Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

See review on my site. I really like this series.

See comment above.

25 Tales of Women Who Protect the Earth

by Rebel Girls

I love the Rebel Girls series. Through these books, young readers learn about so many interesting people’s dreams, aspirations and accomplishments. This entry takes on one of the most important topics of our time, the environment. Rather than despair, rebel girls show how they are doing something! Learn about 25 women who are doing their best to protect our earth. Just a few among those featured are author Margaret Atwood, climate activist Greta Thunberg and marine biologist Rachel Carson. There are also those whom I just met through these pages including journalist Bernice Notenboom, activist Julia Butterfly Hill and zoologist Lucy King. Each woman’s biography is shared and there is an illustration of her on the accompanying page.

Find inspiration and hope in this excellent collection. There are several special sections at the end of the book.

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

This title will be published on 29 Mar 2022

And Other Stories of the French Countryside

by Martin Walker

Martin Walker has been writing about Bruno (Chief of Police) through fourteen books with a fifteenth coming later this year. So many enjoy his novels and will be delighted by this collection of short stories.

There are so many things to love in Bruno and his world. There is, of course, Bruno’s personality. I also very much like how the settings and people come to life. I do think, though, that one of the greatest joys comes from all of the food and drink. All of these favored elements are present in these stories.

I truly recommend this collection. It makes me want to go back to read all of the titles in the series.

This title will be published on 15 Mar 2022.

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

#BrunoHasOneHundredFriends #NetGalley

Who hasn’t observed a young child mesmerized by a screen? Parents take advantage of this to distract their children when they, as the adult, have something else to do. It seems harmless, but is it?

This Dutch book offers a gentle and fair warning about the dangers of devices for children whose lives are meant to take place in the real world in real time. Children observe Bruno going for a walk with his two good friends, when he discovers…a cell phone! Bruno loves all that it can do so much that he has little need for anyone or anything else. How will this work out for him? Read this book with a child that you know to find out. The lesson is important for both kids and the ones who are in charge of them.

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

Editorial Reviews

2021 Scree-Free Week Book List Selection!

“A bear named Bruno finds a new technological distraction in the woods. One day Bruno, Rico, and Renzo go fishing. While walking along a woodland path, Bruno finds something beautiful: a smartphone. He discovers fun sounds, exciting pictures, and new words. The best thing the phone offers is connections to new friends, and soon, Bruno has 100 friends. With so many new friends and diversions, Bruno has interest only in his phone, ignoring Rico and Renzo. During dinner, in bed, and even on the toilet, Bruno only has time for his new phone. Only after his two friends leave and the phone goes black does Bruno realizes what true friendship is. Translated from Dutch, Bruno’s story is clearly relevant to current technological society. His experiences will be familiar to many kids (and their grown-ups), demonstrating how the allure of instant friends, information, and media makes it so easy to get lost in the digital world. Pirrone emphasizes the quality of friendships over the quantity. The muted, angular illustrations add amusing details and acknowledge how mesmerizing phones can be. Drawn animals and plants placed on subtly textured backgrounds make up the charming full-color, full-page images. A bold display type is used to emphasize some of Bruno’s excited thoughts and words. A kid-friendly reminder of the dark side of connected life.” – Kirkus Reviews

nyti.ms/3pycotD

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BN-Mar-22.pdf

A Puzzler’s Guide and How to Make Your Own

by Holly Lambert

Jigsaw puzzles became so popular during Covid that stores had trouble keeping them in stock. Clearly this pastime offered just the right degree of the need to concentrate and an ability to accomplish something, however small. So, it seems that this book is made for this time.

This title is chockablock with information and photos. There are chapters on everything from the history of jigsaw puzzles, to the benefits of puzzling, to how to make your own and more. Readers will learn what name they can use to describe them as a puzzler, find out what types of jigsaw puzzles there are and get hints for solving. Clearly all of this will delight jigsaw fans.

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

This title will be published on 25 Mar 2022.

A Novel

by Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis writes novels that readers enjoy. Her characters feel like real people who are coping with life’s vagaries and the romance that is part of her stories allows for a nice break from the real world.

This time, protagonist Emma is the focus. She is pictured on the cover of the novel with her trusty, sweet, sometimes fearful dog, Hog. Emma has been in an accident, spent time in a coma and is literally struggling to get back on her feet. She is working with a physical therapist, Simon, who has his own issues. Simon’s dad has had a couple of strokes and is sometimes a bit inappropriate. Helping to run his father’s company keeps Simon from the work that he would prefer to do.

There are some secondary characters who also play their part, especially Simon’s cousin Alison. Alison has many reasons to not trust and let people in. She has let this stand in the way of the relationship that she most wants.

Readers will enjoy spending time with these folks as they develop and grow. Yes, the romance may have predictable elements but so do fairy tales and we read those.

All in all a good read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Short List for this week (recent books at a discount)

I reviewed this one and think that it is special.