This is the second mystery by Ms. Bartow, following on Husband in Hiding. I have not read that first in the series but may well go back to do so.

In this title, Minka Avery becomes involved in the troubled situation of her brother. Although she thought that she would be focusing on her domestic life, including a toddler and husband, Minka feels that she has to help. Minka’s investigation is unofficial but complex. What will happen to her brother and how deeply will Minka need to go to try to right things? Will she have to turn her brother in?

One interesting characteristic of Minka’s is that she is deaf. Aside from reading Inspector Morse’s “The World of Nicholas Quinn” by Colin Dexter, I have not read a mystery with a detective who is deaf. How does this impact Minka and those around her? Read this title to find out. (Hint: Minka is pretty capable!)

Many thanks to the author for a gifted copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

A Board Book

by Natalie Nelson

I loved this sweet board book about a cat who is getting to know his first baby. The illustrations and text work together perfectly. Baby and cat are both the same…and different. Will cat come to like baby? Take a look to find out.

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

This title will be published on 01 Mar 2022.

by Ruth Wielockx

This bright and sweetly illustrated book introduces kids to Luke and Lotty and their first garden. Children will visit a garden center where they will watch Luke and Lottie choose what they will grow. Kids will learn how to plant seeds and, perhaps most important, they will learn that it takes time and patience to grow a garden.

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

This title will be published on 29 Mar 2022.

AND BELOW SOME FROM THIS WEEK’S SHORT LIST: RECENT BOOKS AT REDUCED PRICES

The American History of an Idea

by Lillian Faderman

The title of this excellent book tells a reader just what to expect. This is an academic title that will talk about the concept and history of women over the course of 400 years of American history.

This title explores women’s experiences and the ways in which expectations for them could often be defined by others. Readers will also discover when and how women began to define their lives and experiences for themselves.

The author is a professor and she knows her subject well. She is also able to engage the reader and does so, right from the introduction, when she talks about her JHS, her sexual identity, and her having been raised by an unmarried mother. Professor Faderman notes the disconnect between her experience and the 1950s woman as portrayed on TV in the personage of a June Cleaver or a Donna Reed.

When Professor Faderman made her way into a PhD program, she chose to study women in America. One result of that decision is this book. Professor Faderman examines the ways in which women have been defined by both men and women and notes that, while some women wanted more (the vote, for example), others did not.

This is an engaging, interesting and absorbing study that moves from the seventeenth century to the present day. I highly recommend it.

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

This book will be published on 15 Mar 2022.

A Victorian Book Club Mystery

by Callie Hutton

Kudos to Crooked Lane publishers for being such a wonderful resource for those who enjoy cozy mysteries. Here is the first of a new series. Three things initially drew me to this title; it was historical, it mentioned a book club in the title, and it takes place in Bath, England (one of my favorite places).

This is an entertaining read that tells the story of Lady Amy and at least one other character who will appear in the next books. The story; a disturbing letter that Lady Amy receives sets the stage for what happens after. There is murder, detection, interesting characters and a good story. To add to the fun, Lady Amy writes mysteries herself.

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

Others in the series:

Artemisia Gentileschi

by Sheila Barker

I have seen some of this artist’s paintings and was fascinated by them. Here was a woman painter at a time when the art world was dominated by men. Plus, I later learned about her complicated personal history. For these reasons, I was delighted to have the chance to see this book and to learn more about AG.

This title is published by Getty and they clearly know how to produce gorgeous books on art. This book is part of a series on female artists and is motivated, in part, by current social movements and the desire to give space to past pioneers. Each book, according to the introduction, looks at a female artist in terms of social, cultural, temporal and geographic contexts. Attention is also paid to the artist’s life story and the growth and evolution of their art.

The reproductions in these pages are plentiful and provide a good sense of the artist. I loved many of the Madonna and Child portraits which, to me, exhibited a contemporary (to her time) feeling and a sense of the warm relationship between the two.

Art lovers and those who want to enhance their knowledge base will enjoy this title. I definitely recommend it.

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

Other reviews:

“Sheila Barker paints a rich portrait of Artemisia’s early career . . . providing details of the artist’s life as well as the personalities she encountered. All in all, a major contribution to our understanding of Artemisia’s life and work.”
—Judith W. Mann, Curator, European Art to 1800, Saint Louis Art Museum
 

“Sheila Barker’s book provides a compelling and lively introduction to this endlessly fascinating, complex, and essential painter whose ambitious work challenged the gender-restricting conventions of her day by asserting her claim to be the equal of her male colleagues.”
—Keith Christiansen, Curator Emeritus, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Practices and Guidance for Uncovering Your Natural Awareness

by Diana Winston

This book is one that a reader might want to return to again and again as they learn more about natural awareness and all that this involves. The author is well-credentialed and shares her experiences in getting to where she is, including some struggles when she was in Myanmar learning Vipassana practices.

The book consists of many small chapters. Those in the first section on foundations, for example, include: What is Natural Awareness?; Why is Natural Awareness so Hard to find?; What’s in It for Me?; and Developing a Natural Awareness Practice. The book includes many techniques and practices and can be helpful to those new to the topic and those who are wanting to expand their mindfulness practice.

Are you a person interested in this topic? Would you like to understand what natural awareness is? If yes, this title is definitely worth a read.

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

See review on my blog. The author has a new book coming out soon. Other titles by her are also on sale.