A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States

by Nicole Claesen

#Funwith50States #NetGalley Pub date: 24 Aug 21

Readers of my blog know that I am a fan of activity books. I think that it is helpful to offer children activities that use crayons and pencils, not just screens. Activity books can also be great sources of entertainment when kids are spending long hours in cars or other forms of transportation.

This activity book on the fifty states is an excellent one for its age group. There is a section of interesting facts for each state, always followed by an activity. It could be a code to break or a word search puzzle or a spot the difference challenge, or maybe a maze or matching game, to give just some examples. Information is also included on each state’s capital, population, region, when it acquired statehood, state flower and bird and state nickname.

Let a child you know have the chance to learn about the U.S. while being entertained.

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

I highly recommend the mystery series by Deborah Crombie.

Washington Square is free.

A Novel

by Julia Claiborne Johnson

#BetterLuckNextTime

Travel back in time to 1938. You want a divorce. Not easy. Where to go? Well, how about Reno? Divorces are supposedly not so hard to obtain there. But…what to do while waiting? Hmmm, how about going to a dude ranch? That should help to pass the time.

At the dude ranch find Nina, Emily and Ward. Each has their own story and reason for being at the aptly named Flying Leap.

This novel combines humor and heart. I recommend it.

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

Spectacular Spreads

50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion

by Maegan Brown

#SpectacularSpreads #NetGalley Pub Date 28 Sep 2021

There are loads of spreads in this title. They cover Breakfast & Brunch; Lunch & dinner; Special Occasions; Holidays; Desserts, and Drinks.

The book opens with some helpful sections as, for example, How to Use This Book, What You’ll Need, and Planning. Then come the spreads beginning with a Continental Breakfast that includes cinnamon swirled coffee cake, mini banana muffins, blueberry streusel quick bread, and mini cinnamon rolls. These recipes are followed by suggestions for accompaniments. Some of the recipes that follow are familiar crowd pleasers; there are soups and sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. Holiday spreads include one for a family Valentine’s Dinner, an Easter Brunch and more.

This cookbook has many illustrations that may well inspire those who are planning gatherings…once we are again able to do so.

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

#CozyCaseFiles13 #NetGalley

I always enjoy this free resource. Cozy Case Files 13 includes descriptions of forthcoming mysteries along with generous excerpts. The authors featured in this one include Donna Andrews; Diane Kelly; Elizabeth Penney; Ellie Alexander; Jane K. Cleland; Jess Dylan; and M. C. Beaton. The Jane K Cleland is in my TBR pile of ARCs and looks intriguing with possible Jane Austen letters having been found. Another author, Elizabeth Penney is new to me and I would like to read her novel that has a book related theme along with a trip to Cambridge, England. Other entries also look interesting. Spend time with this volume and plan your upcoming reads. Those who like their mysteries without excessive violence will get some good ideas here.

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

Southern Grit

100+ Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Cook

by Kelsey Barnard Clark

#SouthernGrit #NetGalley

This beautifully illustrated cookbook may well leave readers feeling hungry. It is divided into sections including Happy Hour Bites & Sips; Greens; Potatoes, Grains & Pasta; Seafood; Eggs & Poultry; Pork & Beef; and Breads & Pastries, so…pretty much everything. There are 100 recipes in all. Just a few of these are Alabama Salad with Cucumber Skin Green Goddess Dressing; Smoke Gouda Grits with Redeye Gravy; Girl Boss Steak with Confit Onions and Mushrooms; and Beeb’s Blackberry Cobbler. Sound good? Give this one a look and get cooking.
Note that this book includes sections on everything from stocking the pantry to knife skills in addition to the recipes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
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Beginning-to-Read – Big Feelings

by Mary Lindeen

#FeelingAfraid #NetGalley

This book is part of a series that focuses on feelings. I think that it does an excellent job of addressing its topic for its young readers.

Children will learn that everyone is afraid of something but that not everyone is afraid of the same things. They will discover some ways in which fear can be helpful and times when it may hold them back. Some (mindfulness) techniques for coping are offered, along with the suggestion of talking to a trusted adult and remembering that the feeling may not last.

At the end of the book there is a section that suggests ways to talk about fears.

The book is full of photographs. These will help children to relate to the text and also shows kids just like them who feel and cope with being afraid.

I recommend this one. It offers a good way to open a discussion withe the goal of helping a child to feel and cope better.

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

The above books are recent releases and are all under $10.

Some other e book bargains for today:

Moby Dick is free. I read the novel in college and along with reading Paradise Lost it was one of my bigger literary accomplishments. Have you read the story of Ahab?

Our Woman in Moscow (by Beatriz Williams)

There was a time in England when Cambridge grads became traitors; among the most famous of these men were KIm Philby, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and Donald Maclean. They hid in plain sight, not suspected for a long time because of their social class and educations. They were idealistic to start with but some devolved into alcoholism and of course, many defected.

This novel takes place within the time frame of these spies in the late 40s and early 50s. One of the spies, Guy Burgess, is even a character in the novel.

Two sisters Iris and Ruth are the book’s protagonists. When the story opens, Ruth is successfully running a modeling agency in New York. She and Iris have not spoken for many years. Readers will find out why when they read the novel.

When the two were still close, they lived in Rome during part of WWII. While there Iris falls madly in love with Sasha Digby. She makes the decision to follow him wherever he goes and, not to spoil anything they eventually make a big move. Readers will find out why.

One day, Ruth gets a call for help from Iris. She heeds it and this leads to the most exciting events of the novel.

Also in the story is Lyudmilla, a very conforming Russian. Where does she fit in the story and how do her life and the Digbys’ lives intersect? Again, read to find out.

Beatriz Williams has written an absorbing story here with an excellent plot twist. Events unfold; this is not a James Bond like read but it is a good one. The settings and characters shine.

Think about the title as you read. See how close you come to guessing some of the story’s resolutions. Enjoy the novel as you do. It makes for a good read.