Dear Rebel: 125+ Women Share Their Secrets to Taking on the World, from Rebel Girls

 

Publication October 3, 2023

Something for everyone. I opted to read these wonderful messages of hope and encouragement in spurts, so to speak, trying to fully take in the messages. I didn't recognize most of the women, bad me, but it didn't matter. They all had something to share. Something worthwhile. Words of hope. Words of comfort. Words of encouragement. Words of understanding and empathy. Words about, well, life. They're all here and we learn how universal experiences and emotions can be.

I'm not even going to try to summarize what is said. Each woman offers a snapshot of their life and how it may relate to others, so to speak, helping us connect to them and, hopefully, others. One of my favorite themes was the "What I'd Tell My Younger Self" concept. Haven't we all wished "if I'd only known then what I know now"? I know I have. The sharers are diverse, not only in race and culture but fields of expertise and experience. More than 125 contributors came together to offer up what they have learned in hopes of easing the way for others, particularly the younger generation. That said, even us "oldies" might learn a new trick or two from this, even if it just reminds us of things we know but maybe haven't used or thought for years. 

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this book to everyone. And, hey, guys, bet you could find words of relevance, too, so it's not just for females. You don't have to know everything as one noted, you just have to keep pushing and asking questions until you figure it out. I mean, one girls dream started with a gum drop vending machine. No lie. Thanks #NetGalley and #RebelGirls for once again sharing important words and experiences with me. Even this ol' gal can use some inspiration.

Lore of the Stars: Folklore and Wisdom from the Skies Above, by Claire Cock-Starkey , Hannah Bess Ross (Illustrator), Alex Hithersay (Editor)

 

Publication October 3, 2023

Fascinating. Fun. Thought Provoking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at the "Lore of the Stars". While some of the myths and lore was familiar to me, I was delighted to find much to learn. Richly illustrated, its colorful renderings of the stories had me browsing through the book initially just to enjoy the pictures. Yeah, I'm a kid that way. I'm fuzzy on how to classify this one as it combines factual information with the whimsy and mythology of associated tales and stories. I know that I, for one, since I live in Alaska where the Aurora frequently appears in our darker winter months, will be mentally visualizing the magical horse-drawn carriages soaring above me according to the Estonian myth of the aurora, taking spirit guests to a magnificent wedding in the sky. Not bad entertainment, I'd say, and I've been lucky enough to stand on my own deck and enjoy the dancing lights as their colors dance above me. 

But, anyway, I particularly liked that the tales were drawn from all over, showing both the differences and similarities of cultures. Animal symbolism was common in all, I noted. As noted, the whimsical illustrations added much to the magic derived from the realities of shared experiences of cultures around the world. While officially targeting older children, I would think any age level will thoroughly enjoy this one. In fact, if you're like this no-longer-a-child, you'll find yourself going back to it repeatedly to flip through (I definitely suggest you get a print copy as it was a tad difficult to navigate all my meandering via digital) following your own whims. 

It is, however, nicely organized and offers both a glossary and index at the end. As an adult, I rather wished for a more complete index but, well, for a children's book, it's ample. My favorite bit of lore changed repeatedly, so it's difficult to offer up a favorite, although being a dog person, I enjoyed the familiar story of Orion and his faithful spirit dog companions, Canis Major and Canis Minor, although the Cherokee tale of how the Milky Way came to be was not just fun but a new one to me. 

Bottom line, if you've any interest in the mythology and lore of the sky above us, this one is for you. If you're a teacher, it should definitely be on your shelf. Heck, I'd think even a savvy science teacher could easily use it as a teaching tool to engage students' attention and imaginations. While my adult mind craved more full myths, there is so much to digest that this one will hold your attention and, as noted earlier, it's a book you'll want to revisit again and again. Thanks #NetGalley and ##QuartoPublishingGroup - #WideEyedEditions for sharing this wonderful rendering of international lore/mythology attached to our heaves through the ages.

Mozart, by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Lia Visirin illustrator

 

Publication October 2, 2023

What a delightful introduction to Mozart, a man of so much talent, for young readers. I liked that it began when he was only three, which is when he learned to play the piano simply by watching his sister play. I don't know about you, but when I was three I was more interested to motoring along after puppies and lambs than sitting inside playing a piano. Be prepared for children's questions of why his sister was no longer allowed to perform when she married simply because she was a female, however. 

