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

Cover on the left is for the UK. Cover on the right for the US.

Do you enjoy seasonal romances in which the right people end up together but it takes them a little while to do so? Have you enjoyed books by Shari Low or Josie Silver? If yes, or you would just like to relax with a nice read and a cup of hot chocolate, give this one a try.

The novel is about four friends who share a flat in London and those around them. One of the roommates is Jess who is thrilled to have gotten a job in London. Another is Alex who left a career in law for what he knows is a more meaningful nursing degree. They are surrounded by friends, family and relationships. The story mostly is about them in sections that are told by each. The other housemates include Becky who owns the house and is a lawyer, Emma who is a friend with benefits, and Rob a chef. London also feels like a character in the novel with descriptions of many places and neighborhoods.

This is not a deep novel but it is an easy and satisfying read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Editorial Reviews

This book encourages children to think about all of the different kinds of bread. Photographs show everything from French toast to pita and will make you and the child with whom you share this book long for carbs.

This book includes an experiment that shows yeast in action. The process of making bread is illustrated with photos that show the different steps, as for example, kneading or putting bread in the oven. Several simple bread recipes are also included.

The author hopes to make youngsters aware of the foods they eat. She succeeds in this title which is appealing and well organized.

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

#LetsExploreBread #NetGalley

The title says it all.  Step by step instructions allow artists old and young to draw a wide variety of animals.  Just some of the animals included are dogs, cats, moles, hares, otters, frogs, cows, horses, owls and lions.  There are then so many more.  According to the publisher, these step-by-step instructions were created for a children’s paper almost 100 years ago.  They still seem appealing today. The book provides not only instruction, but also room for creating the drawings. So, get out your pencils and see what you can do.

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

#TheDrawAnyAnimalBook #NetGalley

From the publisher:

In this picture book, a very tiny little girl explores in a house.  For example, she is so little that she can ride in a toilet paper tube.  She is having fun until…a big shadow looms.  She is brave, finds out whose shadow it is and makes a friend.

This is a simple, cute book that those who feel small or afraid in their world may enjoy.  The illustrations are a bit muted, fun and go well with the text.

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

#ALittleCourage #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Some very good titles here.  The Help is an excellent read and the basis for the movie.  Richard and Frances Lockridge wrote books with characters kind of like Nick and Nora Charles.  Phyllis Whitney wrote romantic suspense.  Another Reginald Hill, part of a good series.  The Color of Water is a good non-fiction title.  The Giver is a children’s classic.  Grantchester is a series of clerical mysteries.  If you look up James Runcie in my blog, you will see a book that I reviewed by him.  Happy Reading.

I enjoyed Radio Girls:  see brief comment below.

I read this book when  it was first published and enjoyed it very much. This is an historical novel that is set  soon after WW I.  It takes place (obviously) before there was TV and when radio was a great source of news and entertainment and when the BBC was new.  There is a mix of historical and fictional personages in the novel.  John Reith and Hilda Matheson who played prominent roles at the station are featured.  The story moves along nicely with some suspense (having to do with a conspiracy) and this is an all around good read.

A blurb: “A bright, appealing novel about the early days of the BBC and the women behind its brilliant programming….[The] depiction of female friendship and support is one of the great strengths of Stratford’s novel, which so capably describes its characters’ thirst for knowledge, for information of all kinds. An intoxicating look inside a world of innovative new media.”—Kirkus Reviews

Having read everything by Tana French, I will say that The Likeness was my favorite.  I recommend it highly for those who like mysteries/procedurals.

This book will be helpful to parents, mental health professionals and young adults who are trying to understand why it can feel/be so hard to grow up. The author, a clinical family psychologist, writes in an easy to read style and includes many case examples to illustrate the complexity of what it is like to be in your 20s in the 21st century. Doctor McConville talks about some of the reasons why “launching” is harder right now. He clearly explains some of the issues and offers insights on these challenges. For example, he worked with a young man who could not make the necessary phone calls to obtain a summer job. The reader learns the reason why this was the case. Parents will understand more about why their young adults, seemingly bafflingly, continue to act more like teens.

The book includes sections elaborating on the skills that young adults need to master and the ways in which parents can help. It is an excellent resource and I recommend it highly.

Of note: I wish that this title had been around when I was transitioning to college. It helped me to better understand why I was struggling a bit.

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

#FailureToLaunch #NetGalley

Another Reginald Hill, part of an excellent series. Just bought the Philip Kerr.  The Small Rain is by well known children’s author who has written adult titles as well.  And, Father Brown is a well known priestly sleuth.

This short, wordless picture book for the youngest children is absolutely delicious.  With delicate illustrations reminiscent of those by Helen Oxenbury, young readers watch as a young child observes his mother’s expanding girth due to pregnancy.  The child tries to figure out what is happening.  He even tries to replicate the look with a balloon.  When the baby is born, he observes that his mom’s back to her usual shape.

This book is so very cute and can open the door to discussion on this life event.  I give this one five stars.  Adults will like it too!

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

#BabyBelly #NetGalley

Clarence’s Big Secret is based upon the life story of a real person. Clarence was a smart and BIG young boy. When he got to school, the teacher thought he was older than he was and asked him to do things that he had not yet learned. He fled school and never returned.

Clarence was clever and talented. He went on to have a very productive life while keeping his big secret. Find out what it was in this charming story which clearly shows that one is never too old to learn or overcome.

The illustrations feel a bit old fashioned but in a good way. They contribute to the story’s atmosphere.

This was a lovely read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#ClarencesBigSecret #NetGalley