Fiction at its best: The Guest Book (Blake)

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 19, 2019

MY EARLIER REVIEW:

I read and enjoyed this author’s first novel, The Postmistress, so was thrilled to receive an e galley of her second novel, The Guest Book. The Guest Book was chosen as a Barnes and Noble book club read and it is easy to see why. This is the sort of novel that the reader wants to talk about with others who spent time getting to know the Miltons, their circle, and those who are on the outside of it.

The story covers three generations in a narrative that moves back and forth in time, beginning with Ogden and Kitty. They appear to literally own all that they could ever want, even including an island in Maine that is central to the book. The next generation includes Moss, Evelyn and Joan. Children who grew up with so much and who each make decisions about how they want to live in the world. Their children form the book’s third generation. Other important characters are Leonard, who is Jewish and Reg who is African American.

The world of these characters resembles the dance on the island late in the book. People dance with “their own” and occasionally with “others.” These interactions fuel the plot and thinking of the novel.

This is a story about those with power who casually dislike those who are not like them. So…can Leonard, who is Jewish, ever truly be with Joan? Is there a reason that Reg, who is African American does not sign the guest book of the title?

The reader spends much time with Kitty. No spoilers but several of her decisions, one casual and without awareness of the tragedy that will befall and one with knowledge of that but still a particular decision. The reader will be immersed in Kitty’s thoughts about the choices that she has made.

It can be easy to dislike some of the characters for their choices. The author tries to show that life and decisions are complex, made for reasons that are not always clear and may or may not be regretted. Ms. Blake has a message that she would like readers to take away. Around it, she creates a novel of considerable depth.

I highly recommend this one. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e galley in exchange for an honest review.

My earlier review is below.

Come to Edenton: Big Lies in a SmallTown by Diane Chamberlain

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsFebruary 15, 2020

I saw a number of intriguing reviews on this title, so was eager to read the book. It did not disappoint.

The novel tells the story of two artists, Anna in the 1940s and Morgan in 2018. Around them is famous, recently deceased artist, Jesse. The most impressive feat in the novel is the way in which the author connects their stories.

Anna wins a contest to create a mural in a small southern town. Northerner Anna has many experiences in Edenton, culminating in a major event. In the present, Morgan is trying to atone for past poor decisions. Around each of these characters are many others who come to life.

This story is partly a meditation on family (good and bad), race, community and more. The author clreverly adds to the story with diary entries and newspaper stories.

Readers of women’s fiction and others will enjoy this novel that so excellently portrays its places and characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchangefor an honest review.

A Calm-Down Book for Kids

by Jessica Lee

Andrews McMeel Publishing

#BreatheDeepLittleSheep #NetGalley

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021

This title has absolutely adorable and appealing illustrations of both young and adult animals. These should bring a smile to the face of both the child and adult who are looking at this book together. Further, seeing animals and not children may make it easier for children to engage with a book about anxiety.

This is a book to read with a child who is experiencing a bit of anxiety or to read with a child way before those feelings arise. There are gentle suggestions of things to try when a child is overwhelmed. The message that something can be done should be reassuring to a child. Practice right along with the child that you know and let them know that we all need to calm ourselves at times.

This is a book that has a number of suggestions. They do not have to all be done at once. Perhaps a child can pick something to try based on the pages that most appeal to them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. It is an excellent resource.

For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep

by Tish Harrison Warren

This title offers a personal look at a prayer. It begins at a difficult moment in the writer’s life. The author, an Anglican priest, opens her book with a very moving account of a pregnancy loss that led to a potential loss of faith and a trip to the emergency room. In that moment, she and her husband, also a priest, recited a prayer of Compline, relying on a practice with a long historical timeline to sustain them. Having such words at hand provided a connection that was essential. The author moves broadly from this incident to the role of nighttime prayer over the course of this book.

This title acknowledges the ways in which we feel smaller at night, more vulnerable and more frightened. The Compline prayer can add something beautiful and comforting to life at these times. Prayer as ritual is acknowledged and the author takes a deep dive into the individual concepts of the Anglican nighttime prayer. She is an excellent companion and a thoughtful one.

Readers are invited to go on a journey with the author. Those, both Christian and not, will take something away from this thought provoking and moving read.

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

The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

by Traci Sorell, illus. by Natasha Donovan

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021  

One thing that I love about kids’ non-fiction titles is that I often learn about something or someone previously unknown to me. That was certainly true with this book. I had not heard of Mary Golda Rose who was a twentieth century aerospace engineer. This Native American’s story is told here and it is intriguing.

Young reader’s learn that Mary’s Cherokee values shaped the person that she was. Her love of Math and Science led her to a successful career. From teacher to becoming an engineer at Lockheed, Mary worked hard and accomplished much.

This title includes helpful sections including a time line, a list of Cherokee values, source notes and a bibliography. Interested readers can thus look deeper into the life and times of this remarkable woman.

STEM education is a focus now. This book will encourage students, especially girls, to reach for the careers that they want. They will be impressed by what Mary achieved and, hopefully, will learn that they, too, can be successful.

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

A first book about how we can help save our planet

by Catherine Barr, Steve Williams

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021  

This book begins billions of years ago when the earth was very hot. Children then learn how over time temperatures cooled and oceans were formed. From there, readers see the many changes that have taken place on the planet in a process that occurred over many, many years. They learn that some of these changes have had consequences that can hurt the climate, as for example with methane build up. The ways in which people, plants, animals and more have been impacted are matter of factly laid out. That could feel scary. However, the author ends the book with a reminder of the things that we can all do to improve the quality of our environment and world thus empowering kids.

The illustrations in this title are involving and colorful. There are some amusing captions embedded in them. They will keep the interest of the kids to whom this book is directed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I think that this book does a very good job in discussing a topic that kids should know about.