Tag: reading

Lots can happen in a small place: The Murders in Great Diddling

A Novel and audio book-e book bargain

by Katarina Bivald

When I have the opportunity to both read and listen to a book I am happy. I can read when I am sitting and can listen when I am out and about. This synchronicity worked perfectly while I enjoyed The Murders in Great Diddling.

The cover and title give some sense of this as a British mystery and indeed it is. Great Diddling is in Cornwall. It is a community where the people who live there know one another.

The story begins when there is an outdoor tea party. Owner of a grand (if rundown) estate has invited the villagers to a tea party. This device leads to a rapid introduction to many characters for the reader.

There are the manor owner, Daphne and her assistant Margaret. There is Daphne’s difficult and disliked nephew. There are author Berit and Sally, daughter of her agent, and hopeful employee of Berit. There is a couple; James has a stake in a hotel and Penny has a stake in defending her husband. There are owners of village businesses whose doors are to be closed and others as well.

There is an explosion and in its aftermath a body is found. I will leave it to the reader to find out who the victim is. Suffice it to say, there are many with motives.

This is the lead in to a long, fun and involving story. Take the time to enjoy it. I did. Note how much there is about books, lots of books in this one as you read or listen.

I found the narration to be spot on. The reader was British and helped to create the atmosphere of the story in a delightful way.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 13 August 2024

For audio book:  #TheMurdersinGreatDiddling #NetGalley

Try for some: Mindfulness in Reading

Meditations on Words & Wisdom

by Ella Berthoud

#MindfulnessinReading #NetGalley

This title is part of a series on mindfulness. Previous titles have included Mindfulness in Gardening, Mindfulness in Knitting and, Mindfulness in Wild Swimming, among others. The wide range of subject matters shows that mindfulness can be approached/practiced in many ways.

The world feels so shaky at times that mindfulness may become more popular than ever. Those who already enjoy reading will, I think, find that if mindfulness is needed, here is one way to embrace it. This book has chapters on topics like losing yourself in a book, ways to read, reading like a child, sharing the joy of reading, finding one’s self in a book, and putting down books. There are also helpful resources at the end of the title.

Note that the reader’s guide through this book is a true bibliophile. I enjoyed what she had to say from the very beginning when she writes about how she taught herself to read at age five. She has not stopped since and is a bibliotherapist who takes her work seriously.

I liked that this book encouraged me to think about how I read. Mindfulness in the process will add to my approach and enjoyment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 November 2024

Others in the series

Now out: Mindfulness in Knitting

Now out: Mindfulness in Gardening

Now out: Mindfulness in Swimming

Now out: Mindfulness in Baking

Now out: Mindfulness in Drawing

The answer is complex and simple: Why We Read (by Shannon Reed)

#WhyWeRead #NetGalley

Shannon Reed offers readers her idiosyncratic answers (and they are many) as to why we read and why she does. Early on Reed shares that, as someone with a hearing impairment, reading books was a comfortable place to be as there was no need to struggle or answer based on imperfect understanding of what was being said. Reed read everywhere and everything, even a car manual when she forgot (never again!) to have a book with her. Bibliophiles will relate to not ever leaving home without something to read; I know that I did.

This is not an academic treatise but more a series of wide ranging personal thoughts and reflections. Throughout it is clear that Reed loves reading and wants her students and everyone, really, to find joy in a book.

Reed begins by talking about getting her first library card and the many libraries that have played a role in her life. I know two of these personally which made the pages come to life for me. 

Whether it is about reading (or not reading) series, signs you may be a character in a popular children’s book, reading to see ourselves across time, for comfort, fun or shock, or more, it is intriguing to see what the author has to say on a variety of topics.

This book would make a fun gift for a reader…even if that reader means giving a gift to one’s self. Take a look at the back of the book for an exhaustive reading list based on the books mentioned in the text. This will give a bibliophile many ideas for what to try next or to fondly remember books that they have read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 08 February 2024

The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered (Jack Kurland)

#TheCatWhoCouldntBeBothered #NetGalley

This is a children’s picture book about a cat who wants to do nothing. He turns down all invitations, even one to become a cat-stronaut. Finally, one animal tries to dig a little deeper. What is found out?

This is a book that is, I think, about empathy. One message is that it can be better not to be alone. I am curious to learn more about readers’ reaction to the final page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 March 2024