Kicking Glass: A Creative Guide to Stained Glass Craft

Kicking Glass is a well written and curated instructional guide for stained glass technique with tutorials by Neile Cooper. Released 24th May 2022 by Bloomsbury on their Herbert Press imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The photography is stellar with lushly colorful clear pictures and tutorial explanations. The author provides project lists with tools and supplies and step by step instructions. The book feels like a small, well organized workshop with a well spoken and competent teacher. The projects are varied and attractive and are a mix of more traditional looking and modern. 

There is a significant outlay in tools and supplies for stained glass work, but Ms. Cooper does a good job of listing the necessities as well as some more optional (but handy) tools. Safety is emphasized throughout.

This would be a good introduction for home hobbyists, as well as a useful addition to maker's spaces, studio libraries, group/guild studios, or for gifting.

Five stars. 

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

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is a gentle and nostalgic home-front WW2 historical slice of life romance by Jennifer Ryan. Released 31st May 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in summer 2022. It's worth noting that the e-book format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of e-books with interactive formats lately. 

This is a delightful fictionalized story based loosely on actual events. It's told through three alternating third person narratives: famous haute couture London designer Cressida Westcott, her niece Violet, and a village vicar's daughter named Grace. The book revolves around the privations of war, the creativity and camaraderie of the women in wartime, and their sacrifices and resilience trying to build lives amidst chaos. 

The author does a good job of recalling the stringent conditions of wartime Britain as well as the terror and uncertainty of the blitz in London, even for the wealthy and well connected. Forced together by circumstances, the three women find an important rapport and use their considerable creativity and emotional strength to grow and help one another and their families.

It's very much a nostalgic read, and will no doubt be popular with fans of the genre. Folks who enjoyed Bloomsbury Girls, Call the Midwife, and Lilac Girls will find a lot to love here. The romance subplots don't overshadow the well told story in my opinion.

Four stars. It's a very well told and engaging story. 

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

Gwendy's Final Task (The Button Box #3)

Gwendy's Final Task is the third installment in the Button Box trilogy by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. Originally released in Feb 2022, this paperback format from Simon & Schuster on their Gallery imprint is 288 pages. The book is also available in all other formats. It's worth noting that the e-book format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of e-books with interactive formats lately. 

This is a well told story. I was immersed and engaged from the first chapter and wound up reading it in one sitting. It's linear (although told in back and forth flashbacks throughout), and the characters are simplistic, but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. The denouement and resolution are clearly telegraphed from the beginning (more or less), and the ending felt inevitable. 

One of the things I enjoyed most (apart from the engaging storytelling) was finding and identifying the Easter egg tie-ins for King's other works: It, The Dark Tower, Talisman, The Black House, and more. There are a few jump-scares which surprised a squeak or two out of me. There's also a smattering of horror (mostly leftover from earlier readings of King's other books which still have the power to scare, decades after reading). 

As most other reviewers have pointed out, this is a pandemic book, and the authors don't pull punches when it comes to politics and their (King's) unmitigated loathing of the previous American presidential administration. My own feelings are somewhat more incendiary than King's seem to be, so it didn't bother me. Readers who love the "former guy" will probably find their enjoyment of the story significantly impacted.

Four stars. Although it's the trilogy ending, it's self contained and works well as a standalone.  A solid tale. 

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

 

A Sprinkle in Time (Shake Shop Mystery #2)

A Sprinkle in Time is the second Shake Shop storefront cozy mystery by Dana Mentink. Released 24th May 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's 360 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

I love cozy mysteries, whatever form they take, library, bookmobile, shopfront small town amateur sleuths, professors turned investigators, I'm not picky. Animals are a plus. This one ticks a lot of boxes. The setup is small tourist town shopfront ice cream shop with a once-burned-twice-shy female protagonist in the early stages of a slow-moving romantic relationship with a local man. A much hated local businessman (shades of Snidely Whiplash) turns up dead and Trinidad Jones is determined to see justice done. 

Despite being the second book in the series, the plot works perfectly well as a standalone and introduction to the ensemble cast of fun and eccentric characters. There are a number of appealing facets. The author is adept at plotting and the dialogue never felt overly clunky or precious. The story moved along at a good pace and despite the longer-than-average page count for a shopfront cozy, it never dragged or felt overwritten. I like that the main character is intelligent, driven, honest, and kind. She's also a small business owner and apparently a woman of color (but the author doesn't overemphasize the fact). 

The language is squeaky clean, nary a damn to be seen. There is no NSFW content and the denouement and resolution are well crafted and satisfying. The author has even included a couple of recipes in the back of the book which look intriguing.

Four stars. Definitely one for the fans of small-town shopfront cozies. 

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

The Wizard's Brew

The Wizard's Brew is a rollicking fantasy PI murder mystery by Jordan Reed. Released 24th May 2022, it's 312 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is fantasy noir aimed at the folks who enjoyed the Garrett Files (Glen Cook) and Kevin Anderson's oeuvre. There's a mean streets vibe with a battle worn veteran protagonist sidelining as a PI who gets drawn into a deeply unpleasant magical murder and corruption plot trying to get to the bottom of his friend's death. Main character Kane's an imperfect anti-hero in the classic mold. He's addicted to painkiller potions/drink, has PTSD leftover from the Ghoul Wars, and he's sort of possessed by a sultry voice who lives rent free in his head and provides the sarcastic Greek chorus to his thoughts. 

I found more appeal and a stronger rapport with the book's secondary characters, Kane's ally Alyssa and the goblin alchemist Fex than with the main character. The dialogue is rough, and the writing is choppy and disjointed, staccato really. The whole book would benefit from a couple rounds of editing. Still, the bones of a good story are there and I enjoyed the read overall. I have a special soft spot for PI noir and especially fantasy PI noir and I will definitely pick up and read any follow-ups to the series. 

