The above are from this week’s The Short List, recent books at less than ten dollars.

Other bargains:

A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

by Rita Mae Brown

Readers who enjoy their cozy mysteries with a bit of whimsy can’t go wrong with Rita Mae Brown’s series featuring Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen and (vet husband) Pharamond aka Fair. Yes, some animals talk in these pages and are smarter than the humans, and there are even some illustrations, something that adult readers don’t often find in their books; these add to the charm. I have read the novels in this series from the first one.

As usual, there is trouble in Crozet, Virginia. A vet is dead as is a ninety year old town resident. What happened? Are their deaths linked? How are some letters important? And, topically, what part does stolen Ketamine play in the proceedings? Follow along with animals and humans as the case is solved. This title will allow readers to while away a few peaceful hours.

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

Pub Date 12 Oct 2021

The Hardy Boys Book 1

by Franklin W. Dixon

The Tower Treasure introduces the intrepid brothers Frank and Joe Hardy. Over the course of more than fifty children’s books, they worked with their father, Fenton to solve cases in and around Bayport.

Kids have eaten these stories up from the beginning and have continued to in their various updates. I know that I did as a child. While I was the possessor of many Nancy Drew mysteries, I also read every Hardy Boys mystery that my parents bought for my brother. Yes, there was a sameness to each of the books in these series but that was part of what I loved about them.

Readers may (or may not) know that there was no Mr. Dixon. Rather the Stratemeyer Syndicate farmed out the authorial duties. This syndicate was effective in gettting new titles out on a regular basis. There is a novel, Escaping Dreamland, by Charlie Lovett that references this time in publishing.

This title is a reissue of the original and was first published in 1927. For that reason, the publisher notes that “…the text contains racial and cultural references of the era in which it was written and may be deemed offensive by today’s standards.” This raises some issues about the book’s publication now. Clearly adults might want to have a conversation with a young reader before handing them this edition. Adults, for their part, may be surprised at how much certain things that may have passed them by as children, now stand out. So, as with all books, a decision about reading this book belongs to the potential reader.

That having been said, what this series did so well was to make readers out of many children. The repetition of characters, places and more was reassuring. There was always lots of adventure as is true here with an exciting opening chapter featuring a speeding car chasing Joe and Frank. All chapters end with cliffhangers that encourage kids to keep going.

I was eager to meet up with the Hardy Boys again and turned the pages while watching them try to find the treasure of the title. I wanted to see if I would still feel the magic as I raced through. In many ways I did.

So, dear readers, post on my blog to let me know what you think. Did you read the original or later versions? What do you think about this reissue. I do say many thanks to NetGalley and Dover Publications for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 15 Jun 2022 |

Dover Publications

ISBN	9780486849850
PRICE	$8.99 (USD)

Weird and Wonderful Facts About The Golden State

by Heather Alexander

This title is the first in a projected series on the fifty states. It makes an excellent start to a collection for a home or school library. Kids are invited in with the colorful, fact-filled and engaging illustrations with accompanying text. Many places and topics are touched on here; there are the cities, museums, natural resources,history, foods, people, festivals and more. With this book, children will learn about the wonders of California and will be proud of knowing some fun facts about the state.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Wide Eyed Editions for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 02 Aug 2022

A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber has written a number of series and Christmas stories. I first read her series that began with 16 Lighthouse Road and made my way through each of the street named entries. This current title is a standalone.

Over the course of the novel, readers follow two characters who have complex histories . Cade is a war vet who is struggling with injuries both physical and psychological. Hope has faced her own losses and has moved to this small California town to have a new start. The two meet when each volunteers at an animal shelter. Dog, Shadow, also becomes a loved character to these two and to readers as well.

Readers follow Cade and Hope as they slowly become friends and, hopefully, something more. Each would so benefit from a good relationship.

Hope works as a teacher and school counselor. One of her brightest students also has issues. Is Hope’s advice to him right? Will he find his way? How much fallout will there be among the other students and the girl that he likes?

