Secret Britain

Unearthing our Mysterious Past

by Mary-Ann Ochota

#SecretBritain #NetGalley This beautifully illustrated title will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the British Isles, history, archaeology and more. It is a beautifully photographed and wide-ranging tile. The author begins with an introduction, a timeline and a map. She follows this with the many places where she is interested in “unearthing our mysterious past,” as the title of the book notes. There are so many places included. To name some there are the Tomnaverie Recumbent Stone Circle, Seahenge, Must Farm, Snettisham Treasures, the Dagenham Idol and Stonehenge. The geography includes Kent, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Moray and many more locations. The first object featured is the Westray Wifey which is over 5,000 years old and was found on Orkney. There are so many more to follow. This book can be dipped into or read in its entirety. I very much enjoyed the time that I spent with this fascinating title. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. All opinions are my own.

50 Adventures in the 50 States

by Kate Siber

#50Adventuresinthe50States #NetGalley

The author of this children’s book beguilingly invites her readers to come and have some adventures. Starting with letter “A,” readers are invited to climb a giant boulder in Alabama, to walk on a glacier in Alaska, to horseback ride in Arizona and to kayak in Arkansas. From there it goes on to all of the states.

I found this to be an interesting and appealing title. Readers, whether or adults or children, will learn a lot as they enjoy both the text and illustrations in this book.

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

From the publisher:

ILLINOIS – ICE SKATE IN CHICAGO

Layer up and lace up your skates. It’s wintertime in Chicago and the whole city is frosty and white. That means it’s time to glide across the ice on the city’s famous skating ribbon! Unlike boring old oval rinks, this one winds like a snake and is twice as long as a normal rink.

#EudoraHoneysett #NetGalley So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I read it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others. Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be? Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more. In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister. Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them? At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. Give it a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

I just reviewed this author’s new novel, Still Life. Every title that I have read by Ms. McDermid has been very enjoyable. Today, many of them are e book bargains. I have included the titles that I know; there are also some Tony Hill and Carol Jordan books as well. They generally involve serial killers so not what I typically read. Enjoy.

English and British History in 100 Bite-size Chunks

by Paul Hodson

#EnglishandBritishHistoryin100BitesizeChunks #NetGalley In a book of just under 400 pages, the author of this title covers English and British history beginning with “The Fossil Record,” moving through Ancient and Pre-Roman Times and continuing on until finally reaching The Atomic and Nuclear Space Digital Age of War. Along the way, readers can spend time in their favorite era whether that is time with the Romans, The Georgians, The Stuarts, The Victorians or a different time entirely. The range in this book is extensive. In browsing, I read about Victorian women and the evolution of their rights and then moved backward to read about ancient art. There is so much of interest in this book. You do not have to be a scholar to read this book. It is geared to anyone who would like to know more about English and British history. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this interesting title. All opinions are my own.

Windcliff

A Story of People, Plants, and Gardens

by Daniel J. Hinkley

#Windcliff #NetGalley

I was not familiar with the author when I received this e galley from NetGalley but I was intrigued by the thought of spending (virtual) time in a beautiful place. As it turns out, the author is well known in horticultural circles. His gardens are celebrated in this beautifully illustrated title.

Mr. Hinkley is an honest and open guide throughout this volume with a voice that, at times, feels elegaic. Spend time with him and his horticultural treasures. Imagine that you are in the exact spot where a photo was taken. It will be well worth your time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Opening your heart, embracing your natural joy

by The Happy Buddha

#TheHappinessContentmentWorkbook #NetGalley

The author of this book is an optimist. The Happy Buddha believes that happiness is our natural state and one that we are distracted from by the outside, perhaps through possessions or the opinions of others or our own ruminations. The belief that causes of discontent can be understood and addressed is at the core of this title.

Those who engage with this book will begin to explore questions and to better understand themselves. For example, readers can list their limiting beliefs, think about what they need to forgive, practice mindfulness, cope with jealousy and more.

The Happy Buddha believes in the ice cube analogy. Readers will learn what this is and how to work with it. Those who patiently work their way through this title will learn not only about this but also about themselves.

I found this book to be interesting. It offers a chance to engage with one’s self and to self-knowledge. I do think that there are similar books out there but this one could be worth your time as well.

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

Good choices today. Marie Benedict writes engaging historical fiction. The Lynda LaPlante is the start of a new series. Never Ask Me is in my TBR pile. Mrs. Dalloway rewards patient readers. The Pull of the Stars has gotten excellent reviews. Where’d You Go Bernadette is a good quirky read. Plus a couple more. Enjoy!

Wendy Holden has been a writer of light women’s fiction for many years. With The Royal Governess she most successfully ventures into historical fiction.

Marion Crawford is the woman who became “the royal governess.” It was not her aim in life as she started out wanting to be a reformer who taught children living in the slums. Crawfie, as she became known, changed direction when she realized that she could potentially introduce Princess Elizabeth to the “real” world, hopefully making her better able to understand “normal” people and normal life.

This novel offers an excellent history of the royal family; it is all here. There are young Elizabeth and Margaret, the future King and Queen, David and Mrs. Simpson, Prince Philip, Peter Townsend and many others. There are all of the events including WWII, the abdication, Elizabeth’s marriage and more. All are told through the lens of Marion Crawford’s experiences.

Readers also learn what Marion gave up for her job. They will also see how she was treated by those she served.

Readers of historical fiction and those who enjoy books about the Royal Family are sure to enjoy this novel. Kudos to Ms. Holden on her new direction.

The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing

by Annette Lavrijsen

#Niksen #NetGalley

This book is another in the mode of those on hygge and others that suggest ways to live better and less frantically. This one appealed to me from the moment I saw the first beautiful and relaxing illustrations inside. It offers the Dutch view on the importance of life style and doing nothing.

Niksen is a terms that is about the power of the pause. Such balance with time away from stress is surely something to be wished for. This book offers readers ways to achieve a state of greater calm.

I know that with Covid it can feel at times that we are doing nothing but that is not the case. Many feel stressed even as they feel less productive. This book will help readers to reset and better make their way through each day.

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