A good resource: Marion’s 25 Volume II by Marion Hill

This title includes reviews of 25 books that were selected by the author.  Some of the book opinions included are for Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; David Coppperfield by Charles Dickens; The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith’ The Pearl by Steinbeck and many more; twenty-five in all.  Mr. Hill gives honest and detailed reviews.  This book appears to be an excellent resource for those who are wondering what to read next.

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

Pub date:  October 25, 2020

A Royal Affair A Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery by Allison Montclair

I was very excited to receive this ARC of the second title by Allison Montclair. It was an enjoyable read with elements of mystery, intrigue and humor.

The characters: Gwen Bainbridge and Iris Sparks. Gwen was widowed in the war and it took her a bit of time to find her way again. Iris worked in a secret job during the war.

Their current work: They run an agency that introduces people to one another; it’s a matrimonial bureau.

Their contacts: Gwen can be in touch with the aristocracy while Iris has many war and university contacts.

This case: To be involved in vetting a certain Greek prince who would like to marry Princess Elizabeth.

Overall, this is a light read. It is perfectly fine as a standalone though readers may well want to read the first in the series as well. This book will be enjoyed by those who like historical mysteries, the time period and female protagonists.

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

Pub date:  July 28, 2020

#ARoyalAffair #NetGalley

So peaceful: The Calm and Cozy Book of Sleep Rest + Dream + Live by Beth Wyatt

The cover of this book evokes its mood; sleep should be a good and relaxing part of each day.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  This book tries to help by addressing the issue of sleep from many perspectives, starting by explaining concepts such as the stages of sleep.

This gorgeously illustrated title (with lovely quotations) includes chapters on everything from your bedroom, to getting ready for bed, to falling asleep and, even waking up, plus even more.  This is an excellent and broadly based resource that hopefully will help readers to finds those zzzzzzs.

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

pub date:  August 5, 2020

#TheCalmandCozyBookofSleep #NetGalley

An excellent story about the scientist: When Darwin Sailed the Sea Uncover how Darwin’s revolutionary ideas helped change the world by David Long

This is a wonderful book for children who are interested in scientific discovery or for a child that you would like to interest in the natural world.  It tells the story of Charles Darwin in a beautifully illustrated title that was written to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the voyage of the Beagle.  Adults can learn quite a bit from spending time with this title as well.  I know that I did.

Readers discover that Charles lost his mother when he was young, that he did not always like school and that he did not conform to his father’s expectation that he would follow as the third generation doctor in the family.  Rather he became intrigued with the world of nature.  This biography serves to humanize Darwin, a figure who is larger than life in the history of scientific discovery.

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

#WhenDarwinSailedtheSea #NetGalley

They are on the case: The Detection Club: Part 2 by Art and script by Jean Harambat

I previously reviewed The Detection Club: Part 1.  Fans of that title will no doubt enjoy this follow up.  The style is comic book with entertaining graphics.  The sleuths are members of the real 1930s Detection Club including Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton, John Dickson Carr, Dorothy Sayers and others.  Each of these authors is portrayed with their individual personality and style. Will they solve the case?  Can a robot solve it more quickly and/or better?  Read this title to find out if you are a fan of the graphic novel and mysteries that are a bit tongue in cheek.

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

#TheDetectionClub #NetGalley

Low-Carb Vegetarian Cookbook 100 Easy Recipes and a Kick-Start Meal Plan by Amy Lawrence, Justin Fox Burks

This cookbook is designed to help one to eat healthy, good tasting food.  Included are 100 recipes, many of which look delicious.  Some of the tasty ideas include Matcha Chia Pudding Parfait, Warm Red Cabbage Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts, Almond and Eggplant Babaganoush,  Cauliflower Gratin and, Hoisin Glazed Tofu with Stir Fried Vegetables. Whether you are a vegetarian or you are looking for a side dish or change of pace, this cookbook is worht a look.

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

#LowCarbVegetarianCookbook #NetGalley

From the publisher:

vegetarian cookbook, cookbooks, clean eating cookbook, healthy cookbook, indian cookbook

One of many bites from the book: Tofu Hot Wings With Yogurt Ranch Dressing

Serves 4–6 // Prep Time: 10 Minutes // Cook Time: 1 Hour

Serve this dish to tofu doubters. The long cook time allows the tofu to develop a skin, making for a chicken-y result. In truth, people will eat anything covered in hot wing sauce!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cut each block of tofu into 8 cubes. Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.

3. Turn the tofu cubes over and continue baking for 15 more minutes.

4. Pour the hot wing sauce over the tofu and bake for a final 15 minutes.

5. Transfer the tofu hot wings to a plate and top them with any hot wing sauce that’s left on the baking sheet.

6. Serve warm, with celery sticks and ranch dressing.

A life imagined: Rodham A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

I read and enjoyed Ms. Sittenfeld’s, American Wife, which was about a fictional Laura Bush. It felt so true and believable. So I was excited to learn that the author had written another story based in politics, this one about Hillary Rodham.

The first section of the book reportedly stays pretty close to what really happened, with Hillary meeting and becoming involved with the charismatic Bill when they were students at Yale Law. It is, in part in this section, a story of a young woman who always felt smart but not always attractive. Hillary here was fiery and committed, just as she had been in her college graduation speech. This continued in the work that she did for children and families while at Yale. Any woman or girl growing up who feels that being labeled “smart” was a mixed blessing will understand the fictional Hillary’s feelings and surprise that “someone like Bill” was interested in her.

Post graduation, Hillary and Bill live in Arkansas in this novel with Hillary becoming a law school professor and Bill beginning his steps into politics. No spoiler after the publicity for this novel…but Hillary chooses not to stay with Bill. She is uncomfortable with his inability to commit to just one intimate relationship. So…what happens to Hillary after striking out on her own makes up the rest of the novel.

Hillary initially returns to Chicago where she teaches at Northwestern and over time becomes interested in running for office around the time of the Clarence Thomas hearings. I won’t say more but leave it to readers to find out what happens. Would this life have been preferable for Hillary? It is something to think about. Clearly the choices that we make impact how our lives unfold. Readers will no doubt contemplate that as they read discover where the author’s imagination takes them.

The reviews that I have seen for this novel have been mixed. I am in the camp that is glad to have read the book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Curtis] Sittenfeld’s Rodham descends like an avenging angel. Here, in the pages of this alternate history about Hillary Rodham Clinton, is the story not of “What Happened” but of “What Could Have Happened.” This isn’t just fiction as fantasy; it’s fiction as therapy.”—The Washington Post

“[A] moving, morally suggestive, technically brilliant book that made me think more than any other in recent memory about the aims and limits of fiction . . . By fanning out alternate narratives . . . [Rodham] asks us to imagine a different world. . . . And from there, what a short —excruciating, hopeful—leap it is to: Everything could be different.”—NPR

“Deviously clever . . . [Rodham] doesn’t have an overt political agenda; it’s less concerned with lionizing or vilifying Hillary than with complicating our notions of her. Sittenfeld’s Hillary is both a player in the Game of Thrones and a romance novel heroine. . . . She’s whoever she wants to be.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

#Rodham #NetGalley