Three and a half stars rounded up for the good story. I'm looking forward to what comes next.

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

The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide: How to Combine Shape, Color, and Texture to Create the Garden of Your Dreams

The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide is a well written and beautifully curated book of garden design inspiration by Jenny Rose Carey. Due out 5th July 2022 from Timber Press, it's a comprehensive 364 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

My paternal grandmother was my first, ardent, inspiration for a lifelong love of gardening. She was a flower gardener par excellence and just seemed to *know* everything about flower design and cultivation. I've struggled with my own garden design (we all know our gardens will never be "finished"), and this book gets a lot of things perfect. The vibe throughout is competently encouraging and upbuilding. The author's voice is always reassuring and professional, but never condescending or superior. She definitely knows the subject well. There's quite a lot of "showing" and very little "telling" in the book and the chapters are arranged more or less like a one-on-one masterclass with a good teacher. The flower list is comprehensive and something I really liked is that most plant entries also include multiple examples in color to show flower forms, shapes, sizes, and varieties.

The photography throughout is stunning and abundant. Photo captions list particular cultivars with botanical (Latin) and common names. The author has also included a fairly comprehensive links and resources list for further reading. There are numerous specialty retailers as well as lots of fun links for further reading. The index is cross referenced and comprehensive.

Five stars. This book would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, home gardeners, smallholders/truck farmers, gardening groups, allotment gardeners, and other lifestyle readers. This is a passionately written, eminently reasonable, usable guide for garden design using blooming plants as a focus.

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

The Intimate Herbal

The Intimate Herbal is a well written, layman accessible herbal aimed at improving reproductive health, fertility, and related health subjects, written and curated by Marie White. Due out 14th June 2022 from nonprofit North Atlantic Books, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a well written and accessible guide (with recipes and tutorials) for herb use and herbal medicine. The author writes with competence and experience on choosing, processing, and using herbs and the active ingredients they contain. She has included a very useful chapter overview/introduction to the content which allows readers a short quick-start guide to finding content easily and quickly.The volume is extensively annotated and the chapter notes are well written and correct.

The chapters are arranged thematically: a comprehensive introduction is followed by a primer and overview over terminology, basic concepts and discussions on physical sexual health and bodywork. The following chapters cover specific subjects: sexual & reproductive health, intimate health conditions, a comprehensive herbal/materia medica, and finally the recipes.

The tutorials and recipes include tools and ingredients in a bullet style list. Measurements are in American/imperial units only, followed by step by step instructions. The recipes and herbal information included here isn't aimed at culture of individual plants, but more applicable to bought and prepared items. The materia medica does contain both botanical (Latin) name as well as some common names for the selected plants.

The book contains no illustrations. The author has included a resource and links lists, bibliography, chapter notes, and an index. 

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition, community garden/allotment member libraries, doulas, midwives, holistic health professionals, and the home herbalist gardener's library. 

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

Isolate (The Grand Illusion #1)

 

Isolate is the first novel in a new series by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Released 16th Nov 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 608 pages and is available in hardcover, mass market paperback, audiobook, 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. Book two of the series is due out in August 2022.

This is grand space opera mystery with political machination, skullduggery, and corruption. The main character is an Isolate, one of the few people who are immune to manipulation from empaths. As such, he's ideal for security and protection and works at protecting one of the leaders of a powerful political party.

One of the most appealing facets for me was the fact that it was immediately so comfortable...with a few plot/setting changes, it would be at home as a western or a gritty noir PI novel (on the mean streets of NYC). It's visceral, perennial, it's engaging, and familiar. There's nothing morally bankrupt or emotionally ambiguous with the protagonists here. Having emphasized how traditional the writing and plotting are, I will say that true to form, there's not a lot here to challenge the boys' club feel of a lot of golden and silver-age science fiction, with the exception of a female partner and the strong (not entirely positively rendered) wife of the main character. It's not John Norman (Gor novels) by a long shot, but neither is it Octavia Butler.

 

Overall: Engaging, well written, occasionally stilted dialogue, high political science fiction. I recommend it for readers looking for alternatives to early Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Larry Niven, and the other boys in the band. Four stars.

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

The Murders at Fleat House

The Murders at Fleat House is a well written British crime procedural by the late author Lucinda Riley. Released 26th May 2022, it's 344 pages (print) and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is a well constructed British murder police procedural featuring an intelligent and strong female lead. The characterisations are nuanced and believable, the plotting is especially twisty and engaging with several disparate subplots in flashback which are not explained in context but intertwine throughout the book to a very well done climax, denouement, and one of the best (and most satisfying) resolutions I've read in a while. 

This would have been a very promising start to a new series, but was unfortunately released by her family posthumously. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, as well as for fans of modern British procedurals. Spelling and vernacular are British English, but won't pose problems for readers who are outside the UK.  

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

Barnabas Bopwright Saves the City

Barnabas Bopwright Saves the City is an engaging middle grade/YA fantasy by J. Marshall Freeman. Released 10th May 2022 by Bold Strokes Books, it's 304 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a straightforward quest coming-of-age fantasy with a heaping dose of blindly stupid adults running around and messing everything up. The titular main character is 15 years old and deeply hormonal. That's fine, but I had a lot of trouble finding him likeable or relatable to any meaningful degree. 

This is a one-stop-shopping experience which combines a quirky blend of subgenres - the author has dabbled here with magical realism, a bit of fantasy, a bit of quest driven coming-of-age, some mock gothic children's fiction (think Lemony Snicket), and some academy/school slice-of-life vignettes. I never felt sure what the target demographic was. Much of the writing felt very middle grade-ish, but there are a number of sexual innuendos and some more mature subject matter than is probably appropriate for the average 12 year old. I have no problem with bi-positive and bi-curious characters, but in this case, Barnabas is not a particularly fun or appealing character in and of himself. 

