Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Sophie and her Dad are invited to Olive’s birthday party. They get ready by dressing up and making food to bring with them. When it is time to attend the party, how do they get there? They go by elevator!
As Sophie and her dad make their way to the tenth floor, the elevator gets pretty crowded! Young listeners will enjoy the exuberant illustrations as everyone squeezes in. When they arrive, there is a good party.
That’s it. This is a simple but fun book that young listeners will enjoy. The illustrations show a diverse group of people who enjoy being together. That is an added bonus of this title that is geared toward young children.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this cute read in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

I found this to be an absolutely brilliant book. John Carey, an Oxbridge professor, is an erudite guide to learning about poems and poetry. But, he is not only an intelligent guide, he has written a book where I wanted to keep turning the pages.
This book encompasses the history of poetry from the earliest epics, such as The Gilgamesh Epic, and moves through the centuries, ending in chapter 40 with modern poets including Maya Angelou and Mary Oliver. I could list so many, many of the included poets but will pick just ten to give an idea of what the book contains: Homer, Dante, Donne, Milton, Wordsworth, Eliot, Pound, Elizabeth Bishop, Auden and Stevie Smith.
To give an example of the flavor of this title, chapter one is about the Gilgamesh Epic. The story itself is clearly recounted but the author gives so much more than this; for example, there is discussion about how this story relates to other biblical tales and poetry’s depictions of death as a central issue for all. This expansiveness leaves the reader with much food for thought.
Professor Carey sees that music and poetry are analagous; one gives us the best of noise while the other may give us the best of words. (This is my understanding of what he said).
I recommend this book most highly. Even before our current crisis, 2020 was becoming the year of exploring poetry for me. This book will enhance my understanding and experience as I continue my journey..
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review. I found it to be a special book.

This book is geared towards Christian readers but you do not have to be Christian to take in its messages of how to live life, ways to cope and acceptance. There are short entries with something to think about in each. If you would like to start or end your day thinking about the big issues (often manifested in small ways), this may be a title for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#YouBelong #NetGalley

From the publisher:

The story of Alan Turing is beautifully told in this new title in the Little People, Big Dreams series. Nothing is glossed over as the story is told not only about the breaking of the Engima code but also Turing’s being gay and the way that he was treated in England.
Readers of this title who may feel a bit alone or different will be encouraged by learning about all that Alan did, after he faced the loss of a person very important to him. This book could be a great jumping off point for talking with a child.
Alan’s story is told in a matter of fact style. The illustrations are lovely, expressive and greatly enhance the text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a book in one of my favorite series.

From the publisher:

Little Alan was a boy from London who grew away from his parents. He was so shy and inward that nobody expected much from him. But sometimes that’s just the kind of people who do the things no one can imagine.

The first thing that you (or a child) will notice is that this book contains not a single word of text.  The pictures tell the story and convey both what is happening and the emotions of the characters.

This is a tale about becoming a family and how a family may not always look as we expect.  The crane is caring for an egg; the bird is upset when the egg falls out of the nest…a spoiler (the egg survives).  Enjoy the surprise of seeing who hatches and the relationship that ensues.

I like that this book has no text.  Because of this a child and adult can tell the story and talk about it.

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

Pub date:  August 15, 2020

This is a perfect title for this moment.  If you are all cooped up at home and know a teen who could use an activity (and feed you), this one is worth a look.  It also is a useful resource for anyone who is trying to learn to prepare a meal.

The book includes 100 recipes divided into categories including Breakfast, Snacks and Sides, Soups and Salads, Solo Meals and Family Meals.  Some examples from the Family Meals section are Mustard and Maple Glazed Chicken, Easy Chicken Tetrazzini and HOmemade Chicken Pot Pie.  At the other end of the day, a few of the breakfast recipes include Banana Brea, Breakfast Tacos and a Green Chile Casserole.

The cookbook has lots of photographs and the directions are easy to follow.  I call this one a winner!

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

#TheHowToCookbookforTeens #NetGalley

Women’s fiction and a couple of titles for children.  Enjoy!

This book has the most delightful illustrations!  Pearl and her mom are so lovingly portrayed by the illustrator as they dance and do other activities together.  I would purchase this book for the visuals alone.

The story is sweet as well though.  Pearl enjoys being at her mom’s ballet school.  Her mother offers her the opportunity to go to preschool but Pearl isn’t sure.  The beauty of the story is that the mother does not force her child and so Pearl makes her own decision.

This is a lovely book for introducing children to the activities of preschool.  It also shows a caring parent/child relationship.

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

Pub date:  July 21, 2020

Again, a bit of a mix here.  Some a bit deeper today, as with the William Styron collection.  The F Scott Fitzgerald is free.  Two books on writers though very different with one on the Brontes and one on the syndicate that wrote the Nancy Drew books. Otherwise, some mysteries and suspense.

I have continued to say how much I like the Donna Leon series.  For those who are watching TV, think of getting a free month of MHZ where there is a tv series based on the books.  I am enjoying it.

Do you enjoy women’s fiction? Are you ready to be immersed in a long (464 page) book? If you might answer yes to these questions, this title could provide you with an escapist read.
The setting is Lake Tahoe, a beautiful and peaceful place with lots of water, places to walk and sports to enjoy. There are three protagonists; Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei.

Serenity writes books about true crimes. There is a true crime in her personal life that has changed everything for her. Next is Reagan; she is an ambitious, successful advertising executive until one decision and one moment changes everything. She will be faced with some big decisions. Then there are Lorelei and her four year old daughter Lucy. Lorelei grew up in foster care and knows nothing about her family. She was happy in her marriage until…
What do these women have in common? No spoiler as this comes out early in the novel; the three share a blood relationship discovered after they did testing with a DNA site. How are they connected? Who is their common biological relative? Why has no-one ever discussed any of this with any of them> You will need to get very close to the end of the book to find the answer.
Around this central plot there are many others involving the sisters’ families, their evolving relationship and their next door neighbors, all of whom have their own stories. The strands intertwine and four narrators voice the story; these are the three sisters and Finn, one of the neighbors.
Overall, this was a book where the pages turned. The characters are well established and each is very much their own person. That said, I think that the novel might have been (even) better had it been shorter. Sometimes sections replayed things that were already known to the reader.
This was the first novel that I have read by this author. I would most likely read another of her books.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#OnePerfectSummer #NetGalley