Great reads for adults and children!
Kids will enjoy this biography of the child who grew up to be nicknamed Lightning Bolt because he was just that fast! Here is the story of how his natural talent, a few obstacles and persistence led to Usain Bolt becoming one of the very best athletes ever in his sport, maybe even THE best. Readers will also learn how he has given back. All in all, an excellent biography.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheSwansNest #NetGalley
So many know the poem of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s that begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” Many also may know that Robert and Elizabeth were deeply attracted to one another. But…how many know the background of their story with the restrictions of Victorian life, strong fathers and connections to Jamaican sugar plantations? How many know where they went to live and how they fared?
Ms. Mc Neal pens excellent historical fiction here. The people are brought to life and some new insights are offered. Historical fiction fans are in for a treat as are admirers of these poets.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 12 March 2024
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Jennifer Ryan has a talent for writing absorbing historical fiction. She began with The Chilbury Ladies Choir, a book that I very much enjoyed. Next came The Spies of Shilling Lane and then The Kitchen Front. I recommend all of these. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is the next, English set, WWII story by this author. I really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
This is a story that, to me, was about change and transformation. Do people have to stay in their strictly defined (by them or others) roles or can they move toward the lives that they want? Watch the characters to find out.
Readers follow three women whose lives and circumstances have been impacted by loss, the war and a heretofore acceptance of given roles. First is Grace; she is the daughter of a village vicar. When Grace’s mother died she stepped up to support her father. Grace, who puts her own needs last, is a very kind “do-gooder”. She is scheduled to marry another vicar but is she settling? What will happen when she again encounters the son of the squire who was a childhood friend? Readers will want the best for this good and likeable character.
Then there is Violet. She accepts and relishes her place in society. She is a rather self-important snob as the novel opens. When Violet is called up to do war work, how will she change? What talents will she discover? How will her views of people change? Violet has always wanted to marry a title, maybe even more than the man. What will happen when she meets a brash American?
Last, but definitely not least, there is Cressida. She is a successful fashion designer whose life is upended by the Blitz. Cressida is Violet’s aunt and Grace’s father is an old friend. Will Cressida and Grace’s father let go of their past grief enough to perhaps get together? Even if a reader thinks that they know the answers, there is pleasure in reading this title.
The author, in addition to telling her characters’ stories, provides readers with an interesting take on the period. Through fashion, readers learn about the system of clothing coupons and a contest for making do in a fashionable way with less. Cressida enters this contest. She also helps Grace to refashion her mother’s beautiful wedding dress…and, by the way, what is the history of this dress? And, of course, there is the sewing circle.
I truly loved this book. I enjoyed the people, the setting and the historical context. Even if you suffer from WWII historical fiction fatigue, I recommend that you read this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.
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I read and enjoyed this author’s first, The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, so was intrigued by this second novel set in the world of books.
Here is a locked room mystery that fans of that genre will enjoy. However, they may feel differently in going into libraries for a while.
A group of friends hopes that a night in the library will be transformative and it is…just not in the way that they hoped.
This is a suspenseful read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheParisCookingSchool #NetGalley
The cover of this novel drew me right in. It promised exactly what I needed during a stressful time. In these pages I knew that I would find Paris and food. In addition, reading the book I found characters about whom I cared.
Sophie Beaumont really knows the city and its culinary world. The descriptions of both helped me to feel that I was walking in many neighborhoods and tasting many treats. The cooking school itself sounded so special that I wished it were real.
Readers most closely follow three characters and those around them, including their romantic interests. Each has a backstory that readers get to know as they spend time with Kate, Gabi and Sylvie. Readers will want to witness their growth and will hope that they find happiness.
It is very easy to recommend this title. I very much look forward to whatever this author writes next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 06 August 2024
Here is a wonderful, empathic, gorgeously colorful counting book. It can be used as exactly that but this is also a title that invites discussion as kids and their adults read the text and think about the people in the pages. This book gives a sense of how interlinked we are.
Note too that the end of the book offers questions and activities. All in all, a really nice book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#ADeadlyWalkinDevon #NetGalley
Here is the first entry in a promising new cozy series. The protagonist, is Rick who goes by the nickname Chase; he is a retired detective whose partner died not long ago. Chase continues to miss him.
Chase has made plans to go on a walking tour in England. Also on the tour is his very good friend Billie, a retired librarian. They are two in a group of travelers. The most obnoxious of these has been threatened and indeed is murdered.
This is not a locked room but there is the concept of a contained group of people who come together. Who had the strongest motive? Will Chase be drawn in the solve the murder? Of course! The fun is in watching how things go.
I enjoyed getting to know Chase and Billie. I did indeed find the victim to be obnoxious and I enjoyed my virtual trip to England. Recommended for cozy fans who like their mysteries with some armchair travel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 26 March 2024
New historical fiction for June — Dunkirk, dogfights and drudgery
Frank Bruni is a long term columnist with the New York Times and a writer who ably reflects what is going on in the world around him (and us). That is true here.
The cover of this book is quite evocative and points to how many are living now-instead of pouring oil on troubled waters, many seem to be reaching for the gasoline. Why so much grievance? Why so little understanding?
Bruni goes through many of the current grievances. Many of these will be familiar to readers who may have already formed their own opinions. Keep reading though because Bruni also has suggestions about how to do better. There are also suggested readings.
Note: those who regularly read Bruni’s columns may well find some familiar material here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 30 April 2024
For many readers, including me, just seeing Katherine Cemter’s name on the cover of a book is enough to make it a must read. Center is a master of writing stories with good characters, plots that keep the pages turning and, most importantly, humor and heart. Readers come to care about her characters and their lives, almost as if they are real people. This book is no exception.
Emma is woman with unrealized dreams and potential. She works freelance on writing projects for her old high school boyfriend. Emma’s father was in a catastrophic accident and requires her to be around full time. Her sister has, in some ways, been living out Emma’s dreams. She has gotten to go away to college and is about to begin a prestigious internship as the story opens.
A plot twist then comes. Logan, the high school boyfriend, offers Emma a ghost writing job with her absolute idol, screenwriter, Charlie Yates. Let’s just say that Emma has an unbelievable crush on Charlie and his films. However, his latest attempt, an update of one of Emma’s favorite movies (It Happened One Night) is an absolute disaster.
So…Emma makes the necessary arrangements for what she thinks will be the job and experience of a lifetime and flies out to L.A. Okay…I’ve set the scene but don’t want to spoil the fun by saying anything else.
This book is a perfect summer read. Anyone who picks it up will be sorry to see it end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 June 2024
I both read and listened to this book, enjoying the audio when I was going for walks or doing household stuff. As a real treat, it is partly narrated by the author. The audio is excellent and invites the reader right in.
Either way (or both) that is chosen, here is a book to put on a must read list.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for this delightful listen.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 