There are a number of plot devices which I found poorly explained and not particularly believable (if they know about Tokyo and New York, how can they not know about the valley below The City). 

The author does write engagingly and well, and I liked the off-kilter tone of the book. The characterizations and dialogue were rough in places, however. 

Three and a half stars. Not sure who I would recommend it for - possibly YA/older teens who enjoy magical realism. 

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

Florida (Visual Explorer Guide series)

 

Florida is a volume in the Visual Explorer Guide series, this volume curated and written by John Crippen. Due out 14th June 2022 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in flexibound format. 

This is an attractive and well written guidebook to Florida. The entries are arranged roughly geographically: Miami and the East Coast, Miami and the East Coast, Everglades and the Florida Keys, and Orlando and Around. Each chapter is further divided into specific attractions. Each of the entries contains location info with a short bio of the place. Additional information such as webURLs, maps, times to visit, etc, are not included, but the info will be easy to locate with an internet search.

The photography is abundant and clear. The photos are nearly all stock photos; all photo credits are included in the back of the book.

Four stars. It's a competently curated look at one of the planet's major tourist destinations in the USA and it's full of really well presented photos of iconic locations. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition as well as for home use in the early planning stages for a holiday. It's not really a guidebook, per se.

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

New York City (Visual Explorer Guide series)

New York City is a volume in the Visual Explorer Guide series, this volume curated and written by Peter Mavrikis. Due out 14th June 2022 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in flexibound format. 

This is a really attractive guidebook to travel destination: New York City. The entries are arranged thematically: city parks, landmarks, eating & drinking, shopping (*swoon*), entertainment (also *swoon*worthy),  and transport. Each chapter is further divided into specific destinations. Each of the entries contains location info with a short bio of the attraction. Additional information such as webURLs, maps, times to visit, etc, are not included, but the info will be easy to locate with an internet search.

The photography is abundant and clear. The photos are nearly all stock photos; all photo credits are included in the back of the book.

Four stars. It's a competently curated look at one of the planet's mega-cities and it's full of really well presented photos of iconic locations and destinations. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition as well as for home use in the early planning stages for a holiday. It's not really a guidebook, per se.

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

The Hidden One (Kate Burkholder #14)

 

The Hidden One is the 14th Kate Burkholder procedural thriller by Linda Castillo. Due out 5th July 2022 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 320 pages and will be 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a very well written murder mystery and although it's number 14 in the series, it works well as a standalone. All the background character and setting information is provided in the book itself. There is an ongoing, multi-book, partnership between formerly-Amish small-town police chief Kate and her significant other, a retired cop as well as an ensemble cast of colleagues. I do recommend reading the previous books, they're all solid. The series is well plotted and full of believable characters and inter-agency police stories.

The sense of place is palpable. There are a number of Amish characters (the small town where Chief of Police Kate Burkholder works is a rural agricultural area inhabited by a number of Amish families). The author's descriptions are nuanced and believable. I found some of the dialogue jarring because it's liberally sprinkled with Pennsylvania Dutch, but the author is adept at translating, and most of it is understandable from context. This is another (very) cold case mystery, surrounding the disappearance of an Amish bishop from a different Amish area than the town where Kate lives and works and involving people she herself was involved with almost 2 decades previously. She's cut off from her support network and this is almost exclusively an off-the-books solo investigation on Kate's part, without official sanction or access.

The characters are impressively nuanced. It takes a quite a lot of technical expertise to write characters who do bad things but aren't necessarily bad people and subtlety to allow readers to arrive at their own conclusions. The denouement and resolution were well written and satisfying and although I had guessed the overall theme of the crimes and motivations underlying, there were some really surprising twists at the end.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours and 18 minutes and is narrated capably and well by Kathleen McInerney. She has a warm and rich clear alto voice and does a good job delineating the widely varied accents of a range of characters of all ages and both sexes including elderly and children's voices. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Four and a half stars.

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

 

Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook

Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook is a culture and history lesson, meticulously annotated, with recipes curated by Illyanna Maisonet. Due out 18th Oct 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

I learned a lot reading this book; about maritime trade, the history of Puerto Rico (often brutal, poverty stricken, and touched by injustice and racism), food security, resilience, and more. In addition to the understated pride and clear-sighted realistic memories of learning to cook under challenging conditions amidst generational poverty, the author provides more than 90 authentic (family) recipes. 

The recipes are arranged thematically: frituras (fried), beans soups & stews, seafood, poultry, pork, beef, rice & other grains, salads & sides, and sweets & drinks. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar with measurements in imperial (American) units, followed by step-by-step cooking directions. The author is generous with translations - I had no trouble understanding terms or ingredients. 

Some of the seasonings and ingredients were unfamiliar to me, and will require access to an international grocery or specialist grocery, but many/most of the ingredients will be easily found at any grocery store in North America. The recipes are appetizing and the serving suggestions are attractive and portions are generous. Nutritional info is not included. 

The photography is a standout success - lavish, in full color, and plentiful. About 20% of the recipes are accompanied by photos. There are also many location photos in the book, showing Puerto Rico and the people who live there as well as the diaspora who have emigrated. 

Five stars. This is a very well written cookbook and a love letter to the culinary traditions of the island. 

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

Dance Me to the End: Ten Months and Ten Days with ALS

Dance Me to the End: Ten Months and Ten Days with ALS is a beautifully eloquent and honest memoir of Alison Acheson's experiences with ALS after her husband's diagnosis. Released in 2019, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is such a well written and touching book. There were so many times I stopped the book to just think about something the author had said. I find myself, some weeks after the read, still thinking about it. After a horrific, terminal diagnosis for her husband of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) she writes not only about the anger and confusion and shock, but also about the love of family and sometimes honest humour to be gathered. 

