Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

“Impossible Creatures” has prompted comparisons to Tolkien, Lewis and Pullman, but action, not awe, is Katherine Rundell’s strong suit.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/books/review/katherine-rundell-impossible-creatures.html

THIS NOVEL IS AN E BOOK BARGAIN

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMarch 22, 2020

Meet Me in Monaco feels like the perfect title for right now.  It is a gentle, romantic story that will allow its readers to escape daily life.  Much of the book is set in France with its beautiful towns and countryside.  And then, of course, readers also spend time in Monaco itself.

The background for the story is Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier but Sophie and Jim are also prominent characters for whom readers want the best.  Sophie is a parfumier with a beloved family business that is facing financial ruin.  The man she is to marry does not always seem right for her.  Jim is a photographer assigned at times to follow Ms. Kelly.  Jim is divorced and the woman in his life is daughter, Emily.

Sophie meets Jim when he chases Grace into Sophie’s store.  From this beginning, readers will spend time with the three and with the others who surround them, all the while hoping for fairy tale endings.

The book follows a typical narrative structure with the addition of nterspersed news articles.  These are fun to read and help readers to feel that they are witnesses to the action.

This novel was written by two authors who worked very well together.  It was impossible for me to detect who was writing when.

I highly recommend this novel for those who need a bit of feel good time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

an e book bargain

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021  

I must confess that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the movement that led to the (eventual) right for women to vote in the United States. I was aware of those who started the movement both the U.S. and England but I was familiar with only one of the three women featured in this novel.

The three are Alice Paul, Ida Wells and Maud Malone. Each has her life story told against the vivid backdrop of the politics of the day and their individual histories.

Alice Paul was raised as a Quaker; Ida Wells knew much about slavery, and Maud Malone was an Irish American librarian. What led each of these women to fight so hard for something that many now take for granted? Jennifer Chiaverini helps readers to understand why they worked persistently for what they believed in.

These three are not the only ones who appear in the book. To name just two others, there are Jane Addams and Ava Vanderbilt.

The history that Alice, Ida and Maud lived through comes to life in this novel. I was especially struck by all that Ida Wells endured including the impact of yellow fever on her life, the lynchings of people that she knew and much more.

Around these women are the men, many of whom wanted to thwart votes for women. They included President Wilson. Will the women succeed in organizing a massive march for the day before his inaugural? Read this one to find out.

I found The Women’s March to be among my very favorite books by this author. I learned a lot but did not feel that I was being lectured to.

This historical fiction should be on reading lists for high school students and up. It would make a superb book club selection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#TheReadingList #NetGalley

A BEST OF SUMMER READ ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK, PARADE MAGAZINE, NBC NEWS, LITHUB, AND POPSUGAR!

This author’s love of books, libraries and people shine through in this title. The novel tells the story of Mukesh and Aleisha as well as some others. Mukesh was widowed and feels lost without his wife. When he comes across her copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife, he wants to return this overdue book to the library. This is a surprisingly difficult expedition for him. Mukesh even literally has difficulty getting in the library door which he does not know how to open.

Inside the library is Aleisha who is halfheartedly performing her duties as a summer employee. While her brother always adored the library as a child, Aleisha did not enjoy being there. Will this change?

Over the course of the novel, these two characters interact and their lives change as the result, in part, of a book list.

Bibliophiles will very much enjoy the book’s premise and will root for the characters. They will also enjoy seeing the book titles and lists that the author includes in this novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book is another in Louise Penny’s series featuring Armande Gamache. Gamache is easily one of my favorite fictional detectives. He and the regulars of Three Pines have definitely become a part of my world.

Kingdom of the Blind should not be read before reading Glass Houses. See below for my review of that title. This story in some ways follows directly on that earlier book.

A lot goes on in and I kept me turning the pages while putting off things that needed attention. There are old wills, financial schemes, murders, drugs, relationships and the many ways in which people can be blind.

How well do we really know those around us? Some of the characters in this book will find out. What does one do to fight evil? How do people make moral and amoral choices? How do we care for others? These are some of the big themes that readers will ponder, all while reading a fast paced story.

You cannot go wrong by reading Louise Penny. Perhaps start in order and then keep going!

