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!

Recently published:

Luke & Lottie. Fall is Here!

by Ruth Wielockx

#LukeLottieFallisHere #NetGalley

This is a read aloud for a young audience. Luke and Lottie go outdoors to enjoy some fall fun. Most exciting for them is finding a hedgehog whom they help to get ready to hibernate.

The illustrations are very cute and go well with the simple text. This book is a nice introduction to the season.

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

Now out:

Life in Miniature

A History of Dolls’ Houses

by Nicola Lisle

#LifeinMiniature #NetGalley

When I was young, I always wanted a doll house although that dream was not realized. I did enjoy seeing a number of doll houses in museums and was always intrigued by the houses and their small furnishings. When my kids were young, there was a wonderful doll house store near where I worked and we loved going there.
So, based on all of that, I was excited to see this title on dollhouses. It is clear that the author loves her subject.
This title takes an academic, but by no means dry, approach providing a great deal of history starting from the earliest houses in the sixteenth century when they were not children’s playthings. That you will learn began more around Victorian times. Just a few of the intriguing chapter headings include Ann Sharp’s Baby House, Dolls’ Houses in Literature and Miniatures Move Outside: Model Towns and Villages. There are, additionally, an appendices; on includes places to visit while the other is offers suggestions for further reading.
This book is full of information and includes some lovely illustrations. The audience that this book was written for should very much enjoy this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Seasonal mayhem: Gobble, Gobble Murder

by Leslie Meier

#GobbleGobbleMurder #NetGalley

Leslie Meier has been chronicling the adventures of Lucy Stone since about 1991 so she is quite experienced at writing the light mysteries that her fans enjoy. The stories are set in Tinkers Cove which would be an idyllic spot were it not for the murders. This book contains two previously published novels.

In these novels, fall is in the air and Thanksgiving is approaching. In Turkey Day Murder an activist is killed while in Turkey Trot Murder a frozen corpse is found. Lucy can’t help but get involved.

Fans of cozy mysteries and those who enjoy the novels of Katherine Hall Page will I think enjoy this collection. There is the added bonus of enjoying time with Lucy’s family.

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

Ready to dial?The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book

An Interactive Guide to Life-Changing Books

by Logan Smalley; Stephanie Kent

This book will be enjoyed by bibliophiles and those who like a quirky read. It arose from the experiences of two book lovers who created a voicemail where readers could leave messages about the stories that they loved.

This book includes all kinds of interesting book related entries. They are organized according to calls by subject, calls by book title and calls by authors. The book includes actual phone numbers that will either have a message or where a reader can leave a message. By listing numbers it is a tribute to the phone books of old. Readers can also read some of the messages that the compilers of this title received.

If you are a reader who loves books and all things quirky, take a look at this book with its telephone book graphics. It is a treasure trove.

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

Recently released:

Inside Out Horse

The Inside Story on the Animal That’s Born to Run!

by David George Gordon

#InsideOutHorse #NetGalley

It is clear that the author of this title loves horses and wants to share what he knows about them with young people. This illustrated book includes photos and diagrams that detail each of the horse’s systems from the dermal to the nervous to the digestive and more.. There are many facts and bits of history included as well.

This book will be loved by kids who want to know about a horse’s insides as that is what is featured. For those readers, this book will be a hit.

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

From the publisher:

Achieve your dreams: Little People, Big Dreams Ayrton Senna

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

#AyrtonSenna #NetGalley

pub date: October 6, 2020

I always enjoy and learn something from the titles in this excellent children’s series. This time, I became acquainted with Ayrton Senna, someone who was not familiar to me.

Ayrton Senna was a child who needed to be on the go and this took him to go karting. He was an amazing racer and eventually moved on to racing cars, moving from South America to England to achieve his dream.

Young readers can be inspired by Ayrton; not only did he win but he cared about others and the safety of his sport. He was another little person who achieved a big dream.

This is another good entry in a good series. It is illustrated in a cartoon like and appealing fashion that goes well with the text.

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