The author is a creative writing teacher, and it does show in the writerly language and turns of phrase. I enjoyed her competence with the written word. Some readers might prefer a more pared down style, but I thought the sensitively nuanced writing absolutely suited the subject. 

The unabridged audiobook is due out 30th May 2022 and has a run time of 7 hours and 21 minutes. It's capably narrated by Ellen Dubin. She has a warm alto voice which is pleasant to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. 

This would make a good selection for public library acquisition, as well as for readers who enjoy memoir/biography. 

Four and a half stars. 

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

The Fairy Universe

The Fairy Universe is a wonderfully diverse encyclopedia of the Fae tied together by short vignette text, but it's the fantasy art that is the main attraction. Due out 8th June 2022 and distributed in North America by Diamond Comics, it's 136 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook/comiXology formats. 

This is a wide ranging collection from the works of Olivier Ledroit and represents different media types from pen and ink to watercolor. The pieces are diverse and many are compelling. The formatting reminds me quite a lot of "The art of...(Frazetta, Oliver Frey, Whelan, etc)" collections from the past. 

This is a nice collection for fantasy art enthusiasts and a good resource for inspiration. The text was presumably originally published in French and is capably translated in this English language edition by Fabrice Sapolsky. Much of the art is haunting and atmospheric and not just a little bit creepy. It reminds me in some ways of the deliciously scary Grimm's Fairy Tales illustrated by Arthur Rackham which terrified me as a small child. There is some small amount of nudity included in the works in this edition.

Four stars. Quite beautifully done.

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

The Dragon Universe (Volume 1)

The Dragon Universe is a wonderfully diverse encyclopedia of dragonkind tied together by short vignette text, but it's the fantasy art that is the main attraction. Released 10th May 2022 and distributed in North America by Diamond Comics, it's 198 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook/comiXology formats. 

This is a wide ranging collection of vastly varying styles and art of different media types from pen and ink to oils. The artists are diverse and only a few were previously familiar to me. The formatting reminds me quite a lot of "The art of..." collections from the past. 

This is a nice collection for fantasy art enthusiasts and a good resource for inspiration and for finding new artists to follow.

Four stars.

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

Oy Vey, Maria! (Mrs. Kaplan Mysteries, #3)

Oy Vey, Maria! is the third cozy mystery by Mark Reutlinger featuring octogenarian sleuth Mrs. Kaplan and her own Dr. Watson, Ida Berkowitz. Released 27th Oct 2021, it's 256 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

The Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors is once again the site of a murder. This time a companion/carer for one of the residents has been shot in the kitchen of the home during a Purim play and refreshments evening. Although the home's own manager is standing over the murder victim with the murder weapon clutched in his hand, he insists that he's innocent of the crime and only picked up the gun in a panic. Mrs. Kaplan and her friend Ida are on the scene and are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. There is warm and compassionate humor throughout, the language is squeaky clean, and there's very (very) little nudity involved. 

I'm not sure at all about the author's background, but he managed a pitch perfect tone and vernacular for the most part with the characters. It would have been -very- easy for an author to fall on the wrong side of caricature and/or respectfulness. The humor is warm and the tone is cozy. Throughout most of the book I could literally *hear* my grandfather and aunties' voices. For readers who are unfamiliar with Jewish and Yiddish slang, there's quite a lot of both sprinkled throughout. The author is diligent about explaining potentially unfamiliar language in context or quickly translating in the text.

The scene descriptions verge on slapstick sometimes but even those bring a nostalgia more reminiscent of an episode of "I Love Lucy" or "The Golden Girls". I really loved most everything about the book. It was a comfort read - but it did leave me with a serious craving for my grandmother's chicken matzo soup. 

Four stars.

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

A Death at Candlewick Castle (Jemima Jago Mystery #2)

A Death at Candlewick Castle is the second Jemima Jago British cozy by Emma Jameson. Released 20th Aug 2021, it's 272 pages (ebook version) 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, the books in the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

I love library cozies (and libraries, and cozies) and this is a nice second installment for the series. The ensemble cast, introduced in the first book are filled out here and more solid in their interactions. The author is quite experienced and talented and I found it an engaging and enjoyable read.  I'm not personally a fan of slow burn enemies, love triangles, and romance elements in my books, but fans who like those will enjoy them here. 

Warning for cozy mystery fans, this one is slightly more hard edged and a tiny bit more graphic than usual for fluffy library cozies. The language is relatively clearn (PG level) and includes only a scattering of damns and similar level mild curses. The denouement and resolution were fair play and satisfying. 

It's a small-town cozy(ish) setting and the book does have a plethora of small-town oddball eccentric characters. The author is unquestionably gifted and prolific and has a firm grasp of the technical aspects of writing. Her descriptive prose is excellent, and as stated, she writes atmosphere very well. 

Four stars with the codicil that readers who don't like harder edged mysteries and occasionally unpleasant characters and actions might want to tread carefully. No fluffy kitties here.

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

The Rugged Life: The Modern Guide to Self-Reliance

The Rugged Life is an interesting and worthwhile collection of self-suffiency and survival tips collected by Clint Emerson. Released 10 May 2022 by Rodale Books, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback, spiral bound, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

The chapters are arranged thematically: building, power, farmer, butcher, hunter, homemaker, protector, RTO (news & communication), first responder, and handyman. Each of these sections are standalone and can be read in any order.  There is no required cohesiveness to the content and it can be read and accessed as needed. To that end, the book does not include an index. I therefore recommend the electronic format for ease of finding specific info more easily.