That aside, even knowing the stress and overwhelming loss of childhood his incredible talents took from him, this story is for children and it's uplifting and nicely illustrated. The illustrations not only show us Mozart, of course, but a sense of the grandeur of the places he performed and became accustomed to working. I liked the touch of musical notes and score running through the early pages, albeit that touch seemed to end at about the time he reached adulthood and had to deal with real life issues, like paying the bills, not just focus on his musical compositions. Not that the story focuses on that but perhaps a visual nod to more tuned in adult readers?

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book (and also the entire Little People, Big Dreams series). He's first presented as a child, just like the primary readers of this book, and the story of Mozart is an intriguing one, with the illustrations giving us a hint of the people about him who impacted his short life in one way or the other. It was a simplified version of his life, true, but as an introduction for children to not just him but perhaps classical music, it was easily followed and understood. Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for this nicely done, concise look at an extraordinary life as well as the info on where to find out more at the end.

Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries Books 4-6, by Carly Winter

 

 

I immediately fell into the easy flow and sense of community of this Heywood collection of stories. Even though I've never read this particular series, I did read the next, go figure, but would have had no problem sliding right into who was who and what was what, not to mention the relationships. In other words, it stands alone nicely. Of course, just my luck, having just discovered this series it seems to be ending but, hey, there's always the new series with Gina as the main character, right? 

Since others will have detailed the plots already, I'll skip to my reactions, so to speak. First, I definitely liked the characters. They weren't one dimensional and felt comfortable, like people I might know. That's the magic of a good writer, to not only create characters but pull you right in and make you feel at home. I wanted only the best for Sam, especially in her complicated relationship police officer Jordan. Both seem to have a mixed bag of experiences, making them all the more realistic, so there was none of the occasional "too good to be true" relationship vibe from them. 

I'll skip Gina since she now has her own series but will note that I took to her immediately given her love of dogs and that she rescues dogs. That's always a plus for me. She's definitely a dog whisperer. Annabelle is, well, a hoot. She's one part stereotypical "stuck in the 80's gal, another part calm, cool, and able to handle a gun without the qualms that would overwhelm Sam. She's one of the hold-over characters in the new series, btw. Gina and Annabelle accept Sam's big reveal from her past without question or even ado, albeit Jordan is a bit more rattled by the revelation. But, hey, he'll get over it. Right? As for the murders, read the blurb. The three stories of the collection are nicely described there. Interesting to see how Sam's mind worked to help solve them, not to mention keep from getting killed herself.

Heywood sounds like a place I'd love to visit. One of the things that stuck with me was that the shops mentioned seem diverse, not simply the frequent bookstore or bakery of so many cozy mysteries. Now, true, those are some of my favorites but variety is the spice of life and helps add to the atmosphere and story. Thanks #BookSirens for introducing me to Heywood. I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit. Here's hoping Sam pops up occasionally in Gina's story.

Murder in the Bookshop, by Anita Davison

 Publication August 22, 2023

World War I, German spies, obnoxious employees, suffragettes, bombings, hidden identities, family secrets, and, well, more abound. Being a history buff, I was drawn to the historical aspects of it. Although I ultimately liked the characters and found the mystery intriguing, like all first-in-a-series books, it seemed to take its time unfolding. Unfortunately, while it had its moments, the pace rarely picked up, even in the wake of bombings and wreckage. I do see a great deal of potential here, however, given the era and characters, so wound up rounding up my 3.5 to a 4 star rating.

Hannah seems a mild-mannered sort initially, simply trying to help out her much flashier Aunt Violet. Aunt Violet has secrets of her own, but is quite well-known in suffragette circles and her unconventional life style, which Hannah learns more about as the book progresses. All is not as it seems, let's just say. Hannah, of course, has her own troubles, some romantic, some not, but seems to be growing in confidence as the story progresses, hence my hope for future books. There's also a potential romantic interest, albeit with major complications. And, let's not forget Bartleby, the bookshop cat. Ivy may not like him but he's doing marvels at reducing the mice population at the bookshop. 

So, who killed Hannah's friend Lily-Anne? Why had Lily-Anne urgently wanted to talk to Hannah? Should Hannah be worried when Monty tells her she'll be sorry for firing him? He does seem awfully confident. And, Darius? Is he a good guy or not? Why is Hannah (among many) so reluctant to believe bombings have actually happened? How do the Germans get their info on where to bomb anyway? Why is Hannah so determined to....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. While this one didn't quite capture my reader's heart, it has the potential do so, I believe, and I'll be on the lookout for the next offering. Thanks. #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Hannah. I've read a bunch of books set in England in WWII but found it intriguing to get a glimpse of the WWI, 1915 life in England.

The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race, by Farah Karim-Cooper

 

Publication August 15, 2023

Both fascinating and frustrating.

