Great reads for adults and children!
This title is a spiritual (Christian) book that offers women something to think about every day of the year. Taking stories from life, each entry is meant to be encouraging and connects to something with deeper meaning. This book will be welcomed by the many readers who like to start their day in a good mental/emotional space.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this title, with an entry for every day of the year, in exchange for an honest review.
This sweet and funny story is about Benny and Sam, a hot day and swimming. Benny is the pup who wants to swim while responsible Sam feels that Benny needs to take lessons before jumping into the pond. What will happen? Young listeners will enjoy finding out and, as a bonus, will see that swimming can be fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
The Birthday Book is a bilingual title that is based on a Mexican song. The virtual copy that I read cannot fully show how much fun this book could be; it can be read accordion style and has flaps to list. Still, I could see the bright and cheerful illustrations and could enjoy the simple text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
I was thinking mysteries and escape today so found these. There are many inexpensive Agatha Christie books to be had. I am also showing some of Kate Charles books. I very much enjoyed both of her series; they are very British, although the author is American. Living Beautifully looks like a good title for calming readers down. Enjoy!
The author of this title is truly a master baker. A biographical note that I saw indicated that she has made cakes for Queen Elizabeth and a number of celebrities.
The book contains recipes for cupcakes including Raising the Baa, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Gin and Tonic Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Cupcakes and more. There are also recipes for loaf cakes, tray-bakes and meringues; included are Raspberry and White Chocolate Meringue Towers, Classic Chocolate Eclairs a Warming Ginger Loaf Cake and a Salted Caramel and Popcorn Layer Cake, among others. The book also include Layer Cakes; Lemon and Elder-flower Layer Cake or Strawberry Shortcake Floral Stacks anyone? Ow about Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. The Book ends with a number of Celebration Cakes including Hand-decorated Ester Biscuits, Halloween Mini Rolls, a Chocolate Biscuit Wreath cake and many more.
The photographs made me so hungry. They are gorgeous. The book has basic recipes and then ways to enhance them to make a showstopper. Either way, if you like to bake, take a look at this one.
One note: unfortunately for U.S. bakers the oven temps and measurements are British style and will need to be converted.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#EverydayBakestoShowstopperCakes #NetGalley |
Organized by the seasons, starting with spring, young readers will explore the activities that takes place on a farm over the course of the year. For example, in the spring, there are “At the Orchard” and “Harvesting Early Spring Crops” sections, while summer has “Corn Planting and Harvesting.” along with “Heading to the Country Fair.” Among the fall sections are “Harvesting Pumpkins and Squash” and “Putting the Farm to Sleep” and for winter there are “Winter Maintenance” and “At the Farmer’s Market.” (Note there are many additional sections as well.)
The book opens with an introduction to the many types of farms that exist, everything from dairy to poultry to sheep and then to orchards and crops. Readers will see and learn about everything from chickens to bees. There are vehicles and tools and so much more. There is even a recipe for bread.
I truly loved the idyllic illustrations that are found throughout the book. They made me wish desperately to be on that farm. I found this book to be delightful and engaging.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: May 19, 2020
One that looks sweet, one that is suspense, one that is more literary. Enjoy.
Did you know that Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s first name is actually Joan? Did you know that she was left handed and felt the injustice of being told that she had to become a righty…but she did not. These are just a couple of the interesting things that children will learn in this excellent beginning chapter book on the Supreme Court Justice.
The illustrations, charts and more in this book are vibrant and engaging. They add to the text and help to keep a young reader’s attention and interest.
In addition to telling Ruth’s story, this book includes many extras. There are definitions of words, questions to think about, family trees, quotes from RBG and even a quiz at the end so readers can see what they recall from the text. There is also a helpful bibliography.
If you know a girl (or boy) that wants/needs to know that women can succeed and fight for what they believe in, encourage them to take a look at this book. It belongs in school libraries for elementary school children.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. Even as an adult, I enjoyed reading this story and learning more about RBG.
Ruth’s mom believed girls could—and should—study and work hard like boys. This early encouragement from her mother inspired her. Ruth would soon find that studying and working hard could change her entire life.
From the publisher:
Thanks to Ruth, a jury in a court is now made up of a group that represents your peers. Ruth argued that women should not be left out of juries, but she also argued that people of color should have jurors who reflect them, too. The goal of these changes was to make juries more fair, so they won’t decide someone is guilty (or innocent) just because of their gender or race.
The cover on the left is for the American edition of the book. The cover on the right is for the U.K. Which do you prefer?
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.
While you wait for this one to come out, you can check out the author’s backlist. These frothy novels are just perfect for our current time.
Pub date: June 7, 2020
There are many novels by DONNA LEON on sale for $1.99 today. I highly recommend the Brunetti mysteries. Death at La Fenice is the first one.
Also a Reginald Hill, part of an excellent series and Luke Thanet, good for those who like village procedurals. 
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 