www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/17/books/review/irish-title-search.html
Thrillers
Now out: Coastal
130 Recipes from a California Road Trip
by Scott Clark and Betsy Andrews
#Coastal #NetGalley
Four stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠
I don’t know Dad’s Luncheonette but I sure wish that I could go there and also that I could meet Scott Clark. He has put together a cookbook that showcases his state of California and there is much to enjoy in these pages.
In eleven sections are found loads of recipes. To name some: Pear Butter, Mac n Cheese with Puffed Rice topping, Shredded Potato Salad, Bacon Gouda Dutch Baby, Fried Artichoke with Artichoke Dip, Dungeness Crab Rice, Kumquat and Kale, Seasoned Herb Salad, Hard Cider Clam Bake, Kimchi Mary and Matcha Mochi Waffles. Are you hungry yet? There are 130 recipes in all.
In addition to the recipes, there are many sections filled with information. There are also photos.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 March 2025
“With his debut cookbook, Clark, chef and owner of Dad’s Luncheonette, wanted to celebrate California’s Central Coast. He succeeds on every count.” —Library Journal, starred review
Named a Most Anticipated Cookbook of 2025 by Book Riot
I would love to: Follow Me to Africa by Penny Haw
Recently I read an article that critiqued historical fiction with one argument being that this genre is not always completely accurate in depicting characters or events. That may be true but historical fiction remains one of my favorite genres. I love the immersion into a person’s life and time. This was certainly true for me in this story about Mary Leakey (in one part of this dual time line story) and Grace Clark in 1983. Note that of these two, the fictional character is Grace.
I adored the setting of this book, the characters and the story itself. Leakey was a fascinating woman with the most interesting life. I also enjoyed meeting seventeen year old Grace and watching the relationship between these two women.
This seems like a perfect title for Women’s History Month or, indeed, any month. Most highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 25 February 2025
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Put on your chef’s toque: Sesame Street Let’s Cook Together-an e book bargain
With 40 Fun, Healthy Recipes
by DK
#SesameStreetLetsCookTogether #NetGalley
The cover of this book drew me right in. After all, how could a person resist Big Bird and Elmo in these food incarnations?
Kids and adults will enjoy this visit with the Sesame Street family in the kitchen. Note that children will need the help of an adult when they are ready to cook.
The book begins with a safety disclaimer that is not scary but is worth reading. There are additional introductory sections as well.
There are 40 healthy recipes in this book. They are grouped into categories titled Bright Breakfasts, Super Snacks, Yummy Lunches, Delicious Dinners and Healthy Treats. Just a few of the recipes are for Gonger’s Egg Surprise, Granola Cookie Bits, Grouch on Toast, Coconutty Chicken Bites and Mango Fro Yo-Yo. All have easy to follow directions and illustrations. I like that for each there are lists for ingredients and tools before the recipe. There are also sections called Helping Hand with extra tips.
The book concludes with a number of additional sections including a Guide for Grown Ups.
Here is a wonderful way to introduce a child to the fun and nutrition that can be found by preparing food at home. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DK-DK Children’s for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 13 August 2024
What will they reveal: The Secrets of Flowers
by Sally Page
#TheSecretsofFlowers #NetGalley
The Page clan has two excellent authors in it. I first got to know them by reading Libby Page’s books. Her first, Mornings with Rosemary or The Lido (depending on where a person lives) became a real favorite. It was after Libby was a published author that her mother Sally began her career as a novelist.
Sally Page’s two earlier novels, The Keeper of Stories, and The Book of Beginnings, were warm hearted and good reads. Now, she offers us The Secret of Flowers.
Fun fact: this author has a lot of experience with floristry so what better than a new novel with lots about flowers.
The story’s protagonist is Emma. She has been widowed and has turned in on herself. She decides to go to a lecture about the Titanic with a friend. This sparks her curiosity about the flowers on the ship and the story takes off from there.
Anyone who enjoys women’s fiction will, I think, want to take a look at this one and the other novels by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 25 February 2024
Note: As I write this post on 19 March 2025, this title is under $3.00 on Amazon if a reader needs more incentive.
