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

This is the third novel that I have read by Kate Morton and it is by far my favorite. I loved this novel! I am going to give it one of my rare five star reviews and say that it is one of my best reads of the year.

Aptly named with an allusion about time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter takes place in different periods including the 1860’s, 1899, 1928, WWII, 1962 and the present. Like the exquisite, interlocking, sensitive and perfectly balanced workings of a clock. the characters are connected over time and in their relationships. The revelations of the interconnections add depth and emotional resonance to the novel.

The plot is complex as would be expected in a novel that keeps the reader’s interest for over 500 pages. Characters include an artist, his model and their circle; the backstory of the model; the artist’s family; a young British girl sent to boarding school in England from India; an archivist; a biographer; a hunter of lost treasure and more. The most consistent and overarching presence is that of Birdie, the clockmaker’s daughter and artist’s model who is a spiritual (ghostly) presence throughout. For me Birdie worked perfectly even though I do not gravitate toward books with spirits. The other main character is the house where much of the story takes place. Within the pages there are mysteries, murder, love, grief, family and friendship.

I was sorry to finish this book as I enjoyed it so much. I hope that you will too.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this wonderful and engrossing read.

This sampler shows that there will some fun books coming our way this spring. Undercover Ostrich appears to be a very silly story that is told just for fun. Dibs shows that one cannot really shout “dibs” every time one wants something. For example, what if a toddler wants to be a pilot? The point is made in a humorous way. Be A Maker encourages doing things. All three of these picture books look promising. I look forward to their publication.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

#LernerS19pictureBookSampler #NetGalley

The young child in this book is outside playing hide and seek when, unfortunately, he gets stung by bees.  Of course he is very upset.  Max copes by deciding to only play inside.  This seemingly keeps him safe but, naturally, does not leave him happy.  Eventually Chris, Max’s brother, teaches him ABC worry free. A is for accept, B is for Breathe and C is for change.  Each concept is demonstrated and explained.

This book comes from the National Center for Youth Issues.  It is a good book to read with a child who has a fear or to read so that children know that fear is something that we all face if we take risks.  There are helpful suggestions for adults at the end of the book.

I recommend this book which does a nice job of dealing with its chosen topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

#AbcWorryFree #NetGalley

Stress is a popular topic these days.  Stress comes at us from many directions at, what sometimes feels like, an ever increasing velocity.  There may be family issues, work problems, school struggles, etc. or you may just have a personality that is vulnerable to stress.  For any of these, this book may be helpful.

This book is organized into sections and subsections.  A few examples:

Morning (section) has subsections including Waking Well, Starting the Day and Breakfast

The Peaceful Home (section) includes Light, Shade and Colour, Managing Your Spaces, Positive Energies, The Feel Good Home, Outside and Your Neighborhood

and one last example

Evenings (section) which includes Winding Down, Looking Back-Looking Forward and Off to Bed

Within each of these areas there are short, simple things to ponder such as Forget Yesterday’s Mistakes, Create a Personal Affirmation and Call Yourself from Home (leaving a positive message that you will listen to when you arrive at work).

This book may be read in order or dipped into at random.  It provides some good suggestions for living comfortably.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

This is the first in a long running and very good series set in the aftermath of WWI.  The protagonist, Ian Rutledge, is haunted by the ghost of a solder whom he was forced to kill for cowardice.  Hamish’s presence enhances the book as it helps the reader to better understand Inspector Rutledge.

An interesting fact…Charles Todd is really a mother/son writing team.

From Library Journal

Just Mercy is a non-fiction title that is supposed to be excellent and thought provoking.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time

For the Sake of Elena is an excellent title by Elizabeth George.

From Publishers Weekly

The Other Alcott tells the story of Louisa’s artistic sister May.

“[May’s] adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s […] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.”  –The New York Times

Enjoy!

This book has appealing and somewhat comical illustrations.  The story is told in simple declarative sentences with a sense of humor.  A cute read for a young child.

Thanks to NetGalley and Xist publishing.

#FallIsComing #NetGalley

With simple vocabulary and cute illustrations, this early reader is designed to appeal to beginning readers.  Ideally, the book is to be read by two children together with each taking a role.  Early readers may enjoy showing off their skills with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

#IThinkICan #NetGalley

Pulitzer Prize Finalist: “A stunning work of biography” about three little-known New England women who made intellectual history (The New York Times).

“Marshall’s book is a grand story . . . where male and female minds and sensibilities were in free, fruitful communion, even if men could exploit this cultural richness far more easily than women.” —The Washington Post

I read this book when it first came out and found it to be fascinating.  The Peabody Sisters interacted with all of the elite of western Massachusetts, including  Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau and Horace Mann.  One sister was married to Hawthorne and another to Mann.

This is a recommended read for those who are intrigued by the period.  The book is well written and very interesting.

Kudos to the author and publisher for this informative and important book. It deserves a place in all school libraries and would be an excellent read for Black History Month (or any month). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This non-fiction work tells the story of African American women’s entry into the Women’s Army Corps of WWII and their experiences while in the service, as they trained and were assigned to their duties. Issues of prejudice were quite present and the women’s responses, protests and efforts are noted.

Two things made this book exceptional: One was the photos that illustrated the text; the other was that women were named and quoted. These makes the book feel intimate and real.

I had an aunt who served in WWII. I wish that I had spoken to her more about her war experiences. I hope that she knew about and respected all of the African American Corps members.

This book is highly recommended…and not just for children!