You won’t forget: The Square of Sevens (Laura Shepherd-Robinson)

I think that this long (over 500 pages) book is going to be one of the big novels of the fall. It tells an involving story of a young girl called Red as the story opens and later called Rachel. She travels about with her father who is a man of unique talents. Red does not know anything about her mother as the book opens and she is curious.

Red has learned to tell fortunes using the square of sevens. Apparently this takes some talent. This cartomancy is important to the story.

SPOILER BUT EARLY IN THE BOOK: Red’s father dies.

Red later lives wit a guardian who introduces her to a much more luxurious lifestyle than she and her father had; they were close to destitute. Red becomes Rachel and moves to Bath from Cornwall.

I don’t want to give anything away as the plot is important in this novel. There are adventures, secrets, lives lost, charlatans and better people, will and inheritance issues, mysterious documents, the cards and so much more.I will say that this story, which takes places in Georgian England is Dickensian in scope. This is true both of characters and the story itself as can be seen from the summary above.

Will Red learn who her mother was? If yes, will she be welcomed by her family? Will Red find happiness? How much will the Square of Sevens be part of her life?

For readers who want to settle down with a long and involving (if a bit slow at times) read, you may just have found your next book.

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

Pub date: 05 September 2023

From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Square of Sevens captured me from the opening lines to the breathtaking ending. With a mysterious heroine who is a sheer delight to follow through Georgian England, this is a story that will sweep you away. Secrets reveal themselves in a Gothic and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Intricate, haunting and magical by turns, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s tale is an absolute immersive read you won’t soon forget.”
—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

“A reminder that Laura Shepherd-Robinson is riding high in the historical crime stakes….a sprawling epic novel.”
—Financial Times

Help for: The Worrying Worries (Rachel Rooney)

#TheWorryingWorries #NetGalley

This title makes a good companion book to go along with this author’s The Fears You Fear. Both are designed to help kids and to encourage conversation between adult and child, as talking about things in a supportive environment can be so helpful.

This brightly illustrated title acknowledges how a child might feel and how a worry can grow. I like how worry is personified in the illustrations.

Suggestions for coping are also part of the short, rhyming story. Mindfulness practices helpfully come into play.

Note that there is a good section for adults at the end of the book.

Highly recommended. Anyone who has ever worried will be able to relate!

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

Pub date: 13 September

A good resource: Houseplants for Beginners

A Simple Guide for New Plant Parents for Making Houseplants Thrive

by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf

#HouseplantsforBeginners #NetGalley

This book will be quite useful to novices who want to have happy houseplants. Those with some experience may also find that they learn something in these pages.

Following a useful introduction this book is broken down into sections on planting, watering & fertilizer, lighting, problem solving, and plant profiles.

I liked the author’s encouraging and low key style. She is a good guide. Her text is accompanied by both photos and helpful graphics.

I especially liked the information on plants that are easy to grow. In that way, a gardener can be set up for success.

Highly recommended to those who want to be surrounded by healthy plants.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title.

Pub date: 17 October 2023

It could become a favorite time of day: Noon (Meike Peters)

#Noon #NetGalley

Here are recipes for every lunchtime palate. Included are chapters on salads, vegetables, soups, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, meat and, grains +bakes.

This title’s author/cook observes that she has learned how to make satisfying meals that don’t take hours. She does this (as noted in the introduction) by reducing the numboer of ingredients and focusing on bold, fresh flavors. She also has pantry staples available such as lentils. With these (and more) she makes meals that she describes as nourishing, comforting and healthy. Sounds great to me.

Enjoy the photos (they make my mouth water) and the recipes. Readers will definitely want to eat these.

I really like this book. It would make a great gift to give yourself. Lunch will be so much nicer.

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

Pub date: 05 September 2023

Enjoy the world: The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac

#TheLeapingHareNatureAlmanac #NetGalley

It is easy to recommend this absolutely gorgeous book. Already a nature lover? Feeling like you need more of the natural world in your life? Either way, there is so much to be enjoyed in this beautifully illustrated title.

Garden, stargaze, visualize, pay attention and more in these pages. Readers will hopefully be inspired in their day to day life as they read.

The book is organized by month and season. The authors hope you will dip in and out anywhere that you like. There is always something intriguing to contemplate. Each entry has a theme and icon. To name a few, there are icons representing well being, wisdom, foraging and plant knowledge among others.

Take a deep breath and enjoy. I may just buy the hard copy of this one when it is published.

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

Pub date: 03 October 2023