From sketch to finished drawing in just 15 minutes!
by Erin McManness
#15MinuteDrawingGettingStarted #NetGalley
This book appears to be part of a series as I recently reviewed a similar title on watercolors. This book on drawing drew (sorry for the pun) me in. It made drawing seems possible and not just something for inherently talented artists.
I very much like that the first sentence of this book notes that drawing should be fun. There is then helpful information on techniques for both drawing and creating letters. Following are many projects that budding artists can try. These are organized by categories as, for example, Leaves & Flowers or Everyday Life. I can’t wait to try my hand at some of these, especially as I am interested in exploring something new and would like to be more proficient than my current doodling.
Note that this title also includes a number of prompts. It gently encourages drawing as a potential act of reflection and dreaming. There is also workbook space throughout.
This book has left me wanting to get my pencils out. I hope that will be the feeling that others have when they pick up this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Walter Foster Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Family life lessons in far flung places (a travel memoir)
by Kate Wickers
#ShapeofaBoy #NetGalley
I found this book to be quite delightful! The author is a wonderful storyteller who makes each of her destinations come fully to life. She also has a terrific sense of humor and an ability to describe the realities of being a parent. At times, I smiled or cringed remembering what it was like to have a young baby. At others, I had to remind myself that the author made it through a difficult experience because, of course, she had published this book.
Ms. Wickers is an adventurer. She worked as a travel writer and loved exotic places before becoming a parent and has happy memories of travels with her family when she was a child. The author wanted to show her own children amazing places and took her first son on his first trip…
What could be better or more cheer inducing than sharing some happy/silly poems with a child? This collection includes some delightfully titled poems. Among them are Monstrous Faces, The Dragging Dragon, A brush with Danger, Memories of Smiles, I Wake Up with A Smile and Fun with Animal Names.
Each entry is short and accompanied by a colorful illustration. They encourage movement, using imagination, laughing and more. Truly an interactive read. Note: some of these poems do not rhyme but they always invite the reader in.
Many thanks to Quarto-Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer Ryan has a talent for writing absorbing historical fiction. She began with The Chilbury Ladies Choir, a book that I very much enjoyed. Next came The Spies of Shilling Lane and then The Kitchen Front. I recommend all of these. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is the next, English set, WWII story by this author. I really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
This is a story that, to me, was about change and transformation. Do people have to stay in their strictly defined (by them or others) roles or can they move toward the lives that they want? Watch the characters to find out.
Readers follow three women whose lives and circumstances have been impacted by loss, the war and a heretofore acceptance of given roles. First is Grace; she is the daughter of a village vicar. When Grace’s mother died she stepped up to support her father. Grace, who puts her own needs last, is a very kind “do-gooder”. She is scheduled to marry another vicar but is she settling? What will happen when she again encounters the son of the squire who was a childhood friend? Readers will want the best for this good and likeable character.
Then there is Violet. She accepts and relishes her place in society. She is a rather self-important snob as the novel opens. When Violet is called up to do war work, how will she change? What talents will she discover? How will her views of people change? Violet has always wanted to marry a title, maybe even more than the man. What will happen when she meets a brash American?
Last, but definitely not least, there is Cressida. She is a successful fashion designer whose life is upended by the Blitz. Cressida is Violet’s aunt and Grace’s father is an old friend. Will Cressida and Grace’s father let go of their past grief enough to perhaps get together? Even if a reader thinks that they know the answers, there is pleasure in reading this title.
The author, in addition to telling her characters’ stories, provides readers with an interesting take on the period. Through fashion, readers learn about the system of clothing coupons and a contest for making do in a fashionable way with less. Cressida enters this contest. She also helps Grace to refashion her mother’s beautiful wedding dress…and, by the way, what is the history of this dress? And, of course, there is the sewing circle.
I truly loved this book. I enjoyed the people, the setting and the historical context. Even if you suffer from WWII historical fiction fatigue, I recommend that you read this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.
Wahala tells the story of three Anglo-Nigerian women and what happens when a fourth comes into their space. The three women were friends from childhood and they have moved into adulthood with the usual sorts of issues. Still, they very much enjoy getting together.
The three are Ronke, Simi and Boo, along with their partners. Ronke is a dentist. She is dating someone but her friends are not sure that he should be “the one.” Boo is married with a young daughter; at times she feels quite stifled and wants to be back in the world of work. Simi works in fashion and seemingly has a good relationship.
One day, two of these friends plan to have lunch together. Unexpectedly for one of them, Isobel is at the table. She insinuates herself into the lives of the other three. Read the novel to find out why and what happens. It becomes a bit tangled.
This book is very aptly named. I looked up the definition of Wahala and it means bother or trouble. There was certainly lots of that in this novel. It is (melo) dramatic but a fun read. One small critique, I am not sure why but I often found myself having to remind myself which character had which backstory. Possibly, that was unique to me. Still, I was find with keeping on reading.
Many thanks to William Morrow-Custom House and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 January 2022
This book currently costs 4.99 for the e book version.
This is a book to savor for those who need help to focus on the quotidian joys of every day life. 52 such joys are included in this peacefully illustrated title. I began to relate immediately with thing to enjoy #2 which was morning coffee. I spent a few minutes thinking about the loveliness of a morning when my spouse brings me coffee and I read from a novel before taking on the heavier lifting of the day. Hugs also sounded good as did patting a friendly dog and reading bits of a favorite book. If you need a reminder to try to find a moment of happiness even in these dark days, pick this one up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake is the fifth in a series that those who like sweets and mysteries are sure to enjoy. It features Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree who was the protagonist in the author’s earlier “Home Repair” series. I read several of those.
This time, Jake and her friend (and conspirator in chocolate) are invited to cater desserts for a party given by a glamorous (is there any other kind?) actress. Taking a page from Agatha Christie, there is a storm and guests are stranded in what might be a haunted house.
Of course, there is a murder. Someone is thrown over a cliff. There are suspects and a case to solve. No spoiler, it may not be easy, but Jake will do just that.
Those who like Maine and enjoy traditional mysteries may want to give this title a look. They may then want to read the entire series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Adults, would you like to offer a child whom you know some fun that has nothing to do with screens? I hope so and, if that is the case, this charmingly illustrated book will be a most welcome resource.
As the authors note summer is the perfect time to get outside. They observe that kids can go on picnics, observe wildlife, make Popsicles, do crafts and more. This book will help to make all of these activities possible. Enjoy tomatoes, watch bees, have fun with bubble wands or build a bug hotel. Kids may not want to come back inside!
Many thanks to Quarto-Ivy Kids and NetGalley for this seasonal title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 