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

This book is part of a series for very beginning readers.  The number of words is limited and those words are repeated within the text to offer reinforcement for young learners.  New readers will feel pride in their ability to read and understand this story.  If I Had a Dog is a written with a sense of humor that children will appreciate.  Definitely recommended for the target audience!

Some  great reads that are available today.

A Piece of the World is by the same author who wrote Orphan Train.  That was a favorite read of mine and I will blog on it in the future. This novel is about the artist Andrew Wyeth and his most famous model.  You probably know the painting, Christina’s World and now you can learn more about her.

“The novel evokes the somber grace of [Wyeth’s] paintings … Christina’s yearning, her determination, her will to dream, occupy the emotional center in both the novel and the painting. A Piece of the World is a story for those who want the mysterious made real.” (New York Times Book Review)

The Patron Saint of Liars is an early book by Ann Patchett who wrote one of my all time favorite novels, Bel Canto.  TPSOL is about a young woman who becomes pregnant, is unmarried and is sent to a maternity home.  The story takes place well before there were many reproductive choices.  Find out what happens to the protagonist, her child and how they live their lives.  I am also re-posting my comments on Bel Canto below.

Have you ever been asked to name your favorite fiction title?  Have you ever tried to answer this question just for yourself?  When I am in this situation, I always think about Bel Canto.  I delayed reading this novel for ages.  Who needs to read a novel about a hostage situation I would ask myself.  Life is tough enough.  Wow!  Was I wrong.  This is an amazing book.  Never have I cared about characters so much and been so sad to know that there could not be a happy ending for them all.  The set up is a hostage takeover at an opera performance for a private party and the aftermath of this event.  All of the characters are nuanced and I cared for each and every one of them.  If you have not read this, do so, do so, do so!

The Bookshop on the Corner is an easy, enjoyable read for those who like romance and women’s fiction.  Besides…a book about the love of books is always fun, right?

I have not read The House at Tyneford but have had it for awhile.  Maybe, now that I have been reminded, I will read it.  The story begins at the outset of WWII and is a family saga.  Has anyone out there read it?  If yes, let me know what you thought.

HAPPY READING!

Do you enjoy mysteries? Short stories? Female detectives? If yes, this book deserves a place on your bookshelf. It is filled with stories from different eras and covers 150 years of writing, beginning with the Victorians. My favorites sections are the Golden Age, Mid Century, the Modern Era and Bad Girls. Many, many of my favorite authors are to be found in this collection. At over 1000 pages, this will be a book to dip in and out of over time. Highly recommended!

A heads up…the movie will be released on Netflix on August 10th. I previously blogged on this moving story that is set during WWII. Lily James (of Downton Abby) stars.

Among the many are these that I have read.  Happy exploring!

This is a highly appealing entry in a highly appealing series. The illustrations were so f

This is a highly appealing entry in a highly appealing series. The illustrations are so engaging and adorable. The book is about Agnes. who grew up in Macedonia and, when young, learned about missionary work in India. The work spoke to her, leading Agnes to travel to Ireland where she became a nun. Agnes soon moved to India where she dedicated her life to educating children and taking care of the poor. Agnes, who grew up to be Mother Teresa, led a truly exceptional life. Let your little one be inspired by this amazing, modest and saintly woman.  This charmingly told read aloud for children includes photos and additional biographical information along with a short reading list.

#MotherTeresa #NetGalley  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This is an honest introduction to the stories of forty Greek gods and goddesses. All the gory details including husbands and wives who are brothers and sisters (or fathers and daughters) and brief accounts of the violent acts that the gods committed are there but all is simply told. Each god or goddess has a couple of pages in the book, complete with illustrations, interesting facts, genealogy, symbols and accomplishments, etc. This reads more like a beginning reference book than a story-like retelling of the myths. It is a good reference for those who want to learn about the early Greeks’ stories and world views.

Another issue of an excellent resource. Find out what you can look forward to reading in September. Among the titles noted are Jude Devereaux’s first mystery novel along with The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock which has garnered excellent reviews in England. Debut novels, fiction, non-fiction are all included with the names of forthcoming titles. Pick your fall reading by starting here. Thanks BookBuzz!

Me Before You was truly a breakout book for Jojo Moyes.  It was not her first book.  Other novels that she has written include Ship of Brides, Windfallen, and Last Letter to My Lover (which I liked very much), among others.  The sequel to Me Before You was Me After You.  Honestly, I found that one to not be nearly as good.  Then came Still Me.  Still Me was an excellent read.  In this one, Louisa finds her footing after some ups and downs.  She has moved to Manhattan where she becomes the assistant to a wealthy second wife.  It would be easy to caricature Mrs. Gopnick but Ms. Moyes does not do this; the reader feels empathy for her, along with the elderly woman whose dog’s name is Dean Martin and the building’s doorman and his family.  There are two romances for Louisa, one with Sam (from Book Two) and one with Josh.  Read the book to find out who the better man is.  Louisa’s family also figures in the novel; her sister finds a happier life and her parents move forward as well.  This book feels like it will be the last one about Louisa.  She has been given a very good send off!

All of the books in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series are about well-known women, starting when they were girls and watching as they grow up. Each entry can inspire young readers. This story about Jane Austen is no exception. As always, the illustrations are charming and engaging. Jane is described within her family and credit is given to her father for believing that girls should be educated.Jane grows up loving to read and to make up plays. A romance that she experienced is explored and, of course, Jane grows up to be a writer who gives her heroines agency and the chance to make some of their own decisions. This book is another welcome addition in a good series! Thank you NetGalley and Quarto!