Category: Uncategorized

Some relaxing reads here.  I’ve reviewed the Donna Leon, read The Sweetshop of Dreams and the Dorothy Sayers and have read some of the books by Fiona Barton.  Let me know what you think!

Miss Benson’s Beetle is by the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a book that I very much enjoyed.  So, I was excited to receive this e galley from the publisher.  The book does not disappoint.

As has been true in her other novels, Rachel Joyce is a mistress of creating quirky characters for whom readers will care.  The beginning of the novel introduces Miss Benson.  What teacher will not identify with her ‘losing it,’ even if they might not take the actions that she does?

From this unlikely beginning Miss Benson goes on the quest of her lifetime, to the New Caledonia, in search of a rare golden beetle.  Readers learn what led to this obsession and of the tragedies in Miss Benson’s past.  Accompanying Miss Benson is the irrepressible Enid Pretty who has her own back story.  There is also another less savory and wounded character whom Miss Benson did not hire when she met him.

This is a story about doing what one dreams of in life.  It is about embarking on a journey without knowing how it will end.  Isn’t this a universal of going on journeys and taking risks?  Readers will become attached to the story and character and will immerse themselves in Miss Benson’s world.

This is a novel that has both humor and heart.  I highly recommend it.

Pub date:  November 24, 2020

#MissBensonsBeetle #NetGalley

The cover of this book evokes its mood; sleep should be a good and relaxing part of each day. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. This book tries to help by addressing the issue of sleep from many perspectives, starting by explaining concepts such as the stages of sleep.

This gorgeously illustrated title (with lovely quotations) includes chapters on everything from your bedroom, to getting ready for bed, to falling asleep and, even waking up, plus even more. This is an excellent and broadly based resource that hopefully will help readers to finds those zzzzzzs.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheCalmandCozyBookofSleep #NetGalley

This title features scientists.  They range from the well-known including Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, Mari Curie and Stephen Hawking, among others, to scientists who were knew to me, for example, Mary Anning and Geerat Vermeij.  There are sixteen biographies in all.

This book has very appealing illustrations and does a good job of telling each scientist’s story.  It deserves a place on children’s bookshelves and, hopefully, will inspire them.  It did me!

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

The setting for this novel is Atlantic City in the 1930s. The story is one about the wish to protect those we love and the ways that we may go about doing it. The novel will definitely reach your emotions.
There are two sisters at the heart of the story, one with a tragedy and one very unsettled. Their mother makes a decision with potentially vast repercussions. In addition, there is a thread about an emigree who has escaped from Germany.
This novel is based on a true story, one that impacted the author’s family. It is definitely worth your attention.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#FlorenceAdlerSwimsForever #NetGalley

A bit of everything here and some good choices.  Enjoy!

This book begins with a biography of the author. He is quite impressive, highly educated and very dedicated. He has made it from Oxbridge to the life of a monk in Scotland. He once was on a meditation retreat of four years duration. For so many reasons Gelong Thubten seems most qualified to be an engaging companion in learning more about happiness.
This book offers a text that raises many things to think (and meditate) upon. There are chapters on What is Happiness?; Stress in the 21st Century; Meditation and Mindfulness; Getting Started; Forgiveness; and more.
The author of this book feels very genuine as he talks about his own experiences and offers thoughts and insights. Take some time to read this one. It may help you and those with whom you interact to indeed understand and find more happiness.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This sampler includes a number  of excerpts from books by first time authors.  Included are

he Push: A Novel by Ashley Audrain

No Heaven for Good Boys: A Novel by Keisha Bush

Bestiary: A Novel by K-Ming Chang

The Mermaid from Jeju: A Novel by Sumi Hahn

Nights When Nothing Happened: A Novel by Simon Han

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

Night in Tehran by Philip Kaplan

Fifty Words for Rain: A Novel by Asha Lemmie

Fortune Favors the Dead: A Novel by Stephen Spotswood

Spend some time with this title and decide which books belong in your TBR pile.  There is a nice range of choices here.  Enjoy seeing the covers and read about these debuts.

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

 

 

I always find that spending time with Melanie Travis, her pets, friends and family to be relaxing.  I think that Laurien Berenson has a good sense of what cozy readers are looking for.  She has likeable characters, decent plots and…the dogs!

In this entry in the long running series, the story takes place around Halloween.   Melanie’s school colleague is accused of murder after an elderly man dies after eating sweets that she made.  Readers can be certain that the case will be solved.

This 26th entry in the series is a fun seasonal mystery that can be read both by long time fans or new readers.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

pub date:  August 25, 2020

Lots of good choices here with many mysteries.  I reviewed the Ellery Adams book which I enjoyed.  There are two others in that series.  I just bought Love Letters from Montmartre.  Hope you see something here.