This is a very broad and general book.  It's a good 'starting off' guide, a 'dreaming' guide; it's emphatically not a specific how-to guide. If it errs, it does so by trying to be everything to everyone.  Anyone actually going into homesteading will hopefully have a solid workable plan for getting from lifestyle A to whatever level of self-sufficiency is desirable. The author has a competent but stern voice and I found the emphasis on protecting property and fighting and weapon making a bit macho for my taste.

It's very tempting to see pictures of healthy gardens and adorable lambs and healthy beehives and want to be a part of that lifestyle. (I did & do!) The guides rarely show pictures of neighbor's pet-dog ravaged lambs, nosema infested empty beehives, or flattened gardens with more weeds than produce and production that wouldn't feed a toddler. This book could bridge the gap between dreams and reality. He definitely doesn't sugar coat things.

The emphasis here was more on protection and basic survival than smallholding but there is a fair bit of useful info in capsule form. The graphics are simple with line drawn illustrations and text boxes with tips and very short info bites throughout. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for the smallholder's library, people who want to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle and are at the planning stage, and for people who are interested in building a survival skill set.

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

 

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama

Honeybee Rescue is a well photographed and written story for young readers about honeybees, their behavior, and biodiversity by Loree Griffin Burns. Due out 31st May 2022 from Charlesbridge, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is an engaging true story of honeybee rescue and some basic beekeeping info. It's told in simple language which everyone can understand and shows bees as helpful and important and not scary (as long as they're treated gently with respect). The author has done a superlative job of explaining swarming behavior and how beekeepers rescue bee colonies which have set up housekeeping in unwanted places. 

The book is lavishly and clearly photographed in color throughout. I especially liked seeing Mr. Nelson's bee vacuum with which he gently gathers all the lost bees to move them safely into their new home. 

Five stars. This would make a great selection for public or school library acquisition as well as for young science and nature interested readers. The author has also included an abbreviated bibliography for further reading.

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

The Secret of the Jade Bangle (The Nguyen Kids #1)

The Secret of the Jade Bangle is an engaging and empowering illustrated chapter book for grade school age readers by Linda Trinh and the first book in the Nguyen Kids series. Released 18th Oct 2022 from Annick Press, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is such a fun and respectfully written book which will engage, entertain, and inform young readers. Despite the action filled plot (Anne really loves ballet but just wants to not be treated differently by her ballet teacher and the other students), the author manages to delve into deeper and meaningful themes such as integration and isolation, respect for culture, honesty, integrity, dealing constructively with racism, activism, and family in an age-appropriate manner.

The art by Clayton Nguyen is expressive and colorful and is full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look and really think about the concepts being expressed. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 1 hour 1 minute and is read by the author herself. She has a nicely modulated voice and reads very well (not always the case with author narrators). Interestingly, since this is an illustrated book, much of the read provides descriptions of the illustrations; what's happening on page, what the characters are holding or wearing, etc. It adds a level of enjoyment to the read and for beginning readers, having the audiobook to accompany the print book will definitely add a layer of enjoyment to the read.

Five stars. Representation is important for *everyone*. Highly recommended for public and school library acquisition, home library use, reading circles and similar. This is a great kids book for -all- kids whatever their ethnicity, background, or sex.

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

Murder at St Anne's (Yorkshire Murder Mysteries #7)

Murder at St Anne's is the 7th Yorkshire mystery featuring DCI Oldroyd by J. R. Ellis. Released 7th Dec 2021 on Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 284 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book and the rest of the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This series, along with the ensemble cast of Oldroyd, his colleagues, and family as well as the countryside and settings in Yorkshire and environs are always solidly, dependably, engaging reads. In addition to the well constructed puzzles of the actual mysteries, the author has salient points to make about the nature of humanity (with all our foibles). Lead character Oldroyd himself is quietly intelligent and competent. I enjoy seeing his interactions with his colleagues and his family. His sister Alison features prominently in this installment, and it's always enlightening to see the interplay between the detective and his sister. 

There's a convoluted and technical puzzle to the "locked room" aspect of the first murder since there are massive injuries not consistent with a hand-held blunt instrument and Oldroyd has to figure out the physics involved in the crime. Some of the descriptions were difficult for me to envision and I had to re-read the salient passages a couple times to sort of understand what was going on. I'm still not sure I buy it entirely, but fair play on the author, it is cleverly done and I'd never have thought of it in a million years.

Although this is the 7th book in the series, all of the individual mysteries are self contained and can reasonably be read in any order. 

Four stars. Well written and worthwhile. Definitely a series for fans of modern British procedurals. This is also a good weekend-binge-worthy series with solid plotting, good characterizations, and satisfying denouements and resolutions. 

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

Better Than New: A Recycle Tale

Better Than New: A Recycle Tale is a beautifully illustrated fully bilingual story about recycling and stewardship by Rob Broder. Due out 24th May 2022 from Patagonia, it's 44 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is such an engaging story for young readers (~4-8 years of age). The theme of protecting our Earth and taking care of our oceans and our fellow creatures is told in age appropriate words and pictures in both Spanish and English on each page. 

Well written and beautifully illustrated, this would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition. It would make a nice bedtime read as well and the pictures are full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look.

Five stars. Charming and worthwhile.

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

Fan Fiction

Fan Fiction is a funny, often punny, fannish modern mystery with memoir overtones by Brent Spiner. Released 5th Oct 2021 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook format (paperback out in Oct 2022). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a trippy blend of fictionalized memoir and could-have-happened and is genuinely funny a lot of the time. There's a mystery subplot alongside the general reminiscence and interaction and dialogue between the cast of Star Trek: TNG (for people who stumbled into the book without much introduction, the author is also the actor who brought the android Data to the series, movies, video games, and spinoffs).  

