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

I previously reviewed Volume 1 in this series.  I feel much the same about Volume 2.  This book provides a fun source for asking yourself questions or for setting up games with others either as individuals or teams.  Some pub quiz venues may also enjoy having this source of so many questions on so many subjects.

There are sections of Pop Culture, Geography, Sports and Science with many questions in each chapter.  If you enjoy Jeopardy, you will enjoy this book.

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

#UltimateTriviaVolume2 #NetGalley

This silly story is geared toward children ages 4 to 8.  I think that it will appeal most to the younger listeners.

Elephant enjoys having human children as friends.  When they want to play hide and seek, of course Elephant agrees.  Naturally it is not the best game for someone of his size.

To the rescue come tips from the Elephant Hobby and Sport League purporting to help elephants to succeed at Hide and Seek.  This advice leads to adorable and funny illustrations that kids should love.

There is a sweet message of inclusiveness underlying this story.  Mostly, though, it is meant to be fun.

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

A few notes.  I read the Peter Berger book during my first year of college and it made me a Sociology major.  Meet Me in Monaco is in my TBR.  It is partly about Grace Kelly.  When I was young I loved Cheaper by the Dozen, especially when they all had their tonsils out!  Underworld is part of the Daziel an Pascoe series.  I have read them all.  Enjoy!

Just as I was thinking about sitting down to review this book, my phone rang.  Five minutes later it rang again and then again.  So, as you can see, I needed to focus again before returning to this review.  5 Minute Focus offers ways to do just that.  The book describes a number of situations and offers advice for how to mange them in a mindful manner.  A few examples with catchy titles include Case of the Mondays, Savor  Every Bite, Avoid the Afternoon Crash, Anxious Much? and A Remedy for Overwhelm.  For each there is something for the realer to try.  The suggestions are practical and designed to be accomplished within five minutes. For example, Sleep for Focus, suggests doing a body scan, something that mindfulness practitioners may already be aware of.

This book is worth a look. Keep it handy and perhaps it will help a bit when you are struggling.

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

From the publisher:

This expansive resource is available at no charge at most on-line bookstores.  It includes extensive listings of titles that are coming out in all categories along with a number of book excerpts.  A few fiction titles that are forthcoming are those authored by David Nicholls, Katherine Reay, Susan Wiggs, Barbara Delinsky, Beatriz Williams, Alexander McCall Smith and Scott Turow.  There are books forthcoming fro Anne Tyler, Gail Godwin, and more.

Readers can look at titles by category; for fiction this includes big books, emerging authors, debut novels, commercial fiction and more.  Non-fiction seemed to me to include lots of political titles and titles about the struggles and triumphs of women.

Also take a look at biography and memoirs including books by Jennifer Finney Boyland, David Chang , Elijah Cummings and more. In addition,  as as noted above, there are fairly lengthy excerpts from some forthcoming titles.

Take a little time to see what you might like to read this spring.  You will find authors both old and new.

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

A mix here. Women’s fiction, some mysteries, a non-fiction title and literary fiction.  I enjoyed Mrs. R…it is part of a series.

Some classics; it is the anniversary of the publication of Tess and a nice edition of Little Women.  Some literary fiction and Ruth Hogan’s first novel.  I loved and reviewed her book about Sally Red Shoes.

With chapters that describe restorative yoga and tell what one needs to know to begin, readers are prepared to work on the poses that follow.  Next is a chapter on “the basics” which includes nine poses.  This is followed by chapters on poses for stress relief, pain relief and other poses for healing.The  book then has a chapter on sequences and one on breathing and meditations.  So, as you can see, this book is pretty comprehensive, especially as each chapter includes multiple poses. The book ends with sections on resources and references.

In explaining what restorative yoga, a form of hatha yoga, is the author states:

Instead of moving through challenging standing poses, the therapeutic practice of restorative youga uses supported position to invoke deep relaxation to settle your mind and harmonize your physiology.

Sounds good to me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book which includes clear directions and illustrations.  All opinions are my own.

#RestorativeYogaforBeginners #NetGalley

From the publisher:

#RestorativeYogaforBeginners #NetGalley

I just bought My Name is Mary Sutter.  Although not the same, it reminds me of a book that I am currently reading and enjoying called The Gilded Hour which I am really enjoying.  TGH is a LONG novel so still a little while before a review.  For now, see below:This is about two female doctors in 1800s New York and those around them.

Compelling….This satisfying read, rich in interpersonal relationships of many kinds, is part romance, part mystery, and part serial-killer thriller.”—Booklist (starred review)

Adults often feel flummoxed when the time comes to talk to children about “how babies are made.”  This book with its appealing multicultural illustrations helps come to the rescue.

All Ways Family is geared towards six to ten year olds, although I would just recommend this as a guideline.  The  book’s approach is to have children talk about their families.  Readers starts with Paula, who goes to see the ultrasound with her heterosexual parents.  When Paula returns to school with the ultrasound, her teacher talks to the class about reproduction.

This book is very inclusive.  The classmates go on to hear from children where there was assisted reproduction and families formed by adoption.

The book provides an introduction to talking about “All Ways” families may be formed.  It can help adults to begin a discussion with children who are at that age where adults need to begin this conversation.

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

#AllWaysFamily #NetGalley