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

Two long standing series have new entries out this month.  The Punishment She Deserves will be released on March 20th and To Die But Once the following week.  To speak of the second first…the Maisie Dobbs series is a wonderful read for those who like historical mysteries where the characters you come to love continue to grow and develop.  Maisie was born to the servant class but, as you will learn, she attends university and becomes a nurse during WWI and later an enquiry agent.  Her teacher Maurice Blanche was unique and imparted a world view to his mentee.  The series is now up to WW II.  I most definitely will read this latest entry.  I can’t wait and maybe you can’t too.

I have read every book in the Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley series.  The early ones were truly unputdownable.  Some of my favorites were Payment in Blood, For the Sake of Elena, In the Presence of the Enemy and most especially With No One as Witness.  However, you would not want to read WNOaW out of order because of what happens in that novel.  However, I then felt that Elizabeth George’s books were no longer quite so good.  As regards the new novel,  I requested it from NetGalley but have not yet been approved.  However, the NetG reviewers have all been giving it five stars so I think I will read this very lengthy book (at over 600 pages) when it is released and will purchase it if not approved.  Let me know what you think if you read this one or Maisie Dobbs.

We are getting closer to spring but, while you are waiting, enjoy this Mutts book.  Cartoonist Patric McDonnell’s critters have a sweet take on life and can also be very amusing.  Technically this is a children’s book but why should children have ALL the fun?

I adored this book.  It has everything that an Anglophile could possibly want.  There are churches, books and searches.  There is romance between a Brit and an American.  There are mysteries and family connections. There are even arguments about print versus digital.   On your first cold night in this fall, imagine you are by the fire and enjoy this read!

This year, I am trying to read more broadly.  I will always adore mysteries and fiction but also want to expand and keep learning and challenging myself.  I have read part of this biography so the full review will follow later.  I recommend it already though.  Suzanne Valadon had such an interesting, often difficult life.  So far, I have learned a great deal about the hardships that her mother faced, French history and customs; and Suzanne’s early years.  She will be a well-known model, painter and mother of a painter by the time I finish this book.  So many of us have admired Renoir paintings; there was just a marvelous exhibit at the Phillips in DC.  This is a chance to learn more about what transpired behind the scenes.  More to come but but this on your TBR pile.  It comes out in February.

#Renoir’sDancer #NetGalley

This week in my class on Adultery in 19th Century Literature, we had our first discussion of Gustave Flaubert’s great novel of realism.  I had read this novel when in my twenties and was curious to see what I would think in rereading it now.  I will share some of my reactions next time.

Emma Bovary, a farmer’s daughter, has built her life on dreams of being the heroine of her own romantic story.  Marriage to Charles, a country doctor, and life in a provincial town leave her stultified and looking for a great passion.  Emma flirts first with Leon and later with Rodolphe as her marriage bores her and does not meet her needs.  Sadly, however, Emma is naive and susceptible. She dreams and spends money that she does not have as she tries to deal with what she sees as life’s disappointments.  Next week, I will learn more about the book and her fate.

Questions to think about in reading the novel…what was it like to be a woman in a time when there were few choices?  Was Emma a good mother?  Why can she and Charles not understand one another? Does Charles, who loves Emma, have any clue to her inner life?  What does it mean that there are different standards for men and women?

If you have never read Madame Bovary, I recommend it.  If you have, please share your thoughts about this novel.

The latest entry in the delightful Hooray for series is Hooray for Grandpa. This one is so charming  with illustrations that are very appealing and engaging. The story of a child and their grandfather that shows the value of feeling/being listened to. There is humor as well since Grandpa has selective hearing when it comes to Grandma. There are activities at the end of the story that encourage a child to think about his/her family. Highly recommended and fun!

Madam Writer, someone I follow here on WordPress, commented on the number of historical mystery series there are.  It may be difficult to know which authors to try in these long running series.  I wanted to note a few of my favorites for anyone who is interested…The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, The Bess Crawford series by Charles Todd and also his Ian Rutledge novels, Susan Elia Macneal ‘s Maggie Hope series and, of course, Anne Perry’s Thomas Pitt series and her William Monk series.  These are all authors whose books I almost automatically buy or request from the library.  Those of you who have read them, what do you think?  Anyone who tries them, please give me your feedback.

Mindful Me is a book that should be in every preteen to young adult’s library. Kids in that wide age range often do not share their deepest feelings with their parents yet many times they experience intense stress. This wonderful book teaches mindfulness in a way that is easy and sensible. The authors also encourage kids letting a “helpful adult” know what is going on when things are not going well. Full of helpful exercises and advice, this book is highly recommended…and may I add that it would be an excellent resource for adults as well! One quibble…why only girls on the cover??

 

 Frances Brody’s Kate Shackelton series is going strong. I first got her mystery novels directly from England although they are now published in the U.S.  Kate, a widow, has a supportive cast around her and occasionally a few hints of romance. In this latest entry, Kate goes to Giggleswick School, a real place, to view an eclipse. The trip is made at the behest of a musical star. Selina Fellini. Selina is concerned by a number of deaths within the company. The mystery is well set up, there are a variety of suspects and the reader is in an Agatha Christie like novel. If you enjoy historical, cozy mysteries, I think that you will like this book.

#DeathInTheStars #NetGalley

  Chloe, the young girl, in this lovely picture book, is oblivious to the charms of her garden when the story begins. She, the reader, and the child you will read to, all learn more about nature and the seasons in this book which encourages observation and a love for nature. There are additional facts at the back of the book that expand on some of the topics covered in the story. The illustrations and text are both appealing and the reader gets the sense of why gardens are truly magical.

#TheMagicGarden #NetGalley”