The unabridged enhanced audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 53 minutes and is capably narrated by the author himself alongside many of his fellow former cast members voicing themselves. I particularly adored hearing many of my old "friends" including Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, and of course, LeVar Burton (I admit I squealed like the middle-aged fangirl I am). The sound and production quality was very high throughout. I highly recommend the audiobook.

It's often genuinely funny and well written. Mr. Spiner has a talent for comedic timing. 

Four stars, Five for the audiobook. 

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

Make Your Own Party: 20 Plans from Chef Kelli to Make Your Own Party

Make Your Own Party is a fun guide to party planning and reducing the associated stress by Chef Kelli Lewton. Released 10th May 2022, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a very well organized and accessible guide to event planning and DIY themed parties from graduation and baby showers to boards/charcuterie and holidays. Everything is well explained and *doable*. The author has a reassuring and encouraging voice and she gives readers tips and advice throughout. 

The guides and tutorials are well photographed in color throughout the book. Tutorial recipes contain an  introduction and descriptions, ingredients in a bullet list, followed by step-by-step instructions. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units only. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate and yield estimates are reasonable. 

Personally, I felt some of the tableware and serving equipment estimates were excessive for my -personal- needs, but it's easy to adjust downward for smaller occasions and I think it's a real danger to underestimate equipment needs (and seating, and supplies, and venues) when one isn't used to entertaining large crowds. The tips and recommendations for venues and rentals were spot on.

Four stars. This would be an excellent selection for public library acquisition as well as for the home cook's resource library.

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

The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions: The ultimate Miss Phryne Fisher collection (Phryne Fisher)

The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions is a beautifully curated selection of Phryne Fisher short fiction by Kerry Greenwood. Released 17th May 2022 by the Poisoned Pen Press, it's 272 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

The book contains 17 stories; 13 previously released and 4 new stories from 2019-2020, along with an informative and really enjoyable introduction by the author on Phryne, how she came about, and some behind the scenes glimpses into her (Greenwood's) working processes. 

This is top shelf Phryne at her irrepressible best. One of the reasons I like anthologies and collections is that they're full of authors being allowed to test new techniques and plotting and story devices without the commitment of a full novel.  I've always had a particular fondness for collections/anthologies because short fiction is spare and technically challenging, so you get a better feel for an author's expertise with the form. Short fiction is less of a time commitment as well, so if one story is not working for you, there's another piece readily available in a few pages. This is all of that and definitely a must-read for current fans of Ms. Fisher. Much of the info in the author's introductory essay was known to me, but I had somehow previously missed out on her background and genesis. 

I loved that Ms. Greenwood says that:  

"She blossomed from the moment I wrote the first line of Cocaine Blues, and after the first five chapters, I had no further control over her. I feel like I discovered Phryne, rather than invented her".

Four stars. Good stories, well written. This would make a super introduction to the characters and settings for new fans as well as a nostalgic read with bonus new content for current fans of the series. The stories and novels are really solid and there are 21 extant novels plus various shorter stories/novellas; a great candidate for binge reading. Phryne herself is refreshingly uninhibited and there are occasionally frank discussions of physical and carnal appetites in the canon. 

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

The Power of the Pearl Earrings (The Nguyen Kids #2)

The Power of the Pearl Earrings is an engaging and empowering illustrated chapter book for grade school age readers by Linda Trinh and the second book in the Nguyen Kids series. Due out 18th Oct 2022 from Annick Press, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is such a fun and respectfully written book which will engage, entertain, and inform young readers. Despite the action filled plot (protagonist Liz really wants to do martial arts instead of ballet), the author manages to delve into deeper and meaningful themes such as integration and isolation, respect for culture, honesty, integrity, dealing constructively with potentially unwitting racism, activism, and family in an age-appropriate manner.

The art by Clayton Nguyen is expressive and colorful and is full of small details which invite a closer look.

Five stars. Representation is important for *everyone*. Highly recommended for public and school library acquisition, home library use, reading circles and similar.

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

Brew Your Own Big Book of Homebrewing, Updated Edition: All-Grain and Extract Brewing * Kegging * 50+ Craft Beer Recipes * Tips and Tricks from the Pros

Brew Your Own Big Book of Homebrewing is a re-formatted and updated 2nd edition of the classic homebrew encyclopedia (with recipes) from the editors of Brew Your Own magazine. Originally published in 2017, this edition was released 10th May 2022 by Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint. It's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a very good, comprehensive, accessible, plainly written guide with recipes for the homebrewer. It covers everything from beginning information through equipment gathering. Using only this guide, a beginning brewer could successfully gather the necessary tools, equipment, and ingredients to make a safe, drinkable, and potable beer. The introductory sections contain a thorough overview on the process including a necessary emphasis on cleaning and sanitation. The authors do a good job of explaining safety procedures, ingredients, and the basic general procedure. Tutorial photos are abundant, in color, and clear, without hands or tools blocking the action.

The second section contains a good cross section of recipes and clones (some very famous brews to copy here) as well as enough information and instruction that adventurous readers will be encouraged to spread their wings and develop their own brews. Recipes include an introduction, ingredients in bullet lists with measurements in both imperial (American) and metric measurements, and step-by-step instructions. The book also includes a resource/links list and abbreviate bibliography for further reading.

This is a very good basic guide which has enough scope and information to satisfy both beginners and advanced zymurgists, and which will become a staple reference in the homebrewer's library. Highly recommended to hobby brewers, smallholders, general DIYers, and beer lovers. Note that this is a *beer* brewing book and does a good job of different profile beers, but doesn't include hard ciders, meads, metheglins, or anything but beer. The clone recipes include lots of ales, porters, pilsners, a few stouts, IPA, red-ales, and more or less all the beer types I could imagine. There are craft beer recipes here to keep even the most dedicated hobbyist going for a long while. 

Five stars. I didn't have the first edition for comparison, but this is a comprehensive guide.

