Vagabond

 

Vagabond is a well written, moderately unfiltered memoir by Tim Curry. Released 14th Oct 2025 by Hachette on their Grand Central imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Memoir fans and fans of the actor himself will find a lot to love here. He has lived a breathtakingly rich, artistic, flamboyant life. It's never possible (unless one -is- in a similar situation) to really put imagine what life must be like inside his orbit, but there are clear glimpses throughout. For introverts it seems exhausting, but undeniably exciting. 

He covers Rocky Horror (50 YEARS, is it possible?), much of his stage work, voice work, other acting gigs and many of the people whose orbits have coincided with and crossed his own. He also discusses his profound stroke in 2012 and his recovery. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours, 40 minutes and is touchingly read by the author himself.  Due to his stroke and rehabilitation, the constraints of his physical condition do make an audible difference. After a few minutes of listening and feeling sorrow for the loss of that commanding presence, the warmth, wit, and camp shine through and there are very definitely flashes of the man he is and always has been, but the stroke and aftermath leave an indelible mark on the read.

Four stars. He's a treasure.  It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, book club discussion, or a buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Death of an Ex

 

Death of an Ex is the second PI noir mystery featuring  by Delia Pitts. Released 15th July 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in late April 2026 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a very well written PI thriller with an appealing, strong, flawed, and badass female protagonist. She's a former cop, the daughter of a cop, back in her hometown in New Jersey after a personal tragedy caused her to go back to her roots and set up as a PI. Now settling into her hometown again, with the notoriety of a high profile case behind her, she's dealing with the complication of her ex walking back into her life, soon to be even more complicated by his untimely demise.

She does the usual divorce and process serving to keep the bills paid and get back on her feet, along with recovering from alcohol (quit cold turkey), some risky dating behavior, and working out at a local boxing gym. The fact that she's female, nearly 6 feet tall, and black is both a magnet for trouble and her trademark. She doesn't back down, she's tenacious, and stubborn.

It's not at all derivative, but fans of strong "lone knight" PI fiction (John D. Macdonald, Robert Parker, and Randy Wayne White, et al.) will find a lot to like here. In this case, the fact that the protagonist is female, black, cynical, and potentially brave to the point of foolhardiness, is a plus. The prose is -really good- and there are some undertones of Val McDermid and Peter May in there (but indelibly American (and black)). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 52 minutes and is superbly read by series narrator Bahni Turpin. She does a phenomenal job of delineating the characters of a range of ages and both sexes. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

There are central themes of open and hidden racism, sexism, assault, murder, (a LOT of) duplicity, and mental health issues.  Some scenes are graphic. The racism was difficult to read (and almost certainly more difficult to live with). It's stark and realistic. 

Four and a half stars. Five for the audiobook narration. The series is shaping up very well; the third book is due out 1st Dec 2026. The denouement and resolution are satisfying; it's a very bumpy ride to get to the end. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, fans of gritty American PI fiction, or a binge/buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Christmas Witness - Inspector Rutledge 24.5

 

A Christmas Witness is a self-contained standalone long novella in the Inspector Rutledge historical mystery series by Charles Todd. Released 21st Oct 2025 by Penzler on their Mysterious Press imprint, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a poignant Christmas themed story with Rutledge being sent to Kent to smooth the ruffled feathers of an important local man who insists he's being targeted and will likely not make it through the holiday season alive. The characters in the original series are nuanced and delightful. This novella doesn't feature many of them except Rutledge himself. 

Some background history. The original series (and this is book 24.5) was a very successful, long running collaborative effort between a mother and son. Caroline Todd (the mother) passed away in 2021 and this particular novella is not up to the standards of the regular books in the series. There are fundamental differences in Rutledge's behavior and motivations, and they're quite noticeable. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 4 hours 18 minutes and is read by Stephen Crossley. He has a well modulated tenor voice and does a variable job with the read. The secondary characters and disparate accents are very well done. His voice reading Rutledge himself varies quite astonishingly much, often quite high and oddly breathy, sometimes more like series narrator Samuel Gillies' interpretation. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Three and a half stars. It would possibly be a good choice for die hard (loyal) fans of the original series, or for a buddy/book club discussion (evolution of series over long periods, changes in collaborative efforts with the loss of collaborators, etc). 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife

 

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a deviously sharply funny standalone mystery by genre maven & historian Martin Edwards. Released 7th Oct 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's a hefty 432 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is an exceptionally sharp and exceedingly intricately crafted mystery in the classic style, and with sly nods to Clue, Only Murders in the Building, as well as OG classics like Christie's Hickory Dickory Dock, and The ABC Murders . The limited suspect pool, the shrouded backstory filled in in small bits throughout, the isolated setting (snowed in and alone in an odd and unsettling village) all hearken back to golden age classics. 

