The Short List for this week:

Poems to bolster every heart that ever beat

by Donna Ashworth

I recently reviewed another book by this poet so was quite excited to read this one as well. Donna Ashworth has an easy style that invites readers in. She also offers something to think about in each of her poems. In these ways, she reminds me of another favorite poet of mine, Mary Oliver. This is high praise.

In this volume, the subject is love in its many manifestations. There is, of course, romantic love but also love of family, friends, pets, life and more. For example, I found the poem The Love of a Dog to be quite profound in its own simple way or try Friendships; that one rang so true to me.

I recommend this collection to anyone who would like to read something that inspires a few minutes of quiet contemplation.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Black & White publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 October 2022

A lift, pull, and pop book

by Lucy Semple

This brightly colored and engagingly illustrated short book, follows siblings. One believes in monsters and the other does not. Kids will enjoy the cute surprise ending.

This book is described as a lift, pull and pop book. Of course, that does not come across in an e-galley. I think that the actual board book will be even cuter and it was still pretty cute.

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

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022

by Fiona Barker

This is a bright and cheerfully illustrated title for kids. It retells the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas carol. Here the creatures from that song help kids to assemble the ingredients for a Christmas cake. It looks like a fun process.

At the end of the book there are recipes and the traditional Christmas song. Little ones may enjoy getting into the spirit of the season here.

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

Pub date: 04 October 2022

Little Homesteader: A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

by Angela Ferraro-Fanning

The cover of this title invites its readers right in. Inside are activities that involve crafts, cooking and planting. Just a few of the sections in this title include Recipes for Cocoa; Make a Dried Orange Slice Garland, How to Tap a Tree and Winter Birds and Nesting Habits. The illustrations that accompany the text are cheerful and appealing.

Consider sharing this one with a child you know. You will both enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

by Elizabeth Thompson

It took me a little while to get to this title but once I did I was completely and happily immersed in this story. It is set in two time periods.

The present day story opens in Bath (England), a place that I know well but have not been to for a while. This hooked me in immediately as I met tour guide and protagonist Hannah who was leading a Jane Austen themed tour there. When the characters went to Sally Lunn’s for her famous buns, I enjoyed a virtual return to that establishment.

Hannah has been living in London with two friends and working as a tour guide. She has always had a complicated relationship with her mother. This is seen from the first when Hannah calls her mother by her first name, Marla. Marla has pretty much been a disappointment to Hannah who is dismayed when Marla unexpectedly travels from Florida to London to see her.

But…Marla has BIG news. She and Hannah have inherited an apartment in Paris. They had no idea that Hannah’s great grandmother Ivy had ever lived in France. She did, starting in the 20s when she hoped to work for Chanel. With her roommate, Ivy met some well known writers and artists who make cameo appearances in the story. Hannah learns even more about Ivy through her diaries.

How and why was this apartment abandoned? What was Ivy’s full story? Will Marla and Hannah reconcile and…will Hannah find love? Turn the pages to find out.

I recommend this one for those who enjoy women’s fiction and stories with enticing settings. Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 13 Apr 2021

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A heartwarming story that mixes history and mother-daughter bonds in a wonderful way.” —PopSugar

“This debut novel will appeal to historical fiction readers, Francophiles, those who enjoy stories about mother-daughter relationships, and fans of Woody Allen’s 2011 movie, Midnight in Paris. The historical mystery, beautiful setting, and vivid characters make this a must-read.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Thompson intersperses entries from Ivy’s diary throughout, capturing the romance of 1920s Paris via Ivy’s encounters with Lost Generation luminaries like Hemingway, Stein, and Picasso. The satisfying ending provides a thoughtful resolution, as well as room for all of the characters to continue their growth. Readers who enjoy Abbi Waxman and Jenny Colgan will be drawn into this multigenerational story.” —Booklist

These titles were reviewed by me

Other books

A Private Tour

by Barbara Segall

#TheSecretGardensoftheSouthEast #NetGalley

What a treat for garden lovers and armchair travelers! Twenty gardens, all of which are just gorgeously photographed, are included in this title. To name a few; 87 Albert Street, Balmoral Cottage, Long Barn, Moleshill House,and Sussex Prarie Garden. Whether known to readers or not, these often lush, always beautiful gardens come to life on the page. Happily, there is a section at the end of the book with information for visitors.

I loved the forward to this book. It notes that gardens are works of art that can be about history, architecture and more. It is observedhere that gardens are also about relationships and the people who create them. Gardens of some well-known designers are in these pages. Many other of these gardeners were not known to me.

I picked up this book on what felt like a hard day. It offered some lovely respite.

Gardeners and lovers of beauty, take a look at this one! It is filled with inspiration.

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022

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