Organize and Transform Your Space, Time, and Mind

by Michele Vig

#TheHolisticGuidetoDecluttering #NetGalley

Pub date: September 22, 2020

While we have all been dealing with Covid, we are spending more time at home. If you are like me, you look around and think, this place could use some work and so could I in terms of mindfulness and awareness. This title addresses these topics from a number of perspectives.

Many people have been exposed to Marie Kondo by now; this book provides an additional perspective. There are many practical tips here as well as a good linking between physical clutter and mental/emotional overload as well.

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

Mysteries and mostly light fiction here. I reviewed Queen Bee and enjoyed Queen Sugar. QS became the basis for a TV series on Oprah’s network. the Luminaries was also made into a TV series in Britain. I have, but have not yet read The Paris Orphan. Anyone have an opinion on that one? Enjoy.

Secret Gardens of Somerset

A Private Tour

by Abigail Willis

#SecretGardensofSomerset #NetGalley I spent a semester of college in Somerset so was beyond excited to receive this e galley and revisit an area that I adored. Inside this book, readers can enjoy an armchair visit to twenty beautiful spots including The American Museum and Gardens in Bath, Cothay Manor, Stoberry H0use and more. Each entry has a good amount of information along with gorgeous photos. There is also a section on information for visitors. For those who enjoy gardens, this title is highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

by Alice Miller Audiobook edition

#MoreMiracleThanBird #NetGalley

This title is beautifully and charmingly narrated by Polly Lee. I found myself looking forward to hearing her voice and was always immersed in her words. Ms. Lee makes the characters of this novel and its settings come to life with her melodic reading.

The novel tells the story of Georgie Hyde-Lees and those around her. She traveled in a circle with many in the arts. Much of the novel is about Georgie’s relationship with William Butler Yeats, Willie to her. Georgie’s close friend Dorothy marries Ezra Pound so the literary is quite present in this work.

Georgie, Yeats and others were interested in mediums and an organization that was cult like. I had no knowledge of this organization before hearing this novel and found that to be quite interesting.

An additional key character in the book is Pike. He serves as a kind of counterpoint to Yeats. Pike is a wounded soldier who very much wants to be involved with Georgie. There are many others in the story as well from Georgie’s parents to hospital the nursing director and more. Each seeks to influence Georgie in some way.

Georgie is portrayed as a young woman who is trying to live her life. She is human and makes mistakes. She is busy as a translator, hospital nurse and more. Her life unfolds in this work.

Some reviewers did not seem to like this book. However I did. I was interested in the time period, the characters and the story line.

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

from the Crime Writers’ Association

by Edited by Martin Edwards

#VintageCrime #NetGalley

This anthology highlights the many authors who have written for the Crime Writers Association since its inception. The book shows the wide range of the contributing authors with stories by Michael Gilbert, Julian Symons, Simon Brett, Paula Gosling, Liza Cody, Peter Lovesey, Kate Ellis and more. Spend time reading a story by a writer you enjoy or make some new discoveries. Either way this anthology offers a great read.

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

You can find reviews of The Lost Letters of William Woolf and Treacherous is the Night on my blog. All of today’s choices look good for some relaxing reading.

Nature All Around: Birds

by Pamela Hickman

#NatureAllAroundBirds #NetGalley

This is such a beautiful book with its quite appealing and colorful illustrations. There is so much that can be learned about birds in this short title. There is everything from details about the appearance of birds in terms of their features, to their homes, to making a bird feeder. There are also chapters on birds in the different seasons. Credit is given for the hard work that birds do including eating insects and pollinating flowers. There are also tips for bird watching. This book would make a welcome gift to a young nature lover in your life.

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

Hug?

by Charlene Chua

This is a humorously and adorably illustrated story book. It starts with a cat in need of a hug and…watch what comes next! Young children and their adults will find this book to be delightful.

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

I have read and very much liked all of the Maisie Dobbs books and the series by Anne Perry of which this title is the first. I also recommend The Gift from the Sea. Anne Morrow Lindbergh shows here that she was more than the wife of Charles.

Explore the Ancient Fortress Behind the Iron Gates!

by Justine Ciovacco

#InsideOutMedievalCastle #NetGalley Pub date: September 15, 2020 Kids who are fascinated by castles will, I think, be fascinated by this meticulously illustrated title. They will see and learn about castle design, the various parts of the castle; for example, the armory and Great Hall, and will also find out about what life was like within these walls. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.