Work from Home: A Coloring and Activity Book for Grown-ups, by Harper Celebrate

 

Publication July 18, 2023

I had an image in my mind the whole time I was reading this one of the creators giggling and rolling their eyes as they put it together. It's just plain ol' fun. Full of humor, amazingly right-on-target drawings, word games, suggestions for lists and imaginative drawings, it is a "very serious coloring book for very serious grown ups" who work from home, typed tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure. Heck, there are even drink mix instructions. Okay, maybe not so tongue-in-cheek. Cheers?

The artwork is just detailed enough to make viewers grin and nod, thinking "Yep. True" the entire time. I'm not quite sure which was my favorite, it'd probably depend on mood and the day, but as a retiree I was definitely drawn to the "poster" declaring the new, official dress code to be "pajama professional". Made sense to me. Have to admit, though, the "It's 5 '0'Clock somewhere" one made me grin, too. 

In other words, there's surely something for everyone, from the multi-tasker watching tv across from their laptop to the one pondering why they never knew how their pet spent their days or the exercise machine slowly becoming a clothing rack, they all had a ring of familiarity. All done with humor and a "We're all in this together" spirit. Thanks #NetGalley and #HarperCelebrate for this delightfully humorous tribute to the work-at-home warriors. Even this retiree could relate.

Catch Me If You Candy: Bakeshop Mystery #17, by Ellie Alexander

Publication August 23, 2023

First, loved the cute cover. This series is a favorite of mine, so I was eager to dive in and fully enjoy my visit to Ashland, Oregon, with Juliet Montague Capshaw, aka Jules, and her family and friends. As the main character's name might suggest, Ashland is rather a haven for Shakespearean buffs from all around the world. Ol' Willy Shakespeare doesn't play a major role in this story but the theater is central.  I mean, it's almost worthy of Shakespeare to have a story centered around two feuding stars, well, sorta. Make that two dogs, who don't seem to be feuding but, oh, my, their humans are. Then, their dog trainer, dressed as a dragon, is murdered. Jules and husband Carlos have the misfortune of finding his body outside Torte, Jules' bakeshop, as they exit after a day of Halloween fun spread throughout the entire town. Given that Jules' step-dad, a Shakespeare fan himself, is heading the investigation, it's no surprise that Jules finds herself investigating, er, just asking questions. Who killed the dragon guy?

Mystery aside, make sure you eat before you start reading. If you go into it hungry, you're bound to work up an appetite. Lots of food/baking talk, not to mention coffee brewing. Jules and Carlos used to be chefs for a cruise ship and their experience with international styles and blends is obvious. They've also assembled a top-notch crew who we also get to know a bit more about as the story progresses. There's even romance in the air. And, oh, my. That Halloween parade would be something to see. The author does an excellent job of making you feel like you are there. What costume would you be wearing? The various costume choices are both a hoot and revealing of character.

But, on to the murder. I'm not going to detail the plot as others will, but a few teasers. Will Carlos' son Ramiro continue to be an easy fit into the family? How strong must a coffee named Burial Grounds be? Is Jax the ultimate stage-dog mom? If so, she would win the annoyance award. What does King George think of it all? Did you know they make a special doggie nail polish? What does Mahjong have to do with anything? What's going on with Lance? And, oh, never mind. Seriously, you just need to read this one. It's fun and will not only make you think but make you hungry. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for letting me spend Halloween with Jules' and the gang. They're all people I feel like I know and, hmm, all those not so subtle hints about the future at the end. Can't wait.