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

In college level religion classes I learned a bit about Buddhism.  I also live near a museum that values Buddhist culture.  While I cannot visit there now, I have good memories about spending time there.

For these, and other reasons, I very much appreciated receiving a copy of this book from Callisto publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I found this title to be very well, yet simply, written.  The author’s intentions are clearly laid out and he guides his readers most capably.

This title is interesting because, in addition to describing Zen, there are sections on its practical application in daily life.  There are scenarios for work situations, traffic jam frustrations and more in which ways that practicing zen may be of help.

I highly recommend this title.  Especially now, as we all start to feel frayed, the zen philosophy is most needed.

From the publisher:

This collection of tales from the Greek myths includes so many well known stories. These retelling will be enjoyed by the intended audience of children and also, I think, by adults. Inside this book are the stories of Zeus, the Titans, Apollo, Athena, Demeter, Persephone, Prometheus, Midas and many more. There is also a final section called “About the Myths” which provides additional information.
The author begins by putting the myths in context. They were used by the ancient Greeks to help in understanding their world and, because of this they were essential. Not only were the stories a part of the oral tradition, they also appeared in art, theaters and more, thus revealing their importance in daily life.

The stories themselves are well told and accompanied by illustrations that enhance the text. The book looks engaging and encourages a reader to see what comes next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. I would like to purchase this book when it is published. It is a good and readable reference.

Pub date:  July 14, 2020

#GreekMyths #NetGalley

From the publisher:

In May 2019, Katherine Reay’s novel The Printed Letter Bookshop was published. Her new book, Of Literature and Lattes can be read on its own but will be enjoyed most by those who have read The Printed Letter. The setting in Of Literature and Latte is the same town as in the prior book and readers catch up with the lives of some of the characters from that book as well. However, the novel also has its own plot and some new characters.
In this book Alyssa has left a job with a company that seems to be based on Theranos and that similarly explodes for her. With nowhere to go and under investigation, she returns to the town where her parents (characters in The Printed Letter) live. Alyssa has to figure out what to do with her life and with her unhappiness.
Jeremy has come to Winsome to run the kind of coffee shop that many of us dream of, one that values community and great beans that make great drinks. However, the shop is struggling as is Jeremy. One ray of brightness is his daughter but his daughter’s mother is threatening to leave town.
Janet, from the prior novel. is trying to have a life in which she has stronger relationships with Alyssa and Seth, the man she first married, and is again seeing. It is complicated.
The stories of these characters come to life and I think that readers will care about them. I did not find Of Literature and Latte to be as strong a novel as The Printed Letter but I am pretty confident that this author’s many fans will be eager to engage with this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review. By the way, I love the cover.

I give the three and 1/2 stars.

#OfLiteratureandLattes #NetGalley

Again, many good choices.  I enjoyed the Donna Leon and Val McDermid titles.  I have been wanting to read Fall of a Man in Wilmslow so just took advantage of the bargain! Hope you see something that you will enjoy.

Those who already know and love Anne Shirley will recognize her on the cover of this beautifully illustrated story. Clearly the author knows and loves one of the world’s favorite red heads.

In this book, Anne uses her wonderful imagination to think of who she would be if she were not Anne with an E; maybe she would be a tightrope walker or a grand lady drinking tea or…so many choices. Anne then imagines who she would not choose to be as, for example, someone following a recipe. At the end of the story, our narrator concludes that she would like to be Anne of Green Gables.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This book will be enjoyed by Anne lovers and those who value the places imagination can take one.

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

Pub Date: 04 Aug 2020

I recommend the Brene Brown and Donna Leon titles.  Some other good choices here too.

Reading this title reminded me of what it felt like to be a kid.  Back then, I seemed to be interested in learning about everything as my tastes had not yet narrowed down.  For kids who would like to explore sea life this is a fun  book.  It is organized by different types of water environments as for example, open ocean, the deep sea, a coral reef, etc.  There are lots of interesting facts on each two page spread.  For example, when I read about a kelp forest, I learned that sea otters can store food in their armpits.  Who knew?  These and other facts intrigued me as I went through this book.

Each two page spread provides information on that ecosystem and what is found within it.  There are then things to find in the illustration in true search and find style.

Many thanks to the publisher, Callisto, for this title in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book for young elementary school aged children.

This is the second book in a new series by this author. It can be enjoyed by those who did not read the first book, The Scent of Murder, although readers may want to read both entries.
I liked both the characters and the setting of this book. Jazz, the protagonist, works in a Catholic school run by Sister Eileen. Eileen and Jazz are portrayed as quite human as are many of the other characters including Jazz’s (former) police officer boyfriend, teachers at the school and the teen aged students. The Catholic school where the body of a former teacher is found seemed very authentic as did the voices of the students.
The mystery centers around the murder of a teacher who believed that she could speak with angels. What happened to her? To whom was she a threat? As is true with cozy mysteries in general, readers know that the case will be solved and will enjoy following to learn how this is done.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the time that I spent reading this title.

So we have had many days now of being inside and tempers and moods may vary.  Are your children struggling?  If they are (and even if they are not), this illustrated book is filled with good mindful activities.  As the subtitle notes, the activities could help children to “manage emotions, ease anxiety and stay focused,”  things that all of us could use really. Chapters include Rise and Shine, Focus Your Mind, Open Your Heart, Explore Your Imagination, and Relax and Let Go.  There are then things to try.  The book also includes a helpful introduction for adults.

Each activity is explained clearly and suggestions are given for when an activity may be helpful and why it works.  My impression is that doing some of these activities with children, especially now, could be very helpful.  Adults could try them too.

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

#MeditationforKids #NetGalley

From the publisher: