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

Adults spend much of their time either at work or thinking about work.  No matter what the job or profession, people have feelings about their work, its setting, their co-workers, etc.  In this title, the author encourages readers to think openly about what happens for them at work and how they feel about it.  The author frames this exploration through mindfulness.  Readers are encouraged to take a non-judgmental approach and to listen to the voices inside.  They do this through a series of suggested activities and meditations.  I found it interesting that the author encouraged looking back to how attitudes were formed, for example, having readers think about their first educational experiences, how they were prepared and what it was like.

This book could be helpful to many.  If a reader is contemplating change, this title will help to explore it.  If a reader comes to feel that they can make their current work well for them this is encouraged as well.  In each instance, the author guides readers to do what they feel is best for them.

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

#MindfulnessAtWork #NetGalley

From the Publisher

This looks like a good collection and is quite a bargain at just $1.99.

This title is part of a series of board books for young children.  Each vividly illustrated title explores a place by providing fun facts.  There are also hidden objects to find.  In this entry of Puerto Rico children to explore this U.S. territory.  They see festivals, foods, bio luminescence on Vieques and more.

The books in this series can widen a young child’s world.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#GoTinyTravelers #NetGalley

This book is part of the Tiny Travelers series. In this entry, young armchair travelers will visit Mexico. The book consists of a series of two page spreads each one featuring a place or tradition. For each spot, there are facts and a hidden object to find. Readers will visit places including Mexico City, Guadalajara, a Day of the Dead celebration and will learn about food and culture. Helpfully many of the Spanish words are given phonetic spellings as well so as to help non-Spanish speakers pronounce the words. Readers will enjoy the vivid and colorful illustrations as they go through the book. This is a good entry in a good series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed my trip!

This picture book beautifully normalizes the reasons why children (and adults) may cry.  It passes no judgment and does not belittle.  Rather, some of the many reasons for tears are described; these include anger, sadness and happiness among others. Crying is seen as a normal response to being human.  At the end of the book, there is additional information, some of it scientific, about tears.  The book is sensitively illustrated with gorgeous pictures that enhance the text. This would be a great title to share with a child you know.

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

This series is from Sweden and is published in translation for American readers.  Very popular in its native country, there is a Swedish tv seriesas well.

This is the third novel.  There are six published in the U.S. and more will be coming.  The novels are atmospheric and have a strong sense of place. There are characters who are engaging and readers returning to the series will be interested in what has transpired for them since they were last met.

In Guiltless, a lot is going on although the story unfolds at a leisurely pace.  Protagonist Nora is making decisions about her marriage while her closest and platonic friend Thomas is looking again at his failed relationship.  A twenty year old girl has disappeared.  What happened to her and why form the heart of the narrative.

The story is told in two timelines.  One is current while the earlier one takes place in the 1920s.  They intersect over the course of the novel.  I found the parts set in the past to be incredibly painful to read, even to the point of wanting to skim them.  They are critical to the story but I wish that there had been fewer of these chapters.

A subtext of the book is what makes a good parent and what happens when parenting goes disastrously wrong.  These  wrongs can and do lead to long impacting generational issues.

I liked spending time with the series main characters and will certainly read further novels in the series.   However SPOILER ALERT:

The father in the historical sections was abused and is an abuser.  This is what I found quite painful to read.

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

Do you look up when you are  inside?  This book has made me think more about viewing the ceilings wherever I go.  There is so much to see there; sometimes the sights are beautiful, sometimes they may be symbolic or there to make a point.

This excellent volume begins by making the case for why one looks up.  There are connections to the celestial and definitely to religion in many instances.  The reader learns that ceilings make statements whether they are religious, political or a reflection of power or culture.  Each of these areas has its own section in this lavishly photographed and informative title.  Just a few of the sites that are included are The Vatican Palace, the Imam Mosque, the Louvre, the subway stations of Stockholm, Blenheim Palace and the U.S. Capitol.

I learned a lot while reading this book.  I enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world and learning more about different cultures based on what they hope to inspire in those who visit their sites.

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

From the publisher:

Forty spectacular ceilings around the globe that have been graced by the brushes of artists including Michelangelo, Marc Chagall and Cy Twombly

Regular readers of this blog know that I enjoy this series.

What a great resource for kids who are getting a dog, have a dog or just love dogs.  This book is well organized with many appealing photos and illustrations.  There are things to make like treats, toys and dog beds, facts on breeds, quizzes and more.  Even more important though are all of the helpful sections on how a dog communicates and how to train and raise a dog so that the dog and all family members are happy.

I highly recommend this excellent resource. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#AKidsGuideToDogs #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Margot thinks about the moon all the time. She reads, collects facts and talks about outer space all the time to the consternation of others . This makes it difficult for Margot at school, both academically and socially. Things crescendo until one day all of the words that come out of Margot’s mouth are about the moon landings; she can say nothing else. Margot goes home and writes her frustrations out on the wall. The result is that her mother really hears her and responds to her in a creative way.

This is a good book for kids who may feel different. It acknowledges difference and also the importance of being heard. Along the way, there are lots of interesting moon facts.

This title has appealing and inclusive illustrations. They add to the story in a lovely way.

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