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

Sweet Cherry is a publishing company that issues many classics for elementary school aged children. The books are well written and include the most important elements and a flavor of the original. The stories are also illustrated which I think helps young readers to engage.
This time, it is Pride and Prejudice. The story is well told, the characters and humor are there and the pages turn. I thnk that the book helps early readers appreciate Jane Austen. Hopefully, in time, readers of this book will move on to the story in its entirety as written by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date 09 Jul 2020  

 

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I knew who Billy Collins was before receiving this most welcome e galley. As many are aware, he was an American poet laureate. As this year I am trying to read more poetry, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to savor the works in this collection.
What strikes me about the poet and his poems is how accessible and relatable they are and he is. There were so many times when reading this volume that I found myself nodding my head and wanting to share lines with others. Many of the poems relate day to day universal experiences. Throughout, the poet’s sensibility, sensitivity and humor are present.

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

Pub Date 29 Sep 2020

#WhaleDay #NetGalley

This is a very cute title for very young children.  The pets are hungry and in need of treats.  A child can pick a treat for each of them.  Will it be a dog treat for a dog or…would the child like to give the dog a parrot treat?  Anything is possible. 

I read an e galley of this vibrantly illustrated title.  The actual book will be much more fun with its dangling treats and pop ups.

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

A couple of novels and lots of classics.  The ones in the larger pictures are 99 cents.  The ones that have small covers are free.

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.

Pub Date 02 Jun 2020

#TheLehmanTrilogy #NetGalley

Fiction, non-fiction, mysteries…good choices yet again.  Enjoy.

I am not interested in attending medical school but nonetheless was most intrigued by these essays. Each tells a story of a person’s life and the ethos behind their hopes and dreams.

Prospective medical students may find this book to be quite helpful as it includes not only the essays but also information about test scores, the college attended by the applicant and more. My only caveat is that applicants should consider the importance of retaining their own voice. It could be easy to want to frame one’s experiences in a format described in the book. I would suggest writing your own essay before taking a look at these.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading the Sneaky Pie Brown books since the very first one, Wish You Were Here.  There are now close to 30 titles in all. I always enjoyed the stories, the characters and the illustrations.  While I wasn’t sure how I would feel about talking and thinking animals, I was quickly able to adapt and appreciate what they added to the story.

This story begins in spring and with gardening. Smell the peonies.  From there, of course, the story goes on to have murder and mysteries that are solved with the help of Harry and her furry friends.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this one could be for you.  It is a delightful read.

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

#FurmidableFoes #NetGalley

From the publisher:

What a perfect title for a child who is at home and feeling bored.  This book features many different activities including pictures to color, word searches, mazes, connect the dots, and spot the difference puzzles.  Get your crayons and pencils out and have some fun!

Many thanks to the publisher, Callisto, for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

This book includes 18 stories written by this well-known and beloved author. The stories were compiled by Ms. L’Engle’s granddaughter so could not come with a better pedigree.
The introduction to this book is filled with insight into the author whose granddaughter knew her well. It is noted that the stories are ones that were written early in Ms. L’Engle’s career.
The first of these, The Birthday, is about a young girl who is trying to cope with the change in plans for her big day and the uncertainties of life. Readers watch as Cecily tries to understand the world around her and her place in it. They witness the insecurity that she feels and the ways in which she tries to understand the world. Religion plays a part in the story. This was written when the author was young but it is fully formed. There are anguish, existential questions and suspense contained within.
I think that this story and the others are worth reading. Even if I did not know how famous the author would become, I think that I would have been moved by some of these stories.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
Note: If potential readers are expecting The Wrinkle in Time, they will not find it here but they will get to spend time with an author, see her evolution and enjoy some fine stories.

From the publisher: