Sweet Home Alaska

by Jennifer Snow

The crazier the world gets, the more I look forward to a few minutes of escapist reading each day. A romance may not be the only book that I am reading at any given time, but lately it has generally been one of them. In light of that wish for calm, how great to read a book in a town that has Serenity in its name.

Readers who enjoy novels by authors like Debbie Macomber are pretty sure to enjoy this Alaska set story. It is about a former couple, Skylar and Dex, who find themselves in the same place again. Readers may know that they will likely get together again but even so will enjoy seeing how the story plays out. Why did Skylar pursue her Coast Guard dream while Dex didn’t? What will it be like to come face to face with an old love? Can they grow together?

A plus for me, in addition to the characters, was the Alaska setting. I enjoyed my visit there.

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

This book will be published on 24 May 2022.

Lift the flap and find out!

by Carly Madden

The youngest puppy lovers are sure to enjoy spending time with this book. The text is repetitive and simple so just right for the toddler mindset. The illustrations are sweet and engaging. The puppy is just the right degree of mischievous.

The only difficulty in reviewing this ARC is that it is an e book. I would love to be able to have the full experience of lifting the flaps.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this delightful title. All opinions are my own.

by Donalyn Miller; Teri Lesesne

I can still remember learning to read. I can picture the covers of my first school reading books to this day. From age five, I have loved and valued reading. Reading has led me to marvelous adventures, thoughts that provoke, information and facts and more. I still remember the delight of my first Nancy Drew book and then devouring the series. I have NEVER stopped reading, no matter what else has gone on around me.

Today, reading competes with many other diversions for kids. Of course, there are screens and more. However, part of the problem, as these authors note is that the teaching of reading has not encouraged joy in kids. Instead, reading is a challenge or chore. There are too many rote tasks involved and often projects that do not excite. The authors, who are widely and deeply experienced, have many thoughts on this.

One solution put forward in this book is to set the conditions to help children to read what they want. Let them discover the books that speak to them and not always be performance based. I know that in my tutoring, along with teaching phonics, I want to read stories to the kids that are about their interests and that will leave them wanting more. I know that with my two children, I did not care what they read so long as they read. Trips to bookstores and libraries were highlights for them and me.

This book is for those who teach reading but there are lessons for all of us in these pages. I love the quotes throughout the book, beginning with the very first by Roxane Gay. It is inspiring to remember what reading brings to people.

Some section headings give an idea of the authors’ focus. These include Joyful Reading Relies on Abundant Access and Time; Joyful Reading Encourages Readers’ Choices; Joyful Reading Honors Readers’ Responses; and, Joyful Reading Thrives in a Supportive Community. Throughout there are quotes from students that bring the text to life. Also, keep an eye out for the illustrations with book stacks; there are lots of good suggestions here.

Those who currently teach, those who aspire to teaching, student teachers, all will benefit from a deep dive into this wise text. The generosity of the author’s in sharing their personal experiences with reading adds so much to this book. It offers an engaging and thoughtful experience.

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

This book will be published on 03 May 2022.

Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is an historical novel based on the life of Eliza Acton. Eliza was a poet whose family fell on very hard times. When a publisher, who did not want to publish her poems, offered to pay her to write a cookbook, she at first refused. Luckily for cooks and readers, Eliza changed her mind. She goes on to find poetry in her cooking and cookery writing.

The second important character in the story is Ann. Ann’s incredibly difficult life is portrayed vividly and readers will feel for her bleak home life. It is transformative for Ann to begin to work for “Miss Eliza.”

Life for Eliza and her mother involves taking in short term boarders. Readers will meet one particularly lascivious and loathsome one. He is an early guest at the house. His presence also impacts Ann.

Throughout the story, Eliza and Ann work together to create recipes that are different from those that came before. For example, they used accurate measurements.

Eliza and Ann become very close. What will the nature of their relationship be as it evolves?

I found this book to be somewhat slow moving and yet it was interesting. It described a time, place, way of life and the people who lived it.

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

Note that there is an article in the December U.S. issue of Good Housekeeping that references this title. The book was also chosen for a morning tv show’s book club.

also note:

Amazon is offering ten free books in conjunction with World Book Day. These are e books.

by Lynda La Plante

I recently listened to a MasterClass that featured actress Helen Mirren. She, of course, became well known for playing Jane Tennison in TV’s Prime Suspect.

However, before Jane came to television, she was a character in a wonderful series by Lynda LaPlante. The Dirty Dozen is the fifth book about her.

Read along as Jane tries to/does make her place in this man’s world of the 1980s. She is a good detective but those around her do not always applaud her workplace successes. No spoiler, but Jane is tough. Watch as she works on a big case.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for this title.

This book was published on 16 April 2020.

Watch a tiny bee bring the world to bloom

by QED and Jennie Webber

This book has the most lovely illustrations; anyone who has ever enjoyed being in a garden will delight in them. They are gentle and colorful.

The accompanying rhyming text explains how bees help nature. Any child who has been afraid of bees could benefit from seeing the work that the bees do; they may then be less afraid. That said, any young nature lover could certainly enjoy this title.

The back of the book includes information on different types of bees and pollination. This gives a chance to learn even more.

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

This book was published on 05 Apr 2022.