Today’s e-book bargains

The Gap of Time: William Shakespeare' The Winter's Tale Retold: A Novel (Hogarth Shakespeare)This is a modern re-telling of Shakespeare”s The Winter’s Tale.  I want to read it!

“A shining delight of a novel” (The New York Times Book Review): A Whitbread Prize–winning author reinvents Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale in this twisting story of time, loss, and redemption in 21st-century England and America. “Smart and witty… Compelling, entertaining, and elegant” (The Guardian).

Publisher Description

The Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare’s “late plays.” It tells the story of a king whose jealousy results in the banishment of his baby daughter and the death of his beautiful wife. His daughter is found and brought up by a shepherd on the Bohemian coast, but through a series of extraordinary events, father and daughter, and eventually mother too, are reunited.

In The Gap of Time, Jeanette Winterson’s cover version of The Winter’s Tale, we move from London, a city reeling after the 2008 financial crisis, to a storm-ravaged American city called New Bohemia. Her story is one of childhood friendship, money, status, technology and the elliptical nature of time. Written with energy and wit, this is a story of the consuming power of jealousy on the one hand, and redemption and the enduring love of a lost child on the other.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax Series Book 1) by [Gilman, Dorothy]Mrs. Pollifax is a woman of retirement age who becomes an amateur spy.  I read the series

Publisher Description

“Should delight you whether you’re looking for smiles or thrills.”—The New York Times Book Review

Mrs. Virgil (Emily) Pollifax of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was a widow with grown, married children. She was tired of attending her Garden Club meetings. She wanted to do something good for her country. So, naturally, she became a CIA agent.

She takes on a “job” in Mexico City. The assignment doesn’t sound dangerous at first, but then, as often happens, something goes wrong. Now our dear Mrs. Pollifax finds herself embroiled in quite a hot Cold War—and her country’s enemies find themselves entangled with one unbelievably feisty lady.

“Mrs. Pollifax gives Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple a rival to reckon with.”—Toronto Star

Cozy MysteriesCrime Fiction and MysteriesFictionMysteriesWomen Sleuths
Book data provided by author, publisher, or Bowker data services.

years ago. They are light, undemanding and fun.

l

A Kid’s Book on Inclusiveness: Diversity is Key

This brightly illustrated book will be a useful addition to classroom and library shelves.  In this story, it is diversity week at school. Students from Japan, Mexico and Hawaii share some of their traditions and the children learn from one another.  Suggestions for responding to new experiences will encourage politeness among those who are being exposed to something for the first time.  Diversity is presented as a positive value in which all have something to contribute.  The book also includes suggestions for the adults in students’ lives.

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

#DiversityIsKey #NetGalley

For young sports fans: My Favorite Sport-Tennis

This book serves (no pun intended) as an introduction to the game of tennis. The basic elements of play are described, terms are defined and there are short quizzes for the reader. The photographs contribute to the book’s appeal by showing kids in action. Youngsters interested in the game may want to take a look at this.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

#MyFavoriteSportTennis #NetGalley

Emotional education: Feelings Forecasters

This book invites children to be meteorologists in their own emotional climates.  The analogy between weather conditions and feelings provides the context for the activities and reflections in the well illustrated text.  This is a book that will help children to safely explore their feelings and will then provide them with echniques that will help them to manage in daily life.

In my opinion, this book is a book for children to explore with a trusted adult.  In order for them  to complete the challenges, children clearly would need to feel safe. Thus, Feelings Forecasters deserves a place in schools that focus on the “whole child,” as all schools should.  It could also be a good resource for children who are in the foster care system who could explore the activities with peers and a trusted counselor.

Feelings Forecasters is a rather sophisticated book.  Adults may initially need to help children to buy into its agenda.  If they can become invested, children will have the opportunity to better understand themselves and to manage in a complex environment.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this informative and emotionally resourceful read.  The opinions are my own.

#FeelingsForecasters #NetGalley

An appetizing early reader: Cody Eats Everything

#CodyEatsEverything #NetGalley

This is part of a series of early readers. The text is very simple, yet appealing in its easy repetition. The illustrations are amusing and bright.

Young readers will be entertained by learning about the things that Cody is happy to eat and will enjoy the success of reading on their own. Adults will appreciate the short section on using this book with a child. All in all a fun read for everyone.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

A sweet read: In Blossom

This is a truly lovely book.  It is winningly illustrated in black and white which makes it feel calm, un-rushed and peaceful.  The language is simple yet engaging; for example: “It was a sun twinkling day.”

The story line is basic.  A cat goes out to have a picnic lunch while a dog comes outside to read.  They peaceably co-exist until the end of the story when they begin to interact.

So many children’s books are lively, bright and colorful.  This one shows that there is room for books that are quiet as well.  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this highly appealing book.  The opinions are my own.

