Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

#OprahWinfrey #NetGalley

This is an inspiring biography for kids. It features many quotes and wonderful illustrations that appear to be made, in part, from cut paper.

In our celebrity obsessed culture, it is easy to think that someone who is successful has always been successful or has had a life without struggle. This gives a false sense about how to succeed and about important values.

Now, many know Oprah for the wide platform that she has…from TV, her book club, her school in Africa, etc. But she was once a little girl who felt alone as she moved among her grandmother, mother and father. How did she come to believe in herself? What lead to her success and what lessons can be learned from it? Read the book to find out more.

In my opinion, this is a great biography for kids. They will learn a lot about Oprah and may also begin to develop their own dreams. Told simply and factually and not avoiding issues like racism, this is a well researched biography.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this excellent read. I learned things that I had not known. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:
Description

This exuberant collection of cartoons is an enthusiastic love letter to books and bookstores. The cartoons celebrate and critique the literary world through the work of thirty-three of the masters of cartoon art, including Sam Gross, Roz Chast, Arnie Levin, Danny Shanahan, Peter Steiner, Mick Stevens, Nick Downes, Liza Donnelly, Bob Mankoff, and Michael Maslin. Many of the cartoons have been published in the New Yorker, while others are published here for the first time.

I agree with the description above. I think that those of us who enjoy all things book and publishing related will enjoy the humor in this collection. I know that I did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for helping me to smile! The opinions are my own.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for re-issuing this delightful title by Jenny Colgan.  It was the first of her books that I read and I have been reading her stories ever since.  The author has a knack for developing relatable characters and warmhearted story lines.

In this one Issy Randall takes a risk and starts her own business.  The Cupcake Cafe is an appealing place in a lovely town.  You will feel that you can taste Issy’s food as you read the novel.  This is also a love story and a story about friendship.

For readers who want to read a book for sheer enjoyment this one is highly recommended.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to revisit Issy and co.

Note that there is another novel about Issy:

What reviewers are saying about Meet Me At The Cupcake Café:
“A hilarious, fast-paced fantasy about starting over, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. Absolutely adorable.”—Booklist
“A funny novel about friendship, food and love… “—Kirkus
“A delightful story… warm, funny and well-written.”—Fresh Fiction
“Absolutely adorable… charming… an endearing, delightful read”—Silver’s Reviews

From Booklist

#AnnesFeelings #NetGalley

This is an adorable book featuring the irrepressible Anne Shirley in delightful embroidered illustrations.  Each feeling relates back to something in the novels.  Young children can learn to identify how feelings are expressed when looking through this book.  Another welcome addition to what I hope will be a long series of Anne books.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this delightful book.  All opinions are my own.

#AnnesAlphabet #NetGalley

This is a lovely alphabet book in which each letter is represented by something from Anne of Green Gables. The illustrations are particularly charming.  While this title may appeal to toddlers, I think that its greatest impact will be with adults who have happy memories of reading the Anne books.  Still, this is an opportunity to interest your child from Anne at a young age.  Go for it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this nostalgic ABC.  All opinions are my own.

Gary Giraffe is turning six and thinks that he will now be able to reach the sweetest leaves on the Acacia tree. What happens when he can’t? How does he feel?

This is another in the series from the American Psychological Association. It is written to de-stigmatize asking for help. There is a good lesson here for kids: it is okay to ask and others will help.

As always in the series, there are helpful suggestions for adults at the back of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another helpful entry. I wish that these books had been around when my children were little.

Do you know a young baker or would you enjoy introducing a child to baking? If yes, this book is an excellent resource. The book begins with a helpful chapter on baking basics and then goes on to have many recipes. There are cookies, bars and bite size treats; muffins and quick breads;cakes, cupcakes and frosting; pies and tarts and savory and salty breads and snacks. A few examples that appealed to me included peaches and cream pie,apple cider-doughnut cake, pumpkins spice muffins and lemon bars.

The directions are easy to follow. Each starts with a list of the tools and equipment that are needed. It is important to look at these because you may not have everything in your house if you are not a baker yourself. For example, a pastry blender or a sifter or parchment paper or a stand mixer. The recipe then has the steps for the recipe spelled out. There are also sections on tips and/or things to ask an adult.

In my opinion, this book could be used successfully by older children, children with their parents or adults themselves who want to learn to bake.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this sweet read. The opinions are my own.

Do you know a young baker or would you enjoy introducing a child to baking?  If yes, this book is an excellent resource.  The boog begins with a helpful chapter on baking basics and then goes on to have many recipes.  There are cookies, bars and bite size treats; muffins and quick breads;cakes, cupcakes and frosting; pies and tarts and savory and salty breads and snacks.  A few examples that appealed to me included peaches and cream pie,apple cider-doughnut cake, pumpkins pice muffins and lemon bars.