It's very long, possibly unnecessarily so, but it was generally fun to read. The author is clever and all the nuts and bolts function well. Well engineered is a good description. 

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for library acquisition, home reading, or possibly as a buddy/book club read.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

The French Bookshop Murder - French Village Mystery #1

 

The French Bookshop Murder is the first book in a new destination cozy mystery series by Greg Mosse. Released 18th Sept 2025 by Hachette on their Hodder & Stoughton imprint, it's 323 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

There's a large cast here and the sheer volume is a bit unwieldy in places. That being said, there's an absolutely irresistible allure when authors combine village life, cozy plots, books, and quirky secondary characters. This is a book for lovers of cozy crime, but with the understanding that the plotting is glacial in places and alternates with choppy PoV shifts and a battalion of secondary characters. 

The denouement and resolution are self contained in this volume. Definitely better in the setting and descriptions (a strong part of the book) and atmospheric French, and much less so in the characterizations and interactions which are often disjointed and staccato. 

Three stars. It would potentially be a good lazy weekend vacation read or possibly a buddy read. Second book is due out from the same publisher in June 2026. (and it will also be available on Kindle Unlimited).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

Bodies and Battlements - A Ravensea Castle Mystery #1

 

 

Bodies and Battlements is cozy series opener by Elizabeth Penney. Released 27th May 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in mass market paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout

This is a well written, engaging, and finely constructed amateur sleuth mystery with the bougie daughter who's trying to turn her family castle into a working bed & breakfast destination to stay afloat. The death of a local unlamented busybody on the cast grounds could scupper the whole project, so she's (of course) determined to figure out whodunnit and save the family honor. The characters are well rendered and mostly believable (for the genre) and the pacing and plot move along at a pretty good clip. It's a continuing series, book 2 is due out in May 2026 from the same publisher.

Spelling and vernacular are British standard English, but won't pose a problem for readers in context. 

Four stars. A fun start to a nice light series. It would be a nice choice for public library or a light buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea - Antique Hunters #2

 

The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea is a well written mystery of the classic form, and the second Antique Hunter book by C.L. Miller. Released 18th Feb 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a well rounded cozy mystery. Aunt Carol and Freya are again on the track of missing/stolen antiques and carrying on Arthur's work. It's got a classic limited-suspect pool, and lots of unscrupulous, greedy collectors (who do tend to blend together a bit). 

The author imbues the story with a great deal of background info on arts and antiquities, and is clearly well versed in the subject, which adds a nice bit of verisimilitude and interest to the storytelling. The nuts and bolts of the plot are well constructed, and although readers who are fans of the form will likely have much of the reveal worked out before the denouement, the author manages to toss a few nice twists in at the end, à la Christie. 

The story is told in multiple PoV chapters, with main character Freya's chapters in first person, and the other characters' PoV in 3rd person. A challenging form, but the author manages it well and the whole is readable and engaging. 

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, as well as for mystery book club selection, and for fans of classic British mystery. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Hell's Heart

 

Hell's Heart is a standalone queer friendly space opera homage to Moby Dick by Alexis Hall. Released 10th March 2026 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The 5 word cover blurb honestly covers the entire book perfectly: "Sapphic Moby Dick in Space". The other 464 pages, in true homage to the source inspiration, meander, complain, and very occasionally stumble through a tragic epic tale which very very often hinders readers' connection with the narrative, with the characters, and with the writing. It's convoluted and disjointed (again, true to the original work). 

For anyone who was forced to read Moby Dick for a grade back in school, this will instigate flashbacks of the *slog* that Melville (and Mrs. Grant!!!!) put us through. For the circa 90% who just bought the Cliff's Notes and cribbed for the exam, this one is in space, and it's F/F gay friendly. 

The author is undeniably gifted and technically adept. This is not their best work. It -is- very well written, but heavens above, it drags and the characters are *difficult* to connect with or care about very much (note: this was also a huge issue in Moby Dick). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 14 hours 18 minutes and is beautifully read by Charli Anne Delores. She has a husky well modulated alto voice and does a great job delineating the various characters. The audiobook reading brings character and some engagement to an otherwise difficult/directionless read. Sound and production values are high throughout the recording. 

