Category: Uncategorized

Again, lots of good choices.  Hope you see something that you like.

I truly enjoyed First Impressions by Charlie Lovett.  It is a take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  Paris by the Book has been on my TBR pile for a while.  I hope to read it soon.

On First Impressions:

“Part mystery, part love story, First Impressions is a 100 percent thumping good read and a loving homage to one of literature’s most beloved authors. Lovett takes readers on a rollicking adventure that cleverly weaves in the best elements of Austen’s novels, while also giving life to Austen’s own personal history in a satisfying and captivating way. It’s a giddy novel that celebrates books and the people who love them as much as it entertains, making it the perfect read for bookworms and Janeites alike.”
—Bookpage

“A completely captivating and charming book….the author’s passion for Jane Austen and his knowledge of printing methods and practices of the 1700s truly make this book a standout. The reader gets a nice adventure story, a little bit of romance and mystery, and a real feel for book collecting and for the author’s love of Jane Austen. If it’s a love you share, you may well find this book irresistible.”
—Mystery Scene

On Paris by the Book:

“Sublime . . . Callanan has crafted a beautifully drawn portrait of a woman interrupted, set among the exquisite magic of Paris, where life frequently imitates art as the ghosts of the past linger just out of sight.”
—Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

“Callanan has woven a tale of grief, resentment, and the everyday madness of equivocating the unfathomable. . . . Callanan’s sweet and compulsively readable tale invites readers to fall in love with Paris, Leah, and her family.”
—Booklist

“A love letter to reading, writing, and all things French, Paris by the Book combines a charming first-person protagonist, a nuanced family drama, and the magic of Paris.”
—ShelfAwareness (starred review)

I very much enjoyed Cristina Alger’s last book. The Banker’s Wife was suspenseful, fast read with both good characters and good settings. So, I was very excited to be given a copy of the author’s newest novel in exchange for my honest review. Thanks NetGalley and e publisher.

Girls Like Us does its author proud. It, too, is an exciting, fast paced story with a great setting. This time, the locations are all in Suffolk County, New York. Towns in that county like Southampton are populated by many fabulously wealthy and (self) important folk, especially during the summer. Nearby, in towns like Hampton Bays and Riverhead, the locales are not as gentrified and are where many of those who care for the summer dwellers reside. Ms. Alger clearly knows her geography and presents both places with accuracy.

Nell, the protagonist of this novel, works for the FBI. She was injured on her last case and has come to New York following her father’s death. She and he lived in Hampton Bays, on the grittier, more realistic end of Suffolk County. Nell’s father was a Suffolk County cop. Was his death in a motorcycle crash an accident or murder? Did he kill his wife when Nell was just a young child? What was happening at the parties of the wealthy Mr. Meachem? Why were young Latinas being murdered? Who is covering up what and for whom? Who are the guilty parties? There are questions and questions that are answered over the course of this excellent summer read.

Pick up Girls Like Us if you enjoy suspense stories. Like me, I hope that you will enjoy spending time with Nell and in her world.

One of:
Bustle’s “Perfect Vacation Read[s]” and a Beach Read Pick
PopSugar‘s “Best Books of July” and “Best New Books to Put in Your Beach Bag This Summer”
New York Post‘s “20 Beach Reads Sure to Send Chills Down Your Spine”
PureWow‘s “Best Beach Reads of Summer 2019” 
Crime Reads‘s “Most Anticipated Crime Books of Summer”
Read It Forward‘s “Summer 2019 Thriller” Picks

“Gripping…Brisk…Nell’s work on the case is smart and efficient, which gives the book a crisp tone and pace. Her final discoveries startle her and the reader…Readers will hope to savor more of her gimlet-eyed takes.”—Newsday

“[An] excellent crime novel…[Alger] captures the social dynamics of Suffolk’s eastern extremes perfectly. The first-person narrative is appropriately terse—Nell delivers a thorough report—but it occasionally surprises with a gripping depth….Highly recommended.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[A] propulsive thriller…Alger expertly ratchets up the suspense all the way to the explosive finale. Readers will hope to see more of tough, smart Nell.”—Publishers Weekly 

“[Nell] has a vulnerable, empathetic core that will pull readers in, and Alger has a feel for small-town dynamics….The tension becomes nearly unbearable as Nell realizes she truly can’t trust anyone. Readers can expect a few genuine surprises, and the light Alger shines on society’s most vulnerable members is an important one. Melancholy and addictive.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This fast-paced psychological thriller…will intrigue mystery readers as they shadow Nell’s precarious quest for the truth at all costs, despite the consequences.” —Library Journal 

My earlier review of The Banker’s Wife:

The Banker’s Wife is a great summer read, especially for those who enjoy novels like The Expats by Chris Pavone. The set up…Annabel is married to Matthew. Matthew is a banker at a Swiss bank that keeps secrets for its depositors. Marina is a journalist who is engaged to a prospective presidential candidate’s son. She works with Duncan. They are trying to locate a notorious Ponzi schemer. The story, of course, is even bigger than this.

Matthew is reported killed in a plane crash along with a cousin of Syria’s dictator. Annabel is left bereaved and unsafe. Marina is unsafe as well. While the two do not meet, they are both impacted by the business practices of Swiss United Bank.

Both Annabel and Marina are connected to a myriad of other characters. There are questions about whom to trust and how to unravel the bank’s schemes and hold those who are guilty accountable. The reader experiences doubts too regarding what has happened and who all of the ‘bad guys’ are.

