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

Recently published: Portrait of an Artist: Claude Monet Discover the Artist Behind the Masterpieces by Lucy Brownridge

This book recounts Monet’s life and art for young readers. Throughout, there are copies of paintings that Monet completed. At the end of the book, those who are interested can learn more about the works. Monet’s evolution as an artist from making caricatures when he was young, to academy studies, to finding his own style are all described. Some attention is also given to Monet’s personal life, especially his love for the mother of his children. All in all, a good resource for students who are just beginning their studies of art history.

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

Some e book bargains for January 13, 2020

We go from mystery to mythology here. The Perfect Couple The Quiche of Death A Late Phoenix The Night at the Crossroads

Wow! Twelve Donna Leon titles on sale for $1.99 each.

The first in this excellent series is Death at La Fenice. I love the characters in these novels, especially Brunetti and his family.

Through a Glass, Darkly Dressed for Death Doctored Evidence Unto Us a Son Is Given The Golden Egg Drawing Conclusions Death at La Fenice Fatal Remedies Willful Behavior Uniform Justice Falling in Love

Now out: Failure to Launch Why Your Twentysomething Hasn’t Grown Up…and What to Do About It by Mark McConville, Ph.D.

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.

Quick, good meals: The 30-Minute Vegetarian Cookbook 100 Healthy, Delicious Meals for Busy People by Lisa Turner

The recipes in this book are organized into chapter on Breakfast, Salads and Bowls, Pastas and Noodles, Stir Fries and Curries, Soups, Stews and Chilis, Pizzas and Flatbreads, Handhelds and Desserts. An example from each: Mushroom and Jalapeno Breakfast Hash, Couscous with Harissa Chickpeas, Greek Inspired Macaroni and Cheese, Chickpea, Cauliflower and Potato Coconut Curry, Hungarian Style Mushroom Soup, Coconut Roti with Cilantro Chutney, Black Bean and Beet Burgers and Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Cookies. Yum. If you are interested in vegetarian recopies either as your meal plan or as a break from a meat based diet, take a look at this title which includes many easy to follow recipes.

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

SAMPLE RECIPE: CHICKPEA PITA WRAPS WITH LEMON-TAHINI SAUCE


The simple sauce in this recipe is so creamy, tangy, and heavenly, you’ll find all kinds of uses for it. Chopped tomatoes and crunchy, tart pickles add texture and flavor to these wraps.	You’ll need: For the sauce: 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt 1/4 cup tahini 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic Salt and pepper For the wraps: 1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 8 (7-inch) pita breads 2 medium-firm tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped	How to do it: To make the sauce: Whisk together the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve. To make the wraps: Place the chickpeas in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher. Stir the sauce and the ground cumin into the chickpeas. Spoon the chickpeas and sauce into the pita wraps and top with tomatoes, dill pickles, and parsley.

#The30MinuteVegetarianCookbook #NetGalley

To help a young child love books: Read To Your Toddler Every Day by Lucy Brownridge

Sharing a story with a toddler can be one of life’s sweetest experience. There is the joy of sitting close together and the knowledge that helping a young child to love books is giving them a gift that will last throughout their whole life.

In this book, the author has compiled a group of short tales that are diverse. To name a few, there are stories from Scandinavia, ancient Rome, Mali, Russia and more, twenty beautifully illustrated stories in all. These entries are sometimes based in folklore or may have come from Aesop. They are tales that do not talk down to children and are not too simplistic.

All in all, this title offers a nice collection of stories. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

#ReadToYourToddlerEveryDay #NetGalley

Some e book bargains for January 12, 2020

A real mix here from literary fiction to lighter reads. Becoming Mrs. Lewis about Joy Davidman and C S Lewis is in my TBR pile as are Punjabi Widows and The Other Alcott.

Nefertiti Shell Game Family Trust Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows Party Girls Die in Pearls The Other Alcott Three James Herriot Classics Conviction Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis Middlesex: A Novel Sophie's Choice: A Novel

Everybody in! Going Up! by Sherry J. Lee

Sophie and her Dad are invited to Olive’s birthday party. They get ready by dressing up and making food to bring with them. When it is time to attend the party, how do they get there? They go by elevator!

As Sophie and her dad make their way to the tenth floor, the elevator gets pretty crowded! Young listeners will enjoy the exuberant illustrations as everyone squeezes in. When they arrive, there is a good party.

That’s it. This is a simple but fun book that young listeners will enjoy. The illustrations show a diverse group of people who enjoy being together. That is an added bonus of this title that is geared toward young children.

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

.From the publisher:

The Button Book by Sally Nicholls

What happens when you press the buttons? Will you like what happens? A young child may well enjoy this book which has interesting and silly things result as each button is pressed. Along the way, toddlers can learn colors and shapes as they enjoy the story. With amusing illustrations and repetition, this book may well appeal to toddlers or preschoolers.