Three stars. As a Macmillan/Tor selection, it will be on the auto-acquisition lists for most libraries. It would also be a good choice (probably) for SF bookclub discussions. Otherwise it's a grudge match to finish. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

One-Pot Comfort Food From Around The World

 

Stews is a wide ranging cookbook by young self-taught chef Xavier Bramble with recipes drawn from world spanning food traditions. Released 24th Feb 2026 by HarperCollins on their Harper Celebrate imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is an accessible collection of recipes arranged thematically: veg, beans, poultry, beef, pork & lamb, seafood, and allied recipes/sides/spices/ingredients. 

Recipes are flagged with keys for speedy prep, longer time commitment, and even for dishes which require ingredients which might be more difficult to source.  Nutritional information is not included.  Each recipe includes a header with a short description of the recipe (and culinary tradition it is taken from) and approximate servings. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. Ingredient measurements are written in imperial (American) units.

The recipes as pictured are attractive and appetizing, casually styled and in color. The photographs are full of exotic landscapes and inspirational locations. Not every recipe includes a photograph, but most do.

Four and a half stars, it would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition or home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

We Fancy: Simple Recipes To Make The Everyday Special

 

We Fancy is a nicely curated culinary style guide with recipes by Jerrelle Guy. Released 10th Feb 2026 by Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Everyday dishes with stylish, often simple, twists which elevate them beyond the ordinary. There's a very playful, fun vibe with lots of whimsy and, yes, style. The author manages to give the extra oomph without being fussy or sacrificing taste for looks. 

The recipes are arranged thematically: drinks, dinner snacks, fast'n'fancy, quick to prep, jazzy rice, elegant sides, inner-child pleasers, solo meals, lavish leftovers, breakfast for dinner, weeknight desserts, toppings, sauces, sprinkles & crunchies, and flavor bombs. 

Recipes are flagged/coded for dietary info such as dairy free, nut free, refined sugar free, etc.  Nutritional information is not included.  Each recipe includes a header with a short description of the recipe and approximate servings. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. Ingredient measurements are written in imperial (American) units.

The author/publisher have also included (in the release copy) resources, references, and index as well as bookclub/discussion topics (which is super cool)

The recipes as pictured are attractive and appetizing, professionally styled and in color.

Four and a half stars, it would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition or home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

The Red Scare Murders

 

The Red Scare Murders is a solid PI noir mystery by Con Lehane. Released 16th Dec 2025 by Soho Press on their Crime imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in Nov 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

Fans of PI noir will likely love this gritty action driven, well constructed mystery set in 1950s NYC featuring the requisite dangerous dames, violent criminals, bent politicians, and moral but cynical PI just trying to stay alive and in one piece, more or less. 

The racism and threat of violence from organized crime -and- the government (in the midst of panicking over the communist threat everywhere due to the government's obsession with the "red scare") ramp up the tension in the book which is full of atmosphere and brooding melancholy. It's not always an -easy- read, but it is competently constructed and well plotted.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 35 minutes and is capably read by Dan John Miller. He does the gritty PI noir voice very well, and the various other accents are credible as well. He has a middle baritone, heavy on the whiskey burr, and manages a range of characters of both sexes and widely varying ages without tripping. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars, well written, engaging, complex, and satisfying. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025: An Anthology of Premier Short Fiction Selected by Don Winslow

 

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025 is a well curated anthology curated and edited by Don Winslow. Released 21st Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

There are 20 stories by my count and they're from authors both familiar and new. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 3.5-4 star range. This is a well done anthology, though the selection criteria are obscured enough that not all of the choices could really be properly called mystery or suspense.

One reason I like collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging.  It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting.  Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. The guest editor for this volume provides a well written intro and commentary and, as always, the background comments are interesting and informative. I enjoyed and used the honorable mention lists included in the volume for even more good recommendations for further reading. The honorable mentions list at the back of the book is a worthwhile resource. 

Four stars on average. It's a diverting and worthwhile read to be savored like a box of chocolates. This would make a good selection for public library acquisition as well as for home readers looking for a solid anthology of stories which will also likely serve as an introduction to lots of new authors to search out.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

Days at the Torunka Café - Torunka Café #1

 

 

Days at the Torunka Café is the first episodic slice-of-life novel set in and around the titular cafe and the people who inhabit it, written by Satoshi Yagisawa and translated by Eric Ozawa. First published in Japanese in 2013, this English language translation was released 4th Nov 2025 by HarperCollins on their Harper Perennial imprint.  It's 240 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is such a warm and whimsical story, entirely character driven. It meanders, often touchingly, through the daily lives, dreams and hopes of the characters and their interactions with one another. It's indelibly Japanese in its sensibilities, culture, and grammar. It does read as though it's literature in translation (in this case that's not a bad thing). The translation work is competent and seems true to the original text. This is the same author as the Morisaki Bookshop books, and the setting is (slightly) different, but the vibe is the same. It's a cozy, enveloping, escapist read. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours and is capably read by Sadao Ueda. He has a warm light baritone voice, well modulated and pleasant to listen to. The sound and production quality are high throughout.  

