The Old Girls' Island Getaway, by Kate Galley

 

Publication March 4, 2926

While the focus here is on the characters and their connection, there's a bit of intrigue and drama mixed in. Dorothy and Gina are still enjoying life even as the aches and pains, not to mention regrets of life, keep invading. They're joined this go-round by Dorothy's artistically talented grand-daughter who also seems to have the knack for not always realizing (or caring?) how her comments and questions are taken. She's likable but, well, would be a possible embarrassment at any given moment, too. They're invited to the estate of Rupert, a long time friend of Dorothy's, who doesn't seem to have long to live. It's an amazing place, too, including private boats and such, not to mention Ioannis, who I guess you'd call has aide and driver. Then they're joined by movie star Florence who is about to be caught up in the drama of a divorce sure to create a media frenzy after her husband's statement. Her story is an important aspect of the book and provides a shocking twist at the end. Oddly enough, that one's topped soon by a discovery by Dorothy.

I won't detail the plot but it's multi-layered diving into past and present lives and the expectations of each. It took me awhile to get into the story but I'm leaning toward that just being a harsh real world invading my thoughts way too often of late. The characters are likable, even one who appears shady at first meet, and one wishes they could join them on some of their adventures. Dorothy and Gina's impulsive swim sounded delightful. Getting to know Florence, too, was intriguing, reminding us all that what we see on screen isn't necessarily what the actor is really like as a real person. I'm sorta hoping we will get an update on her life in future books, have to admit. The story, while slow to me initially, moves ahead nicely despite leisurely detours for fun and frolic. 

Bottom line,I enjoyed my time with Dorothy, Gina, and friends. Well, not so much Gina's ex-husband. I'm still not certain whether I'll ever warm up to him or not. Right now I'm rooting for Erik. Nope, not telling. Read the book. Like I said, multi-stories with multi-layers. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for this early peek at how things are going in Gina's new life, not to mention some surprising twist hints for likely future story lines. Corfu sounds delightful, that's for sure, though know they'll find other fun places to explore and enjoy, not to mention people to get to know.  

Once There Was a Town: The Memory Books of a Lost Jewish World, by Jane Ziegelman

 

Publication Jan. 20, 2026

Although I had heard of the Yizkor  books, I had no real knowledge of their history. As the author explains early on, it's long. Even the Biblical book of Lamentation, I believe credited to Jeremiah,  might be considered the first example of what might be called "Jewish disaster literature". It tells of the destruction of the Temple and an era of Jewish exile. To be simplistic, these books attempt to capture the history and times as well as the individual names of those caught up in disaster. They tend to run from 400-800 pages when complete and provide the link that connects past to present and, yes, future. The objective, as directed by scripture, is remembrance. While names of those killed or passed are certainly given, they also capture a snapshot of the life these people and/or village lived. 

Ironically, I started this book just before the Bondi Beach attack, so one has to imagine that event will eventually make its way into a vizkor book. The author's focus, however, is largely on the now long-gone town of Lubomi, Poland, where many of her ancestors came from. She knew little of that story growing up but not just Lubomi but many other villages disappeared during WWII. Totally. They are remembered, however, by the presence of Vizkor memories captured in writing. While the author detours away to other places at times, her focus remains on her family's past hometown. Besides names, it includes memories of personal life, one of my favorites being the time-consuming baking of a huge amount of bread. Their ordinary lives remind us not to forget. As you read, a community seemingly erased by history comes to life. The people are no long mere statistics but living, breathing people. People who were part of the author's family.

I'm not going to detail the stories, that would be unfair to not just the reader but the subjects, but it's very human and obviously heartfelt. While I did feel the pace slowed here and there, perhaps that was actually a good thing as it gave my mind time to process all I was reading. The author's occasional detours to other sites is also a reminder that Lubomi wasn't an isolated, one time instance. It is part of history and deserves to be remembered. Thanks #StMartin'sPress for this early look at such a meaningful book. 