Fascinating because there is a wealth of information included, all quite detailed. Frustrating because I realized early on that I'm no longer familiar enough with Shakespeare's written works to fully take it all in. Hence, the problem was with me, not the book. It's simply been too long since I've done a deep dive into all things Shakespeare. As a result, I had to stop and spend some time quickly refreshing my memory as I read. As a result, I hesitated over the book rating. to be honest, for me personally it was probably a 3 star as it was slow going and at times I was simply, well, lost. For those more familiar with his works in detail, or a real interest in the focus, race as reflected in his works, however, this would easily be a 4/5 star. I've gone with the 4 star simply for simplification. I would suggest you refresh your memory on his works prior to reading, however.

In any case, although it was obvious to me early on that this book wasn't really for me, I'm still glad I persevered and finished. While it didn't focus on William Shakespeare's life and what personally drove him, it does offer a fascinating, very in-depth look at his times. In the process, it traces how impressions of Shakespeare's characters and written word reflected racial and, yes, even sexual attitudes of the day. In addition, it follows up its determinations with the probably how and why for these attitudes at the time. While focused on race, yes, it also approaches the role of the notable female characters in his plays. It also provides a sense of what being in the pit before the stage reserved for those with less wealth must have been like. In fact, it highlights where the audience itself became a character of sorts as the play moved into or through the standing throngs. As one who'd have surely been there, that was intriguing to me.

Bottom line, while I'm not going to detail the author's conclusions and findings -- I mean, the book is some 300+ pages long and each page is full of information -- I'll say that the author does an admirable job of supporting her thesis. Rather ironically, just as I finished reading, Shakespeare's works once again became a target for those who would restrict access to them. That issue is still undecided as I type. Let's just say, you may or may not agree with her but there is a great deal of food for thought provided, all thoroughly researched and documented. My thanks to #NetGalley and #PenguinGroupViking - #Viking for allowing me this intriguing look at the work of a man who is my 11th great uncle or something like that via his sister's lineage. I may not have taken it all in but it has made me curious enough to plan to do some refreshing of my memory, that's for sure.

Dog Treats and Death: A Talking Dog Cozy Mystery, by Carly Winter

 Available August 23, 2023

Although I haven't read anything by Carly Winter before, I quickly felt at home in Gina's world. The set up was nicely done early on, including the advent of Gina being able to talk with her dog, Daisy. We also learn of her childhood, which includes Gina and brother Vic being abandoned with their father when their mother simply left. As such, even while recognizing Vic's tendency to be a "bad boy" and his troubles in the past with the law, she cares about him and wants to help prove his innocence. Seems he's one of the last ones seen with Phoebe, a murder victim, and is Sheriff Mallory's prime suspect. 

Gina is a fun character, one who not only loves dogs but is involved in dog rescue, making me like her immediately. Vic is working on a horse ranch, too, one that has a focus on Arabians and Quarter Horses, so he had that going for him, not to mention one of Gina's rescue dogs immediately takes to him. The other human character that grabbed my attention was feisty Annabelle with her talent for pranks. She seems to be one of the other carry-overs from the Heywood Herbalist series. Gina's dog, Daisy, who has a great sense of smell, was a bit of a hoot. While incredibly brave and helpful at times, Daisy is also pure dog, one that manages to annoy a goat with the expected results. Dog annoys goat. Goat chases dog.  

So, who killed Phoebe? Why was she in the horse arena anyway? Should Gina believe the gossip she's hearing about the ranch owner? What advice does Annabelle give Gina? Why is the Sheriff so quick to assume Vic did it? Why doesn't Gina turn over the evidence she finds? How is Vic able to avoid arrest? Why is Gina suddenly thinking, basically, that she's lost her mind? Does Trevor, the deputy, believe Gina? Is there a potential romance budding? Why is Gina feeling so alone? Who...oh, enough teasers. This was a fun, easy read, so give it a read. My thanks to the author and #BookSirens for introducing me to a new series that I'm definitely looking forward to following. That epilogue already has me primed. 

The K Team, by David Rosenfelt

 I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this on here but, anyway, from August 2020.  Any Rosenfelt book is worth resharing. This was from a Facebook post.

What's everyone reading? Haven't asked for a bit

I just started David Rosenfelt's "The K Team". A spin off of sorts from his Andy Carpenter series as Andy and Laurie and, of course, their wonderful dogs are in it. Marcus, too. So far, quite intriguing, tho' I've loved about everything Rosenfelt has written, so no surprise there. Main character seems to be a retired cop named Corey and his also retired K-9, no lie, Simon Garfunkel. The connecting tie here is that in a previous book Andy was the lawyer that got the police department to let Simon retire with Corey rather than be turned over to a new human handler. In any case, the K Team doesn't include Andy tho' he has popped into the story. Case is just starting to be investigated, so looking forward to picking the book back up and continuing reading.

