A big summer read: Big Summer A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

A new book by this author is always welcome and this title is no exception.  Big Summer is a summer read but one with a bit of food (apologies for the pun) for thought.  Protagonist Daphne has spent much of her life struggling with her weight and the impact this has on her self-esteem.  As the novel opens, she is an “influencer” who is feeling better about herself.

Daphne lives with a roommate she likes and has caring and supportive parents.  She cares for two children whom she likes, and maintains all of her social accounts.  But…her life is about to change.

When Daphne was in 6th grade, she enrolled in the private school where her father taught.  While there, she made some good friends including her current roommate.  She also came under the spell of Drue.  Drue seemed to have everything that Daphne wanted and when Drue offered her friendship, even a flawed one, Daphne was willing to accept this.  Of course, she subsequently got hurt as happens when one cedes to the desires of a mean girl.

After a period of about 6 years, Drue comes back into Daphne’s life again seeming to offer Daphne something but, of course, also wanting something.  What will happen moving forward?  No spoilers so you will have to read the book to find out.

This book touches on some issues that matter:  the importance of family, the nature of friendship, self-acceptance and self-esteem are some of them. Another is what it means to live life by social media posts.  Never hitting readers over the head, Ms. Weiner just invites them to think while they enjoy a Big Summer.

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

#BigSummer #NetGalley

Recently published: Grandmother School by Rina Singh, ills. by Ellen Rooney

This is a vibrantly illustrated story about a girl, her grandmother and a grandmother school in India. The classrooml was created to help grandmothers obtain the education that they were denied when younger.

Readers and listeners will delight in the close relationship between a young girl and her grandmother who both want to learn. Those who pick up this story will feel the joy when grandmother no longer needs to sign with her fingerprint at the bank but can write her name. She is on a learning adventure and fee;s such self-respect..

This title helps all of us appreciate what it means to get an education and to take joy in learning and family. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#GrandmotherSchool #NetGalley

Now out: Happily Ever After & Everything In Between by Debbie Tung

Happily Ever After is such a sweet series of comics. Readers will adore spending time with this couple as they live together and negotiate their relationship. Many of the strips offer a glimpse of the universals in relationships and many made me smile. This couple could serve as a model for all of us as we try to live well together while confined. Definitely worth a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#HappilyEverAfterEverythingInBetween #NetGalley

Choices matter: Nevertheless, She Wore It 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by Ann Shen

There may not be a fashion gala at the Metropolitan Museum (in New York) this spring but maybe you would still like to think about fashion.  How is it defined?  What choices speak to you?  What is culturally important?  How are statements made through clothing and hair styles.

This book is beautifully illustrated  as it shows 50 iconic looks and talks about each.  You will recognize some of the people of fashion on the cover.  For example, there are Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Michelle Obama and Princess Diana sharing a space.  Learn more about their clothing choices and the impact that these choices yield.

So, what DID she wear nonetheless?  A few of the garments that are found in this title include the Afro, the Bloomers, The Meat Dress (Lady Gaga), The Revenge Dress, The Sleeveless Dress, The Tricolor Stripe and more.

The excellent introduction points out that fashion is a conscious way that a woman chooses to present herself.  In this book, many of those choices are feminist  The author sees seizing fashion as taking on a certain power.

History is contained in these pages as each fashion stands for something.  Think of bloomer, the stripe of the Suffragettes, the Afro or RBG’s collars.  All are presented thoughtfully here.

This is a title that can be read through or browsed in.  Either way, I recommend it.

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

pub date:  September 1, 2020

#NeverthelessSheWoreIt #NetGalley

And yet, must we speak? A Dangerous Language The Rowland Sinclair Mysteries: Book 8 by Sulari Gentill

Sulari Gentill has authored a number of books in an historical mystery series set in 1930s Australia.  It is a time when there is much unrest; on the one side is the New Guard, a Fascist group, while, on the other, there are the Communists, among others.  Historically, WWII is coming and tensions are high.

Ms. Gentill uses this time period to good effect in her mysteries which feature a mix of fictional and historical characters. In this one, the historical figures include a number of politicians and readers spend time at the new Parliament building. One does not have to stretch very far to find some parallels with our own uncertain times. There is a quote that relates to the story’s title and those (and our) times.  It is “The dangerous language you speak of is the truth.”

The series in general and this novel feature family dynamics, political intricacies, murder, chases, romance and suspense.  Readers familiar with the series will be delighted to spend time with main characters Rowly (a kind of Lord Peter Wimsey if Wimsey were more on the left), poet Milton, painter Clyde and the female sculptor, Ed.  There is a new character as well, a woman with whom Rowly had been in love as a teen;  will she take Edna’s place in his affections? Readers will also find that Wilf, Rowly’s brother, makes an appearance and the two seem as fractious as ever.

A lot happens in this novel.  A communist is killed on the steps of Parliament.  Egon Kisch, an anti-Fascist (a true historical figure) who wants to speak in Australia may not be allowed in the country; how will he and Rowly intersect?  There is an unidentifiable young woman who is found murdered early in the novel; who is she?  There is a famous air race and more.  The novel is busy but it works.

Each chapter opens with a fictitious newspaper account.   These add a sense of veracity to the book and parallel some of what happens.  series.

I enjoy Sulari Gentill’s novels more each time that I read them.  I highly recommend this one.

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

pub date:  June 9, 2020

 

 

 

Recently published: A World Full of Dickens Stories by Angela McAllister

Would you like to introduce a child to the magic of Charles Dickens’s stories? The novels themselves, of course, are lengthy while this collection is a beautifully illustrated introduction to a number of the books.
Included in the retellings are Oliver Twist, The Old curiosity Shop, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby and Hard Times. Each story begins with a helpful illustrated list of characters.
The stories are expertly retold, having sufficient detail to not just be summaries, and may well inspire a child to read one of the full length books. That would be a good project for the current moment. All in all, a wonderful resource.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#AWorldFullofDickensStories #NetGalley

Now out: The Lehman Trilogy A Novel by Stefano Massini

#TheLehmanTrilogy #NetGalley

The story of the Lehman Brothers is a fascinating one. When I first heard of the play, I thought that it was about the collapse of the firm during the financial crisis. I learned though that this is the story of the family as they left Bavaria, came to the U.S. and achieved much success, at least for a time.
Interestingly, at a time when most immigrants came to New York, the first of the brothers went South. He was involved in textiles and living through the Civil War. The story follows him, his brothers and their families.
This novel uses a free verse style. Some may not like this although I did. It made me go slowly and savor the text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
By the way, the play was excellent if you ever have the opportunity to see it. It was VERY long but the time flew by.

A man of peace: Mahatma Gandhi My First Mahatma Gandhi by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Albert Arrayas

This title is another entry in the inspiring series on famous men and women.  This entry on Gandhi is another winner that will find a welcome spot on young children’s bookshelves.

Gandhi is portrayed as an idealist who dreamed of a better world.  However, he also saw the world with its flaws. Gandhi’s contributions and biography are detailed in this beautifully illustrated book.  Anyone who reads this book and thinks about peaceful protest will recognize the contributions of this man who abhorred racism and the mistreatment of his fellows.

This book is highly recommended.  It is a book for our time and, hopefully, will influence our youngest as they grow.  Mahatma means “great soul.”  This man certainly had one.

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

#MahatmaGandhi #NetGalley