The Christmas Keepsake (Love in Bloom, 2), by Annie Rains

 

Publication October 7, 2025

Uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time, if that's possible. Having dealt with a family member with dementia, I loved the whole idea of the keepsake memory book, especially done via collected Christmas keepsakes with a written memory attached to them. Although I hadn't read the first book of the series, it worked very well as a standalone. In fact, I wasn't even sure it was a series until I double checked the title and say book two indicated. Watching Hollis and Mallory find their way to each other despite the very strong walls they'd built around their emotions to protect themselves was a delight. I immediately liked them both, especially Hollis and his work with dogs. A foster child himself, he was sort of giving unwanted dogs the second chance they needed, even when he frequently seemed to need patching up from canine related accidents. 

It certainly didn't hurt that Mallory was a nurse and frequently the one applying the care, especially since she's working extra shifts to help pay for her grandmother Nan's spot in the memory care facility. Nan doesn't remember Mallory anymore but her story is told through the, oh, so honest journal she kept to explain the keepsake items. It's both sweet and sad, though the book manages never to let us sink too far into the "I need a tissue" range. As it turns out, Mallory's emotional trip via the journal opens the way for her to both give and take support from Hollis. He's dealing with a host of roller-coaster emotions, too, torn between his own dreams and those of others. You'll like his Pop, I'm sure, and come to love the Nan we meet through the journal stories. "Santa, Baby", the play she wrote that has become a holiday tradition, is one with a message for many, too, I'm sure.

I won't share any more of the plot as it's a joy to read and get to know the characters almost as they're rediscovering who they are and reaching for their own dreams. I think it's a John Lennon quote about life being what happens when we're making other plans and that is surely true here. Life, both the good and bad, is very much what we make of it. Hollis rescues dogs. Can he rescue himself? Will Mallory let him into her heart? Will family drama take over or love? Will the Christmas play be the beginning or the end of Mallory's dreams? Thanks #Forever - #GrandCentralPublishing for reminding me why I so loved Annie Rains' books in the past. Thanks for bringing me back with this warm hearted look at memories, dreams, family, and, yes, dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. 

 

My Grammie's House, by Lana Button , Skye Ali (illustrator)

 

Publication September 3, 2024

I have a sneaking suspicion that this one may be as popular with the adults reading it as the children. I know I found myself pausing as I finished, wondering what I'd have conjured up to share about my grandparents' homes with strangers. The ol' piano in one's home and the pile of genealogy magazines in another that stirred my interest in our family tree in the other would definitely make the cut. Oh, and the short cut to the ice cream store! Somehow Grandma always had some spare change to give me. Grin.

The illustrations add to the layers of memories and love throughout the book. As the obviously introverted child shares memories and things that made them so enjoy visits, the illustrations offer sketchy, line drawn ideas seemingly hovering on the current view of what once was. Ghosts of memories? This book is at once both heart warming and rather melancholy. Be prepared for children to ask "What happened to Grammie?" The book doesn't really say, so that opens an avenue to discussion. In other words, this book could come in handy for helping a child deal with not just the sale of a beloved family home after a move but the inevitable passage of time. Grandparents might find it particularly applicable to read with grandchildren. 

In other words, a lovely combo of fun, ie the energetic, full-of-loving-memories child, and some sense of melancholy, too, as what was lost. It does highlight the idea that as long as there are memories, no one is truly gone. Although I'd honestly thought the couple looking at the house would have a child that Grammie's grandchild would be sharing with, the fact it's a young couple with memories to make, a pair that seems to be charmed and fall under the magic of the child's loving memories, worked well. Thanks #NetGalley and #PenguinRandomHouseCanada - #TundraBooks for giving me an early peek at this delightful book. I'm thinking it would make a lovely gift, perhaps from grandparents to grandchildren, but also to your local library. Bottom line, it made me feel good and remember my own days with "the Grands", as we dubbed them, as those faint memories became strong again.

