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Some additional ebook bargains for 4.29.22
MWA Announces the 2022 Edgar Award Winners — CrimeReads
Tonight in New York City, the Mystery Writers of America announced the winners of the 76th annual Edgar Awards. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. ___________________________________ BEST NOVEL ___________________________________ WINNER Five Decembers by James Kestrel (Hard Case Crime) *** NOMINEES The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen (Amazon Publishing – Lake Union)Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby (Macmillan Publishers…
MWA Announces the 2022 Edgar Award Winners — CrimeReads
Think! Philosophy: 50 Essential Ideas
by Michael Moore
When my older daughter started college, she took a philosophy class and found it to be most intriguing. I have never studied philosophy myself so I very much enjoyed spending time with this title. A number of philosophical concepts are explored beginning with the ancient Greeks and moving toward the modern day.
If you want to know who Aristotle was or how his philosophy differed from Plato’s (to give just one example), this book will provide an answer. I found that my brain needed to pay attention to understand all that was presented here. To help with learning, there are illustrations including art works throughout.
This book offers a good introduction to philosophy. Readers can then decide if they want to pursue any topic or philosopher in more depth on their own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
30 June 2022
By the way, for those who like to learn their philosophy with fiction, I most highly recommend Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder.
Making it possible: French Cooking for Beginners
Simple and Delicious Recipes for French Food for Any Meal
by Claudine Pepin
I recently watched two TV series that focused on Julia Child. So, this French recipe collection for home cooks came along at just the right time for me.
This title’s recipes are organized by course. We begin with To Start, followed by To Continue, On the Side, and To Finish. An example from each section includes Cauliflower Souffle, Beef Bourguignon, Spinach in Bechamel, and finally, Clafoutis. So, pretty traditional yet wonderful recipes are found within these pages.
This book has beautiful photographs throughout. There are also lovely drawings.
The credit for this title belongs fully with the author. I note though that her father is Jacques Pepin. Oh, what a family!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Quarry for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 19 April 2022
Some e book bargains for 4.29.22
A new title by this author is always welcome-Broken Ground by Val McDermid
This is an e book bargain for 4.29.22
#BrokenGround #NetGalley
Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already…
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Get to know her and her circle: The Woman Before Wallis A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal by Bryn Turnbull
This is an e book bargain for 4.29.22
Historical fiction at its best allows readers to immerse themselves in another place and time. When it is done very well, I often find myself wishing for a different ending…even as I know what happened historically. That was exactly my reaction to this novel; I kept wanting to guide the characters when the events are, in reality, long past.
The woman who was the woman before Wallis Simpson is Thelma. For anyone who may not know, Wallis married David, the heir to the British throne who abdicated, paving the way for Elizabeth to be the current monarch. Thelma, nee Morgan, was a twin and her twin was Gloria Vanderbilt. Again, for any who may not follow such things, Gloria was involved in a dispute over the custody of “little Gloria,” her daughter, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. (Little Gloria grew up to be the mother of Anderson Cooper). Thelma, herself, had…
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The Grace Kelly Dress A Novel by Brenda Janowitz
An e book bargain for 4.29.22
The Grace Kelly dress is, of course, inspired by the beautiful wedding gown that Grace Kelly wore although this story is not about Grace Kelly. Rather, it is about three women and one wedding dress that was inspired by the one worn by Princess Grace.
Rose’s story begins in the 1950s in Paris. Rosee is an orphan who works in an atelier as a seamstress. The very talented Rose makes a wedding dress for the lovely Diana and, while doing so, they become friends despite the class barriers. Rose is attracted to Diana’s brother Robert but he is engaged to someone else. What will happen?
In the 80s, Joan seems to have the perfect, if conventional and guarded life. She is engaged to someone who is perfect on paper but…is he the right one for her? What is the story of her sibling who died?
Unconventional Rocky, Joan’s daughter, is…
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Some e book bargains for 4.28.22
The Short List for this week
Learn more about: The Psychology of Harry Potter
An Unauthorized Examination Of The Boy Who Lived
by Neil Mulholland
Harry Potter fans are many and many among them may enjoy this title. It offers a compilation of articles on topics dear to the hearts of those Muggles who enjoy the wizarding world. There are sections on Hogwarts as a school; Harry’s psychology, including his resilience; Magic, the worlds of Muggles and magicians; and, a final section on learning from Harry.
This is a book that can be read in any order or straight through. Each article begins with an introduction by the editor. Many of the authors are well credentialed and have PhDs, including the author, a therapist. He believes that lessons from Harry’s world may be a helpful focus for young people who are struggling.
I found many of these articles to be intriguing, beginning with the very first one on learning at Hogwarts. It gave me pause as I reflected on the amount of rote learning that was in the curriculum. The author of this piece wonders why curiosity was not more encouraged but rather everything was accepted. One example of this was the owls who always knew where to bring their messages; this author questions why no one ever wondered how this was accomplished. Of course there are notable exceptions to this theory, of whom Hermione is one and given credit here. There are also some professors, especially in Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts classes who encourage more independent thinking. As this article goes on readers get a crash course in learning and the scientific method. Other entries are equally interesting.
I found the application of psychology to aspects of Harry’s world to be interesting and thought provoking. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. It may be enjoyed by HP fans and psychologists. All opinions are my own.
This title appears to be a reissue of a book that was published in 2007.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 