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

Staff picks from the NYT Book Review

Highly recommended! A World Full of Poems/Selected by Sylvia M. Vardell

This gorgeously illustrated title provides a wonderful introduction to poetry for young children. The adults who share or read these poems will also enjoy the experience.

The poems are organized by subjects including, for example, Family and Friends, Feelings, Animals and Nature, Cities, Towns and Travel, Fun and Games, Science and Art, Body and Health and A World of Learning. The range is vast and appealing.

I enjoyed so many of these poems, for instance, I’m Bigger by Kristy Dempsey. What older sibling won’t enjoy this paean to having skills that the new baby lacks while also acknowledging love for that tiny creature?

This book is inclusive. For example, the section on family includes poems about everything from adoption to same sex families to the Korean tradition of a baby choosing an object that is tied to their future to a poem titled Abuelita. Throughout this book, on all other subjects this book is equally inviting.

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

#AWorldFullofPoems #NetGalley

Pub date: October 6, 2020

Watch what you eat: Death by Dumpling A Noodle Shop Mystery by Vivien Chien

This is the first entry in what is now a seven book series. The setting and characters are both enjoyable.

Protagonist Lana moved away from her family but finds herself back with them and their restaurant after a series of setbacks. She is not eager to be living with her mother whose deepest wish is for Lana to get married. She had also not expected to be back working at her family’s restaurant. Nor was she expecting to be investigating a murder. But, of course, life does not always go as expected.

If you are a reader who enjoys cozies, you may well find yourself reading this novel, maybe even with a good dinner! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#DeathByDumpling #NetGalley

Some e book bargains for August 22, 2020

The Cloister Tess of the D'Urbervilles The Widow Broken Ground (Karen Pirie Books Book 5) Tess is just $.99 today. It is a classic. I enjoy books by both Barton and McDermid; there are both today. Enjoy.

Now out: A Barrel of Good Clean Jokes for Kids by Bob Phillips

The jokes in this title concern twenty-one different topics including (among others) A Long Day at School, Colorful Characters and From A to Z. Learning to “get” jokes is a stage in children’s development. Those who have reached this milestone will, no doubt, enjoy sharing these jokes with others. This book includes enough jokes to keep a child going for days.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#ABarrelofGoodCleanJokesforKids #NetGalley

To be an educated citizen: World Politics in 100 Words Start conversations and spark inspiration by Eleanor Levenson

Politics is a subject much talked about in our current climate. This title, geared to elementary school children aims to educate and open up topics for discussion. As the title notes, there are 100 words in all. Just a few of those included are bureaucracy, activist, capitalism, patriotism, leader and more.

Many thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review. This well illustrated reference deserves a place on school and home library shelves.

#WorldPoliticsin100Words #NetGalley

From the publisher:

politics

Politics

The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote a book, Politics, in the fourth century BC, analyzing the different ways of governing (being in charge) and the questions that arise from these. Not much has changed since. Today we use the word politics to refer to the people and processes involved in making decisions about how we live our lives, and how people try to achieve that power, such as running for election, making political friends (and enemies) who will help them on their path to power, and coming up with ideas for what they would do if they actually ever achieve this.

Sovereignty

The idea that a country is free to decide how it rules itself is called sovereignty, so a sovereign state is one that governs itself. This means that whatever form of government is in charge of making the rules in a country—whether it is an elected government or an absolute monarch (a king or queen who decides everything—it should be able to do so without other countries and organizations interfering. In reality, countries are bound by many treaties (agreements they sign with other countries) and by international law, which are laws that govern the relationships between different countries.

Independence

When one nation is ruled by another, it may seek independence, which means it wants to become its own country with its own government making its own laws. In some cases this may mean leaving an empire. In others it may be leaving a union that was entered into willingly in the past. To be independent a country must define its borders and be recognized by other countries, usually by being admitted to the United Nations. The country may have to gain independence by winning a vote, by fighting a war, or through peaceful negotiation with the current governing country.

Grassroots

Ordinary people who make up the majority of those in an organization or political party are considered to be the grassroots. As the name suggests, it means starting from the bottom (roots) up, so ideas that originate with ordinary members or activists, or leaders who emerge from this group of people, are considered to come from the grassroots. This is instead of ideas that start with leaders and then are communicated downward to the rest of the organization. If a politician is said to be losing touch with the grassroots it means they no longer know what ordinary people think.

It can be done! Finding Work You Love 3 Steps to Getting the Perfect Job After College by Kirk Snyder

Anyone who has been through the process of that first. post college, job search knows how stressful the process can be. While it can be exciting to go out into the world hoping for the perfect (or good enough) position, it can also be stressful and try one’s self-confidence. Making time for reflection before the job search begins can be very helpful as the author of this book knows.

Kirk Snyder is a university professor who appears to have the credentials and experience to help those venturing out into the world. He created a class at USC to address the issues that he writes about and shares what he has learned in this book which offers a systematic approach to finding a good job with a good fit. The has three sections, one on defining one’s value in the job market, the next on finding a fit and the final section of getting a perfect position. Throughout he writes in a relatable style that includes many vignettes. All in all, he helps students to reflect, plan and look for a job.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This title could be a good gift (or gift (to one’s self) or for those in college and beyond.

#FindingWorkYouLove #NetGalley

Some e book bargains for August 21, 2020

The Secret Chord The Temptation of Forgiveness (Commissario Brunetti Book 27) Beastly Things (Commissario Brunetti Book 21) The Age of Light: A Novel Strong Poison (The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries Book 6) Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel

Mystery and historical fiction. Enjoy.

Just published: Grasping Mysteries Girls Who Loved Math by Jeannine Atkins

My daughters’ fifth grade math teacher would rejoice at this title. She felt that it was so important for girls to take for granted that they could do math, just as they could read. This title will reinforce that idea by sharing the stories of girls who loved math.
The girls featured here were born anywhere between the 1700s and 1900s so quite a time span. Included are Caroline Herschel, who discovered a comet; Florence Nightingale; Hertha Marks Ayrton who became an engineer and inventor; Marie Tharp who mapped the ocean floor; Katherine Jenkins, of Hidden Figures fame; Edna Lee Paisana who was a Native American statistician and Vera Rubin who studied dark matter.
This title is an inspiring one. Girls learn, they persist and they make a difference. What a message for all children to take in.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

By whom and in what ways? A Question of Betrayal: An Elena Standish Novel by Anne Perry

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. They 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.