updated edition

by Siobhan Wall

#QuietLondon #NetGalley

London is one of my favorite places to visit. I confess that my favorite stops are all of the bookstores-I am so delighted by them and fourteen are included in this book. Sometimes, though, I (or you), may want something different, a quiet spot to enjoy. For those times, this book is a most welcome guide.

This title is organized by place type. There are sections on museums, libraries, the outdoors, small shops, galleries, pubs and more. Along with good descriptions, this book has loads of photos. In addition, many of the places are ones that are new to me. For example, what about a visit to the Kelmscott House Museum where you can learn more about William Morris or Doctor Johnson’s House (as in Boswell and) or the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art? What about some quiet time in the London Library or the Freud Museum and Library? Who knew that there was a Red Cross Garden? And so it goes throughout these pages…so many intriguing places to see. Even those familiar with London may well find some new spots to visit.

I can’t wait to travel to England again. When I do, I will definitely want to take this book with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Quarto publishing group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date:03 May 2022

All the October 2022 Prepub Alerts in one place, plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all titles from every post.
— Read on www.libraryjournal.com/story/october-2022-prepub-alert-the-complete-list

www.nytimes.com/2022/05/06/books/review/new-crime-fiction.html

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callhan tells the story of Joy Davidman and C.S. (Jack) Lewis. I absolutely adored that book so was thrilled when I received an early review copy of Once Upon a Wardrobe, another novel about C.S. Lewis.

The structure of the story is that George, a young boy with a heart defect, discovers The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and wants to know more about it. George’s sister, who loves him deeply, shares that Lewis is at Oxford where she, Megs, is a student. Wanting to do what she can for George, Megs gets to know Jack and Warnie and brings the tales that Lewis shares home to her brother.

Jack’s life story is beautifully told. There were very hard times and yet a man emerged who is so beloved by many. I won’t detail the biography so that readers can discover it for themselves.

George is preternaturally wise about life while Megs is perhaps less so. Over the course of the novel, she learns that her beloved scientific point of view and way of solving problems is but one way to look at the world. She and George are both deeply human, seeking, loving people with whom readers will enjoy spending time.

Those who have read the Narnia stories will eagerly read this title looking for the same insights that young George is seeking…to understand where the characters in the books came from, who they may have been based on and more. Will those answers be in these pages? You will need to read the novel to find out.

Those who have not read the Narnia books can still love this title. Its insight into a person’s life with all of its tragedies and peaceful moments are for all readers.

I give this one my highest recommendation. Ms. Callahan your talent for understanding Lewis and life are so impressive.

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

Some other e book bargains for today:

by Susan Liautaud

I was very interested in exploring this title. I am a reader of the NYT’s weekly Ethicist column and that paper’s Social Q’s. I enjoy reading about a situation and thinking about what I would do or advise regarding it. So, I wanted to try my hand at some of the situations that Ms. Liautaud presents and to consider her responses as someone educated in the the field of ethics.

The introduction to the book is very helpful. In it, the author suggests approaches to thinking about ethical issues. For example, start with facts and don’t only think in stark yes and no terms.

Given the current state of politics, I admire the author for plunging right in. Her first question is about whether a person can be friends with someone who has vastly different political views. Another example of a dilemma is whether one is ethically obligated to help a neighbor.

The book is divided by topic. These include Family and Friends; Politics; Work; Technology; Consumer Choices and, Health. Read in order or by interest.

I sometimes had different thoughts from the author. This is not a criticism but more an invitation to look at issues from different perspectives.

Read, think, enjoy and discuss with someone you know. There is plenty of food for thought.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 April 2022

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alex Woolf

As noted in an earlier review, I very much enjoy this series of Sherlock Holmes titles for young readers. Each is a short chapter book with cartoonish illustrations. The stories are well and simply told while keeping that sense of wonder about the ways in Holmes is able to find clues and draw conclusions.

This time the story is a simple, illustrated retelling of The Blue Carbuncle. Readers are drawn in immediately as they find out what can be learned from a gentleman’s hat and a Christmas goose. Children will then learn what a carbuncle is, its connection to the goose and how it was stolen from a Countess. They will watch as the great detective observes and solves the case. Is the suspected thief really guilty or did something else happen? Holmes is sure to find out.

This book will be enjoyed by those who like mysteries and who already know or want to meet one of fiction’s most famous characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus for this book. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 07 Jan 2022

Readers may know Patricia Highsmith for her novels The Talented Mr. Ripley or Strangers on a Train. This work, The Price of Salt, was made into a movie called Carol. It starred Cate Blanchett.

I would never have read this book had I not been taking a course on Women in Literature this semester. It took me quite a while to engage with this one but, once that happened, I very much wanted to know what would happen to protagonist, Therese. It is a tribute to reading for a class as I came to appreciate this book based on class discussion and a closer look at themes and motifs.

Highsmith published The Price of Salt in 1952 using a pseudonym. According to my professor it was the first road novel having been published before Kerouac. It also reportedly influenced Nabokov in writing Lolita.

I put up two covers to give a sense of how the novel was marketed. It was about a lesbian relationship, hence the more salacious looking cover of the two.

Therese is a young woman who is adrift. She was placed in an orphanage by her mother and rarely had contact with her following this. Therese has a boyfriend, wants to be a set designer and takes a temporary job in a department store.

One day, Therese waits on Carol who is buying accessories for her daughter’s doll. Carol is an unhappily married suburbanite. What happens to these two when they experience an attraction that was not one that could easily be publicly acknowledged at the time?

The early chapters of this book felt deeply oppressive to me. I found some of the characters kind of creepy. Therese for her part feels as untethered as the kite that she and boyfriend Richard fly. Things slowly change for Therese who grows into herself over the course of the story.

Read this thinking about locations (closed and contained like the department store, the city, suburbs, the way west). Also think about gifts, dresses, loss, relationships and more.

This is a book that is best read with a chance to discuss it. Those interested in a very early novel about lesbian relationships and those who are Highsmith fans may want to read this. If you do, I am so eager to know your thoughts on the novel.

See review on my site.