Great reads for adults and children!
#MyFamilyYourFamily #NetGalley
This board book is endearingly illustrated. Through its use of s simple text and pictures, many kinds of families are shown. All are given equal weight. This is a matter of fact, inclusive title for little ones. I recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read and reviewed the two most recent titles by Louise Penny on the blog. Those books were All the Devils are Here, and A Better Man. I gave each a five star review. After finishing ATDAH, I was struck by the essential decency and goodness of the series protagonist, Armand Gamache. I started to wonder how he became the man he is and so wanted to go back to read the first book to find out. Indeed, Gamache is a man who cares and his compassion comes through in the novel. I underlined some of his statements as they resonated with me.
I actually remembered “whodunnit” but that did not lessen my enjoyment of this title. Ms. Penny has created a universe in the small town Canadian setting of Three Pines. The individuals who live there are idiosyncratic and unique. Their relationships in terms of friendship, parental/child interactions and marriages have universal qualities. The murder has traditional elements including a number of suspects all with credible motives.
The victim is Jane, an elderly woman who has just, for the first time, entered a painting in a local art show. She is close to the women of Three Pines and has a backstory of a lost romance. Who would want to kill this woman whom seemingly everyone loved? Read the book to find out.
The title of the book is very clever by the way. Readers will learn that it has multiple meanings.
I am going to read through all of the series again. I suggest that you do too. It is exceptional.
A modern classic, a couple of mysteries and life on Corfu. Hope you enjoy.
Ann Cleeves is one of the best mystery authors writing today. She has three current series including the Vera Stanhope mysteries, those featuring Jimmy Perez on Shetland and last year’s novel, The Long Call which featured a new protagonist. I have read them all and recommend that mystery lovers do so as well. Truly dedicated readers should note that Ms. Cleeves also has two earlier series of books worth searching out with one featuring birders and the other with Inspector Ramsay.
The Darkest Evening is a Vera Stanhope mystery with all of the trademarks including the irascible Vera herself, her team (especially Joe and Holly), vivid settings, well developed characters and good plotting. Readers will be swept up.
The story takes place partly at a country house that belonged to a branch of Vera’s family, and its environs. Long term readers will enjoy the glimpse of Stanhope family history while new readers will not be unduly hampered even if this is the first Vera book that they read.
Characters include some of Vera’s relatives, including her cousin,Juliet, who longs for a child and her husband Mark; who is in theater; Harriet, Juliet’s mother; Dorothy who is a close friend of Juliet, and two murder victims. There are, in addition, a number of other characters who live in the community and have relationships with the victims. What are these connections? Who has killed and why? Readers will be turning the pages as they wait to see how all of the story’s threads come together. I highly recommend The Darkest Evening (readers will learn the context of the title as they make their way in the novel).
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
#AQuestionofBetrayal #NetGalley
Anne Perry is a prolific writer of historical mysteries. Long term fans have gotten to know the Pitts in two series. They have also spent time with Monk, Hester and Rathbone and have read seasonal mysteries featuring these characters and those around them. In addition, Ms. Perry wrote a four book series set in the period leading up to WWI. In her latest entry in her newest series, Ms. Perry writes yet another most excellent story of intrigue, love, betrayal and loyalty; all these in the build up to WWII. A Question of Betrayal follows last year’s Death in Focus, the start of a new and fresh series by this author.
A Question of Betrayal may be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who read last year’s first in the series. Again, readers watch as (a now wiser) Elena works for the intelligence service, sent with her camera and wits to Trieste to rescue an agent and secure vital information. The man she is to rescue is someone from her past. No spoiler here…read the book and you will soon find out. Although, readers feel secure that Elena should emerge safely as the last page is turned, Perry manages to make the book suspenseful.
Elena’s older sister Margot has a greater role to plan in this title as compared to the first. What she learns will tie in to the case that Elena is working on and also connects to a close friend of their grandfather. Her trip to a friend’s wedding in Germany as the power balance is shifting is vividly brought to life.
The story is set as the Nazis build up power. Many want to prevent this and yet is it possible? Ideals matter to these characters as readers will see. Turn the pages as they spend time in Trieste, Berlin and Britain in this wide ranging story.
Following a long and successful career, I admire Ms. Perry for setting out to do something new. The result is nothing less than splendid.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
pub date: October 20, 2020′
Whether you live in New York, have visited or, would just like to know more about this city, this eclectic title may pique your interest. In it, the editors of the iconic New York Magazine share all sorts of information on this metropolis.
The introduction points out the ways in which Manhattan has constantly adapted and changed. For example, as the editors point out, South Street once contained warehouses while Soho had factories. Now, these neighborhoods are filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Industries changed also; once there were no longer so many factories other industries thrived here including publishing and finance. And so it goes, in this constantly evolving city. Get to know it through this title which takes innovation as its theme.
The book is arranged with alphabetical entries. so, for example, A has everything from Abstract Expressionism (which began here), to the Algonquin Round Table to the Automat and more. There are so many entries in this book. Readers can go in order or dip in and out. They will find something interesting wherever they land. Just a couple of others from the beginning of the alphabet are Big Bird and the Crossword puzzle.
This book would make a good gift for anyone who loves the city or wants to know more about it. With its many illustrations and entries, it is an entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
Just two today. During a time in my life when I was trying to come to grips with something, I found Kushner’s book to be very helpful.
Here is yet another winning entry in a wonderful series of short biographies for little people. This time the story of Pele, one of the most iconic soccer players ever, is told in simple text with engaging illustrations. Children will learn that with a combination of family support, talent and hard work it is possible to do amazing things in both sport and life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#Pele #NetGalley
#TheBookofPersonalityTests #NetGalley
Are you a person who likes to take personality tests? Are you looking for a fun way to learn more about yourself or to reinforce what you might already know or suspect? If yes, this book is for you.
Included are 25 tests. Some of those included are: Are You an Introvert or an Extrovert?; Are You Honest with Yourself?; What is Your Stress Type?; What Type of Rule Breaker Are You?; What is Your Role in Your Family? and more.
The author of this book notes that when she did the well-known Myers-Briggs test, it validated who she knew that she was. She found that to be helpful. These personality quizzes may do that or they may teach you something new about yourself.
The book begins with some background on personality including sections on Freud and Jung. Then, there are the quizzes. I enjoyed doing them and reading what my aggregate score for each meant.
This book is entertaining and may provide readers with some helpful insights. I recommend it for those who are fans of these tests.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own.
This delightfully and inclusively illustrated alphabet book encourages children to think big. There are so many things that they can dream of, everything from A’s Astronaut to C’s Costume Designer to G’s Game Developer to L’s Landscape Architect and many more until Z’s Zookeeper. This is a great addition for an alphabet book collection. It would make an excellent baby gift.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
| #ABCforMeABCWhatCanIBe #NetGalley |
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 