Christina Alger has written a book that is suspenseful and engaging. The plot is complex but not too hard to follow. The reader will understand more about financial shenanigans and the private banking worlds that are fascinating and not part of many readers’ daily lives.

I truly enjoyed the settings, characters and the plot of the novel. I highly recommend it!

“First-rate…Slick, heart-hammering entertainment.”–The New York Times Book Review

This week we continued with private eye novels, talking about the first V. I. Warshawski novel, Indemnity Only and a later Sharon McCone mystery, The Broken Promise Land.  There was discussion about how these books fit into the women’s movement, the risks that the detectives take, the role of their relationships and decisions not to have children.  The question was raised as to whether they are meant to be based on the characters of the male loner detectives of Marlowe and Hammet.

I have read all of Marcia Muller’s Sharon McCone mysteries and was happy to re visit this title that is set in the world of country music.  The case involves threats that are made to country star, Ricky Savage, who is married to one of Sharon’s sisters.  Long term readers of the series will enjoy the family updates while, readers new to the series, can still enjoy the book.  Of note though, Sharon has various relationships before hers with Hy; these are told in earlier books.

The V. I. books are classics in their field.  They are written by a very well educated author who loves Chicago and makes the place almost another character in the series.  This book showcases V. I.’s first case.  I found that I enjoyed the Muller book more.  If  you read both, let me know what you think.

From Publishers Weekly

From a bookseller page:

A classic, in The Joy Luck Club and some other good reads here.

T

The Little People, Big Dreams series makes books for even littler people! This one is part of the My First…series. It simply tells the story of the author of the Anne of Green Gables books. Children will learn about Lucy, who was raised by her grandparents. She had imagination and found a way to write her beloved classic novels.

This book provides an easy introduction to the author. It is nicely and engagingly illustrated. I, myself, want to collect all these books!

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

This brightly illustrated book delivers an empowering message to young children: yes, they can do and try to do many things for themselves.  Caillou wants to dress and undress himself, carry dishes to the table and help clear and more.  Sometimes it is easy, sometimes less so.  Caillou’s dad is patient and encouraging to him.  Caillou then is able to take chances.  This is briefly contrasted with a child whose mom does for her what she wants to do.  It is clear which is the preferred path for parents and children.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.  It is one that deserves a place on young children’s home or nursery school shelves.

The illustrations in this short book are beautiful and full of the wonder of nature.  They form the background to a story that is about a mother bird who loses an egg.  Clearly, this is an anthropomorphized story about miscarriage.  The listener sees how the mama bird’s living child tries to cheer her up as the two go on a flight that shows the beauty of their world.  When they return home, Mama Bird feels better.

This book fills a niche as there are few stories that explain miscarriage to young children. For this reason, it is a valuable resource. The book is sweet but may leave young ones feeling not only that they make their parents happy but also feeling that it is up to them to make things better.  Parents should reassure children that this is not their responsibility but that family love does make things better. This book can open up a tough subject for young children and their parents.

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

This is Fiona Davis’s third New York City based historical novel and it is a winner! I have not read her earlier books,The Address and The Dollhouse, but may well do so now.
The Masterpiece has a dual narrative structure, one story is set in the 1920s-30’s and the other in the 1970s. The stories of Clara Darden and Virginia Clay overlap and intersect.
Darden is an illustrator, teacher and painter in the earlier era while Virginia, a divorcee, begins working at Grand Central around the time when the landmark battle was underway. Each woman has a backstory, relationships and challenges, all of which are well depicted.
Did you know that in the 1920’s there was an art school right in Grand Central? Did you know that Sargent was one of the founders? Are you interested in historical preservation? Do you enjoy a story with a plot twist? If you can answer yes to any, or all of these questions, I highly recommend this book.

Margaret and Chip appear to be the perfect couple at the start of this women’s fiction title. Both have just completed their MBAs and are on the path to high achievement. Margaret is hoping that Chip will propose to her. Not much of a spoiler because what I am writing next happens very early in the book. Chip does propose but does it in a small plane that Margaret had not wanted to fly in. There is an accident and Margaret suffers a serious injury which upends her life. The novel then tells the story of what happens to Margaret. The story is also about Margaret’s parents, her sister, Chip and his family and the hospital staff, especially Ian.

Readers will be rooting for Margaret as she figures out what to do in her life. The reader will undoubtedly enjoy spending time with her family and with Ian as well.

I enjoyed this novel which I read quickly. The author does not sugarcoat what Margaret experiences in her recovery. However this is a romance so each reader will have to decide if they want to buy into the semi-fairy-tale.

I would read other books by the author and would look forward to doing so. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley of the novel which I was given in exchange for an honest review.

#HowToWalkAway #NetGalley

I always enjoy reading books in this series.  This one is about Bruce Lee.  I had known that he was a kung fu hero and that was it.  I learned much more about him after reading this title.  Young readers will learn that Bruce was not perfect but he found his way.  Born in Hong Kong, he lived both there and in the U.S.  He had talents, including being a child actor, a great dancer and a master of the martial arts but…he was also involved in a gang.  Sent back to the U.S. by his parents, Bruce went to school and college and began teaching his style of martial arts.  He went on to become famous for his movie, Enter the Dragon.  The book concludes:

And by having faith in himself and never giving up, little Bruce became a hero for everyone, and the person he always dreamed he would be.

What a perfect message that is.

Of note are the illustrations in this book.  They have a cartoon like quality and fit the text perfectly.

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