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.

Artists in Residence

Seventeen Artists and Their Living Spaces, from Giverny to Casa Azul

by Melissa Wyse, Illustrated by Kate Lewis

Who are they? Where did they live? Artists in Residence

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJanuary 8, 2021

MY EARLIER REVIEW

Seventeen Artists and Their Living Spaces, from Giverny to Casa Azul

by Melissa Wyse, Illustrated by Kate Lewis

Artists in Residence is the result of the serendipitous meetings between author Melissa Wyse and artist Kate Lewis. Readers learn about how their paths crossed in the book’s introduction.

Together the two put together this title with MW writing beautifully insightful essays about the artists and Kate painting scenes reminiscent of their homes. Included are artists whom I knew well including Georgia O’Keeffe, Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant, Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo & Diego River, Lee Krasner & Jackson Pollock and others with whom I am newly acquainted as, for example, .Hassan Jajjaj, Clementine Hunter, Donald Judd. (I have not listed all seventeen here). There is an alchemy between text and visual that works.

This collaboration will be welcomed by art lovers and armchair travelers alike. I know that I enjoyed my time in these homes and with these insights.

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

Great Women’s Speeches

Empowering Voices that Engage and Inspire

by Anna Russell

This is a book to dip into, to savor and to save. It will give girls and women a wonderful sense of what female speakers have talked about over the centuries. This title begins with a speech by Elizabeth I and ends with one given by Maya Lin. In between are many voices and authors with which readers are familiar and others that are new. To name just a few of those included: Sojourner Truth, Mary Church Terrell, Nellie MCClung, Nancy Astor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Hilary Clinton, Angela Merkel, and Emma Watson. I will want a hard copy of this title when it is issued as it is a book to return to time and again.

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

The Searcher is a standalone novel by Tana French who has also written the marvelous Dublin murder series. Start at the beginning with In the Woods and come up for air when you get to the end.

The Searcher is a brooding novel with a strong sense of place and character. French, herself, has described it as being a Western, but one set in Ireland. I think that this is because of the concept of the stranger coming to town. Cal is that stranger. He is a divorced policeman from Chicago who thinks that the will find a simpler and more satisfying life in the small Irish town where he fixes up his house and gets to know the locals. His existence is upended by Trey, a thirteen year old who wants to know what happened to brother, Brendan. Cal gets involved in what is a sad and somewhat dark story.

Many of the characters in this novel are well portrayed, from Cal’s neighbor Mart to the busybody who runs the local store to Lena (and her dogs) and, most especially Trey, a fully realized, scrappy, vulnerable. teen. Other town people blended together a bit for me.

Will Trey find out what Trey wants/needs to know? What will it mean if/when Trey does? These are some of the questions of the novel.

At times, I could imagine this novel as a tv show because the places were so well described. At other times, the sense of menace could very much be felt. The relationship between Trey and Cal was nuanced and is a critical part of the story.

I still prefer the Dublin murder series but truly admire what French has accomplished in this book. Give it a try!

A strong debut novel: The Widows by Jess Montgomery

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 10, 2018

MY EARLIER REVIEW:

I’ve been thinking about how to best write about this book by first time author Jess Montgomery. First time author! Wow, Ms. Montgomery writes like an experienced novelist as she effectively creates a place, characters and narrative tension. She has written what I consider to be a truly excellent debut novel.

The Widows are Lily and Marvena, each of whom has children, has lost a husband and is trying not to lose her way. Life in Bronwyn County, Ohio for them and those they love, following WWI is full of hardship. Coal is king and a harsh master. Poverty and company scrip rule many lives.

In this world, Marvena and her common law husband John have worked to organize the miners. This is a freighted and difficult task given the strong arm tactics of the mine owners. Pinkertons are brought in to quell resistance. Other outsiders try to dominate illegal moonshine businesses.

On the surface, Lily’s life looks better. She is married to Sheriff Daniel Ross, a former boxer and half brother to the mine owner. However, early in the novel, Daniel is killed. The circumstances surrounding his death are a central mystery in the novel.

Both Marvena and Lily have relationship history with Daniel. Each realizes that she did not fully know him. As they come to know one another, Lily and Marvena come to also know themselves.

Peopled with many additional characters that come vividly to life, this novel is engaging, realistic and compelling. Put it on your TBR pile for January when it will be released. I recommend this one very highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Minotaur for this fantastic read!

In Love & Pajamas

A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together

by Catana Chetwynd

This collection of gentle comics is about a couple and their daily life. It is a book about loving one’s partner and accepting them with all of their quirks. It allows for the ways in which partners may be the same or different from each other and, regardless, can still love each other. If you are looking for a bit of emotional uplift and some smiles, this title may be for you.

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

Parts of life may be still but not all…and what does the title mean? Still Life

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 6, 2020

MY EARLIER REVIEW

A Karen Pirie Novel

by Val McDermid

#StillLife #NetGalley

In my opinion, Val McDermid is one of the very best authors of mystery/police procedurals/suspense who is writing today. Her stand alone novel, A Place of Execution is extraordinary. She has another great one in The Vanishing Point. Then, of course, there are Ms. McDermid’s many series. The oldest are the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigans and then there are the Tony Hill and Carol Jordans. However, my favorite series is the one featuring Karen Pirie. So, I was THRILLED to receive the ARC of Still Life from NetGalley. It absolutely dis not disappoint.

Karen Pirie is a DCI who is in charge of historical cases that generally have a connection in the present. She is based in Scotland although in this book she travels afield, including a trip to Paris. Each novel in the series has several story lines that come together. There is a lot going on in this one.

The books are perhaps read in order although that is not strictly necessary. That said, long term readers will feel for Karen as the killer of her significant other Phil is released from prison. How will this change both her life and that of the killer? Followers of the series will also enjoy being updated on Karen’s relationship with Hamish and the work of her sidekick Jason.

There are several plots. There is the presumed murder of a Scottish political figure in the past and the fate of his brother in the present. There is a body found in a camper vab that may belong to the artist girlfriend of a road accident victim. There are clues like OUDS, 12N, art works, the fate of a conceptual artist and more.

In less talented hands, plates could get dropped but Ms. McDermid is in fine command of her craft. My only criticism is that now I will have to wait at least a year to spend time with Karen again.

I highly recommend this one! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.