From the Publisher
Others by the Pages:
An e book bargain-What will be: The Proof of the Pudding (Rhys Bowen)
TheProofofthePudding #NetGalley
I have only recently begun reading this long running series and am so glad to have immersed myself in Georgie’s world. This newest book has everything within its pages that makes these titles so delightful. I enjoy the characters, especially Darcy (what a name, straight from P &. P) and Georgie. They are currently eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child, although Georgie is not too eager to experience labor.
As the story opens Queenie, who series regulars know, is up in arms at losing her position as cook to a French chef…that is, until she meets him and wants to be IN his arms.
As Georgie hosts her big dinner party, readers meet the odd Sir Mordred. He has a poison garden, among other things. It is obvious that trouble will follow. The fun is in going along for the ride with this author.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy sparkling historical mysteries. Readers can’t go wrong with this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 07 November 2023
It is pervasive: The Good Mother Myth
Unlearning Our Bad Ideas About How to Be a Good Mom
by Nancy Reddy
I know that before I became a parent I imagined myself as endlessly patient, loving, giving and more. Then, when my second child was born, I looked at her and thought “I haven’t made any mistakes with you yet.” All of which is to say that moms seem to be held to very high standards and in the real world these can be hard to achieve, let alone, maintain.
But…what actually makes for a good mother? (Reddy sees this mom as having been portrayed largely as white in the past.) There have been many theories, some of which she debunks. She comments on theorists of parenthood including Bowlby and Spock among others.
Reddy also talks about her own experiences and what it felt like to become a new parent. I think that these sections of the book will resonate deeply with readers.
As a professional, I often facilitated groups. One of the magical things about a group is that members suddenly feel less alone and more understood. I think that this is what Reddy hopes, in part, that readers will take from this book. They are not alone in trying to figure out parenting and their own needs.
Readers should note that Reddy is not without a political bent.
Recommended to those who want to understand more about being a parent.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 18 March 2025
From the Publisher
An e book bargain-Now out: Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri
For some reason, during the corona virus pandemic, I have been spending a lot of time in virtual Italy reading mysteries that are set there. My guides, until I read this novel, were Donna Leon and her Inspector Brunetti, and Andrea Camilleri and his Detective, Montalbano. Their novels feature an engaging protagonist, beautiful locations and, VERY IMPORTANT, delicious food.
So, I was curious about this book set in Tuscany and happy to receive an ARC. I was not disappointed. This novel, the start of a new series, and its detective, fit right into the sub genre of Italian police stories.
The protagonist of Murder in Chianti is widower and former New York City police detective, Nico. He has moved to Chianti following the death of his wife, Rita. Rita has a cousin in Chianti who owns a restaurant, one source of the delicious sounding food in the novel. Food wise, I would give a lot to get breakfast where Nico does each day. I also would like to sample some of the alcohol mentioned in the book, especially the red wines.
Around Nico are the police officers who want his help in solving a case, Perillo and Daniele. The murder of the story has ties with the past. The victim left Italy a number of years ago and became a successful vintner in California. Why did he return to Italy? How does this visit lead to his death? Who will be hurt as the case is solved?
This was a very readable book and one that I enjoyed. I recommend adding it to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an hoenst review. I look forward to the next novel in this seris.
#MurderinChianti #NetGalley
An e book bargain-Who is: The Bombay Prince by Sujata Massey
Pub date: June 1, 2021
The Bombay Prince is the third of Ms. Massey’s titles featuring Perveen Mistry. This one is my favorite!
The story is set in the early 20th century when Perveen was the first female solicitor in India. Perveen was educated at Oxford when she could not attend law school in her own country. She is in a practice with her father.
At the time that this story begins, Prince Edward is traveling to India. It is a time of unrest and protest as many in India would like to leave British rule behind. Some of those who are protesting are students. In this context Freny, a young college student, consults with Perveen. Freny is later murdered (not really a spoiler as this happens early in the book). Who killed her? Why?
The story itself moves at a leisurely pace. Readers get to know Perveen better in this book. There is more time spent with her family. Perveen’s friend Alice and Colin (from the second book) also are quite present.
The settings are beautifully presented. There are the college, the hotels, clubs, storefronts and more. There is also a lot to learn about Indian culture, foods and funeral customs. The author’s care in including so much detail enhances the reader’s experience.
Ms. Massey has written this series and also an earlier one set in Japan. I recommend all of her books most highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 