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!, by Donna Andrews

 

Publication October 10, 2023

While I'm not so sure that Meg didn't so much catch the killer as the killer outed themself, this was still a fun read with humor and the characters long time readers have come to know. Meg Langslow is one of my favorite series characters and Donna Andrews never disappoints. It was great to see Meg back at her forge seriously for the first time in awhile, even if she had to be sort of roped into the competition that got her there. I'm not particularly a fan of reality shows but have to admit that it's always rather revealing to read about how they're really put together, so that made it interesting. 

Oddly enough, the expected murder doesn't take place until well into the book. We initially  are focused on trying to find out who whacked Faulk aside the head, putting him out of the competition and Meg into it. Seems Faulk and Tad had invested money they really couldn't afford to lose into the show, the point that finally convinced the reluctant Meg to pick up her tools and substitute for him. The other contestants are an interesting mix, ranging from surly to friendly. 

So, who killed one of them? He seems to have had more enemies than friends, so the suspect list is long. Why is the production assistant so happy he's dead? How many people are actually living at Ragnor's gothic but, oh, so Christmas-y mansion? How smart are crows? Why is Horace so anxious about accompanying Meg to a site that may contain clues? How can anyone cheat in a contest when they are surrounded by a film crew almost constantly? Where is the Christmas music coming from? What do Michael and the boys find while horseback riding? Who . ..oh, enough teasers. Read the book. It's a fun, easy read full of humor and a bit of history of blacksmithing, not to imagine picturing the looks on people's face as they encounter one of Ragnor's lenticular portraits. Look it up. Grin.

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress- #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to hang out at Ragnor's mansion while Meg was pounding metal. It was nice to get a bit of a fuller tour than in previous books.

Mayhem in the Mountains (A Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane Mystery #3), by Kelly Oliver

 Publication August 15, 2023

I'm hooked. It took me awhile to warm up to Fiona Figg but this book definitely put me on her team. She's smart, not to mention smarts under the thumb of the male dominated espionage career she aspires to, and while she makes some mistakes, she's also full of heart and compassion. I'm not sure the latter is a good trait for a wannabe spy but, well, it is what it is. Moral dilemmas are the worst, even in the middle of a war, it seems, for Fiona. She's also not particularly patient but, then, neither is the somewhat mysterious Kitty whose spy talents are formidable. 

I also liked Clifford, who Fiona calls her chaperone, so to speak, but is surely more. I mean, he's friends with Fredrick Fredricks, the master spy that Fiona and Kitty are rather obsessed with capturing. Kitty because, well, it's her job, at least that's what we're meant to think, and Fiona because....well, uh, because he makes her blush and her heart pound when he's near. We get to see more of the human side of him this go-round, too, I'll note.

The mystery itself is fun, full of interesting characters and quirky humor. Like what? Well, how about Fiona being barely aware of a than new author, Agatha "Crispy". That's the sort of subtle humor the author excels at, some of which is almost past you before you suddenly come to a pause, re-read, and grin. Toss in Kelly Oliver's talent for sprinkling historical events and characters about in her stories -- we've even got an arrogant Benito Mussolini this go-round - and this history lover was in her element reading. Oliver sent me to Google, too, when I wondered if the amazing female aviator introduced rather dramatically into the story, Marie Marvingt was a real person or not. Oh, she was real and what an amazing person she must have been. That said, I'll simply say do a search on her as I don't want to take up this entire review gushing about her many, many accomplishments, among them being the force behind the creation of air ambulances.

But, oh, yeah, back to the mystery. Well, there are several. Who will ultimately win Fiona's heart. Let's just say her "official" beau, Archie, didn't exactly help himself this go-round. How many times can Conti die, only to suddenly come alive again? That was a bit of a stretch, yes, but added to the mystery. Could Mussolini be the killer? If not, why did someone identify him as the killer? Why can't they find the weapon? Who is that quiet, subdued lady who basically says nothing? How good are you at deciphering codes? Not as good as Fiona, probably. I know I wasn't. And, will Fiona manage to find an excuse to don a disguise? I mean, even Marie seems to appreciated her array of disguises.

In other words, there is a ton of stuff going on. And, I haven't even mentioned the rock throwing, poisonings, wolverine, and the dilemma of trying to catagorize what is good and bad in wartime service. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, that's for sure, and was ready for the next even before peeking at the teaser chapter at the end. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for letting me tag along on Fiona's last assignment.