Now out for young pianists

This book, along with the author’s My First Piano Sheet Music, are good resources for kids who want to play the piano. This title introduces music concepts like the Treble and Bass Clefs, types of notes, staffs and more.. There are many songs to practice including Alouette, The Wheels on the Bus and more. Each is tied to the concept of a lesson.

This book is a good resource for little learners. Hopefully, it will make learning to play the piano fun.

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

This is a great title for kids who are learning to play the piano. There are forty simple songs here along with many fun facts. Just a few of the pieces include When the Saints Go Marching In, John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, Amazing Grace, Bingo, and the Birthday Song. Young students will feel a measure of accomplishment at they successfully play these songs.

I found this to be a nice title for its intended audience. I even want to play.

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

Now out: The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

FIVE STARS *****

This absolutely gorgeous, WWI-set, historical fiction title is one to savor and read at a leisurely pace. At 448 pages in length, it is one that requires the reader’s time.

Oxford, England-right before war (WWI) breaks out. Two sisters (twins), Peggy and Maude, live on a narrowboat on a canal. They work at the Oxford University Press putting together the books that will one day be read. The job is tedious but, in compensation, Peggy takes home any books with faults, adding to an already large home library.

Maude has an undiagnosed condition that seems somewhat like what today would be called autism. She requires much supervision from Peggy as the story opens. Maude seems content to live in the moment while Peggy is aware of the academic life in Oxford and deeply wishes that she could be part of it.

Oxford-war has begun. A group of Belgian refugees come to work at the press; each has her own backstory. Much attention is given to Lotte, someone who bonds with Maude. Wounded soldiers also come to town and Peggy begins to read to them.

This is how the novel begins; it slowly entrances the reader who wants to spend time in this community and its wide range of characters. There are those who live on the water, those who work in publishing, Gwen (who has the life that Peggy seems to want), the Belgians and many others. Spending time with all of them is a wonderful experience.

Highly recommended to historical fiction readers. They will want to know how the lives of the characters unfold in friendship, family, work and love.

As an aside, those who are interested in how books were actually made in the days long before a digital world, will learn a great deal here. These details enhanced the reader’s ability to enter the characters’ worlds.

Note that the author has written one previous novel; readers may well want to look for that one as well.

Here is what Library Journal concluded in a starred review:

VERDICT Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction about strong women, like the works of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Laura Willig.

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

From the Publisher

Their job is to bind the books, not read them.
“Poignant,” says Janet Skeslien Charles“A fresh, exciting new voice,” writes Paula McLain“Beautifully told,” says Ruth Hogan

Who is/was: The Lady From Burma (by Allison Montclair)

Sparks and Bainbridge…welcome back! Readers are in for a treat in this fifth entry in a most enjoyable historical mystery series. It may be best to read this books in order but readers will be okay if they just begin where they want. Enough information is given to ground the reader.

Who are these women? Iris Sparks is pretty sparky. For one thing, she is dating a gangster. Gwendolyn Bainbridge is a widow and mother who was declared mentally incompetent but is making her way back to full control of her life as the story opens.

These two run a marriage bureau in post war England. Their work often leads to their involvement in murders.

A main plot in this book centers on a client who comes in to look for a second wife for her husband as she is dying of an illness…but will her actual death be a natural one? Readers will turn the pages as the case is solved.

Mrs. Remagen’s husband/widower is a unique character. An entomologist, hewants to return to the field. Miraculously, a good match is found for him but will it go forward?

Over the course of the novel, readers also deepen their understanding of Sparks and Bainbridge. This adds to the reader’s enjoyment.

I very much liked this entry in the series and already can’t wait for what comes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 July 2023

Who will get: The Last Word (by Katy Birchall)

Those who are looking for a fun, engaging and relaxing read may want to put this one in their beach bag. It has a premise that has been done before (when the ex descends back into one’s life), but it is done well here.

The setting is within the world of journalism. Watch as sparks fly between the Celebrity and Features editors.

This is just the kind of book for a warm afternoon. Sit down with a favorite iced drink and watch the pages turn.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 May 2023

From the Publisher

The Last Word Katy Birchall
The Last Word Katy Birchall Publishers Weekly quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Last Word:
“Ryan and Harper’s chemistry is undeniable and their constant competitions are exhilarating. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope should check this out.” -Publishers Weekly

“This enemies-to-lovers romance from Birchall is the perfect office-love story and readers will fall for Harper and Ryan and their second-chance romance.” -Library Journ

Fun and challenging: Brain Games to Exercise Your mind (by Gary Small, M.D.)

#BrainGamestoExerciseYourMind #NetGalley

I am a person who enjoys doing puzzles. I like the challenge and the fun of getting something right. So, I was delighted to grab hold of this title as soon as I saw it.

The subtitle of the book explains why this book could be “good” for you. I am all for that but also like that the puzzles are interesting and fun. I think that even if you are not worried about an aging brain. or are young, there are still puzzles here for you.

I like that there are many different types of challenges. It was also interesting that the author explains the rationale of each puzzle before the reader starts it. The format of having the answer on the following page was nice as readers don’t need to go back and forth to the end of the book, as is often the case in puzzle books.

Before getting to the puzzles, read the introduction. There are other sections too, on diet, a suggested morning activity and more.

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

Pub date: 01 August 2023