knows a lot about antiques? Why is he in Hannah’s small mid-Western town?

Along with this mystery, readers will enjoy spending time with Hannah, her sisters and the other folk who live in Lake Eden. As a bonus, there are lots of recipes included too.

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

How to choose: The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

A Novel

by Josie Silver

#TheTwoLivesofLydiaBird #NetGalley

I enjoyed Josie Silver’s One Day in December so was looking forward to reading her newest novel. It is a satisfying read for those who enjoy women’s fiction/romance.

Early on readers learn that Josie faced a terrible loss. How will she cope with this? Who will be there for her? Will she be able to move on?

Through a plot twist, readers watch as Lydia both moves forward in her life and also engages with what her life would have been like had her true love not died. How will Lydia deal with this strange incongruity? What will she choose? Read the book to find out!

One caveat, be prepared to read about grief if you pick up this title.

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