Murder Most Fair (Verity Kent Mysteries #5)

 

Murder Most Fair is the 5th Verity Kent mystery by Anna Lee Huber. Released 31st Aug 2021 by Kensington, it's 384 pages and is available in library bound 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the others in the series) are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a sophisticated romance / mystery set in the very early interwar period in England with espionage and drama and short forays into mainland Europe. The series protagonist is a part time spy who, along with her husband and occasionally the home office, chase down murderers and powerful bad guys including powerful government officials who are supposedly on the same side. In between, they sip cocktails, dance, and try to maintain a work - life balance. 

There is less international intrigue and more family and interpersonal relationship exploration in this installment, as Verity's German Aunt Ilsa comes into her life again in England and for safety reasons, Verity and husband Sidney return to Verity's family estate with their entire entourage after a long estrangement. Mystery and intrigue follow the couple no matter where they are and they're soon on the trail of skullduggery and an overarching multi-book political mystery with international implications. 

The mystery is self contained, but this is a series book with spoilers for earlier installments in the series if read out of order. There are now 6 books available, so it's a good candidate for a binge read. The language is slightly anachronistic with shades of "drawing room stage plays" of the time. It's full of period cocktails and flannel pants and indoor cigarette smoking and casual sexism. The author does have quite a lot of facility with the fashions and mores of the time and place, and I can only imagine the prodigious amount of background research which goes into writing these books. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours and 47 minutes and is narrated by Heather Wilds. I found her voice almost unbearably plummy, very much like a modern rendition of a period drawing-room stage production of The Importance of Being Earnest. She does, however, do a wonderful job of various other accents, such as German and Afrikaaner South African and characters of a broad range of ages and both sexes. I admittedly stopped wincing over her accent for Verity about a third of the way through the read. 

Four stars for both the print and audiobook versions. Definitely one for interwar British historical mystery readers who enjoy romance and political intrigue. The language is clean and there's light implied consensual physical contact (between married people) as well as references to past relations.

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

Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis

Fen, Bog and Swamp is an impassioned exposition about peatland destruction and its impact on the climate crisis by Annie Proulx. Due out 27th Sept 2022 from Macmillan on their Scribner imprint, it's 208 pages and will be 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This memoir/essay/rumination on wetlands in the larger sphere of habitat and climate destruction and loss of species diversity is pervasively tinged with melancholy. The writing is, as expected, brilliant and lyrical, sometimes sublime, but it's just so very sad. 

The author does, in fact, turn her prodigious intellect toward history, anthropology, earth and climate sciences, and allied subjects. The takeaway I was left with, however, was a dystopian "the planet's on fire, so DO something"! The problem with that is of course, that individuals, even collectively can't make a substantive difference and the corporations, politicians, and industrial concerns either dither or (worse) are actively trying to dig faster to suck up the very last resources. 

Four stars. Beautifully written but overwhelmingly distressing. 

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

Grain and Fire: A History of Baking in the American South

Grain and Fire: A History of Baking in the American South is a well written, layman accessible, historical survey of the culture and baking heritage in the southern USA by Dr. Rebecca Sharpless. Due out 28th June 2022 from the University of North Carolina Press, it's 344 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Dr. Sharpless has taken what could've been the tweediest, driest, most academic treatise and made it both accessible and human. The subject matter is admittedly academic, there are enough annotations and chapter notes and bibliography entries to satisfy the staunchest pedant but at the same time, there's a clear and compelling cultural narrative. The chapters are arranged thematically with around different types of baking, the societal and economic ties to the different baking traditions from prehistoric indigenous people through to the modern day in a shrouded but mostly unbroken line from one woman's hand down through her children's hands to us. 

This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition. It would also make a good choice for more formal classroom instruction as a support resource for women's studies, cultural studies, sociology, etc. I found the entire book quite interesting. It is, admittedly, a niche book. The language and format are rigorous and formal. It's definitely not inaccessible for the average reader, but it will take some effort (and I think that's a good thing).

Five stars. This is well and deeply researched and engaging.

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

The Natural Genius of Ants

The Natural Genius of Ants is a well illustrated and engaging coming of age novel aimed at middle grade readers written by Betty Culley. Released 10th May 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 240 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.  

Despite the heavy nature of the subject matter (death of an infant, medical malpractice, family grief, depression, forgiveness, and friendship) this is a very well written and ultimately uplifting book written from a child's perspective and with age-appropriate content.  It's a chapter book and written in an unadorned direct first person point of view in the voice of young Harvard, a precocious ten year old, son of a medical doctor whose loss of an infant patient has led to a professional and personal crisis of faith. 

There's a lot of humor in the writing and from the protagonist, Harvard, and his younger brother Roger. They're often genuinely funny and the story has a lot of honesty and compassion. It's not a central theme of the book, but I liked that Harvard and Roger are multicultural, with their mom's family hailing from the Dominican Republic. Representation is important. 

Four stars, this would make a good selection for public or school library acquisition and for home use. Recommended for ages 8-12. 

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

Modern Asian Baking at Home: Essential Sweet and Savory Recipes for Milk Bread, Mooncakes, Mochi, and More; Inspired by the Subtle Asian Baking Community

Modern Asian Baking at Home is a detailed guide with recipes for Asian baked goods curated from the @subtleasian.baking community and curated and presented by Kat Lieu. Due out 28th June 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Despite being red haired, freckly, and mostly Irish, I remember very fondly being "adopted" by the family who owned of our local Chinese bakeries. My family were customers for many (many) years and I was happy to find out recently that they're still in business and under the management of the original owners' grandchildren at this point. This book is *full* of recipes for those Chinese bakery goodies which I remember so fondly and never thought I could ever recreate at home, such as mooncakes, mochi, and milk bread. There are also a slew of recipes which are Asian inspired but with western fusion influence such as cookies, cakes, curds, and waffles.