The directions are easy to follow.  Each starts with a list of the tools and equipment that are needed.  It is important to look at these because you may not have everything in your house if you are not a baker yourself.  For example, a pastry blender or a sifter or parchment paper or a stand mixer.  The recipe then has the steps spelled out. There are also sections on tips and/or things to ask an adult.

In my opinion, this book could be used successfully by older children, children with their parents or adults themselves who want to learn to bake.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this sweet read.  The opinions are my own.

Sample Recipe: Pink Lemonade Layer Cake

Serves 12 / Prep time: 10 minutes / Bake time: 25 minutes

The only question about this pink and yellow cake is whether it’s more wonderful to eat or look at!

Here’s the Equipment You’ll Need:

• 2 (9-inch) round cake pans
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment or mixing bowl and electric beater
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Mixing bowl
• Wire rack

• Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) salted butter
  • 21/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 teaspoons for dusting the pan
  • 11/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 21/2 teaspoons baking powder, 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, Zest of 2 lemons
  • Pink food coloring, Yellow food coloring
  • 1 batch of Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (page 117)

   

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients.
  3. Add the butter.
  4. Mix the wet ingredients.
  5. Add half the egg mixture at a time.
  6. Add the food coloring.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes ( or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
  8. Let cool.
  9. Make Frosting.
  10. Decorate!

#IoweYouOne #NetGalley

Sophie Kinsella has written many novels but this is the first book of hers that I have read. I give it a solid 3.5 stars. The story is about relationships including those with friends, family and romantic partners.

Main characters include the three Farr siblings; there is self-centered Jake, dreamy and unfocused Nicole and the main protagonist, Fixie, who earned her nickname by, you guessed it, always wanting to fix things. But can she? How much should she fix for others and how much for herself?

Early in the novel, Fixie fixes something big for Seb. She saves his work computer from a flood. He, in return, writes an IOU on a coffee sleeve, vowing that he will do something for her. A big favor is asked for. There is a lot of score keeping as other favors occur. Because of this, over the course of the novel, the author asks the reader to consider how transactional relationships should or should not be. Even if you know the answer, you may enjoy following the story of Seb and Fixie.

A major setting in the book is Fixie’s family business, a housewares store. I am pretty sure that as you read the novel you will wish that you had access to the goods and could shop there.

I enjoyed this novel. I found myself reading more quickly the closer I got to the end. The Farr siblings change and grow over the course of the book and, even though you know how it will end, getting there is entertaining. If you enjoy light fiction, you might want to give this one a try.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read. All opinions are my own.

Praise for I Owe You One

“This book is a shot of pure joy!”—Jenny Colgan, author of The Bookshop on the Corner

“A delightful, irresistible romp.”—Booklist

“[A] fun story about family, loyalty, and taking charge of your own life . . . Kinsella creates a charming story full of quirky characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue. . . . [Her] many fans will devour this warm and hilarious read.”—Kirkus Reviews

“I Owe You One is another impossibly delightful story by Sophie Kinsella, a must-read for her die-hard fans and new readers alike.”—PopSugar, “24 of the Best New Books Coming Out This Winter”

“I love the opportunity to escape with a Sophie Kinsella book, and I Owe You One came just when I needed it. Fixie’s story is one of missed cues, mistakes, and the realization that you can’t fix someone else’s mess until you fix your own—a smart lesson wrapped in a gem of a novel.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things

This is a lovely, elegaic story about the love between a young girl and her grandfather. The illustrations complement the story beautifully.

Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan every summer. The two share a love for the rock garden that the grandfather has created. Each year, Mayumi can do more in the garden. The two enjoy working together and then sitting on a bench to share their bento box.

One summer Mayumi’s grandfather has grown older and can no longer care for his garden. What does Mayumi do for him? How does she create a memory for herself? These two questions are answered in this lovely story about the connection between the grandparent/grandchild generation.

This sweet story will be a good resource for children whose relatives are aging.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy which I have received in exchange for an honest review.

#AdaLovelaceAndTheNumberCrunchingMachineNewFromNorthSouth #NetGalley

This book offers an excellent introduction to the achievements of Ada Lovelace, daughter of a mathematician and a poet.  Her early years, the education that she had (when many girls did not), her interest in Math and work with Babbage are all covered in one easy to read package.  By the way, the illustrations also add to the book as they reflect Ada’s personality.  Get this one for a young reader you know who wants to be a big thinker with big ideas!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read about Ada who worked on what later came to be known as the computer.  All opinions are my own.