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

#MurderinanItalianVillage #NetGalley

I was drawn to this title by the cover. It made me want to spend time in the setting of this traditional mystery. Indeed, the Amalfi Coast and Positano come to life in these pages. The Italian setting is further enhanced by the frequent use of Italian phrases (luckily, there is a dictionary at the back of the book).

Bria, a widow in her forties, lives in Positano with her young son Marco, aged eight . Her husband Carlo’s dream had been to offer accommodation to tourists and Bria is trying to get the B and B ready when…a body is found in one of the empty rooms. Who is it? How did he get there? Is he even connected to Bria?

While readers wait to find out, they will spend their time meeting a good cast of characters, will get the feel of a community and will most likely wonder when the next in the series will be published.

All in all, I found this to be an enjoyable mystery. It is one without overt violence.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023

Kirkus Reviews calls this one a promising debut.

I really like this series

I really enjoy her novels

I recommend this start of a series

www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/books/books-lima-peru.html

Vanessa Lillie says she’s “an impatient reader,” a trait that influences her writing: “I really like to create characters who are aggressively …

Vanessa Lillie on Writing a Thriller That Explores Native American Issues and Environmental Injustice

#TheLittleVillageofBookLovers #NetGalley

Nina George is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her last book, titled The Book of Dreams, was so involving; it made me cry but in the best possible way. The book that introduced me to George was The Little Paris Bookshop and it remains one of my most treasured novels. It told the moving story of Monsieur Perdu and is filled with the magic of books and relationships.

When I realized that The Little Village of Book Lovers had links to Monsieur Perdu, I both wanted to read the book immediately and wait with anticipation. I have now read it and recommend it highly.

This book requires suspension of disbelief and a belief in a kind of magical realism. How else could Love be a character?

Here is the story of Marie-Jeanne, orphaned young and with special gifts. Readers will, perhaps, be amazed by what she can see. Marie-Jeanne is a bookseller and this novel tells the story of a title that was central to The Little Paris Book Shop.

What will happen to Marie-Jeanne herself? What will be the fates of some of the others whose paths she crosses? Readers will definitely want to know. Hopefully they will find this book to be as special as I did.

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

This title was published in July 2023

Note: This book was given a starred review by Library Journal for the audio version

From the Publisher

Basis for the TV series

I find Kawaii drawing to be appealing and sweet in general and that is certainly the case here. The book opens with sections on what kawaii is, how to use the book, tools and more. Next come the adorable kittens. Artists can learn to draw them at playtime, while being curious, in food related scenarios, and more. The directions are clear and will help doodlers to make satisfying illustrations. Truly delightful.

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

Four stars ****

#SimpleWaystoUnwindwithoutAlcohol #NetGalley

People drink for different reasons. For many alcohol consumption does not pose any issues while, for others, there is an awareness of discomfort with their intake of drinks. There are those for whom a drink serves to calm, to feel better in social situations and so on without it feeling like an issue but others may feel that they want/need to try something else.

For anyone who is interested in thinking about this topic, this book is definitely worth a look. It delivers on exactly what it promises which is to give tips on how to unwind without using alcohol.

The authors use practices that are well regarded and considered to be evidence based to help. They specifically suggest things to try from meditation, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy).

This title is divided into sections including Soothe Your Mind; Engage with Your Body; Love Your Home; Rediscover Nature; Nurture Your Relationships, Reconnect with Your work; Savor Your Food and Drink; Embrace Your Family; Bond with Animals; and Celebrate Your Spirit.

A few examples of the fifty ideas included within these sections are Meditate But Keep it Short; Explore Nature Trails; Schedule Your Down Time; Reignite Your Nutrition; Bond with Animals and many more.

Be sure to read the introduction. It gives a nice sense of the authors’ perspective. Then, as they suggest, go slow and see what makes sense. This book is filled with ideas.

While this book is written for those thinking about alcohol consumption, in my opinion there is much here for the general reader as well. It is a very good resource.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harbinger Publications for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 28 December 2023

www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/books/review/new-romance-books.html

This cookbook will be welcomed by both those who are vegetarians and those who are not. Both will find many good recipes in these pages.

The book’s subtitle explains it well saying that this title includes Recipes Techniques and, Plant Science for Big Flavored Vegetable-Focused Meals. Throughout there are many recipes, illustrations and photos.

The recipes are organized by vegetable. There are, for example, sections on Yams, Asparagus, Chickpeas and other beans and so on. The directions look clear though some of the recipes may take a bit of practice.

Recommended for a cook’s bookshelf whether exclusively a veggie eater or someone who is looking for the occasional meal or side dishes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

four stars ****

From the Publisher