by Lilly Workneh, Jestine Ware, Diana Odero, Sonja Thomas, CaShawn Thompson (Foreword)

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021 #RebelGirlsCelebrateBlackGirlMagic #NetGalley

The Rebel Girls series is one that is easy to recommend. Each book is well put together and created to inspire girls to believe that anything is possible. Readers are offered the opportunity to appreciate the accomplishments of others who paved the way while they ponder their own paths.

This title does exactly what it promises. The stories of 100 Black girls are told. For each there is a beautiful illustration and a biographical sketch. These pages have stories about everyone from Angela Davis, (activist), to Aretha Franklin (singer), to Ava Duvernay (filmmaker), to Ida B Wells (journalist), to Joy Buolamwini (computer scientist), and so many more. Readers find the ways in which paths may have taken time to find. They may also read about injustices. For example pediatric neurosurgeon, Alexa Canady, was the victim of a teacher swapping her grades with those of a white student. Readers also find that she considered several fields before finding her calling.

This title belongs in school and home libraries so that it can be picked up and read anytime. Girls will benefit from spending time with this one. I guarantee it.

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

The inspiring connections between the world’s greatest artists

by Susie Hodge

#ArtisticCircles #NetGalley Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

This title includes stories of many artists and their creative connections with others. For each artist featured, there is interesting biographical information, something about these connections and an illustration of the artist. These illustrations reflect each artist’s own style.

There are way too many artists to list here. Some of those included are Sargent, Mondrian, Picasso, Calder, Basquiat and Krasner. I very much enjoyed the biographical anecdotes about each talented artist. The connections are also there often floating above the other text.

This title is well organized. Beneath each artist’s name are those who were influenced. For example, under Georgia O’Keeffe is the name Judy Chicago. Under Judy Chicago’s name are Georgia O’Keeffe, Eva Hesse and Jenny Holzer. This helps readers to see how so many of the artists connected to each other and lets readers hone in on which entries they want to read.

For those who would enjoy a wide-ranging exposure to both well-known and lesser known artists, this book is recommended.

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

From the publisher:

Treacherous is the Night by Anna LeeHuber

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 23, 2021

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 20, 2018

Anna Lee Huber began a new series last year when This Side of Murder was published. In Treacherous is the Night, the second novel featuring Verity Kent, the author hits her stride.

The reader learns early on that Verity was an agent in La Dame Blanche, a resistance and intelligence group, during WWI. This story has to do with events that had their origin in that time.

At the beginning of the novel, Verity, although not a believer, attends a seance with a friend who hopes to contact her brother. For those who don’t know, attending seances was common after the war. The medium appears to channel an agent with whom Verity worked during the war. From this point on, the novel is a hunt for clues to find Emilie and to prevent a tragedy. While the reader assumes that, since this is a series, Verity will survive, the author should be credited for creating suspense in her narrative.

There is a reason to read the books in order. SPOILER: This has to do with what happened to Verity’s husband, something the reader learns in the first novel. However, if the reader is willing to move forward, there is no reason that this novel cannot be read first.

I gave This Side of Murder three *** and am happy to give the new novel four. I enjoyed spending time with the main characters in this book and look forward to meeting up with Verity, Sidney and the rest of the crew in the future.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher.

The Barbizon

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsFebruary 4, 2021

The Hotel That Set Women Free

by Paulina Bren

There was a time when young women moving to New York City spent their first weeks (or longer) at the Barbizon Hotel. The guests were both famous and not. All were looking for a place that a female could safely and uncontroversially stay. Everyone from Grace Kelly to Sylvia Plath spent time there, beginning after WWI. The building is still there but, of course, is no longer the same.

It was a place of rules. For example, no men were allowed upstairs. But, even so, it offered a welcome sense of freedom to its residents.

Those who are interested in the social history, the roles of women and the city of New York will find that this title is interesting and informative. It is also somewhat nostalgic and, for that reason, may give readers a pleasant escape.

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

#TalkBookishtoMe #NetGalley

Talk Bookish to Me is the first romance novel by this author although I am pretty sure that there will be more to follow. For one thing, Ms. Bromley knows a lot about the genre and it is clear, through her heroine, that she loves and respects the genre. I learned a lot (painlessly) about the different categories of romance novels, the various tropes that are used and more.

This is the story of Kara, a writer of romance novels, who is experiencing difficulty getting the inspiration she needs to work on her next book. Enter an old boyfriend and somehow he gets her writing again even as Kara fights her attraction to him. The novel that Kara is working on is a story within the story here.

Surrounding Kara and Ryan are Ryan’s dog, Duke, who receives a good deal of attention; Kara’s friends, her mother and sister and other friends. There is also some backstory.

Talk Bookish to Me is an easy read. Romance lovers may want to give this one a chance.

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

How to Survive in Ancient Greece by Robert Garland

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 12, 2020

The publisher of this book, Pen & Sword, previously issued a book called How to Survive in Ancient Egypt. I enjoyed that book so was delighted to have the opportunity to read the ARC of a book on surviving in Ancient Greece. (See archive for a review of the Egypt title).
If you are interested in the subject, this book is a treasure trove. Read about Athenian history and learn how the city was run. Learn more about the religion, the family the system of slavery and more. Find out how women were viewed by men, how children were treated and educated, where to shop, what a house looked like, jobs and more. This book includes so many interesting sections.
If you are a person who enjoys imagining life in other eras, give this book a try. I think that you will be fascinated.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

by Stephanie Demasse-Pottier

#MyIsland #NetGalley

My Island is a beautifully illustrated book that invites children into its world. There are lots of blues in the initial illustrations and the feeling is one of harmony. There is much to see on every two page spread.

The story is about a little girl who imagines that she lives on this island. She has a wonderful and vivid ability to create a world and would be happy to have children enjoy the island with her.

This is a lovely book and one that young children will, I think, enjoy.

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

From the publisher and an illustration that I loved:

nyti.ms/3ig5mXh