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

#ErikTheLoneWolf #NetGalley  Erik is a wolf cub who feels that his pack is limiting him. He wants to have his own, individual adventures without outside constraints…and so, he takes off to experience just that. Through a simple illustrated story, reader and child being read to, can see what happens next and what Erik chooses and needs. In a way, this is a small, child’s version of Brene Brown’s Braving the Wilderness, a book that I previously reviewed.

Fans of Andrea Camilleri and Donna Leon may well enjoy this mystery featuring a woman of a “certain age” who moves to Sicily. Enjoy the setting, the views and watch what happens to Auntie Poldi as she gets involved in solving a mystery. The book is narrated by Poldi’s nephew who is an aspiring author. Each chapter begins with an italicized summary.
This book was not compelling but was a fine read.

Love happens in all places, at all times and, hopefully, for all people. Each person’s story includes joy, heartache and changes over time.
Amy Bloom’s novel is both universal and specific regarding relationships, as she writes about Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, largely from Lorena’s point of view. Their coming together and moving apart is richly imagined as is the era in U.S. history. With appearances by FDR, Missy LeHand and others, historical personages are shown with both their strengths and flaws. This novel evoked many feelings. Definitely a book worth reading.

A whimsical look at a mom from her child’s point of view. This daughter loves her mom for being real, fun and not caught up in other’s expectations. The reciprocal is that this daughter will not feel that she has to be perfect. Cheerful illustrations abound. A pleasnt book for a young child.

What does a person “Need to Know?” What truths do we need to live by and how can/should a person compromise? Karen Cleveland’s first novel reads like the book of an experienced author. It not only reflects her background in working for the government but also a keen awareness of what it means to be married, have children, think there is security and find out that is an illusion. I agree with all those big name authors who said that once you start this book, you will look forward to finishing it!

A reminder that many of this author’s mysteries have recently been re-issued.  I just took photos of a couple of the novels; there are many more.  I loved the Nigel Strangeways series when I first read it and look forward to reading the series again.  Interesting fact for Oscar season…Nicholas Blake was the pen name for Cecil Day Lewis, father of yes…that actor, Daniel.

The Lido is simply a lovely book. It is a story of friendship between the generations and the joys of community. Kate is a twenty-six year old reporter who suffers from a panic disorder. She is assigned the story of the lido, an outdoor pool, that is threatened with foreclosure. In covering this story, Kate moves ahead in her own life. Kate works with eighty-something year old Rosemary on the lido campaign. The story of the lido links with Rosemary’s childhood and marriage. Widow Rosemary recalls the love of her George throughout the novel in touching and moving ways. Surprise of this book…author Libby Page is only in her 20s and this is her first novel. Bravo Ms. Page! You have written a sweet, touching and life-affirming story.  Thank you NetGalley!

Last night I was lucky enough to hear Kristin Hannah speak about The Great Alone at my local Barnes and Noble.  She was very down to earth and open in talking about her writing process and her life.  A few things about this new novel; the character, Leni, is the central one and she reads the same books that KH did at her age; KH’s family has ties to Alaska where they run a lodge and she has spent significant time there.  In this novel, KH wanted to address issues that she felt her child’s generation did not know around domestic violence and PTSD which were not acknowledged in the 70s.  She scrapped an earlier book about Alaska that she wrote after The Nightingale, feeling that it was not good enough.   When asked,” what is the worst advice you could give a writer” she replied “to stop writing.”  KH moved a lot as a child and books were important to her.  She was a practicing lawyer when she was placed on bedrest during a pregnancy and began to write.  She loved writing and never went back to the law.

Hope this gets you to thinking about reading some of her novels.  By the way, KH  said she will not write any more sequels; she is happy to leave her characters at the end of each book and to pursue new ones.

The Great Alone comes out today.  I have not as yet read it but thought readers of her fiction would like to know.  Some books by this author that I have enjoyed are Winter Garden and True Colors.  Everyone seemed to love The Nightingale which I liked and blogged on this site.  This writer has a long backlist so she may be an author for you if you enjoy contemporary fiction.

This one is from NetGalley for reviewing 50 titles!

This one, that I don’t know how to reduce in size, is for having 50 likes on my blog.  Thanks to all of you who have “liked.”  It is so encouraging.

I look forward to many more reviews and conversations!