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

I recently reviewed this book, Recipe for a Perfect Wife. Here is another take.

The Way Through the Woods by Colin Dexter

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid

The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester

To Let by John Galsworthy

Twice I have lost my comments. I quit! But these are all good titles. Special shout out to Winter Garden.

September by Rosamunde Pilcher

Shem Creek by Dorothea Enron Frank

The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters

The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, volume 2 by Anne Perry

Visitation Street by Ivy Pochada

Death and Judgement and The Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon

The first two are good women’s fiction titles. Then, lots of mysteries. Enjoy!

I read a number of intriguing reviews on this title, so was eager to read the book. It did not disappoint.

The novel tells the story of two artists, Anna in the 1940s and Morgan in 2018. Around them is famous, recently deceased artist, Jesse. The most impressive feat in the novel is the way in which the author connects their stories.

Anna wins a contest to create a mural in a small southern town. Northerner Anna has many experiences in Edenton, culminating in a major event. In the present, Morgan is trying to atone for past poor decisions. Around each of these characters are many others who come to life.

This story is partly a meditation on family (good and bad), race, community and more. The author clreverly adds to the story with diary entries and newspaper stories.

Readers of women’s fiction and others will enjoy this novel that so excellently portrays its places and characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchangefor an honest review.

I love the idea of a cookbook that only requires cooks to have a few ingredients per recipe.  It makes me feel that the 90 plus recipes in this book will be easy to make and satisfying too.

As is true for most cookbooks, there are sections on the three daily meals plus additional sections on veggies and sides, snacks and desserts.  Some of the recipes in this book are baked blueberry oatmeal, egg in a hash with sweet potato and bacon, zesty chicken salad, banana party pepper tuna salad, Cuban mojo pork chops and orange rice, crispy oven fried fish sticks,orange kissed carrots, warm apple baked brie, and chocolate pudding cake.  I could go on and on as so many of these recipes look and sound delicious.

The book starts with a great deal of helpful information on things to have in the kitchen, menu planning and more.  There are also many tips on cooking for busy people. The author also shares anecdotes from her life.

One note, recipes in fact have more than five ingredients but some of these are for things most would have on hand like salt, pepper, milk, etc.  Above each recipe are things to know, as for example, “make ahead-nut free-soy free-gluten free.  These headlines can be quite helpful when deciding what to make.

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

This is a book of gently amusing comics about a relationship. Reflective of every day life and mostly sweet, this book will be enjoyed by those who know the ups and downs of daily life with a significant other.

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

Historical fiction about Ada Lovelace, Unbroken and a Donna Leon.

I have reviewed the Donna Leon and the Jennifer Chiavarinia.  See blog.

The author of this book, Bob Hillary, directly addresses the reader in what feels like a conversation as he makes the case for simplifying  and slowing down our lives.  He points out that many of the things that were meant to save us time, are taking up so much of our time instead.  Think social media, for one.  The author observes that all of this has done little to make us happier so, over the course of this book, he suggests ways to change.

The book is divided into parts with the first entitled Simplify; the second, Practices to Help You Simplify Your Life, followed by Being Who We Really Are, then Walk Your Talk.  In the part on simplifying, there are, for example, sections of simple food and unteching, among others. Ways to help simplify has sections on topics like meditation, learning to breathe and learning to say no.  In the part on who we are, the author’s subsections suggest ways to be happy, be gentle, to know yourself and more.  The last section is about making our future.

The author knows whereof he speaks.  He has lived “off the grid” and pondered what he has learned.  He is eager to share this knowledge with readers.

Note that this book can be read straight through or dipped into anywhere you like.

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

This inspiring book is geared toward middle school readers. As the title says, it is organized in alphabetical order as a dictionary. Some of the words included in the book are acceptance, compassion, diversity, forgiveness, gratitude, hope, justice, kindness,peace, understanding and more. This title has some lovely illustrations; the book opens with one of flowers in a mug that sets the tone. The first entry is a twenty–six line poem with a line for every letter of the alphabet. Each of the following entries also includes an editorial comment and something to try. One example from the book: The letter C.

Courage

Sometimes

courage can be

getting up to face life’s

stormy world when you’d rather hide

in bed.

Author Charles than comments and there is a Try It!

This book can be read in order or dipped into. Hopefully, readers will be encouraged as they pursue the entries in this book.

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