10 great books for 9 to 12-year-olds

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e4ca55dc-f4cb-11ed-99c7-9412839daee7?shareToken=39a4bc86e327f3e4b2b35633ee799033

Paris

Secret Gardens, Hidden Places, and Stories of the City of Light

by Mary McAuliffe

The cover of this book will, I think, draw in those who love Paris right away. Inside are a map, photos and many suggestions for places to visit in this over 2,000 year old city.

McAuliffe begins by sharing the history of Paris from its earliest days. Don’t skip this to move to ideas of places to visit as there is much to learn in this section of the book. The author goes on to share her knowledge of the city and offers many good suggestions of places to go.

This title is much more detailed than the average guide book. Those looking for a deep dive into the City of Light and those who want to see less well known venues will find much to admire here. Those who hope to travel to Paris should begin reading this title well in advance. It will enhance their time away.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rowan & Littlefield for this title. All opinions are my own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

There’s a clear passion for Paris in these pages. Prolific Paris historian and author McAuliffe presents the well-researched history, celebrities, and anecdotes from each of the City of Light’s main neighborhoods, from the very touristy Montmartre and Latin Quarter to the not-as-well known Montparnasse and Grand Croisée. Countless facts astound. The Louvre was built as a fortress against the King of England. Two windmills exist within the city limits. Le Corbusier designed a University of Paris building. And along with the storied Seine, a second river (the hidden Bievre) flows through Paris. There are also entrancing stories of Man Ray’s affair with his muse, Kiki; the famous people buried in Père Lachaise cemetery; and the formation of the Eiffel Tower. ― Booklist

A Conscious Approach to Shaping Your Space and Your Life

by Emily Grosvenor

#FindYourselfatHome #NetGalley

Note this book’s subtitle as it accurately describes what is inside. The author is well qualified to write on her subject as she is a Feng Shui consultant (and also a magazine editor). Grosvenor has also been perusing the real estate ads ever since she was a child.

In these pages, the author offers many insights and suggestions on how to make one’s living space just right. In doing this, Grosvenor draws on many traditions that readers may well find inspiring. She looks at a home through the lenses of “philosophy (connect with the mystery and power of your home), space (prepare your environment for your story), build (discovering design tools to cue your behavior) and desire (bringing your aspirations into you space).”

I enjoyed the personal sharing that the author offers in these pages. I also liked what I would call, activities, questions or things to think about. As an example, she asks readers to determine their home’s values. To help them she provides a list of many words that will enable readers to hone in on what is important fo them.

The illustrations in this book greatly add to what is found here. They all feel very peaceful and evoke the book’s spirit.

Those who read this title will, I think, begin to look at their spaces more mindfully and intently. Some genuine improvement and happiness may be the result.

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

Pub date: 20 June 2023

My favorite part of this book was the illustrations that highlighted the text so well. They did a good job of showing the main character’s feelings.

Of course, adults know that the star of this book is a donkey but…he does not know this for quite a while. He lives with cats, imitates cats’ behaviors and thinks that he too is a cat. What will happen as this certainty fades? How will he find his place in the world and reconcile his identity? (hint: watch for his new description of who he is in his own vocabulary).

The author is, I think, writing about finding one’s place comfortably in the world. Perhaps this is something that the adult who reads this one with a child will choose to explore a bit.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 June 2023

Follow the tour here:

and here:

About the book:

The Sandycove Sunset Swimmers

Can learning to say ‘yes’ change your life?

When Cat Jones is given the opportunity of a lifetime to present one of Ireland’s most popular live daytime shows, alongside TV royalty David Fitzgerald she isn’t sure she is ready for the challenge.

But after being pushed by her mother’s friend Lorraine to say ‘yes’ to everything for a month, she reluctantly agrees.

What follows is a whirlwind of opportunities where Catis forced outside her comfort zone with varying degrees of success.