 

#InBlossom #NetGalley

“This is the perfect spot for a picnic,” thought Cat. In blossomThe petal landed on Dog’s nose. It tickled. He sniffed. In BlossomAs the sun twinkled, the breeze blew, and Spring blossomed, something sweet was in the air.

An American Influencer: Susan B. Anthony by Kanefield

Susan B Anthony is someone who often comes to mind when considering iconic American women. Her influence has become widespread over time.

Susan Anthony is the only woman featured in a series of four books on prominent Americans written by this author. This places her in company with Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. In my opinion, she can hold her own.

The reader learns about the early influences on Susan Anthony who was an observer of all around her. As she grew up, Susan saw that the rights of women were not valued or protected. Over the course of her life, she fought for change for women as detailed in this biography.

This is an excellent entry in a series that should appeal to middle grade students. Adults who read this book will also feel better informed. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fine read.

#MakingOfAmericaSeries #NetGalley

“?A fine biography, both enlightening and entertaining, on a critical topic.”

(Kirkus Reviews)
“An excellent introduction to a woman that should be remembered for her tireless work to get women the right to vote and live as they chose.”

(School Library Connection)

“Susan B. Anthony, who fought tirelessly for women to have the right to vote, is profiled in this very readable entry in the Making of America series.”

(Booklist)

Who can you believe or trust? The Suspect by Fiona Barton

The SuspectI recently posted a NYT Book Review’s review of this title.  In many ways, I agreed with it.

I had read The Child, this author’s second novel. and very much enjoyed it.  See my review of that one below.  I began this book with high expectations that were not quite realized.  Nonetheless, I found that I was constantly turning the pages of the short chapters until I got to the end.

The central story is about Rosie and Alex who travel to Thailand for their gap year.  The two are very different with Alex having a stronger moral compass.  Rosie wants to party while Alex wants to see and experience the country.  What happens to them and why forms the central mystery/suspense of the book. No spoilers here. Around them, there are other characters in Thailand and Rosie and Alex’s families at home in England.  The reader also spends time with a detective and reporter who were also in this author’s earlier novels.  Their relationships and backstories figure prominently in the narrative.  There is an overlap in that Kate is reporting but her son is also traveling in Thailand and a part of the story’s events.

This novel deals with tragedy and the impact of a difficult upbringing. I won’t say about whom or whose so as not to spoil the suspense.  Yet, despite this, I found that I did not care about the characters or story as much as I had hoped to.

I give this one a solid three stars.  If you read it, I would love to know what you think.

 

Praise for The Suspect

“A nail-biting tale of missing teens and the parents who worry for them. Fiona Barton’s first two novels, The Widow and The Child, were international bestsellers.…The Suspect deserves equal success. It’s…expertly written….Barton’s characterizations are exceptional.”—The Washington Post

“In The Suspect, Fiona Barton mixes universal truths with a thrilling tale.”—USA Today (3½ out of 4 stars)

I have not read Fiona Barton’s first book, “The Widow,” although I probably will now. Her sophomore effort, “The Child,” is intriguing and suspenseful Who is the baby found on the building site? How are the characters and their stories connected? What does it mean to be a parent? To grieve? To confront and accept one’s past? “The Child” is about all of this while being a page turner. I did guess the answer to the central mystery but this did not in any way lessen my enjoyment of this novel. I feel confident that Fiona Barton’s next book will be, “third time the charm.” Recommended for suspense fans.  Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.

An e-book bargain for today

This one is for fans of Jane Austen.  It is told from the point of view, of the servants in the Bennett household.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The servants of the Bennett estate manage their own set of dramas in this vivid re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice. While the marriage prospects of the Bennett girls preoccupy the family upstairs, downstairs the housekeeper Mrs. Hill has her hands full managing the staff that keeps Longbourn running smoothly: the young housemaids, Sarah and Polly; the butler, Mr. Hill; and the mysterious new footman, James Smith, who bears a secret connection to Longbourn. At the heart of the novel is a budding romance between James and orphan-turned-housemaid Sarah, whose dutiful service belies a ferocious need for notice, an insistence that she fully be taken into account. When an expected turn of events separates the young lovers, Sarah must contend with James&’s complicated past and the never-ending demands of the Bennetts. Baker (The Mermaid&’s Child) offers deeper insight into Austen&’s minor characters, painting Mr. Collins in a more sympathetic light while making the fiendish Mr. Wickham even more sinister. The Militia, which only offered opportunities for flirtations in the original, here serves as a reminder of the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars. Baker takes many surprising risks in developing the relationships between the servants and the Bennetts, but the end result steers clear of gimmick and flourishes as a respectful and moving retelling. A must-read for fans of Austen, this literary tribute also stands on its own as a captivating love story. First printing of 150,000. Agent: Clare Alexander, Aitken Alexander Associates. (Oct.)

Longbourn