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

This book should delight toddlers and preschoolers. With vivid, highly detailed illustrations and rhyming text (along with repetition), it reads quickly. Young children will enjoy their chaotic journey on this bus…and what happens at the end? Read this one to find out.

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

#BunniesontheBus #NetGalley

I confess that I have never read The Alchemist, although I am now more interested than I ever was.  For those who have read and loved that book, this title will be most welcome. The author was involved with the arrival of the book in Australia.  He also met the author and this led to a transformation in his life.  This life change is shared with the reader who may be encouraged to make their own changes.

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

pub date:  July 31, 2020

#TheSecretofTheAlchemist #NetGalley

Anthony Bourdain’s death left a void in the world of food adventure.  He has been mourned by many.  This book, however, provides a chance to celebrate Mr. Bourdain, the foods he ate and the places he went.  Starting with Argentina and progressing through the alphabet to Viet-Nam, this charmingly illustrated (with many line drawings) book offers riches to the reader. Fans of Mr. Bourdain will be excited to see this one.  Credit to Laurie Woolever who clearly helped enormously to get this book out.

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

#WorldTravel #NetGalley

A mix here.  When I read Mrs. Lewis, about C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidson, they spoke of reading books by George MacDoanld. His book is free today.  Enjoy.

I read and recommend The Gown, Oprhan Train and The Paris Wife.  The others look interesting as well.

I think that all of these are good choices.  I reviewed the Ellery Adams titles and have blogged on Dorothy Simpson and Donna Leon as well.

I’ve read and reviewed The Karma Brown title.  The Candace Robb title is part of a good historical mystery series.

So many readers adore the books by this author that I feel almost as if no review is necessary. All loyal fans need to see is her name on the title of the book.
This is the third book that I have read by this author. My favorite is still How to Walk Away, although What You Wish For is certainly an enjoyable read.
I liked the setting of this book, both the Texas location and the vibrant, joyous school where narrator Sam is the librarian. This novel is primarily about Sam and Duncan with attention paid also to those around them. The two knew each other in the past when Sam had a crush on the flamboyant, exuberant Duncan. Sam is now at a new school and guess who the new principal is? (I’m sure that no guess is needed). But why is Duncan so different? Will he and Sam connect again? Even if you feel you know the answers, this book is a good one to laze around with on a summer’s day. Its message of taking as much joy in life as possible, despite life’s difficulties, is an affirming one.
On NetGalley, there are 1576 reviews and counting with readers all liking the book. These are the biggest numbers that I have seen on the site. I think that readers who buy this book will enjoy it too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Every time I find that a new Ruth Galloway book is due to come out, I get super excited. I adore spending time with Ruth and watching the evolution of her relationship with Nelson, the father of Ruth’s daughter Kate.
Long time readers of the series know that Nelson and Ruth’s relationship is a complex one that often leads to cliffhangers in the novels. I think that this relationship will intrigue readers for as long as Ms. Griffiths writes. There is something so lovely about a romantic heroine who is about to turn fifty.
There are so many other interesting characters surrounding Ruth. There is Frank with whom she now lives; Cathbad, yes the Druid; Nelson’s wife and daughters; Cathbad’s reporter daughter and more. There are also highly evocative settings.
And, of course, there is murder and mystery. Ivor has just been jailed for multiple murders. Was he guilty? Who are those with whom he spent time at an artistic retreat? How will these characters interact and intersect with the series regulars? Read the book to find out.
I often find that the case itself intrigues me less than the people in this author’s stories. Still, for the last half hour of reading this title, I was gripped and kept turning the pages eagerly.
This novel could be read as a standalone. If readers do that, I hope they will go back and read the stories from the very first one to catch up. Long terms followers of the series will, I think, be delighted by Ruth’s return.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheLanternMen #NetGalley

This title includes the biographies of fifteen women whom the author feels that history overlooked.  The book has three sections; these are The Innovators, The Change-Makers and The Ceiling Breakers.  Readers will learn more about Ada Lovelace, Ida B Wells, Marsha P Johnson and Madam C J Walker, among others.  Each entry is informative and readable and comes with an illustration of the woman being described.

This is a good anthology and one that covers a wide time range.  It seems to me that it should have a place in school or home libraries as an introduction to each of these pioneers.  The interested reader may then want to pursue additional research on their favorites.

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