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!

A Legend: Following in the Footsteps of King Arthur by Andrew Beattie

When I was a high school junior, my English class read The Idylls of the King, beginning my love for stories about King Arthur.  I went on to adore T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley and Mary Stewart’s Merlin series.  So, seeing this book on NetGalley, I felt eager to read it.

This title is history, not fiction.  It is divided into sections on King Arthur as a legend, the places associated with him and finally a gazetteer of Arthurian sights.  There are also a bibliography and suggestions for further reading.

This title provides perspective on the legendary king and takes readers to the locales associated with him.  Though there may never have been the Arthur who was idolized, what he stood for and symbolized remains strongly with us to this day.  For readers who would like to go where Arthur reportedly went, I recommend this title.

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

#FollowingintheFootstepsofKingArthur #NetGalley

What a pup: Jasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called Sky by Helen Peters

This title is part of a series of books for children who are starting to enjoy chapter books.  If you know a reader who loves animals, I think that they will enjoy spending time with protagonist Jasmine, her friends and family.  They will  observe that Jasmine has a history of rescuing animals and really cares about their welfare.

In this title, it is Sky who needs help.  Jasmine finds the matted black and white dog, a border collie pup that was really in need of help.  How will this puppy do?   Luckily, Jasmine’s mom is a vet.  Will that be enough along with love?  What adventures will he have?  Will Jasmine be able to keep him? Young readers will want to find out as they keep turning the pages.

I very much liked the illustrations that accompany the text.  They are black and white with a lovely sense of nature.  The book and illustrations work well together.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title.  I would have happily read this when I was a kid.

pub date:  September 1, 2020

#JasmineGreenRescuesACollieCalledSky #NetGalleyTh

Now out: Nourish Me Home 125 Soul-Sustaining, Elemental Recipes by Cortney Burns

#NourishMeHome #NetGalley

This is a fantastic cookbook with the most gorgeous photographs. It is well worth a look and would make a nice gift for a person of your acquaintance who loves the kitchen.
The book is divided into sections called Filling the Pot, Weaving Roots, Of Feathers Scales and Fur, Larder, Weaving Maple into Silk, and finally Imagination and Alchemy. So you can see that it was written by a chef with a unique take on food and how to present it.
There are so many recipes in this book that is hard to choose just a few but here they are: Chilled Early Harvest Apple Soup, Eggplant Sou with Walnut Dumplings, Cucumber Cattail Salad with Buttermilk Bagna Cauda, Carrot-Ricotta Custard, Grilled Maple Eggs, Smoked Fish and Potato Hand Pies, Silver Dollar Corncakes and Buckwheat Maple Rhubarb Sundae. There are also drink ingredients including Smoked Purple Barley Tincture and Fir Tip Tea.
Take some time with this book. The author herself describes it as a Choose Your Own Adventure Guide. Learn about her, think about the recipes and our world and, even if you don’t cook, enjoy imagining that you could make the food in this volume.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

Nourish me homeBlack Seeded Bread

Makes 1 loaf

Preheat the oven to 200°F [95°C]. Line a 9 by 5 in [23 by 12 cm] loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving 2 to 3 in [5 to 7.5 cm] of overhang from the sides.

Add the eggs, oil, and tahini to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Separately, with a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind 1⁄2 cup [80 g] of the flaxseeds into a fine meal. Add the ground flaxseeds and the remaining 1⁄2 cup whole flaxseeds, the black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and salt to the bowl and stir until everything is incorporated. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flaxseeds time to hydrate.

Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until the top is firmly set, 2 to 2 1/2 hours; if you have an instant-read thermometer, the temperature should read at least 165°F [74°C] at the center of the loaf. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then use the overhanging parchment to lift the loaf from the pan. Cool completely at room temperature, preferably on a cooling rack.

Serve right away or refrigerate, wrapped in a clean cloth, in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 3 Tbsp grapeseed or extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp tahini
  • 1 cup whole flaxseeds
  • 1 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1/2 white sesame seeds
  • 1/2 poppy seeds
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt

Get to know me: I Am Not a Label 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present by Cerrie Burnell

This anthology includes brief biographies of many highly accomplished people who have a disability.  In reading this title, kids can read about those who are well known, from Beethoven to Frida Kahlo to Stephen Hawking to Helen Keller and many more.  There are also entries about people whom I never knew before, as for example, the physicist Gustav Kirchhoff and Nabil Shaban, an actor and writer, or lawyer Catalina Devanda or athlete Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah..

Of interest is that the author of this collection herself has a disability.  She introduces her book by sharing a bit of her own story.  The author and those she features shine brightly as they are portrayed in her highly readable style.

Each entry is short and beautifully illustrated, making it very easy for young readers to become engaged.  There are also sections including a glossary and a list of resources.

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

pub date:  July 7, 2020

#IAmNotaLabel #NetGalley

Come to Tuscany: Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri

For some reason, during the corona virus pandemic, I have been spending a lot of time in virtual Italy reading mysteries that are set there.  My guides, until I read this novel, were Donna Leon and her Inspector Brunetti, and Andrea Camilleri and his Detective, Montalbano.  Their novels feature an engaging protagonist, beautiful locations and, VERY IMPORTANT, delicious food.

So, I was curious about this book set in Tuscany and happy to receive an ARC.  I was not disappointed.  This novel, the start of a new series, and its detective, fit right into the sub genre of Italian police stories.

The protagonist of Murder in Chianti is widower and former New York City police detective, Nico.  He has moved to Chianti following the death of his wife, Rita.  Rita has a cousin in Chianti who owns a restaurant, one source of the delicious sounding food in the novel.  Food wise, I would give a lot to get breakfast where Nico does each day.  I also would like to sample some of the alcohol mentioned in the book, especially the red wines.

Around Nico are the police officers who want his help in solving a case, Perillo and Daniele.  The murder of the story has ties with the past.  The victim left Italy a number of years ago and became a successful vintner in California.  Why did he return to Italy?  How does this visit lead to his death?  Who will be hurt as the case is solved?

This was a very readable book and one that I enjoyed.  I recommend adding it to your TBR list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an hoenst review.  I look forward to the next novel in this seris.

pub date:  July 7, 2020

#MurderinChianti #NetGalley

Recently published: Little Book of Kindness by Francesco Pirrone

This is an absolutely adorable book for young children. It gently, sweetly and humorously illustrates ways to be kind. The illustrations are delightful, to the muted side but in a good way. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.