Category: Uncategorized

Some variety here…The Crown should be fun to look at while we await the new season.  Driving Miss Norma got good reviews.  It is a story about a road trip that someone takes when terminally ill but is meant to be not too depressing.  I am curious about Resistance Women which is based on WWII events.  It is in my TBR pile.  Then, I have included the anthology because it seemed interesting.  Enjoy.

Pair this with my review of The Dutch House in my archive.

https://nyti.ms/209NVcc

Sorry. Link not going to article but to nyt site.

First, the illustrations in this book are so appealing and adorable!  They absolutely enhance the text.  This book is for young children.  It begins by demystifying what a vet does.  This will be helpful for children who need to take their pet to see the vet.  The book then gives two examples of the vet at work.  One case is about a dog and the other a pony.  Both animals recover well of course.

I found this book to be very cute and a nice introduction to the field of veterinary medicine.  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

I always recommend Leon and Sayers but think these other bargains look good too.

Where I live, there has been a lot of rain recently, so this book was a fun reminder of what rain can mean to a child. Camille is bored; her parents are ignoring her and so she decides to amuse herself. When she gets outside and it is raining, Camille discovers the joy in this weather. While on her adventure, she meets some insects and follows them to see something special. When Camille returns home, she encourages her parents to go for a walk with her.

The above is the simple synopsis of the story. In addition, there are lovely illustrations that abound with a love of nature. Save this one for a rainy day read with a child you know.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in return for an honest review.

This book is part of a series on “Stem Superstars” that is written for early elementary school students.  This story of Mae Jemison will inspire young children who are interested in science, medicine and space.

This is a short, simply written book that is full of excellent photos.  Readers will learn about all that Dr. Jemison studiend on her way to becoming an astronaut.  They will see that she has led a very impressive life.

The book is enhanced with “Did You Know” facts.  It also includes suggestions for activities, definitions and a list of additional resources.  This book will be a welcome addition to the library or home shelves of aspiring scientists.

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

#MaeJemison #NetGalley

I was thrilled to receive this novel from NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. I have read every book in this series of very British mysteries that, surprisingly, are written by an American author who lives in Texas. A Bitter Feast is book 18 in this fine series that has deepened over time. If you can, read the books in order for the people, the history and the relationships but, if you can’t, this could be read as a standalone.

Detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones, who married many books ago, are invited to the country with their three children (Backstories on the children appear in earlier books as only one is the shared child of both Gemma and Duncan). They are invited by another police officer, Melody Talbot (again backstory in earlier novels), to her parents beautiful Cotswold home for the weekend. The descriptions of the countryside and the house will make you wish that you could hop a plane, unless you already live in Britain.

Of course, there are murders. There is also lots of food as chefs are important characters in the story. Why was a famous chef murdered? Why was his demise followed by others? And of course, whodunnit? I thought that I knew but I was wrong.

My only regret upon finishing A Bitter Feast was knowing that I now have to again begin the wait for the next book by this author. If you like traditional British mysteries/police procedurals, I highly recommend.

#AbitterFeast #NetGalley

Editorial Reviews

This is another wonderful entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series.  This book tells the story of a young Muslim girl who, when she grew up, became a respected architect.  As an architect, Zaha Hadid had a unique vision which included curvilinear constructions.

Young readers will see how this imaginative child became a capable and formidable architect.  Knowing about her  will encourage girls to not be held back by nationality, religion or wanting to succeed in a male dominated field.  Most definitely an empowering message.

The illustrations are a bit cartoon like but nevertheless appealing.  There is a time line with photos at the end of the book.

Once again, many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this book in exchange for an honest review.  I truly love this broad based series.

#ZahaHadid #NetGalley

When my kids were little we used to read a Sesame Street book that started this way: “Follow the Monsters wherever they go, sometimes they’re fast, sometimes their slow…” This toddler book reminds me that kids are interested in monsters (Cookie and otherwise) from a young age. If you know a little monster who is interested in monsters, get them this book.

The author retells the stories of many monsters in a way that felt like hearing a story or fairy tale. Some of the many featured monsters are Apep (from Ancient Egypt), Beatrice Rappaccini (Hawthorne), Dorian Gray (Wilde), Frankenstein (Shelley), and The Weird Sisters (Shakespeare). Each entry includes additional facts including the category of monster, Base of Operations, Timing, Powers, Deeds, Fear Factor, Weakness, etc. There are additional sections that enlarge upon each monster’s tale; for example, in the Dracula section, one can read Dear Dracula and The Grisly Tale of Elizabeth Siddal.

This book is a wonderful compilation of monsters, their stories and more. It will be welcomed by those who like the weird and wonderful.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this (scary…not really but good) read. All opinions are my own.
#TheBigBookOfMonsters #NetGalley

A hodgepodge here…mystery, women’s fiction, non-fiction.  Take your pick!