Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

I love the idea of simple cookbooks with recipes that are satisfying but not too challenging.  This fits the bill with the added plus that the 100 plus recipes are geared toward smaller portions.

This book is wide ranging with recipes for everything from breakfast through dessert, plus snacks.  To name a few:  Greek Scramble Breakfast Wraps; Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon, Eggs, and Cheese; Grilled Prosciutto and Fig Sandwiches; Panzanella; Crispy Chickpeas with Spinach and Fried Eggs; Butternut Squash Mac N Cheese’ Spicy Crab Cakes; Greek Lemon Chicken with Olives…Raspberry Crumble, and so many more.

The recipes are easy to follow.  Each includes the amount of prep and cooking time.  All in all, a very nice cookbook.

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

#5IngredientCookingforTwo #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Have you retired?  Do you dislike being written off as someone with nothing to contribute?  If you answer yes, or can imagine answering yes at some point in your life, this book is for you.

Jane is at that stage in her life when she is asked for help by a friend and willingly assists.  From this beginning, Jane is given a paid job!  She goes undercover in a retirement community where the shenanigans lead to a murder.  Will Jane solve the case?  I am certain that you can answer that question but read this one anyway for the fun along the way.

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

Pub date:  June 30, 2020

#JaneDarrowfieldProfessionalBusybody #NetGalley

This book will be a fairy tale come true for its intended audience. Many kids go through a “horse crazy” phase. That has clearly been the experience of Kezzy in this chapter book with illustrations. Imagine her amazement and delight when she sees a horse eating donuts in the grocery store…and even better, there is no owner in sight. So, you can guess what Kezzy does.
Young chapter book readers who are fond of ponies will very much enjoy seeing what happens next. They will most likely be turning the pages rapidly until they reach the very end. What will the reader think of what happens to Donut the pony? Hopefully, they will agree with the ending after having followed the story to get there.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title All opinions are my own.

#PonyOnTheTwelfthFloor #NetGalley

This sweet and funny story is about Benny and Sam, a hot day and swimming. Benny is the pup who wants to swim while responsible Sam feels that Benny needs to take lessons before jumping into the pond. What will happen? Young listeners will enjoy finding out and, as a bonus, will see that swimming can be fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#BennyLearnstoSwim #NetGalley

#BennyLearnstoSwim #NetGalley

All classics, although the Emma is a modern retelling.

The photos in this book make me so hungry!  The food looks so very appealing and appetizing.

This is a great cookbook for vegetable based meals.  The author provides lots of useful information at the beginning of the book, including a good description of cooking terms and common flavor combinations.

Just a few of the recipes, all of which are grouped seasonally, are those for zesty mushroom carnitas, chicken udon noodles with turnips and peas, kimchi cauliflower fried rice, honey glazed tofu chops with seasonal greens, savory chickpea crepe with summer harvest, and quinoa burrito bowl.

This cookbook includes a lot of variety and recipes that sound delicious.  I am a fan.

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

This book is tailor made for summer fun.  Written for 8 to 12 year olds,  it is a collection of experiments that is geared toward kids, really for them as many of the projects do not, according to the author, require adult supervision.  What could be more fun.

A few of the activities include making a bird feeder of measuring wind speed. What about doing something with bees or clouds?  There are loads of good projects here that will build a child’s love of science and exploration.   What could be better!

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

There is a time in a child’s life when they decide that they are too “grown up” for the stuffed animals that offered comfort at bedtime.  Nasla has just made this declaration but…her world suddenly feels less safe.  How will she get to sleep?  This book with its nocturnal illustrations will answer that question.

I feel that the youngest children might be a little frightened as they hear this story.  Slightly older children may enjoy it though, especially if it is served with a bit of reassurance and a good night kiss!

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

Pub date:  September 15, 2020

This title is a board book in the Little People, Big Dreams series. As is always true of Ms. Sanchez Vegara’s books, this title is beautifully illustrated and inspiring as it tells the story of athlete Wilma Rudolph. Young children will learn the amazing story of this girl with 19 siblings who went on to achieve great athletic feats, despite having been diagnosed with polio at the age of four.
In telling Wilma’s story, the author honestly and sensitively addresses the racism of Ms. Rudolph’s era. In acknowledging this the author opens the way for a good discussion with a child.
Get these books for a child you know; they will learn that life is full of amazing opportunities and will, hopefully, see that they can set their sights high. They will see too that obstacles can be overcome.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#WilmaRudolph #NetGalley

Mostly light except for Mircea Eliade for someone who wants to go deep.  His book, The Sacred and the Profane took me several readings but then I thought it was excellent.