The introduction includes a good overview over ingredients, tools, and sourcing specialty items; the actual recipes are arranged thematically: confections, cookies & pastries, not-too-sweet cakes, breads & yeast bakes, holiday bakes, custards & frozen, and drinks. 

Recipes contain a title and description, yields, ingredients in a bullet list in a sidebar, and step by step directions. Ingredients are listed with imperial (American) standard measures with metric equivalents in parentheses (yay!). Nutritional information is not included. There are so many gorgeous and clear color photos included. Most (but not all) of the dishes are accompanied by one or more photos. This helped me to know how to arrange and prepare the dishes with which I wasn't already familiar.

Five stars. Wonderfully comprehensive and versatile.

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

The Cook You Want to Be: Everyday Recipes to Impress [A Cookbook]

The Cook You Want to Be is an interesting and inspirational guide with recipes by Andy Baraghani. Due out 24th May 2022 from Crown Publishing on their Loreena Jones imprint, it's a substantial 336 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

The author has such a chatty, engaging, and friendly style of writing that I found myself reading this cookbook/memoir/masterclass cover to cover, more like a novel than a cookbook. He has worthwhile things to say about cooking and food, about the nature of hospitality and culture, and about eating and how our lives and experiences inform our growth as cooks. 

The recipes are arranged thematically and built up systematically - from partial recipes, sauces, ingredients, breadcrumbs, etc through eggs, snacks, salad, veg, grains, soup, fish, meat, and sweets. Throughout the text, between and in the recipes, Mr. Baraghani gives tips, observations (buy new ingredients, explore, try), and encourages readers to stretch their own boundaries. 

The recipes are written with an introduction and tips for serving, followed by ingredients in a bullet list (measurements are given in imperial - US measures), and step by step cooking instructions. Nutritional information is not provided. Many of the recipes contain photos. The photography is clear and many photos are in color. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. Most of the recipe ingredients will be familiar to North American cooks. Some few will require access to a larger metropolitan area or a well stocked international market. 

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, and for the home cook's library. 

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

Freeze fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility

Freeze Fresh is an accessibly and clearly written resource guide to freezing fresh produce along with some recipes curated and written by Crystal Schmidt. Due out 19th July 2022 from Storey, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The included tutorials and recipes show how to select, prepare, and pack produce for preservation by freezing to maximize taste and quality. Essential and helpful equipment lists are included and explained very well. When I first started processing our garden produce, my tendency was to process -every- single fruit/vegetable no matter how misshapen, overripe, squishy, or blemished. I hated to 'waste' (compost) -anything- unnecessarily.The author makes a good case for selecting the best fruits and vegetables to freeze and shows how.

The following chapters include processing and recipes grouped alphabetically from apples to zucchini.

The recipes themselves are easy to read and understand. They include a header bar along with yields and a description. Ingredients are listed bullet point in a sidebar. Measurements are given in imperial (US standard) units only. Preparation instructions are enumerated step by step. Substitutions and alternative preparation or serving information are given in highlighted text boxes throughout.

Photography and food styling are very well done and prep and serving pictures are appealing and appropriate.

Five stars. This is a good addition to the home gardener's and smallholder's resource libraries. It's not a replacement for canning encyclopedias like Ball's Blue Book, but it's very good for specifics and tips for freezing produce with a collection of varied and useful recipes for using frozen fruits and veggies.

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

100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat

100 Plants to Feed the Birds is a well written and beautifully photographed manual full of practical tips and information on building and maintaining welcoming habitats for birds aimed at readers in North America written and curated by Laura Erickson. Due out 20th Dec 2022 from Storey, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a well organized pictorial guide and plant encyclopedia. The first section covers the need for homeowners to help support and build habitat to mitigate the damage of habitat loss due to large scale farming, forestry, and urban sprawl. The bulk of the book contains 100 detailed plant profiles with range maps, sourcing information, habit, and uses. Each of the profiles contain descriptions, uses, culture info, specific species information, and photos of each plant which include wildlife nesting, using, and interacting with target plant species. Botanical nomenclature (Latin name) is used alongside some common/layman names to help with specific sourcing and remove confusion about which specific plant is being discussed.

The photography (mostly stock) is clear, illustrative, and in color. 

Five stars. This is a useful guide and will make a good selection for public and school library acquisition, for homeowners, gardening groups, smallholders, activity groups, and similar.

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

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride is a delightfully rustic island cozy mystery with a wonderful octogenarian protagonist, a whimsical cast of secondary characters and a very well constructed story by Lorenzo Carcaterra. Released 3rd May 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Bantam imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This was such a relaxing and enjoyable read. It's redolent of the setting, with the local cuisine and lifestyle pace and rhythms of the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples and the charming and intelligent chief protagonist, Nonna Maria. Everyone knows her and she knows everyone and their extended family histories and interrelationships, so she's naturally sought out for advice and help when the locals don't need or want to go to the carbinieri. 

In some ways this reminded me of the pacing and atmosphere of the Bruno, Chief of Police, novels or Guido Bernetti, or even Bannalec's excellent Georges Dupin novels. The pacing is similar, the storytelling unhurried, but it's not at all derivative. The mysteries small and large entwine closer to a surprisingly tense climax and denouement. 

Nonna Maria herself, though age and craftiness comparisons will surely be made to Miss Marple, strikes me as tough, resilient, and resourceful and more compassionate than Christie's inimitable sleuth who could be cold as ice and brilliantly calculating. I found Nonna Maria thoroughly likeable and wonderfully warm and really enjoyed the denouement and resolution. I'm looking forward to more from this capable author featuring this island setting and these appealing characters.

Four and a half stars. Very well done.

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