This book is titled The Best is Yet to Come. This is what readers will wish for these characters.

This is an easy read even as it touches on some sensitive issues. Fans of the author and women’s stories will want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 12 Jul 2022

Readers hope that: The Best Is Yet to Come

A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber has written a number of series and Christmas stories. I first read her series that began with 16 Lighthouse Road and made my way through each of the street named entries. This current title is a standalone.

Over the course of the novel, readers follow two characters who have complex histories . Cade is a war vet who is struggling with injuries both physical and psychological. Hope has faced her own losses and has moved to this small California town to have a new start. The two meet when each volunteers at an animal shelter. Dog, Shadow, also becomes a loved character to these two and to readers as well.

Readers follow Cade and Hope as they slowly become friends and, hopefully, something more. Each would so benefit from a good relationship.

Hope works as a teacher and school counselor. One of her brightest students also has issues. Is Hope’s advice to him right? Will he find his way? How much fallout will there be among the other students and the girl that he likes?

This book is titled The Best is Yet to Come. This is what readers will wish for these characters.

This is an easy read even as it touches on some sensitive issues. Fans of the author and women’s stories will want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 12 Jul 2022

Readers hope that: The Best Is Yet to Come

A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber has written a number of series and Christmas stories. I first read her series that began with 16 Lighthouse Road and made my way through each of the street named entries. This current title is a standalone.

Over the course of the novel, readers follow two characters who have complex histories . Cade is a war vet who is struggling with injuries both physical and psychological. Hope has faced her own losses and has moved to this small California town to have a new start. The two meet when each volunteers at an animal shelter. Dog, Shadow, also becomes a loved character to these two and to readers as well.

Readers follow Cade and Hope as they slowly become friends and, hopefully, something more. Each would so benefit from a good relationship.

Hope works as a teacher and school counselor. One of her brightest students also has issues. Is Hope’s advice to him right? Will he find his way? How much fallout will there be among the other students and the girl that he likes?

This book is titled The Best is Yet to Come. This is what readers will wish for these characters.

This is an easy read even as it touches on some sensitive issues. Fans of the author and women’s stories will want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 12 Jul 2022

by Federico van Lunter

It is Emma’s first day of school. She had been excited but now is feeling a bit anxious. Luckily she has a mom who gives her a say in what she wears. Emma feels better going to school dressed as a bird and this is what she does. This leads Emma to engage in make believe with the other students and…she is off to a good start.

This is a nice book about being yourself when going off to a new experience. Parents who may not want their child to go to school in a costume may be uncomfortable with this title unless they can reconsider. For the child in this story, the choice was the perfect one as was her knowing that she had her parent’s support.

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

Pub Date 02 Aug 2022

175 Fun Activities to Build Math, Logic, and Critical Thinking Skills

by Naoya Imanishi, MEd

#CompleteKindergartenMathWorkbook #NetGalley

Adults who want to reinforce Kindergarten math skills before school starts up again will want to give this title a book. There is no denying that this is a workbook but it is a colorful one that has varied activities. These are organized by level. My advice: don’t push your child but see if they want to engage. They will definitely be ready for school if they do. I remember that I used to like workbooks. There is satisfaction with Math ones when the work is understood.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist-Z kids for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 August 2022

The Gift of Time

by Sue Stewart

This picture book will be a great resource for a parent, teacher, therapist or other adults to read with a child who needs to repeat an early grade in school. The story is simple, told with understanding and has a parallel process with a young chick who also needs time to develop. This book is accepting and non-judgmental; it will add to the self-esteem of a child who is unable to move ahead with their class.

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

Pub Date 29 Jun 2022

An Alphabet and a Note for Parents

by Delores Henriques

#AnimalsAllAround #NetGalley

Many alphabet books are simple with a picture and a word. This title does more by offering information about each animal that is included. The illustrations are soft and sweet and the animal facts are interesting. There are additional bird and fish facts at the end of the book. There is also a note to parents.

This is an alphabet book that can grow with a child. I recommend it.

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

Pub date: February 2022