This delightfully illustrated title is packed with information and is sure to inspire budding architects. Read about people, types of structures, specific places and lifestyle matters within these pages. Just a few of my favorite entries included; Treehouse, the Guggenheim Museum, Pyramid, Ancient Greek, Frank Gehry, Wellness and Walking. Kids can find their own favorite pages in this book that introduces them to architecture.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
A newly translated novel by Marguerite Duras, a book on exotic sea creatures and what we share with them, the letters of John le Carré: December brings books for readers of all tastes.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/12/01/books/new-december-books.html
I loved this book (and its cover) and always looked forward to having a few minutes to read the next chapter. This is the first title that I have read by Ms. Verant; I know that I will pick up the others.
This book has so much in it to enjoy. A list: Paris, foods and a special restaurant, good characters, friendship, romance, a plot that led to both my laughing and caring at different points, obstacles to overcome, pages that turn.
Kate has lived in Paris for a number of years. She moved there with her eccentric mother after her parents separated. Now, as the story opens, Kate is about to realize her dream of having her own restaurant with a menu that she has carefully curated. Just when everything should by rights be perfect, the challenges begin starting with a piano that lands on the bistro’s awning. This is just one of the potential pre-opening disasters and they keep coming. What about the mysterious neighbor whose access to certain spices seems pretty magical? Will she and Kate find common ground? Will Kate find romance with the maddening neighbor whom she has dubbed anti-Keanau? What will be the fate of the restaurant? Grab this title on its pub date to find out.
This book will be welcomed by those who gravitate to fiction that is simply enjoyable. Foodies also will find this one to be fun.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Arcturus Publishing has released many titles that retell classic stories. They are designed to entice young readers to expand their horizons. All of the retellings have short chapters, illustrations, and a commitment to including the chief elements of each work. This time, author Samantha Newman, takes on one of Shakespeare’s most well known stories. She does this using prose rather than verse. Ms Newman does a good job and, hopefully, will encourage some readers to explore the original play.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Natasha Lester writes historical fiction that I very much enjoy. In each of her novels, this author successfully develops characters about whom readers will care. She also has interesting plots that offer perspective on WWII and its aftermath. What makes her special for me is the way that she also incorporates fashion seamlessly (pun was not intended) in her stories.
Alix St. Clair has had a challenging life. She was orphaned young, taken in by a close friend’s family, educated in Switzerland and expected to marry well (to Bobby). Life surely did not go to plan however as readers will quickly discover.
This is a story that takes place in more than one time period.. In the most recent, postwar era, Alix is working for Christian Dior just as his fashion house is coming into being. The scenes in this atelier are wonderful to read; I was inspired to look up many of the dresses described in these pages.
Other sections of the book are about Alix’s work and life during WWII. She experienced the most awful of betrayals and wants to avenge some deaths. In doing so, she becomes involved with an American journalist. They have common experiences and a common foe…and maybe an attraction to each other. There are many other characters woven into the narrative; these include people both bad and good.
This long (432) and immersive read is highly recommended to historical and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy stories about the war. I give it four plus stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 10 January 2023
rom the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre braids espionage, fashion, and a broken-but-unbowed heroine together into one fascinating tale. Natasha Lester weaves a triple-stranded delight!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye
“Natasha Lester has done it again with this sumptuously written page-turner! Alix St. Pierre is everything that makes an admirable heroine – independent, plucky, and clever as the story spans from the fashionable world of Dior in Paris to the fascinating intrigue of international espionage in neutral Switzerland. The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a captivating novel that readers will absolutely adore.”—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London”Natasha Lester has expertly woven a brilliant heroine who is as brave in the fashion world as she is spying on the enemy. From page one, I was completely captivated by her daring and enamored with the glamour of Paris fashion. Unputdownable!”—Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop
Murder in the Basement was published in 1932, at a time when the author, whose full name was Anthony Berkeley Cox, had reached the height of his powers. Writing as Anthony Berkeley, he had established himself as one of the leading detective novelists of his generation. In the same year that this book appeared, he…
This book has truly lovely and sweet illustrations. Those who read this title will wish that they could bring some of these dogs home in real life.
From the title, I had thought that this was a book about getting a pup to bed. It was not though. It was more about Lil dreaming about getting bigger and being able to do all of the things that the others in his family and breed can do. Indeed this leads to sweet dreams. During the day Lil is a bit afraid but Lil Paw soars in dreams. The end emotion is that Lil will one day be an amazing dog.
This is a nice short story that is greatly enhanced by the illustrations.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Circle D Publishing, LLC for this title. All opinions are my own.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing and Coloring Adorable Creatures
by Yasmina Mattson
#YouCanDrawCuteAnimals #NetGalley
This title is sure to appeal to budding artists and doodlers. It has lots of info on materials and techniques, ideas about colors, shading, and more, and step by step instructions for creating everything from hedgehogs to bunnies to koalas, ponies and many others. In my opinion, this title requires a bit of skill so maybe it will most be enjoyed by older kids or teens and adults.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 