Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.
Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.
The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.
This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.
I am reviewing the audio version. It was a beautiful listen and I was sorry when the story ended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I started reading this novel soon after Serena Williams retired and when I had tennis on my brain. Carrie is not Serena but there is no doubt that tennis has defined her life. As the story opens, Carrie is at the U.S. Open waiting to see if her long held record for most wins will be shattered. From here the book moves back in time to when she first began playing and goes forward to the time of the book’s title.
I understand the basics of tennis but don’t have the knowledge base to know how accurate the descriptions in the matches played were. I know that they were deeply involving and that I always wondered how Carrie would do.
This novel, however, is not just about Carrie’s tennis but is also about Carrie. She has a rather hard and brittle shell and most although most everything about her has been about tennis, she has things to figure out. Readers get to know the people around her; there are those that she lets in to some degree. The most important one is her father who has shared Carrie’s dream. Another is a player on the male circuit named Bowe and, of course, many of the women players.
Along with a page turning story, this novel offers some food for thought. Are we our accomplishments? Does winning mean everything? How is it to have to deal with being in a constant limelight? What happens when a game that one started to play out of love becomes so dominant? No spoilers for the end of the book. Find out for yourself what happens to Carrie.
I recommend this title to tennis lovers, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fan base and those who enjoy an involving story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 30 August 2022
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The books in Reid’s famous women quartet stand alone. . . . But each of the books centers a vibrant protagonist managing the tensions between her glamorous life in the public eye and the pressures she feels in private . . . with Reid meticulously collecting minute yet meaningful details to help build immersive worlds”—TIME
“Carrie Soto [Is Back] . . . is like other sports novels in which underdogs punch, volley, bat and birdie their way to victory or additional defeat, but it goes beyond this to explore sexism and racism in the tennis world in the 1990s. . . . This novel will grab you. You’ll tear through blow-by-blow descriptions of championship matches on some of the most famous tennis courts in the world. . . .”—The Washington Post
“An epic story about bravery, endurance, but also the power of vulnerability.”—BuzzFeed
“Reid . . . draws on the lives of actual tennis pros (think Serena, Sharapova) to build a world of believable rivalries and intrigue infused with the whiplash suspense of a nail-biting tennis match.”—People (Book of the Week)
“Nearly every Taylor Jenkins Reid novel reads like a survey course in some flagrantly glamorous specialty and era. . . . Come for the King Richard–level attention to the art of the game; stay for the more personal soap operas unfolding off the court, and the final score.”—Entertainment Weekly
This book has gotten a lot of hype, including being picked for Reese’s book club and receiving a starred review from Library Journal. Based on that, readers may expect a lot from this first novel. In my opinion, it delivers. It is the kind of read where I kept saying that I would return to other things that I had to do when I finished the chapter that I was reading…but then, I just kept on going. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. There are humor, family relationships, a murder…and all of this is well executed in these pages.
Readers meet the three women of the family. Lana has been a real go-getter. A cancer diagnosis has led her to needing some assistance not an easy thing for her. Lana asks her daughter for help and Beth brings her from LA to a quieter community by the water with a slough.
Beth was a teen mother. She is a nurse who lives on the grid but with a homespun lifestyle. She and Lana have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Beth is mom to Jack (Jacqueline), who, when the story opens has been a pretty independent and competent teen. She has led many expeditions on the waters near her house.
What will happen when a body is found? Which of these women will be under suspicion? (Readers find this answer early on.) Who will get involved in finding the truth? Will they succeed? Read this one to find out. Readers will be glad that they did!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my now.
