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

#IMustBeDreaming #NetGalley

Roz Chast has tackled many subjects with humor and a unique perspective. This time, she explores the world of dreams in a book that has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. It is deserved in my opinion.

The appearance of this book is striking and engaging. There are many graphics/illustrations and the text looks like handwriting.

Some of this book’s chapters include Recurring Dreams, Celebrity Dreams, Nightmares, Food Dreams and more. Many describe the author’s dreams. The book ends with a few additional sections including one on recommended reading.

Much of the book is personal and Chast is a great guide to her dreams and, by extension, asks the reader to consider theirs. She also imparts some information on dreams in general.

Pay attention to the cartoons. They are idiosyncratic. Some may make a reader chuckle.

This book will be enjoyed by those who like the quirky and by fans, new and old, of the author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 24 October 2023

This is the newest, (and fifth) of Kallie George’s books about Anne (of Green Gables). Each is a beautifully illustrated chapter book for young readers. They are all true to the spirit of the originals and, hopefully, will lead kids to the those titles.

This time, several incidents from Montgomery’s story, are retold. It is the part of the book when Anne is invited to a party at the home of her very best friend, Diana. But, of course, troubles generally follow Anne, as they do here. What happens when a mean girl provokes Anne? What are the consequences of a very daring dare? Will Anne be able to right things, stay with Matthew and Marilla and move on to a new and happy experience? Young readers will enjoy finding out.

This is another delightful retelling featuring Anne of Green Gables. I most definitely recommend it and the entire series. They could make a perfect holiday gift.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada-Tundra for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 October 2023

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Four stars****

I admit that I was curious to see how this excellent series would present Princess Diana, in particular in terms of what her dream was. I wondered i the focus would be on her humanitarian work as, of course, she had so many tragedies prior to her death.

Credit to the author; she presented Diana’s disappointments and struggles in a matter of fact way. For example, mention is made of her parents’ divorce and Diana’s own collapsing marriage. Diana’s bulimia is also noted in a simple way. All of this is counterbalanced by an emphasis on her kindness, her love of her sons, and the admiration that many had for her. The book does not make reference to her death.

I loved the illustrations in this book. They were very evocative.

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

#TheBookClubHotel #NetGalley

This is the perfect book to sit down with on a fall night. It is nicely written and plotted; the characters are people with whom readers will wish to know. (Too bad, they can’t come for a real visit).

The Maple Sugar Inn just seems like the perfect place to go to relax. The setting is gorgeous, the rooms are beautiful and the inn keeper cares about her guests…even as she has her own struggles.

Inn owner, Hattie is carrying on the dream of her husband which was to run this inn. Readers learn early in the book that he died in a freak accident, leaving Hattie a widow and a very young one at that. Will she want to keep the inn going?

Three friends are going to visit. Their lives are quite different from one another’s but the relationships go back years and are deep. One is a single, su

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

Also:

If interested, I did a blog tour for this one. It is on my site.

From the Publisher

Four stars

This book will be welcomed by adults and the young kids in their lives. It offers a way to open up discussion about fears in an age appropriate way.

The author shows children that fears are universal and yet different for different children. Acknowledging them and finding ways to cope will serve young people well.

This nicely illustrated title will help children to talk about their worries. This is pretty certain to be helpful.

In addition, there is a section for adults at the end of the book. It offers a good explanation of kids’ fears and how to help them in coping.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association/Magination Press for this title. All opinions are my own.