Four stars. It's a delightful very short read. Quite a lot of story, without conflict or action. A relaxing and delightful experience. This would make a great choice for public or school library acquisition, book club discussion, or home library. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

GLP-1 Meals Made Easy

 

GLP-1 Meals Made Easy is a meal planning and technique guide for patients on semaglutide class GLP-receptor agonists by Drs. Aliza Olive & Kellie Bader. Released 10th Feb 2026 by Callisto, it's 192 pages and is available in paperback (softbound) and ebook formats.  

This is a beginner accessible guide with meal planning information, and sample meal plans for users of GLP-agonist class medications. The book is split into 2 main parts, the first is a deep dive on the mechanisms and theory (and effects) along with the sample meal plans, and the second includes the recipes. 

Recipes are arranged thematically: breakfast, salads & soups, fish & seafood, poultry & meats, veggie mains, sides, and sweets. They're written with yields and background/intro followed by ingredients in a bullet list along with step-by-step instructions. Ingredient measures are provided in imperial (American) units only. Most ingredients will be readily accessible at any well-stocked grocery store in North America. Abbreviated nutritional info is provided in a footer bar for each recipe which includes calories, fat, protein, carbs, and fiber.

The photos are standout and appealing (and in color) throughout.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, as well as the home kitchen collection, and obviously highly recommended for patients on GLP-1 prescriptions and their families.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.    

My First Origami Book: 19 Easy & Colorful Projects

 

My First Origami Book is a collection of beginner friendly origami tutorials bundled with 80 sheets of origami paper folded by Rita Foelker. Released 16th Dec 2025 by Dover, it's 248 pages and is available in paperback format.

The tutorials are all accessible and the illustrations and photos are very clear and concise. The difficulty of the projects range from beginner level to slightly more advanced beginner. It should be noted that the actual page count includes the included bundled sheets of origami paper.

At the very beginning of the book are the symbol explanations and the short tutorials for the traditional folds.  This will help complete newbies to be able to follow the later tutorials.  None of the pieces in this book are beyond a keen beginner's abilities with a generous dose of patience and practice. The author/publisher have also included QR code links to video and internet content pages for more in-depth information.

Dover publications has long been a standard bearer for beautifully illustrated well made crafts books.  This one is no exception.  Everything is top notch. This would make a perfect gift for origami-curious beginners. 

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Waltz into Darkness

 

Waltz into Darkness is a nice addition to the American mystery noir genre, and an early crime novel written by Cornell Woolrich (published under his pseudonym as William Irish). Originally published in 1947, this re-formatting and re-release as part of the American Mystery Classics series war released 7th Jan 2020. It's 364 pages and is available in hardcover format (other editions available in other formats). 

The American Mystery Classics series has unerringly plucked important but potentially lesser known crime gems and presented them (with expert introductory content and commentary) to new generations of crime fiction readers. Although I had read much of Cornell Woolrich's oeuvre previously and was familiar with his work from the pulps (he was incredibly prolific), I had never read this one. 

The writing is admittedly dated, but still powerful. In this case, it's been turned into film twice, most recently in 2001 starring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas (Original Sin). 

That being said, however, the writing and plotting are classic early noir and very well done. Recommended for lovers of noir, American crime, as well as a support text for allied scholastic examination (modern American literature, etc). The erudite and informative introduction by Wallace Stroby is a highlight of this edition. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

A Lesson in Dying - Inspector Ramsay #1

 

A Lesson in Dying is the 1st Inspector Ramsay standalone mystery by Ann Cleeves. Originally released in 1990, this reformat and re-release 25th March 2025 by Macmillan is 240 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The (loathed) headmaster at a local school is found hanged in the courtyard of the school, and Ramsay is drawn in by circumstances to investigate. There are a plethora of suspects; the victim was not an upstanding person. As with the other books in the series, there's a pervasive sadness and sordidness which makes for a melancholy read. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 5 hours 35 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Simon Mattacks. He has a beautifully modulated classically trained light baritone voice and does a great job of delineating a range of characters of both sexes and a number of regional accents, shifting quickly and flawlessly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

There's not a ton of continuity in this series, and it works very well as a standalone read. This book is also quite intricately plotted, but there aren't any major spoilers if they're read out of order. The denouement and resolution were satisfying, if melancholy. 

