Sally Rooney in her own words: ‘I’m fighting a cultural battle’
Now out:
Calm in 40 Images
The art of finding serenity
by The School of Life
The authors of this title observe that they, like all of us, become anxious at times. They hope that this book will make things a bit easier for whoever picks it up.
In these pages are a series of images. To the left of each image is a short essay with something to contemplate and, hopefully, for the reader to take away.
A reader can dip in and out as they choose. Hopefully, this book’s intended audience will find comfort in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for this title. All opinions are my own.
Three stars The authors of this title observe that they, like all of us, become anxious at times. They hope that this book will make things a bit easier for whoever picks it up.
In these pages are a series of images. To the left of each image is a short essay with something to contemplate and, hopefully, for the reader to take away.
A reader can dip in and out as they choose. Hopefully, this book’s intended audience will find comfort in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for this title. All opinions are my own.
Three stars 🌟🌟🌟
You might want to have one too: The Book Swap
The romance novel about book lovers and for book lovers – uplifting, moving, and full of love
by Tessa Bickers
#TheBookSwap #NetGalley
The Book Swap was a delight to read. I very much enjoyed this story of two characters who got to know one another (even) better through sharing their thoughts about books and life. The device that the author uses is to have them each taking books from a little free community library and writing to one another in the margins. I found that I was always looking forward to see which book these two would be reading next; maybe this reflects the eagerness that they had as well.
Readers meet Erin. She has faced a great loss and has a unique way of coping (find out in the book). In a scene that many readers may envy, she quits her toxic work place despite not knowing what she will do next. Readers follow as she figures this out with a therapist sister often voicing her opinions.
James has his own difficulties. His mother suffers from mental illness and he periodically spends stretches of time with his parents to help out. James has a job that he does not love. What will he do about this?
Bonnie…well, read the book to find out who she is and what her role in the story is.
No spoilers so don’t want to go into how these characters intersect.
This book is not entirely light in nature but it is a consistently good read. I was always happy to settle down and spend time in the world of these characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 03 September 2024
From the Publisher
Historical fiction
New historical fiction for September — an explosive postwar comedy and more
Now out:
Jewish Voices
Inspiring & Empowering Quotes from Global Thought Leaders
by Dana Rubin
This collection of thoughtful quotes is organized by topic. A few of these include Art and Culture; Laughter and Tears; Antisemitism and the Holocuast; Family and Home; and more. Each of these sections begins with an orientation to the topic.
The author-compiler’s introduction notes the importance of language and words to the Jewish population across the diaspora. She has chosen quotes from Greek, Latin and Aramaic teachings as well as Yiddish lore. In addition, there are sayings from migration to the Aegean, the Iberian Peninsula, Asia Minor and the Russian steppes. Quotes cover a wide period of years up to the present day.
Readers are also given information on those who are quoted. Some of these authors may be well known, for example there are quotes from Amy Shumer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg while others will be from those not previously known by the reader.
The quotes themselves are plentiful. In addition, the text is accompanied by graphic illustrations.
This book would make a lovely gift or addition to libraries. It would maybe be a nice title to give to someone at the time of the Jewish fall holidays. I hope it will be read by many and will help to open dialogue during fraught political periods.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
She may not be who you think: Queen Macbeth
A Novel
by Val McDermid
#QueenMacbeth #NetGalley
Val McDermid is one of my very favorite authors. She is so versatile, writing the Tony Hill-Carol Jordan series, the novels that feature Karen Pirie, the historical series beginning with 1979, and her earlier Kate Brannigan and Lindsay Gordon stories. In addition, she has had several free standing novels like The Vanishing Point and A Place of Execution, to name just two.
So…is there still room for her to do something new? Indeed there is. Here, McDermid takes a new look at one of the best known characters in Shakespeare. It is a story of Lady Macbeth that is not the tale as he wrote in that drama. It is an excellent read.
Here, for example, the three witches are redefined as is the marriage to Macbeth and the nature of the conflicts. Readers become immersed in medieval Scotland.
Fans of historical fiction and McDermid will want to take a look at this short (122 page) title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 24 September 2024
Rooney’s newest
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney review — her characters just aren’t normal people
Let’s explore: Amazing Asia
An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent
by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
#AmazingAsia #NetGalley
Do you know a child who might like to know more about the many countries that make up Asia? Would they like books with maps, photos and a nice layout? Are they interested in history, people, culture, food, wildlife, sights, the past and future of this continent? And, this book has even more.
If they (or you) can answer yes to some (or all) of the above, this book is an excellent resource. It is organized by geographic areas, for example, South Asia or West Asia, etc. and packed with information.
This book would make a fantastic addition to a home or school library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 01 October 2024
Wish that I could join: The Best Life Book Club
A Novel
by Sheila Roberts
#TheBestLifeBookClub #NetGalley
I very much enjoy stories that offer a window into the lives of characters who are facing the sorts of issues that any of us made have to deal with. In this story, for example, there is divorce, death of a spouse, raising kids, looking for and starting new jobs and even a cute dog who needs a bit of training.
Readers get to know Karissa and her daughter who are learning to live with their new circumstances. When they move to their new home, they meet Alice. She was widowed a few years ago. The third primary character is Margot; she, too, has a divorce and (lack of a)job issues with which to deal. In addition, there is also Alice’s sister in the story.
How these women and those around them fare makes for an involving read. Plus, I do love any book that is about books and book clubs.
Anyone who reads book by authors such as Brenda Novak, Susan Mallery will, I think very much enjoy this title. I will now look to read more novels by Roberts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 07 May 2024
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Don’t we all want to become the heroine of our own story? Well, welcome to The Best Life Book Club. In a charming setting on an island off the Northwest coast, a set of characters so vivid we want to be their best friends, and a story that keeps us turning the pages, The Best Life Book Club is your book club book of the year. When Karissa, Alice, Margot and Josie discover the power of books and story to change their lives, they must decide whether to take the chance for something new: cue laughter, tears and love. With her trademark wit and warmth, Sheila Roberts delivers a story nestled inside a story, a novel of pure delight! —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
“Sheila Roberts makes me laugh…and come away inspired, hopeful and happy.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From the Publisher
Would you like to join: The Summer Book Club (Susan Mallery)-an e book bargain
#TheSummerBookClub #NetGalley
Those who have read other novels by Susan Mallery will welcome this story about a group of women and their complex lives. Those who have not read the author’s books before may want to pick this one up when they are looking for an escapist read.
The main characters are Paris, Laurel and Cassie. Each has faced challenges in life and all are trying to figure out their next steps. Paris runs a farm stand that readers will wish that they could visit as it is both adorable and stocks quality products. In the past, Paris had been abused and her own temper led to the end of her marriage. Now her ex is back in town…
Laurel’s husband left her and the school says that her older daughter constantly puts men down. They ask Laurel to fix this, a big ask as where is a good man? Laurel runs her own business as well selling on goods from estate sales and other sources.
Cassie is living in Maine when the reader first meets her. However, her family wants her to start thinking of herself and they push her to go to California to see an inheritance.
As readers no doubt expect, these three women will get to know one another well. Readers will hope that they each find their way. As they try, the summer book club will be there for them and for the reader who may find some other suggested titles to be ones that they want to explore.
This book will appeal to readers of women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 13 February 2024
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 