An Academy of American Poets Anthology

by The Academy of American Poets

#100PoemsThatMatter #NetGalley

I am always looking for excellent and inspiring poetry collections. Here is a good one that will reward readers for thoughtfully engaging with its contents.

The book is organized according to six topics. These include the spirit; ,grieving, social justice, the environment, the body and, finally, desire. Read in order or dip in randomly; however readers choose to find their favorite, they will enjoy this anthology’s contents.

The introduction invites readers in. The author reassures that readers don’t have to understand everything about a poem to enjoy it or to capture the feeling that it seeks to evoke.

The very first entry was by a poet new to me, Nazim Hikmet. It definitely made me think about my life, gratitude, things that are finite, living in the present and more. Just imagine where I will be after reading all of the other ninety-nine.

Enjoy poems by those you may know already like Langston Hughes. Also, discover all those new voices that are just waiting to be heard.

Although I received this title as an arc, I think that I will purchase the hard copy. It is that engaging in my opinion.

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

Pub date: 13 December 2022

I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by the author. Lucy Worsley was a delightful companion as she read her book; she made it seem as if she was having a conversation with the listener.

Agatha Christie’s complex and interesting life story is fully detailed here. Read about how she traveled to Egypt for her “coming out,” her falling in love with Archie and later with Max. See her as a parent. Learn about her well-known temporary disappearance. Travel with her on archaeological expeditions and oh, yes, she did write some books that are discussed here as well.

I highly recommend this very enjoyable title. It is both the story of Agatha and those around her as well as a rich social history.

by Barry Timms

#APinchofLove #NetGalley

This book tells a sweet, rhyming story about the immense power of love. The accompanying illustrations are just delightful; at times they are bright and vibrant, while at others they are a bit more gentle.

This book would make for a nice read to a child and the adult might just love it too.

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

32 pages

Pub date: 06 December 2022

#AChristmasDeliverance #NetGalley

Every year, Anne Perry can be counted on to write a Christmas novella. These shorter books make for nice gifts to her fans. They offer an absorbing read for when something short and seasonal is needed.

This year’s book brings back Scuff. He is now studying medicine and holding things together at the clinic while Doctor Crowe is distracted. Crowe is concerned about what he has seen happening to a rich patient whom he treated in the past. He fears that Ellie is being forced into a marriage. What is the truth?

At the same time, Scuff has his own girl to watch out for. She is Mattie and she needs to feel cared for. Scuff will do his best to be sure that nothing bad happens to her or to Doctor Crowe.

Because this is a seasonal story, readers can feel confident about how things will work out. The joy is in following the people and the plot as they turn the pages.

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

Pub date: 08 November 2022

From the Publisher

In the Footsteps of the Literary Greats

by Travis Elborough

#TheWritersJourney #NetGalley.

This book’s author chose an appealing and interesting topic. Where do writers go, do these places offer inspiration and what are their journeys like?

This book features beautiful photos and content about the travels of everyone from Maya Angelou to Jane Austen; from Lewis Carroll to Agatha Christie; from Fitzgerald to Flaubert and so many more, ending (alphabetically) with Virginia Woolf.

I think that this book would make a wonderful gift for the holiday season. I would like to buy the hardcover copy for myself. Read it in order or just move directly to a favorite author.

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

Pub date: 15 November 2022

222 pages

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022

by Jess Walter; Steph Cha

#TheBestAmericanMysteryandSuspense2022 #NetGalley

Every year I look forward to the new edition of this excellent anthology series that offers its audience the opportunity to read some of the best mystery stories written in the past year. There are authors that I know in these pages, as for example, S.A. Cosby, Lauren Groff, Gar Anthony Haywood, Leslie James and Kristin Lepionka among others. However, joyfully, there were lots of new writers (to me) to get to know as well.

Steph Cha introduces this collection with some tough reality; at the time of her writing we were still struggling with Covid and what, to many, has been a bleak political landscape. She notes that one way that people cope is to look to fiction, and readers will do exactly that as they pick stories to read from the choices in these pages.

The introduction is excellent and detailed. The information on individual authors and their stories will help readers know where to begin, if one does not want to read in order. Walter also urges fans of the genre to also look to the honorable mentions for more good reads.

This title is one that lovers of mysteries will want to view. They will leave with an appreciation of those who write stories for us.

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

I enjoyed this novel about the publication of Ulysses and Shakespeaere & Co. See my review.

I enjoyed and reviewed this.

Bono mentioned this book in his recent NYT Book Review piece.

The Best Recipes from (and Inspired by) America’s National Parks

by Linda Ly

#TheNationalParksCookbook #NetGalley

Anyone who has been to a National Park knows that the experience is magical. Acadia in Maine is one of my favorite places in the world and the one I always think about when I am looking for a sense of peace. I know that others have their own special parks.

At all of them, food is available. At Acadia, for me, it was all about the popovers. And, yes (!), the recipe is here. It is one of many in this beautifully illustrated book.

Highly recommended for those who like to eat, (armchair) travel and recall good times.

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

Pub date: 11 October 2022