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

This graphic novel tells the story of Jackie Robinson from the time of his birth as his parents fifth child on through his many achievements and challenges. This title tells Mr. Robinson’s story well.

The author notes that Jackie’s early years were marred by the racial tensions in his town and the absence of his father.  Still, one place where he was comfortable and excelled was a ball field.

The book goes on to follow Jackie as a teen when both he and his older brother, an Olympic athlete, excelled at sports. Jackie  played football, basketball, baseball and track.  However, his life and education were disrupted by WWII and the continued racism that he faced.

The author acknowledges the many achievements of Jackie Robinson as he played baseball in the Negro Leagues and eventually played as the first African American on a previously all white major league team.  Jackie played to jeers from many in the crowd but persevered.  He was truly a gifted athlete and man.

This moment in time seems like a perfect one to remember and honor Mr. Robinson.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  August 4, 2020

#JackieRobinson #NetGalley

Having trouble sleeping? Maybe always? Maybe sometimes? If your answer is yes, this book is worth a look. It is full of tips for sleep, organized by different types of “tricks.” A few of the chapter headings include Mind Tricks, Food and Drink Tips, Breathing Trick and Tips of Taking the Stress Out of the Day. The suggestions are short and practical and definitely designed to be helpful. Readers will know some of them but maybe not all.

This title is worth a look. It can be read in any order and may just help you to get more zzzs.

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

This is a lovely picture book that matter of factly tells the story of Mila. Mila’s parents are divorced. She spends two nights with her dad, followed by two nights with her mom. Things are different at the two houses, everything from how to get there to a different toothbrush and a different way of being tucked in at bedtime. But Mila knows, and wants listeners to know, that both parents love her.
This book is a great resource that will help a young child who is experiencing a parents’ divorce or separation. It can also help children to understand the lives of some of their peers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Lots of parents are currently at home with their children…and their kids are bored.  This book may provide some relief.  It includes over twenty craft activities that can be done (relatively) easily.  Information on materials needed is provided.  Make stick wands, clay robots, a clothespin butterfly, a treasure box and more.  For each craft there are clear directions and illustrations.  If you think it might be time to try something new, give this book a try with a young person in your life. The author observes that doing so could lead to bonding between adults and children, improved fine motor skills and more.

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

Pub date:  June 9, 2020

#TheGrownUpsGuidetoCraftingwithKids #NetGalley

Was there ever a time when people wanted more to feel better?  This book is about some ways to improve one’s life, by becoming more internally at peace, through the use of mindfulness and meditation.  I think that it is worth a look.

The author offers a number of activities to explore on the way to feeling better.  There is also a “happiness plan” for readers to complete.  This offers something concrete to look at when reflecting on happiness in one’s life.

Right in the first chapter, there is a mini meditation.  This sets the tone for what will follow and provides readers with a sense of what to expect.  In this chapter, as in all of the others, the author also gives an example from her personal experience.  If you are a person who can sit mindfully this book could be for you.  It could also be for you if you would like to add a few minutes of calm reflection to your day.

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

 

 

 

Women’s fiction, mystery and a classic.  The classic is free.  Enjoy.

For me, this novel provides a perfect escapist read; it has appealing settings, multiple characters and plot lines, complications, resolutions…and of course, love.
Settings: The story opens and ends in France at a beautiful chateau that has become a hotel. Much happens between two visits to that countryside. The rest of the novel takes place in the U.K., partly in Cornwall, a place that comes vividly into being with the water, the cafes, the shops, etc. Readers also spend time in other locations including Bristol. (I enjoyed my visit back to the suspension bridge via the book.)
So many characters: Lainey and Kit: Good friends who come to work for a family in Cornwall. They pretend to be a married couple to get the job. Will they be discovered? What will happen then? Who does each belong with?
Sir Richard: an eighty-year old well-loved actor who is egotistical, eccentric and was a playboy. What surprising new relationship will come to him?
Majella: the widow of Sir Richard’s son. She does her scattered best to take care of her children while hoping to move on to a new romance. FYI: She has some real clunkers of dates. Majella’s children are secondary characters and each has his/her own personality.
Seth: he runs a tourist agency that readers will wish was real. A ladies man, he has never found “the one.” Will he by the end of the story? Also, is there something to know about his parentage?
Wyatt: He proposed to the lovely Penny who turns him down. Why? Will he ultimately be happier? Will she?
There are many strands to tie together over the course of the novel as readers watch the characters deal with the secrets in their lives. Throughout, Ms. Mansell has a light touch and kept me happily turning the pages.
Many years ago when I first ordered a book to be sent to me via the wonders of the internet and international purchasing, I picked a Jill Mansell title. This author’s ability to combine humor and heart have not diminished over her many publications.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Remain Silent is the third book in Susie Steiner’s Manon Bradshaw mystery series. I very much enjoyed this author’s first two novles in the series and was eager to read this one as well.
Remain Silent is, in some ways, a very tough read. It is the second book that I have finished recently that has a theme centering on the plight of illegal immigrants. Ms. Steiner portrays what happens to these characters including Matis, Lukas and others, with such brutal reality that it was painful to read. The message is an important one however and something that needs to be considered.
Manon herself can be acerbic, funny and a woman who makes many pithy parenthetical statements. In this book, Manon is overwhelmed with challenges. She has a young son, a teenaged son and a partner, Mark, who is in the hospital. Manon’s lament on how she wishes that she had been treating Mark better will strike a chord with anyone who has faced challenges in a relationship.
Around all of this, of course, there is a mystery. The murder is that of one of the immigrants and Manon is tasked with solving the case. Readers who have read the series will welcome back characters on her team including Davy.

SPOILER:
The afterword by the author reveals some of what she, herself, has been experiencing and this, too, has been quite sad and difficult.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in an excellent series in exchange for an honest review. I hope that Ms. Steiner will continue writing. She is a talented and clear eyed author.

I found Far From the Tree to be an amazing book.  The author spent time and wrote about many different kinds of families and the challenges that they faced.  For example, he met with families where a child was deaf, had autism, schizophrenia or other challenges.  It is an incredibly informative read.

Otherwise, a bit of fiction here.  Enjoy.

When I was in college my closest friend was from Florida.  She has never seen snow until she came to school in New England.  It was magical for her.

The feelings of magic and possibility are both beautifully conveyed in this title that shows the day of a child when it snows.  The illustrations are soft, sweet, delightful and engaging.  The text is a paean to the glories, beauty, poetry and fun of a snowy day.

This book will make a fine addition to a young child’s library.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  October 6, 2020