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

From the publisher:

#TheUltimateCartoonBookOfBookCartoons #NetGalley

This visually appealing book consists of a series of two page spreads. Each features modes of transportation. For example, there are two pages that illustrate and talk about hot air balloons. There is another two page spread that is about travel by camel and yet another that features fire engines, police cars and ambulances. I found Around the World in 80 Ways to be a fun, engaging and well illustrated book. I learned a lot about ways of getting around! If you know a child who is interested in how we move, they will most likely enjoy leafing through this book.

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

#AroundTheWorldIn80ways #NetGalley

Dual narratives currently appear to be popular in historical fiction. The recent novel, The Gown, uses this structure. These books offer the perspective of the present while exploring an earlier time and demonstrating that, whatever the period, characters look for meaning, relationships and safety. In this enjoyable novel by Julia Kelly, the reader gets to know Cara in the present and Louise during WWII. The device that links them is the diary that Cara, an antiques expert, finds when she is evaluating the objects in the home of a character with a link to Louise.

When the novel opens, Louise is living with her parents and is a dutiful daughter who dreams of one day moving to California with its sunshine and greater educational opportunities. However, her present is WWII Cornwall where she meets and falls for Paul. The evolution of their relationship is a key part of the novel.

The war provides Louise with the opportunity to enlist and leave her small community. She becomes an “ack-ack girl.” According to the website The Female Soldier, ack-ack girls “were members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) that helped operate Anti-Aircraft Guns in the defense of Britain from German bombing raids during World War 2.” Louise becomes an integral member of an integrated male/female unit. She writes extensively to Paul while in the service. Will they have a happily ever after? You will need to read the novel to find out.

Cara, following a recent divorce, is giving most of her attention to her job until she meets a neighbor. Their relationship evolves. Will they have their happy ever after?

Throughout the book, Cara discovers Louise through her diaries, just as the reader does. These entries form an integral part of the narrative.

There are other stories as well, especially that of Cara’s grandmother who does not want to talk about her wartime life and who appears to be harboring a secret. Cara wants to know all that she can while her grandmother is alive to tell her. Will she find out?

Each of these narrative threads is handled well by the author and I very much enjoyed reading this novel. I experienced more of what it was like to live in London during wartime and connected with the characters and their stories. My only caveat would be that some of the physical romance feels a bit formulaic while it is the relationships that are more interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I recommend Light Over London to those who enjoy historical novels set during the second world war.

Other reviews:

“Kelly weaves an intricate, tender, and convincing tale of war and romance with skill and suspense.” (–Publishers Weekly)

“Kelly deftly balances intrigue with mystery and historical detail in her latest novel… A charming imagining of the historical gunner girls.” (–Kirkus Reviews)

“Kelly has crafted two convincing, conflicted heroines in Cara and Louise, and the resolution of Louise’s romance is satisfyingly empowering. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach (2017) and other tales of the vital roles played by women in wartime.” (–Booklist)

I read this author’s first novel, The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.  In that novel, he traveled to see Queenie Hennessy.  In this novel, the reader learns more about her.

Praise for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

“In the end, this lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity. . . . [Queenie’s] love song is for us. Thank you, Rachel Joyce.”—The Washington Post

“Destined to change your world. One can’t help but see life, and the end of it, differently after experiencing this novel. Full of wisdom and heart, it will overwhelm its readers with a deep sensitivity.”—Bookreporter

“[A] beguiling follow-up . . . In telling Queenie’s side of the story, Joyce accomplishes the rare feat of endowing her continuing narrative with as much pathos and warmth, wisdom and poignancy as her debut. Harold was beloved by millions; Queenie will be, too.”—Booklist (starred review)

This one is in my TBR pile.  It is a thriller.

One of The Washington Post‘s 10 Best Thrillers and Mysteries of the Year
One of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of the Year
One of Real Simple‘s Best Books of the Year

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.

#GiraffeAsksForHelp #NetGalley

When I was a Junior in high school, I asked my mother what her favorite book was.  She told me that it was The Forsyte Saga.  I read the book at that point to feel a connection with her and enjoyed it.  I have read the whole saga again several times and still love these novels.

The books may seem slow to you and a bit old fashioned as you start but I highly recommend giving them a chance.  The characters come to life, the relationships are well described and a period of English life is well portrayed.  Among the memorable characters is Soames who wishes to not just marry, but to possess, Irene.  There is Bossiney the architect who has relationships with several characters after he is hired by Soames. There are Jolyons old and young and scores of members of the clan.  You will get to know them well. Characters are nuanced, even those whom you may not like, you will come to understand.

The books have been made into TV series twice.  In one there were 26 episodes, I think.  More recently, in fewer episodes, the series starred Damian Lewis as Soames.  This version is on Amazon Prime.  However, try reading before watching…please.

Review

About the Author

TThis is available at bn.com and amazon.com.  It is a fantastic compilation of forthcoming titles.  There are also excerpts from a number of upcoming releases.  I always love Buzz Books because there is such a wealth of information that is well organized and easily accessible.

The novel moves back and forth in time allowing the reader to understand Jennie’s upbringing in the Gilded Age and her father’s influence on her life. The reader also learns about the traumas of Jennie’s early life, including the profound loss she faced, her father’s affairs, her move to Europe, etc.

Jennie glitters in British society. There are numerous appearances in the book of Bertie, the Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Alix. Other American women who married into the British aristocracy are also characters in the novel.

The reader empathizes with Jennie, especially during a time when a young Winston is quite ill. Further, as Jennie learns the truth about her husband, (I don’t want to include spoilers), one truly feels for her.

I highly recommend this novel for those who like historical fiction, those who are Anglophiles and those interested in the family in which Winston grew up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this absorbing read.

This is another entry in the series published by the American Psychological Association. Thanks to them and to NetGalley for the e-galley of this book which was given to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

The illustrations in this book are appealing and much of the text is rhyming. Bea is expressive throughout. Bea starts out as a pretty happy kid. However as Bea starts to think about her birthday party, she begins to worry about all that could go wrong. She perseverates in her thinking and her worries grow and grow, as shown in the illustrations of the willow branches with leaves. Plenty of space is given to Bea’s concerns. Her mother tries to help and Bea also helps herself through mindful breathing, a good technique and one that is empowering.

I think that this book could be helpful to children who experience excessive anxiety. I also feel that it would be important to talk with whoever is reading this book, as they may feel more worried as they see all of the things that Bea worries about. This story serves as a reminder that children’s anxieties should be respected and addressed, not jollied away. It is another helpful entry in a helpful series.

#MindfulBeaAndTheWorryTree #NetGalley

I wish that all beginning readers were this entertaining! With a simple vocabulary, funny and fun illustrations and some good rhymes, this is a great choice for a new reader.

Kids will feel successful about their reading skills and will also see that reading can be fun as they go through the story. For the adults, there are helpful suggestions at the back of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another good title in the Reading Stars series.

#MonstersMove #NetGalley