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: Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock An Inside Look at the Hit Musical by Irene Sankoff; David Hein

I knew that the musical, Come From Away, was quite successful. However, since I was living in Manhattan on that fateful 9/11, I thought that I would never see Come From Away. I thought that it would bring back too many memories of an impossibly stressful, sad and difficult time. Then, this past spring, a friend got tickets for us and off we went, only for me to conclude that Come From Away was a fantastic show and one that was uplifting. I immediately began proselytizing for this musical, telling friends to see it. Of course, not everyone can get to Broadway, but this book will give readers a rich flavor of the play and its context.

Illustrated with photos of Gander and its surroundings, with sections on history and context, comment and information on the folks whose creation it was (the authors of this book, by the way), interviews with the cast and residents, and dialogue from the play’s book, Come From Away includes so much.

Given how much I loved the show and the people of Gander as they were portrayed, I was absolutely thrilled to be given an e galley of this title by NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. I give it 4.5/5 stars.

An enjoyable read: The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew by Milly Johnson

Sophie Mayhew is married to an English politician who is poised for great things, hopefully to be the next P.M. Devoted Sophie is the perfect spouse.  She is intelligent, beautiful, supportive and kind with a tragedy in her past.  She is the one who shows compassion for her husband’s constituents and stands by his side to enhance his profile.

However, Sophie, though well-educated and seemingly perfectly suited for this role, is quite unhappy.  Things come to a crisis point (no spoiler as this happens early in the novel), when she learns of her husband’s second affair.  Groomed carefully on what to say to the media, Sophie instead says what she wants and of course, chaos results.

Sophie escapes to the one place where she had been happy, lives under an alias and begins to know what she wants for herself and to feel entitled to this.  Along the way, she forms friendships and a potential romantic relationship.  However….Sophie knows that she must return home.  What will happen then?

This is a delightful escapist read so, of course, readers can imagine what will happen.  Still, getting there is enjoyable and I very much enjoyed this light read.

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A glorious, heartfelt novel” (Rowan Coleman, New York Times bestselling author )

“Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold.” (Heat magazine)

“A warm hug of a book” (S Magazine)

“Bursting with warmth and joie de vivre” (Jill Mansell, New York Times bestselling author )

“Must read” (Express)

“Absolutely loved it. Milly’s writing is like getting a big hug with just the right amount of bite underneath”
(Jane Fallon, Sunday Times bestselling author )

“Full of love and laughter”
(Daily Express)

Do they belong together? Frank and Bean by Jamie Michalak

Frank and Bean is a chapter book geared toward beginning readers.  It begins by telling the story of Frank, someone who likes quiet and writes in a secret notebook. Frank meets the effervescent Bean who is noisy and friendly and does not want to go away. What joins the two in friendship?  Young readers will find out as they read this amusingly illustrated book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

#FrankAndBean #NetGalley

From the Publisher

For cat aficionados: All Cats Are Introverts by Francesco Marciuliano

This book contains beautiful photos of cats. I enjoyed this aspect of the book very much. The written content is poems told from a cat’s point of view. My sense is that they are meant to be funny. I did not especially enjoy the poems although I can see what the writer is trying to do. If you are a cat lover and you read this one, please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

#AllCatsAreIntroverts #NetGalley

Now out: The Water Cycle by Chris Oxlade, Anita Ganeri

This was my second exploration with the intrepid George and Ava. George and Ava are good company. They are curious and eager to learn. In this one, young scientists will learn a lot about the different forms of water, (solid, liquid, gas), as they perform experiments and learn geo facts. There is a quiz at the end so kids can see what they retained and also suggestions for additional resources for teachers. This series provides a wonderful way to learn science. Science becomes fun and curiosity is rewarded. Perfect!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Poems for what ails you: The Poetry Remedy edited by William Sieghart

The Poetry Remedy: Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind, and Soul by [Sieghart, William]What a lovely compilation of poems!  Organized by what may ail you, for example, anxiety, depression, old age, loneliness, pessimism, etc., there is then a corresponding poem.  Under Fear of Death, for instance, there is a beautiful poem by my favorite poet, Mary Oliver.  Some of the other poets found in the book include Wendell Berry, Rudyard Kipling and Ha Jin.  Some of the poets I know while others, I don’t.   I do recognize the emotions though.  I want to say that I felt better after reading some of these poems, not worse lest you think this book will be too gloomy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Truly a marvelous collection . . . There is balm for the soul, fire for the belly, a cooling compress for the fevered brow, solace for the wounded, an arm around the lonely shoulder—the whole collection is a matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss.”
—Stephen Fry

“The book is delightful; it rightly resituates poetry in relation to its biggest and most serious task: helping us to live and die well.”
—Alain de Botton

“Healing for the heart and soul. I keep my copy with the brandy and aspirin.”
—Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

What does home mean to you? Coming Hume to Island House by Erica James

Erica James has written many novels.  In each, the reader becomes absorbed with the characters, settings and actions of the people who come to life.  In Coming Home to Island House, the time is 1939 and the outbreak of WWII.  Independent and a writer, Romily has finally become invested in a relationship.  Older than Romily,  Jack Devereux, respects her and does not want her to change.  No real spoiler, because this happens early in the novel,  but Jack dies leaving Romily to live in the beautiful Island House.  Also coming to Island House are Jack’s children, including a niece whom he adopted.  Arthur is self-centered and not very likeable, while his brother Kit seems very much his opposite.  Hope has been widowed and is the guardian of her baby niece, who was smuggled out of Germany because of being part Jewish.  Last, there is Allegra who began life in an Italian orphanage, only to begin living with her uncle Jack. Each of these main characters has hopes, dreams and relationships that the reader follows in the book.  There are also some below stairs folk, people in the village and a young British evacuee, among others.

Ms. James moves among the characters, giving readers the chance to get to know them well.  If you enjoy a family story and like to immerse yourself in a long novel, consider this one.  It was published in Britain but can be ordered through sites such as abebooks.com.

Readers are captivated by Coming Home to Island House:

‘Erica James at her very best…a fulfilling, hugely enjoyable read’

‘This book felt like a luxurious treat’

‘A wonderful thread of love, grace, loss and forgiveness… Highly recommended’

‘One of those glorious stories where you don’t want to put the book down!’

‘I feel completely in love with all aspects of this books – the characters, the setting and the writing. I