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

This book looks like a terrific resource for those who would like to become better home bakers.  There are so many delicious recipes in this book but I will list just a few;  soft peanut butter cookies, pistachio cookies, pumpkin and white chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch blondies, pumpkin bars, raspberry jam bars, cranberry pear crumble pie, praline pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, blueberry muffins, coconut bread, snickerdoodle cupcakes, orange pound cake, buttermilk biscuits, shortcake biscuits and more.

The book starts with a helpful introduction that covers topics including what is needed in the kitchen, along with what might be nice to have but is not essential.  This is followed by explanations of terms such as folding, creaming, kneading and more.

The recipes themselves are clearly laid out and feel quite doable.  There are photos of techniques and some photos of the baked goods.

I am not a kitchen whiz so the fact that I feel that I could make some of these baked goods is high praise.  If you are more talented, there is still a plethora of recipes for you to try.

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.

#MilaHasTwoBeds #NetGalley

This is a sweet counting book that young children should enjoy.  Lily, a rabbit, and Milo, a mouse, count all of the different farm animals that they see, going from one-to-ten.  There are vows, lambs, kittens and more and even a little surprise at the end.  The book is brightly and charmingly illustrated.  Definitely a title to read with a toddler who is learning to count.

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

#CountinganimalswithLilyandMilo #NetGalley

This title is aptly divided to follow a child over the course of the day with sections title, Morning,  Day and Night.  Included are 40 mindfulness activities scattered over the time in a typical day.  There are stories, meditations to practice and play scenarios throughout the book.

I liked the way that the author spoke directly to his audience, beginning the book with the story of Buddha and an explanation fo dharma. The stories in this book are well told and the exercises are easy to follow.  I think that children up to a certain age, could benefit from an adult’s involvement as they go through the book.  An added bonus will be that the adult will benefit too.

This book appears to be an excellent resource.  The illustration enhance the text and are gentle and appealing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title.  I plan to buy the hard copy.

#BuddhismforKids #NetGalley

Mystery, suspense and in The Leavers, a well reviewed novel with immigration and its problems at its heart.  Also, a classic women’s fiction title.  I still remember how I became so absorbed in Emma’s story.

The story of Alan Turing is beautifully told in this new title in the Little People, Big Dreams series.  Nothing is glossed over as the story is told not only about the breaking of the Engima code but also Turing’s being gay and the way that he was treated in England.

Readers of this title who may feel a bit alone or different will be encouraged by learning about all that Alan did, after he faced the loss of a person very important to him.  This book could be a great jumping off point for talking with a child.

Alan’s story is told in a matter of fact style.  The illustrations are lovely, expressive and greatly enhance the text.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a book in one of my favorite series.

#AlanTuring #NetGalley

Bird Summons tells the story of three Muslim women who go on a vacation/pilgrimage to visit the grave of a Scottish woman who converted to Islam. Each of these friends has a full life and issues with which to cope. They form the basis of the novel.

Salma was born in Egypt. She was a physician there but is not able to practice her profession in the U.K. Instead, she is a massage therapist. Salma is married to David, who had converted to Islam before they met. Salma has only self-imposed restrictions in her life. She has recently heard from an old love who is still in Egypt. What decisions will she make?

Moni has a traditional marriage although it is a stressed one. Moni has a son with profound developmental issues who is the focus of her life. Will she move to be with her husband back in the Middle East? What would this mean to her son and her?

Imam, the youngest of these friends, has lived her life on the basis of her beauty. She thinks that she has found a relationship that will sustain her but, unfortunately, her partner does not seem willing to face the lack of acceptance of the relationship from his family. Will she come into her own?

The story centers on these characters both as individuals and in their interactions with each other. The novel is a mix of straightforward narrative and strange tales told by a symbolic bird. What do these bird summons mean to the characters? Read the book to find out.

This novel is a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in return for my honest review.

A few titles for today.  The Oz book is free.  Donna Leon and Dorothy Simpson are both from series.

Oh, how I would love to sleep better!  If the same is true for you, spend a little time with this title; I think that it may help you.

This book is divided into sections covering Sleep in Perspective, Patterns of Sleep, The Sleep Environment, The Sleeping Body, A Mind for Sleep, and Overcoming Sleep Problems.  Each section includes many short subsections that seemed quite informative.

The book also includes a number of exercises to help further your sleep goals. Some utilize mindfulness techniques; others require things like making a sleep diary.  There are also many suggestions as for example, what kind of bed might be best for an individual.

This title is comprehensive. It may well restate some things that you already know such as the impact of alcohol and caffeine on sleep but there is also much that was new.  Throughout the book is calmly illustrated.

I recommend Learn to Sleep Well  if you would like to think more about your sleep patterns and are on a quest to wake up each day feeling better.

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

Of these, my choice would be the Ruth Rendell first but take a look to see if something else appeals to you.  Let me know!