www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/books/review/jennifer-hershey-inside-the-list.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/24/books/booksupdate/pacific-northwest-novels-quiz.html

www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/books/review/sebastian-barry-old-gods-time.html

This is a unique collection of recipes from a wide variety of contributors. Just a few of those whose food is featured include Samantha Irby, Sara Silverman, Alice Waters, Brian Lehrer and Jacqueline Woodson.

Many recipes and vignettes are in these pages.. There is something so comforting in knowing that anyone may be challenged at times or has a story to tell. Food is one thing that may help a person through and there are many things to try here. I liked that there were some simple recipes since when one is struggling, easy may be best. For example, I think anyone could make and enjoy the scrambled eggs.

This book is a nice resource and one that readers may turn to again and again.

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

#TheLipstickBureau #NetGalley

Last year I read and very much enjoyed Ms. Gable’s novel, The Bookseller’s Secret so I was excited to receive an e galley for The Lipstick Bureau. While I enjoyed this novel, it read more slowly for me than the author’s earlier book.

The Lipstick Bureau is a WWII story about a young woman who is recruited by Bill Donovan himself to be involved in secretive WWII operations. Niki brings many skills to the table. She is intelligent, willing to take risks and fluent in numerous languages. She is motivated partly by wanting to get back to Czechoslovakia to find out how her family has fared.

Niki does not succeed in her first efforts upon recruitment. She moves on and lands with a group of somewhat misfit men whose task is to create and send out propaganda to the Germans. Readers get to know the backstories of these co workers. They also learn more about how and why she married George.

When the story opens, readers are in the present so there is no doubt that Niki has survived the war. She is with a man who is not George, and is about to go to a reunion of agents accompanied by her daughter. The past then unfolds.

I learned a great deal about the events and history that took place in Czechoslovakia and Italywhile reading the book. This offered a bit of a different perspective from some of the other WWII historical fiction that I have read. It is also of interest that the novel is based on a true story.

Those who read WWII fiction may want to give this title a look. I liked it but wanted (honestly) to like it just a bit more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in December 2022

From the Publisher

Commitment

A novel

by Mona Simpson

Mona Simpson has written a number of highly regarded works of fiction, of which this is her latest. In Commitment, she pens a story of family and the sorts of stresses and bonds that join its members. Single mother, Diane, has done everything and more for her son and daughter; it has not always (or often) been easy. Children, Walter, Lina and Donny have their own deep wishes and needs. All will be challenged.

There is a double (at least) meaning in this book’s title as it refers to both relationships (family and friend) and psychiatric issues. All of these kinds of commitments are explored in the hands of this capable writer.

Publishers Weekly calls this one “deep and tender.” I think that readers will agree. They may also find it a bit slow moving.

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

From the Publisher

#AnAmericanBeauty #NetGalley

The “American Dream” is based on the notion that, with hard work and grit, one can succeed. For many years, the success was about men and, of course, there were all of those “robber barons” with names like Carnegie and Morgan. But, what about women? Could they make their way up? Yes, sometimes with the right marriage and maybe sometimes with that same grit. How will Arabella achieve this?

Here is an historical novel about a young woman who was working in a gambling parlor when she caught the eye of a wealthy railroad baron. The two became involved in an affair and Collis Harrington helps Arabella to move to New York and establish a new life there.

What happens to these two forms the basis for this novel that is grounded in some truth historically. Will Arabella achieve all that she wants, especially if this includes wanting social acceptance and not just money? Read this one to find out. An American Beauty may put readers in mind of The Gilded Age mini series but that is no bad thing. It is a book with which to relax and maybe dream.

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

Pub date: 25 April 2023

I enjoyed this one.

I am currently reading her newest book.

I like this series.

Free sneak preview