Pub date: 05 September 2023
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Simon’s dazzling debut delivers everything a mystery fan could crave, including a realistically nuanced cast of characters, a vividly evoked coastal California setting, writing imbued with a deliciously desiccated sense of wit, and a perfectly plotted murder with enough red herrings deftly dropped in to confound the most experienced mystery reader. Insightful and frequently funny analysis of family dynamics wrapped up in a cleverly crafted cozy crime novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)
“Three women bond while investigating a homicide in Simon’s spirited debut…. Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark. Readers will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly
This title is categorized as a book for children but also as humor & satire. I put it not exactly in either of these categories. To me, this book is a kind of treasure trove of illustrations that invites readers to identify the literary references. That can be entertaining. Just a few examples: a picture of puffed sleeves, a skull, a serpent and so on.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All opinions are my own.
Three stars This title is categorized as a book for children but also as humor & satire. I put it not exactly in either of these categories. To me, this book is a kind of treasure trove of illustrations that invites readers to identify the literary references. That can be entertaining. Just a few examples: a picture of puffed sleeves, a skull, a serpent and so on.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All opinions are my own.
The words that are included in this colorful book are divided into three sections. These include You, Your Neighborhood, and Your World. Each of these sections is subdivided; for example the You words center on You Are, You Feel, You Grow, You Play, You Think, and You Dream. The Neighborhood sections has Your Home, Your Community and, Your Neighbors. Finally, the World words center on You Discover, You Act, You Celebrate.
All of the vocabulary in here is designed to inspire thought. For each, there is an illustration. Many of these feature the familiar Sesame Street characters. As an example, one word in the You part of the book is Honest. The word is defined and then there is an example. In this case it features Elmo acknowledging that he broke something. In another, Telly helps to explain what Mindful means.
I think that this is a wonderful book. It can lead to good conversations between an adult and child. I hope this one will make its way to many schools and libraries.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.
Garden lovers will enjoy dipping into this collection which features 40 gardens that have, for varied reasons, been lost. For each of these, there is beautifully evocative artwork to help readers imagine the garden in it glory. The text further details what made each of these places special.
These gardens were once found all around the world. Readers travel to The Garden of Dreams, Little Acorns, Warley Place, Bachs of Khajuaro, Gardens of the Nations, Madinat al-Zahra, Wah Bagh and these are just a few of the places.
This would make a lovely addition to the library of a garden lover! The author makes a wonderful guide. She has loved gardens ever since she became a reader of Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Last year, I read my first book by this author. He co-wrote it with the prime minister of Iceland. It was a very good read.
Now, here is a story that takes place in three time periods, has multiple perspectives, an historical illness (TB) that impacts the plot, murders, detection, interesting characters, relationships, and surprises. On top of all this, the academic/investigator has a love for classic mysteries that is shared with the reader.
This is a book that will be enjoyed by fans of traditional mysteries. Jonasson learned from a master. He is known for translating Agatha Christie’s books into Icelandic. He puts his skills to good use here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
365 Hopeful Meditations for Peaceful and Reflective Evenings All Year Long
by Emily Silva
#SunsetGratitude #NetGalley
This title is part of a series by the author. I will look for the others. I find this to be a book that I would look forward to picking up each evening. It provides a quick time to reflect on life and to find that, sometimes elusive, sense of gratitude. Looking for a moment of calm? If so, buy this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
The very first photo in this cookbook shows a scrumptious looking plate of pasta-I was in from there! I also love the idea of cooking with someone else- of course that can be any two people, not necessarily a couple. And, of course, one could cook alone if that is the plan.
This book is over 300 pages long so will stay fresh with its audience over the course of many kitchen enterprises. Chapters include Everyday Dinners; Just for Two; Gatherings; Mornings; Sides; Bakes; Appetizers & Snacks; Sweets; and Drinks. One recipe from each: Chicken Cutlets with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce; Truffle Pasta with Mixed Mushrooms & Goat Cheese; Curry Salmon Burgers with Cilantro Chutney; Mini Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls; Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions with Garlic Butter; Spiced Latte Loaf; Warm Goat Cheese with Jam; Brown Butter-Miso Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars; and Lillet Spritzer.
There are additional section ins this book including an author’s note and their story, advice on how to use the book, where to begin and more.
I would like to purchase the hard copy of this book. The recipes are easy to follow and the food looks appealing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
