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

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I think that this is a fantastic entry in the Rebel Girls series. Those who are Pride adjacent or who themselves celebrate a PRIDE identity will get so much from this title. Kids and their adults who are a part of this community will feel recognized and those who are not will also find much to learn and admire here.

In this colorfully illustrated title, I found people whose names I recognized as, for example, Billie Jean King, Janelle Monae and Laverne Cox. I also met many new people in these pages. Here are sports figures, scientists, artists, activists and more.

Each person featured gets a two page spread. There is biographical information, a quote from each person, and some q codes. Lots to explore here in a good entry in the series. There is space to write, a list of helpful terms and more at the end of the book.

Thank you Rebel Girls for recognizing our many communities.

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

From the Publisher

#RelishYourRetirement #NetGalley

As can be guessed from this book’s cover, the focus is on retirement and women. Inside are found many ideas and some helpful guidance. Just a few of the chapter headings include Clearing the Identity Crisis Hurdle, Keeping Your Creative Juices Flowing, Challenging Yourself Mentally and Physically, and Learning New Skills Without Pressure, along with some others.

I like this author’s view that retirement is/can be a positive stage in life; she views it as a time during which women may be able to think a bit more about themselves and not only others. She observes that it is a time “once again to think about who you want to be when you grow up…” Yes, really.

The author of this book is a warm guide to this phase of life as she pays attention to many aspects of retirement that are not about finances, but living. She offers much in these pages. Read this if you have retired or, like everyone, will retire one day. It offers a good road map for travelers on the retirement pathway.

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

Pub date: 02 May 2023

Are you a person whose anxiety is a constant companion? Would you like to try journaling in an effort to feel better? If yes, this title is worth a look. The author, who immediately shares an experience of his own anxiety in the opening of this title, offers guidance to better manage this often troubling emotion. He notes, as the reader should, that this book is a supplement and not a substitute for needed mental health services.

The book begins with an introduction that highlights self-care prompts, others-care prompts, the feelings log and an example of this and, finally, a 5 day check-in example. Next the journaling begins with space for the 30 days. The book then ends with a final debrief and thoughts, a personal notes section for those who want to write more and information on the author.

Try this. It can’t hurt and it might help. Wouldn’t it be nice to diminish this challenging emotion?

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

Pub date: 30 April 2023

newspaper.mailplus.co.uk/data/2415/reader/reader.html

Gabrielle Zevin didn’t expect a wide audience for “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” her novel about game developers. It became a blockbuster with staying power.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/books/gabrielle-zevin-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow.html

Cozy lovers, this is for you! Here are book summaries, excerpts (generous ones) and author info on forthcoming cozy mysteries from this publisher. Authors include Allison Montclair whose historical mysteries I have enjoyed. I have also liked Carolyn Haines series and the latest is here. Other authors found here are Katherine Schellman, Leonard Goldberg, Meri Allen, Mindy Quigley, Olivia Blacke, Olivia Matthews, Vivien Chien and Korina Moss, plenty to keep a reader busy for a while!

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

Death Comes to Marlow is the next in a series, following on The Marlow Murder Club. I enjoyed this title even more than that first book. The author knows how to tell a story; he is also known for TV’s Death in Paradise.

Anyone who enjoys Richard Osman’s series is sure to enjoy spending time with Judith, Becks and Susie. They help the police and specifically Tanika to solve another case in these pages.

Judith is in her 70s and deliberately eccentric. Susie finds it hard not to blurt and has a dog walking business, while Becks is married to the local vicar but…who is she seeing now?

One day, a man named Sir Peter invites Judith to his posh engagement party. He has had an intimation that he will be murdered and indeed he is. There are many suspects in the pages that follow, including his son and daughter, and his new fiancee, or is it someone else?

The plot just rattles along and I liked spending time with Judith and Co. I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy cozy mysteries and women of a certain age. I am eager for the next book by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 June 2023