This series is definitely not as polished as her later work, but there are glimpses of the style and development which later gave rise to Vera and Shetland. It has "good bones" and works very well, despite the pervasive sadness which threads throughout the entire series.

Four stars. Well worth seeking out for fans of moody atmospheric British crime.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

A Very Bookish Murder

 

A Very Bookish Murder is book three in this cozy mystery series by Dee Macdonald. Released 19th Sept 2025, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU (ditto for the fourth book - due out 16th April 2026). 

Guest house owner and recently retired amateur sleuth Ally is an appealing and well written character. It's classic village cozy, full of quirky secondary characters, a moderately gentle pace, and no graphic on page violence. The author has even given the main character an appealing Labrador puppy called Flora.

It's not derivative, but fans of the cozy B&B subgenre (like Victoria Gilbert, Ellen Byron, and Murder She Wrote) will likely love this one as well. 

With three books out currently and a fourth out in a few months, it would make a good short binge/buddy read.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

Amigurumi Fairies: 50 Patterns for Customizable Dolls and Magical Friends

 

Amigurumi Fairies is a tutorial instruction guide with patterns for 50 amigurumi dolls plus accessories written by Amber Beaulieu. Due out 11th Aug 2026 from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The book is logically laid out and accessible. The graphics are adorably appealing and clear. The book is lavishly illustrated and the closeness and detail of the photography is a definite plus. It has a short introduction covering basic supplies, fiber/yarn choices, and some techniques. Her writing style throughout is informal, upbeat, and encouraging. She comes across as very friendly and fun. 

The first section includes a fairly thorough intro to crochet and tools and supplies. The master pattern tutorial is shown with tutorial process photos and detailed instructions. The book's tutorials do presuppose at least an advanced beginner level of familiarity with crochet techniques and construction/sewing. She does also briefly cover some safety info re: safety eyes and small moving parts. (PSA don't use safety eyes for toys which will be loved by babies/toddlers, as they can be a choking hazard). 

The intro is followed by the tutorials. Each tutorial contains multiple photos (mostly process photos, but also finished/styled photos), tools and supplies, and well written (not charted) instructions. There are many construction instructions and photos. 

Well done and a nice selection of patterns which are fundamentally different from one another, giving the reader a broad platform for creating alternative amigurumi and for customization.

Four and a half stars. Well worth a read for crochet interested readers. The dolls are cute, and most are fairly detailed.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

For the Love of Houseplants: Caring for & Keeping Plants with Confidence

 

For the Love of Houseplants is a beginner friendly, accessible primer to houseplant care by Tanner Mitchell. Due out 14th April 2026 from Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio (!!), and ebook formats. 

There is a wealth of info available for houseplant selection, culture, and propagation. This is an appealing, up to date primer which is aimed at beginner to intermediate houseplant enthusiasts. The author is experienced and shares a lot of joyful enthusiasm for the subject. He covers a range of culture requirements for the different types of plants along with some short tutorial protocols for all aspects (including troubleshooting and treating inevitable problems which occur). 

The second part of the book contains an alphabetical indepth profile section with 30 popular houseplants, from Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) to Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Zanzibar gem/ZZ plant). The choices are up-to-date (no African violets and a couple "ferns", it's not your grandmother's houseplant book from the 60s). There are a couple of eyebrow raising inclusions however, such as Venus flytraps which tend to be challenging keepers in the middle to long run. To be fair, the author does go into some detail about the more exacting requirements (demineralized water and sufficient light). 

The book has a nice slightly retro graphic vibe, with side-lit photos and simple line-drawn graphics. There are lots of shots of the author and his wife and pets. It's a cozy and attractive book full of healthy, well styled plants and containers. 

The unabridged audiobook version runs 8 hours 30 minutes and is narrated by the author himself. Although audio would work well enough for the theory/practice content of houseplant culture, there are a lot of visual elements in the book such as plant styling and container choice which would be more easily accessed in the print versions. It's nice the book will be accessible for sight impaired readers though, so that's a plus; kudos to the author/publisher for accessibility. 

Four stars. Nothing extremely groundbreaking, but a solidly useful primer for the home gardener, public or school library acquisition, garden club libraries, and similar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.