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

Did you know that the Germans occupied the British island of Guernsey for five years during WW II?  In this epistolary novel, through the eyes of Juliet, the authors tell the stories of islanders of all ages and backgrounds.  The characters are portrayed with a deft touch as their foibles and humanity are explored.  There is even some romance.  It is trite to say but the characters felt like friends with whom I wanted to spend lots of time.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy finding out what the pie is and why it was created.

The book is worth reading and I am eagerly anticipating the movie which will star Lily James from Downton Abbey.

This is a wonderful (and long) re-telling of the Arthurian legend from the points of view of the women, especially Guinevere.  I read it many years ago and adored it.  Today this is an e-book bargain; it is worth a read!

Reviews

I have been “reading” this book in its audio edition. A British novel, a British audiobook narrator; what could be better? This is a charming story about the kind of store where a bibliophile would find bliss. Well curated, family run, a good selection in stock and in a lovely town; indeed a perfect shop. The stories of several characters are interwoven. A really nice read to enjoy during the frantic holiday season.

This short book is part of a series on art movements. Although it is written for children, adults can learn from this book as well. Realism is defined, its influences are explored, important artists are mentioned and there are a number of reproductions, all of which are identified at the back of the book. The illustrations are appealing and this short work is a wonderful way for budding artists to learn some art history.
Thanks for this one NetGalley and the publisher.

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.

Kudos to Quarto publishers and the author for another informative, appealing and enjoyable entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series. This time it is the story of Josephine Baker, a dancer and entertainer, who moved far from her segregated hometown to find renown in Paris and beyond. I discovered things that I did not know about Ms. Baker in this short book. While I knew about her performances and the large family that she created through adoption, I just now learned that she helped the French Resistance during WWII and was active in the Civil Rights movement.
This book will appeal to both children with dreams and the adults who encourage them. As always, the illustrations add to the appeal of the book.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for publishing these inspiring stories.

There is a short piece on the author in today’s Mail on Sunday.  She acknowledges how anxiety had kept her from learning to do or try many things.  The first new skill that she tackled (no surprise) was swimming.  Ms Page comments on how she had only been doing things that she knew that she could do well.  It was liberating for her to realize that she did not need to continue this pattern.  Lucky for the reader that she tried her hand at a novel!

AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. She studied at the University of Sussex and Northwestern University. Pearce collects vintage magazines, and the idea of a writing a novel set in wartime London was born when she came across a 1939 copy of a weekly women’s magazine. She lives in the south of England and is at work on her second book.

Dear Mrs. Bird: An irresistible debut set in London during World War II about an adventurous young woman who becomes a secret advice columnist—a warm, funny, and enormously moving story for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls.

Libby Page graduated from The London College of Fashion with a BA in fashion journalism before going on to work as a journalist at The Guardian and then a brand executive at a retailer, then a charity. The Lido was born out of her love for outdoor swimming and her passion for community and its role in our towns and cities.

The Lido: In the tradition of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove, The Lido is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the heart and spirit of a community across generations—an irresistible tale of love, loss, aging, and friendship.

Please note:  the above information is re-printed from an e-mail that I received from the publisher.  I have blogged on both of these novels and found them to be special and appealing, so decided to give them one more “shouout.”  Please let me know what you think should you read them.

This book, written by a seventh grade English teacher, is replete with the biographies of those who faced significant challenges in reaching their goals.  Just a few of those featured are Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, J. K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, (the horse) Seabiscuit, Vincent Van Gogh, Christopher Reeve, Albert Einstein and Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Each entry starts with a fantasy description of how things went before, more accurately, detailing the setbacks that were faced along the way.  The author believes that it is important that young people focus, not on being perfect, but on risk taking and learning.  He tells his own story of having been a poor student and then turning things around.  The author offers comments to students suggesting coping mechanisms when they face challenges.  This book is broad and expansive.  It would be an excellent resource for students and school libraries.

Sophie Hannah has been writing novels about Hercule Poirot for several years.  She has had the blessing of the Agatha Christie estate in doing this.  The Monogram Murders was first, followed by Closed Casket.  The third in the series, The Mystery of Three Quarters will be published at the end of August.  Personally, I prefer the original novels but these have gotten good press so I draw your attention to this, in case you would like to get started.

From the Back Cover