Once she accepts the challenge to take the plunge with the eclectic sea swimming tribe The Forty Footers’in Dublin Bay, she never looks back. She is warmly welcomed into their lives, and learns to find reserves of strength she never knew existed which helps her deal with a toxic ex, and a growing attraction for a handsome TV executive.

With best friends, Becca and Sinead also in need of a re-boot, can Cat empower them to choose ‘risk and adventure’ or will they go back to their old, safe lives?

Say ‘yes’ and your whole life will open up in wonderful ways

Where to buy it:

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/SandycoveSunsetsocial

The writer:

Author Bio –

Sian O’Gorman was born in Galway and now lives just along the coast from Dublin. She works as a radio producer alongside writing contemporary women’s fiction inspired by friend and family relationships.

Social Media Links –  

Twitter https://twitter.com/msogorman

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/msogorman/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SianOGormannewsletter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sian-o-gorman

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My thoughts:

I love reading stories about women sharing an activity together. Learning about the characters lives and friendships always engages me and that was the case here. I very much enjoyed watching how the women swimmers were there for Cat as she faced challenges.

Cat is being offered an amazing opportunity but, like many, she can’t decide if she is ready for such a big risk. Readers will observe Cat’s growth as she “just says yes” for a while. They will also root for Cat’s friends Becca and Sinead.

Growth, risks, friendship, careers…all the elements of a good story here. I recommend this one for those who enjoy women’s fiction.

Readers may also want to read this one:

Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources. I loved being a part of this tour. It is a fun summer read.

Also thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books. All opinions in the review are my own.

#MindfulnessinDrawing #NetGalley

This title is part of a series on mindfulness in…knitting, baking and several other activities where mindfulness can be practiced in every day life. This one is about connections between mindfulness and drawing. When I thought about reading this book, I considered how I doodle and how this can be a soothing activity. Therefore, I was curious about what I might find in these pages.

As is true of other books in this series, readers will find personal anecdotes, suggestions for practice and more. It is a welcome addition to a good series. Find the one(s) that speak to you; they may just help in achieving at least a temporary sense of calm.

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

Pub date: 20 June 2023

Oh, to spend time with Sarah Booth, Tinky, Coleman, and, of course, Jitty. Just a delight to read the titles in this series. Old readers will enjoy catching up with the people who populate these pages while new readers may read this one and then look for the backlist. That is now 26 titles long, beginning with Them Bones which was published in 1999.

This time, Sarah Booth and her partner in detection, Tinky, are asked to look into a cold case disappearance. Needless to say lots will happen before all is resolved. Along the way, the two will question this case’s relationship with others that involve those who have gone missing. They will hit the road to figure things out.

There is a reason that this series has so many entries. It is because readers just love what the author offers. Highly recommended to those who like cozies with a bit of quirkiness.

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

Pub date: 16 May 2023

From The Short List:

Other titles:

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I am an Anglophile for sure. So, I was very happy to receive an e arc for this title. It is just packed with good ideas for trips that are not too far away from the well-known city.

This book is divided into three sections, City & Town, Coast, and Countryside. I liked the maps with landmarks that begin each of these. In addition, there are many enticing photographs throughout. Cities and Towns that are featured include York, Bristol, Bath, and Edinburgh, along with many more. Coasts include Margate, Whitstable and a number of others, while find the Countryside in Cliveden House, Beaverbrook Country Estate, Box Hill and again, lots more.

I tested the book by looking up some of the places where I have spent time. I think that the authors did a nice job in describing these places. This gives me trust about the places that I have not visited (but would like to) that are featured here. That having been said, each entry is short so readers may want to explore their key locales with additional resources.

There are also helpful sections called UK Travel Tips, and Photo Tips included here. They are worth a look.

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

Note: I enjoyed this couple’s earlier book, Pretty Little London.

From the Publisher

Divided into Coast, Countryside, City and Town to make it easy to plan the perfect London getaway.