Lovesey was one of my favorite mystery authors. I have read every title in his Bath set Peter Diamond series. He also wrote titles that were not the Diamond ones. He will be missed.
Secrets of Adulthood
Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives
by Gretchen Rubin
#SecretsofAdulthood #NetGalley
Gretchen Rubin has been offering her wisdom to readers over the course of many books. She began with The Happiness Project and most recently Life in Five Senses, with several others in between.
This title is a bit different from some of Rubin’s others in that it consists of a series of aphorisms-dictionary definition is “a pithy observation that contains a general truth.” Rubin compiled these for herself and her family. She now shares them with her readers.
This is a title that can be dipped in and out of. It is divided into sections including Cultivating Ourselves, Facing the Perplexities of Relationships, Making Things Happen, Confronting Life’s Dilemmas, and more. Each of sections has a number of entries as for example, Comfort, Responsibility and, Getting It Wrong.
This book could make a nice graduation gift for someone. Those who are not of school age may also find wisdom here. For myself, I think that aphorisms were not quite enough. I wish that there had been more commentary. However, that was not the author’s intention. She was looking for short, meaningful things to guide others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Self-Help
176 pages
Pub date: 01 April 2025
Note: Gretchen Rubin is interviewed in the May edition of Psychologies magazine.
An earlier title by the author:
Jackie (Dawn Tripp)-an e book bargain
#Jackie #NetGalley
Is there a more iconic American woman than Jacqueline Kennedy? Much has been written about her and yet she still retains an air of mystery.
In this novel Dawn Tripp successfully imagines Jackie’s life with a carefully researched title. Readers follow Jackie over a period of many years. They will learn more about her life before Jack, her courtship and marriage to both him and to Onassis, her role as a mother, her career, her cancer diagnosis and much more in this well written narrative. Readers will witness both the tragedy and the inner strength that defined this most impressive woman.
Tripp has written a long (over 450 pages) and immersive novel. It is very easy to recommend this title to historical fiction readers and those who are intrigued by the myth of this woman.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 18 June 2024
From the Publisher
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Other books that I have reviewed about Jacqueline Kennedy
Get to know them: Jackie and Maria by Gill Paul
Yes, that Jacqueline: Jacqueline in Paris
Mysteries
Fantasy books
Think about: Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens
#GoodMoviesasOldBooks #NetGalley
Generally speaking, books have covers and movies have posters. But…what if movies came with imagined book covers? That is the premise of this book.
There are way too many movies featured in these pages to come anywhere close to naming them all. A look at this title’s cover will offer a good introduction though.
I love vintage feel of this book, the translation of movies into very realistic covers, and the love that Stevens has for his work. I am also in awe of his creativity in designing so many covers.
This is a fun book to explore. Cinema people will want to take a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 29 April 2025
Arts & Photography
256 pages
Living with Jane Austen by Janet Todd
#LivingwithJaneAusten #NetGalley
I was intrigued by the title of this book which truly resonated with me as I have been living with Jane Austen since January. That is when I embarked on a semester long course on the author. It has been marvelous. So far, I’ve read or reread Austen’s earliest writings, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma. I’ve just embarked on Persuasion with Northanger Abbey to follow. The course has provided both enjoyment and a deeper look at characters, women’s roles, the marriage plot, the importance of money and more.
In Todd’s book, she explores the role that Austen has had in her life. She also offers much insight and opinion on Austen’s life and novels. This title makes an excellent companion for anyone who has enjoyed Austen’s work. It will provoke thought as readers decide if they agree or disagree with Todd.
This title comes out just in time to celebrate the 250th birth of Jane. Austen folk should give it a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for this title All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 20 March 2025
An e book bargain-The Memory Dress in the U.S.
An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking love story set against the backdrop of the Crown
by Jade Beer
#ThePalaceDressmaker #NetGalley
I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the author, the title, the cover and the description. I was so delighted to read an early copy of this novel.
The Palace Dress Maker offers a long (400 pages) and immersive read that takes place in the present day, the late 1980s and the 1990s. The storylines intersect through protagonist Jayne.
The dressmaker of the title is Meredith. In the current day, she lives in a Bath flat where both she and the readers get to know the other tenants. Meredith is struggling in her day to day life which leads to her meeting Jayne (more on Jayne below).
Meredith appears to be suffering from a form of dementia. She has a memory room that was created by her beloved William. But…where is he?? This is a central question in the novel. Also in the flat is an amazing dress and some notes from a certain Diana. Why does Meredith have these? No spoiler really given the novel’s title.
Jayne has been struggling in life. She is happy in her flat. Jayne works as a dog walker and in a flower shop. Through her jobs, she meets all of the other residents of the flat. Each of them has their own backstory. Note that one of these people is Jake. What will happen between him and Jayne?
I enjoyed this novel which, for me, required some suspension of disbelief. I don’t know enough about dementia to know if events could truly unfold in this way in real life. However, the novel still offers a good read.
Recommended to royal fans and lovers of women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton or this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 05 November 2024
Would you like to enjoy a: Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin
#SpringFling #NetGalley
The cover of this book drew my attention. It looked like it was for an escapist read and that is something that I find myself wanting more and more these days.
Meet Mylie who lives with her sister and grandmother. She runs a tackle shop in a place that attracts tourists.
Meet Ben who has returned to his old hometown from Chicago to take care of some family business. He knew Mylie in the past.
What will happen when the two find themselves in the same place again? The book’s cover offers a good hint.
Fans of small towns, fishing, second chance romances and feel good endings will want to give this one a look.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 18 March 2025
Category: General fiction/Romance
Number of pages: 304
From the Publisher
An e book bargain: A Voice in the Night by Simon Mason
#AVoiceintheNight #NetGalley
Simon Mason has written books that I very much enjoy. Now the fourth in this Oxford set mystery/police procedural is available.
Note that it is possible to read this one on its own, although I definitely recommend reading all of the novels, even if not in order. Those who have read the previous stories will be eager to just jump in.
Ryan and Ray share a last name, live in Oxford, are dads and are in the police force. Despite these seeming similarities, the two are very different and often struggle to work with one another.
Ryan grew up in a trailer park. He is a single dad to a little boy who is one of the best characters in the series. Ryan dresses most casually, has a minimal education, is often being reprimanded at work, but…gets the job done.
Ray grew up with many expectations placed upon him. He is Oxford educated, has a “blue,” is the married father of twins, and has a father who is quite invested in his career and success. His marriage seems a bit shaky at times.
In this novel, Ray and Ryan have a new boss. She insists on being called “Sir” and has a lot of plans for reforming the station. She has been warned about these two Wilkins.
A professor and professed atheist has been found murdered soon after an appearance at an Oxford Union debate. What was he doing out in his pajamas? What was behind his murder? Does it connect to another case that the squad has been assigned?
No spoilers so readers will have to find out for themselves.
I highly recommend this title and the entire series. These books will be enjoyed by those who like a complex mystery with characters that are engaging.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 16 January
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 