A salty historical romp, two deep dives into the entertainment industry, a handful of memoirs and Salman Rushdie’s much-anticipated new novel, “Victory City.”
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/books/february-books.html

Imagine Everywhere

Connecting Families and the World through Photos

by J. Lawrence Graham

#ImagineEverywhere #NetGalley

The author/photographer of this title wants to open up the world to children. Each page presents two photos that are linked in some way. Captions invite a bit of thinking. In the introduction, Graham suggests ways to extend the experience of looking through the book. It is the author’s hope that children will be inspired. I hope that they will be too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

#WheninRome #NetGalley

Readers probably know that there is something to be said for finding the right read for the right time or mood. When in Rome was that kind of book for me. It offered a slower, somewhat more contemplative stroll through the life of its protagonist, Claire and was just the kind of book that I was seeking.

As the story opens, Claire is fifty-two years old. Her daughter, Dorothy, is in her late twenties and was raised by Claire as an only child. Claire’s own mother died when she was young leaving her to be raised by her father as a single parent. She also became well known to her Milwaukee community of nuns.

Claire goes to Yale where she makes a very good female friend and also falls for Marcus. Her nascent desire to become a nun remains even as Claire takes a post graduation real estate job where her specialty is the sale of ecclesiastical buildings.

This career sends Claire to Rome, a city that is lovely to visit in Claire’s company. There she meets a group of idiosyncratic sisters who engage with her. Will they lose their unique convent to a real estate developer?

The crux of the story is about what decisions Claire will make and what she wants in her life. Is it to be a nun or is it to remain in the world, possibly with Marcus? Read this gentle novel to find out.

Publishers Weekly calls this one “a delight.” I heartily agree.

Many thanks to Penguin Group Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: March 202314

Spring Fun

by Anita Bijsterbosch

#clavispublishing #NetGalley

This brightly illustrated title follows a group of animal friends on a beautiful spring day. They see animal babies, observe the weather, go in a hot air balloon and more. Surely, a lovely day.

The physical copy of this book is interactive which should add to a child’s enjoyment. It could make a nice gift for a young one.

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

Pub date: 14 March 2023

Natasha Lester writes lush, atmospheric, and richly detailed historical novels; her latest, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre, takes us into the Parisian fashion world during WWII, as the glamorous Alix St. Pierre takes a job at the fashion house of Dior and starts moonlighting as an American spy. I caught up with Natasha Lester over…

Natasha Lester On Fashion, Historical Fiction, and Female Spies — CrimeReads

Cooking with children is an activity that can be enjoyable and one that can leave kids with a great feeling of mastery and accomplishment. This nicely illustrated title offers lots of choices about things to make. It is divided into sections on drinks, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Just a few of the recipes are those for strawberry and Nutella pancakes, lemon baked fish, brown butter carrots, and cranberry cookies.

The book begins with lots of welcome advice before moving on to the easy to follow recipes. Many are accompanied by illustrations.

This book will be welcomed by children and also by adults who want to feel more confident in their beginning cooking skills.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

From The Short List:

DigitalSATReadingandWritingPracticeQuestions #NetGalley

You will know almost immediately if this book is of interest. For those who are planning to take an SAT and feel the need to practice, this will certainly be a welcome title. It focuses on the new digital version of the exam.

Included is information on this test version along with sample questions. Going digital is a moment of change for the College Board. As an example of this changes, it is noted that there will no longer be extended reading passages. Those who are taking the test will certainly want to know about Multistage Adaptive Testing and other topics covered in the introduction such asthe scoring.

There are sample questions with detailed explanations of the correct answer and why that answer is the best choice. The section on distractors is interesting and helpful.

So, to be ready if planning to take this version of the test which will be offered starting in fall 2023, give this title a look.

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

Pub date: 28 March 2023

Book of the month Exiles by Jane Harper The Marralee Valley in South Australia is a place of blue skies, green hills and flourishing vineyards. There is, of cou
— Read on www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-latest-crime-fiction-for-february-2023-the-aaron-falk-series-reaches-its-thrilling-finale-grhtrdc86