So enticing: Life in Miniature

A History of Dolls’ Houses

by Nicola Lisle

When I was young, I always wanted a doll house although that dream was not realized. I did enjoy seeing a number of doll houses in museums and was always intrigued by the houses and their small furnishings. When my kids were young, there was a wonderful doll house store near where I worked and we loved going there.

So, based on all of that, I was excited to see this title on dollhouses. It is clear that the author loves her subject.

This title takes an academic, but by no means dry, approach providing a great deal of history starting from the earliest houses in the sixteenth century when theywere not children’s playthings. That you will learn began more around Victorian times. Just a few of the intriguing chapter headings include Ann Sharp’s Baby House, Dolls’ Houses in Literature and Miniatures Move Outside: Model Towns and Villages. There are, additionally, an appendices; on includes places to visit while the other is offers suggestions for further reading.

This book is full of information and includes some lovely illustrations. The audience that this book was written for should very much enjoy this title.

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

#LifeinMiniature #NetGalley

Pub date: September 30, 2020

A great problem solver: Steve Jobs

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#SteveJobs #NetGalley

Pub Date 06 Oct 2020

The children holding this title in their hands probably take the computer (and the iPad and…so much tech), completely for granted. But it was not always that way. For what we have today with our Macs and more, we have Steve Jobs to thank.

This entry in the excellent series tells the story of Steve Jobs and how seeing a computer, a huge one, when he was 12 influenced the direction that his life would take. It surely shows that Steve was a person with a dream who could make it come true.

The author mentions that Steve was adopted as a baby. Young folk who were adopted will no doubt find this adds a bit of extra interest to the book.

The author of this series does a great job of introducing children to change makers as she does again here. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Who will be left? One by One

by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware has written a number of thrillers by now but this is the first that I have read. I can definitely see why her books are popular.

It is impossible, in my opinion, to read this novel without being reminded of Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None. This is an update for our current time. It is filled with the au courant from the from the opening page which features the About Us page from the Snoop company website. Characters are brought to a location from which they cannot leave and people begin to die. This vintage trope is well handled by Ms. Ware.

Fans of locked room mysteries, give this one a look!

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

Editorial comments:

“Especially timely, given that the terror of isolation is at its heart…This is And Then There Were None rendered for the twenty-first century.” —Booklist (starred review) “Tempestuous…a claustrophobic, adrenaline-fueled cat-and-mouse game.” —Publishers Weekly “Hilarious, well plotted, and vintage Ware, this one is not to be missed.” —CrimeReads “Ruth Ware’s Hitchcockian thrillers have yet to disappoint.” —PopSugar

A link to an enjoyable newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/9d4e5460eb18/september-book-news-a-jenn-mckinlay-giveaway?fbclid=IwAR2zZFJvJ6PaHwvK4O5-5U1HHPkGViN4Ydw3eFAGIywVz4TxHOTeWBxSzqw

Karen Odden, the author of this newsletter, is a writer of historical mysteries along with her other talents. She publishes this newsletter every six weeks or so. I am honored to have been profiled by her in this edition.

To friends: Kitty and Dragon

by Meika Hashimoto

Pub date: October 20, 2020

#KittyandDragon #NetGalley

This beginning reader is playfully illustrated in a cartoon like style. The text is just right for early readers and has enough repetition and familiar words so that readers will feel competent as they make their way through the three stories in the book.

In the first, readers will find out why Kitty wanted a new home and how she met Dragon. Was she afraid? Can their friendship work? No spoiler really to say that they are perfect for one another and attentive to each other’s needs.

In the second story, children see how Dragon cares for Kitty when she gets a bad cold while in the third Kitty and Dragon try to find the right balance between messy and neat. All three stories look like fun, humorous reads for the book’s intended audience.

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

Recently published:

Good For You

Bold Flavors with Benefits

by Akhtar Nawab

#goodforyoucookbook #NetGalley

This cookbook will be welcomed by those who are gluten and/or dairy free, vegetarian, and/or vegan, or some combination of the above. Those with no particular dietary commitment may also enjoy the many delicious sounding recipes to be found within this title.

There are 100 recipes in all. Beside each one is information about the kind of recipe it is, for example GF for gluten free. The first chapter on foundations includes recipes for mayo, marinades, pastas and more. Following this are recipes for each meal of the day as well as sides, desserts, and various chutneys, aiolis and more.

So many recipes to choose from but I will take just one from each category. These recipes include pumpkin protein pancakes, Yuba noodle salad with ginger dressing and raw vegetables, smoked fish chowder, fish tacos with pistachio mole; roasted sweet potatoes with coconut oil and tandoori masala, rice pudding with fig puree and vanilla, and mango chutney.

The directions could be followed and the photos made me hungry. What more couldyou ask for ?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honestr eview.