That's So New York: Short (and Very Short) Stories about the Greatest City on Earth, by Dan Saltzstein

 

Publication March 12, 2024

Illustrations by Emily Carpenter, design by Jon Glick

Anything can and does happen in New York. Some are improbable, like the person stepping on a rat and getting a sort of skateboard ride, or having Sting sit down beside you at a club show. I've never been to NYC but have friends there and have, of course, visited virtually many times via the screen, most recently an upscale area hosting the show "Only Murders in the Building". I'm leaning toward thinking I'd be more at home in the "In the Heights" area, however. I do have friends who frequent NYC and based on their stories and photos would have to say this book captures the reality, good and bad, and humor nicely.

It definitely does an excellent job of capturing random moments, both in words and artwork. To be honest, I was probably more captivated by the seemingly always in motion, colorful, diverse illustrations. The colors and vibes seemed to almost jump out at you at time. The accompanying blurbs/captions were often humorous and to the point, whether capturing street scenes or riding the subway. It was definitely interesting to discover that having a bladder of steel might be a must qualification for subway operators. And, oh, my, the stories from the woman involved in pest removal. Rats! Let's just say, rats seem to be a dominant thread of NYC memories. 

Oddly enough, while negative memories were frequent shares, that actually made the book all the more powerful. Heaven only knows there are plenty of commercially prepared raves about not just NYC but just about any local. The negatives somehow seemed to blur into a blurred memory of mixed feelings. Maybe a sense of "Yeah, we got rats. So what? They're our rats." Overall, of course, the book is positive, maybe not quite a love letter to New York City but definitely a positive remembrance. I mean, even Sully doing an emergency landing on the Hudson River was somehow initially momentarily viewed as an "Are they filming a movie?" scene. Yes, definitely only in NYC could a large passenger plane landing on a major river be seen as just another movie scene. Thanks #NetGalley and #ChronicleBooks for the unpredictable virtual tour. I still want to hear more about Molly Jong-Fast's haunted childhood home, of course.

The Wonderful World of James Herriot: A Charming Collection of Classic Stories, by James Herriot, Rosie Page

 

Publication October 24, 2023

It all started with a dog....

Full review tomorrow. Dealing with a sore wrist right now that needs to rest but will say that this was a joy to read. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to James Herriot, you'll find something to love in here. Back tomorrow....promise....with details.

What You Do To Me, by Rochelle B. Weinstein

 

Publication October 17, 2023

In the blink of an eye, music and lyrics can take us back, back in time to a place we remember. Faces we remember. Or loved. Or lost. It brings back memories of who we were, what we were doing at a specific time in life, the time we first inhaled the song. Rochelle B. Weinstein's "What You Do To Me" perfectly captures that moment, both the joy and heartbreak that same music makes well up in our memories. That's the power of music. It's meant to be felt. It's part of the heartbeat of our lives. In this book, Weinstein manages to remind us of both the heartache and magic of finding one another as well as ourselves. 

Okay, enough waxing lyrical, or, well, trying to be profound. The main character, Cecilis James, is literally a child of Woodstock. As her parents kept reminding her, she was conceived during that famous event. Music has been her life, the thing that helped her through the days and into a profession she loved, writing for, whoa, Rolling Stone magazine. As such, she's made a niche for herself searching out the true meaning behind some famous songs. This time, she's trying to turn an unhappy ending into a happily ever after one. It isn't easy but you'll enjoy the trip. 

Lots of name dropping, of course, and Weinstein's writing style lulled me in almost without me noticing it. You'll ache for her as she tries to make her own happy ever after as well as find her way back to her father, who she'd idolized....until he divorced her mother. Broken dreams aren't a stranger to Cecilia, unfortunately, which is maybe why she's so driven to bring the couple of the title song back together. 

There are many things going on in this story. Will she be successful? Can youthful attraction be brought to fruition decades later? Should it even be? Will she manage to mend her own broken love story? Will she allow her father back into her heart? Will she have a great time listening to the music in the process? Will she...well, will she figure out love? This is a complex, lovely story, especially for anyone who remembers the emotions a song can conjure up. Thanks #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for allowing me to read this book early. I've gotta admit, that cassette tape on the cover took me back, calling to mind beloved, meaningful tunes and, yes, those who I connect to them. Music lovers, you need to read this one.