The book right before this one:

Glass Houses

New thrillers for August — a comic tale by Bob Mortimer

https://www.thetimes.com/article/9be05d18-498c-4ec9-bc2c-3e19f3fc251d?shareToken=34aec356b466d594d754e7e41706ab5b

An e book bargain

#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley

The Swans of Harlem is a must read for those who love ballet and social history. Here readers will meet some remarkable women. They are Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells. Readers will also spend time with the Dance Theater of Harlem and witness the many accomplishments of that company and its dancers.

In her prologue, the author notes that Abarca’s daughter was very proud of all that her mother had done as a dancer who broke barriers and was an exquisite performer. However when she did some research, she found that there was a dearth of material on any Black dancer except for the wonderful Misty Copeland. This book is in some ways a response to the need for documentations and recognition of the contributions of earlier ballerinas. No one who reads it will forget these dancers/friends/colleagues/barrier breakers and more.

This book benefits from the author’s connection to her subjects. She documents their beginnings, careers, retirements and legacy. Those who read it will have met some remarkable women and deepen their knowledge of dance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Pantheon for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 April 2024

“Remarkable…Spirited…Valby’s extensive interviews with the dancers lend an intimacy to the narrative, the details of their lives elevated and their perspectives clearly observed. The women of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council are determined to bring their story out of obscurity. In The Swans of Harlem, they become unforgettable.”
—Bookpage

“A loving tribute.”
—Smithsonian Magazine
 
“Five of the world’s greatest dancers helped change the face of ballet—they performed at the White House, they appeared on Broadway, they were on the covers of magazines…This insightful history from Karen Valby tells the stories of Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells, celebrating the contributions they made to their art form and giving them the recognition they so greatly deserve.”
—Town and Country Magazine

This is a cookbook with a spiritual bent. The recipes come from the Amish community and have been collected by Brunstetter.

This title opens with an acknowledgment of what comfort foods offer. Then follow the many recipes. The sample covers beverages, breakfasts and breads. The full book will also have salads, mains, soups and desserts.

Just a few of the recipes include those for a pumpkin spice latte, egg muffins, and garlic cheddar biscuits. The directions are clear and easy to follow. Each contributor is named.

Also in the book are some reminiscences. There were some lovely photos too.

This is a nice book that will be enjoyed by its audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 November 2024

#TheRoyalPalaces #NetGalley

Now out

Those who are Anglophiles, those who enjoy history and those who think it is fascinating to know more about palaces will all enjoy this title. Included are 30 British locations including Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Sandringham House, the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Kew Palace, Lochleven Castle and many others.

I loved the illustrations that are throughout this book. They were very inviting. The text that accompanied these offered much of interest. The facts are numerous and in addition there are many wonderful stories about each locale. For example, the first entry of Buckingham Palace opens with the king’s abdication while the one on Holyrood House opens with a story about Mary, queen of Scots. As for facts, who knew that BP has 775 rooms and 78 bathrooms along with a post office, cashpoint and much else? I did not. There are many other facts scattered throughout these pages.

This book would make an excellent gift for a fan of Great Britain’s great palaces. It is a real treat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 20 August 2024

Jodi Picoult

#ByAnyOtherName #NetGalley

Where does the title come from? Find out below. Think too of the different meanings it might have.

Picoult is an author who does not write the same book twice. That said, she has a knack for writing interesting novels that are often quite topical (school shootings, abortion and more).

In this latest work, Picoult examines ways in which women’s work is often taken to be less valuable. How might this play out in two time periods? Turn the pages to find out.

In the earlier time period, Picoult postulates that Emilia Bassano was never credited but wrote many of Shakespeare’s plays. Could this be true?

The world of her and Shakespeare’s time is very authentically portrayed here. Picoult did her research. Details of clothing, education, women’s roles, the power of men and more come alive.

Emilia faced many obstacles after her father died and her mother left her. She was educated but faced many constraints. How did she survive?

In the present day, Mel, who is a budding playwright, faces many challenges. She has learned that Emilia was a relative and has written a play about her. How are their lives the same and different? How do they each face their creative obstacles? Read this long novel to find out.

Be sure to look at the notes at the back of the book. There are lots of details on Shakespeare related references.

Those who are already fans of the author will likely buy this book. I hope that those new to her will also pick this up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Title answer: Romeo and Juliet. Think 🌹

Pub date: 20 August 2024

From the publisher