Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I reviewed The Dearly Beloved a while back.  This morning I listened to an excellent podcast on the Bookreporter in which the author was interviewed.  If you read, or are interested in this title, I recommend that you give the podcast a listen.

The Dearly Beloved is the first novel by Cara Wall; I am pretty certain that it will not be her last. The Dearly Beloved is the story of Charles, Lily, James and Nan. Each is an adult with a unique upbringing. Charles has faced many parental expectations; Lily has suffered much loss; James had a hardscrabble background, while life seemed sweet for Nan. While in college, Charles and Lily meet as do James and Nan.

Both Charles and James are “called” to the church; they have different approaches to God and activism, as demonstrated over the course of the book. Charles and James are appointed as co-ministers of a New York City church on lower Fifth Avenue. Their strengths and weaknesses come to light and are not the same. The reader watches as the two families’ lives unravel and knit over a period of many years.

This book includes discussion about what faith (or lack of it) means to each protagonist. I found these sections enhanced the novel for me.

This is not perhaps a perfect book, just as James, Charles, Nan and Lily are not prefec

Whether you were an English major or not, you may find this short book to be an excellent resource on all things literary. Some of the concepts covered are the oral tradition, early modern literature, the ballad, Satire and so much more.
The author notes that “Through literature, as readers we gain insight into worlds we could never have dreamt of…” They also note that literature connects us to each other. True readers know just how true this is and how amazing literature can be. This book will enhance readers understanding of many things literary.
The authors ambitious plan is to briefly reflect on the novel, literary prose, poetry, drama, literary devices and literary styles. You will know what a Gutenberg parenthesis is and way vorticism mean as you read and these are only two of the many included definitions. Review your favorite kinds of fiction form historical novels to fantasy with everything in between.
I recommend this cleverly illustrated and written volume. I feel like I already know more than I did before I opened this book.

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

This book recounts Monet’s life and art for young readers. Throughout, there are copies of paintings that Monet completed. At the end of the book, those who are interested can learn more about the works. Monet’s evolution as an artist from making caricatures when he was young, to academy studies, to finding his own style are all described. Some attention is also given to Monet’s personal life, especially his love for the mother of his children. All in all, a good resource for students who are just beginning their studies of art history.

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

We go from mystery to mythology here. 

The first in this excellent series is Death at La Fenice.  I love the characters in these novels, especially Brunetti and his family.

This book will be helpful to parents, mental health professionals and young adults who are trying to understand why it can feel/be so hard to grow up. The author, a clinical family psychologist, writes in an easy to read style and includes many case examples to illustrate the complexity of what it is like to be in your 20s in the 21st century. Doctor McConville talks about some of the reasons why “launching” is harder right now. He clearly explains some of the issues and offers insights on these challenges. For example, he worked with a young man who could not make the necessary phone calls to obtain a summer job. The reader learns the reason why this was the case. Parents will understand more about why their young adults, seemingly bafflingly, continue to act more like teens.

The book includes sections elaborating on the skills that young adults need to master and the ways in which parents can help. It is an excellent resource and I recommend it highly.

Of note: I wish that this title had been around when I was transitioning to college. It helped me to better understand why I was struggling a bit.

The recipes in this book are organized into chapter on Breakfast, Salads and Bowls, Pastas and Noodles, Stir Fries and Curries, Soups, Stews and Chilis, Pizzas and Flatbreads, Handhelds and  Desserts.  An example from each:  Mushroom and Jalapeno Breakfast Hash,  Couscous with Harissa Chickpeas, Greek Inspired Macaroni and Cheese, Chickpea, Cauliflower and Potato Coconut Curry, Hungarian Style Mushroom Soup, Coconut Roti with Cilantro Chutney, Black Bean and Beet Burgers and Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Cookies.  Yum.  If you are interested in vegetarian recopies either as your meal plan or as a break from a meat based diet, take a look at this title which includes many easy to follow recipes.

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

Sharing a story with a toddler can be one of life’s sweetest experience.  There is the joy of sitting close together and the knowledge that helping a young child to love books is giving them a gift that will last throughout their whole life.

In this book, the author has compiled a group of short tales that are diverse.  To name a few, there are stories from Scandinavia, ancient Rome, Mali, Russia and more, twenty beautifully illustrated stories in all. These entries are sometimes based in folklore or may have come from Aesop.  They are tales that do not talk down to children and are not too simplistic.

All in all, this title offers a nice collection of stories.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

#ReadToYourToddlerEveryDay #NetGalley

A real mix here from literary fiction to lighter reads. Becoming Mrs. Lewis about Joy Davidman and C S Lewis is in my TBR pile as are Punjabi Widows and The Other Alcott.

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: