The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 11: New Books to Make Your Heart Race

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 11 includes chapter excerpts from six new Minotaur books. Released on 26th March 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 217 pages and available (possibly for a limited time) as a free download in ebook format.

These six books from Minotaur are all top shelf fiction. For anyone (and let's face it, that's almost all of us) who has ever wandered around and browsed in a book store or library to read a few pages of random books and see if we are drawn in, this sampler provides the same experience without leaving the comfort of your computer chair. The books all have upcoming release dates, and it's nice to get a sneak peek before release. The collection includes 3 standalones, and three series debuts.

All of the books are very well written - thriller, suspense, and mystery. It's an excellent way to plan / pad the upcoming spring and summer reading list for mystery/thriller readers.

Five stars.

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

Board to Death - Board Game Shop #1

Board to Death is the first book in a shopfront cozy by CJ Connor. Released 22nd Aug 2023 by Kensington, 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 an engaging start to a  shopfront cozy mystery. These series are often set in food or book related businesses: pizza parlors, bakeries, coffee shops, cheese shops, bookstores, libraries, antiquarian shops, and all the other hundreds of variations in the subgenre. This one, refreshingly, is populated by offbeat, nerdy, and appealing characters who populate an old-school board game shop outside of Salt Lake City.

The characterizations are well rendered and appealing, many of them academics or allied fields, and full of appealingly offbeat book and games lovers. It would have been so easy to fill the book with lampoonable table flipping aggressive neck-bearded stereotypes and the author has (happily) managed to avoid all the "easy shots". 

The mystery itself is competently constructed, with a satisfying denouement and resolution. The second volume in the series is foreshadowed but no definite publishing schedule info is currently available. 

There are LGBTQIA+ characters central to the story and they're treated respectfully and sensitively, and happily the entire story does *not* turn on that one facet. The author/publisher have also included discussion questions for book-club or reader discussion.

Four stars. Quite well written and enjoyable cozy. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, book club discussion, and possibly a buddy read. 

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

Beautiful Rocks and How to Find Them: A Modern Rockhound's Guide

Beautiful Rocks and How to Find Them is an accessible guide for rockhounds and field geology enthusiasts collected and written by Alison Jean Cole. Due out 26th March 2024 from the Princeton Architectural Press, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Rockhounding is a fine way to get out into nature, enjoy social / family outings, acquire fun and interesting knowledge about our world, and potentially have a lasting memory or materials for meaningful rock collection or even one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Rock enthusiasts are some of the coolest, friendliest, and genuinely welcoming folks on the planet. The author is an experienced rockhound and guide and shares some of her experience to help others get started (or progress) in the hobby. 

The book has a logical and accessible layout. The author covers getting started, identifying likely rocks in a given location, doing research, finding and getting permissions, safety, equipment, and building a collection. It's photographed well and clearly (many photos from the author's own collection) throughout. 

It's nice that the nomenclature is correct, but moreso that it's always relayed in a completely accessible, non-intimidating manner. She covers the creation of many common to uncommon rocks and how they were created, and with her conversational style manages to make the terminology easy to understand and retain. 

The author/publisher have included further links and reading lists for collecting, legalities, etc... mostly slanted to North America (specifically Canada and the USA). 

Readers will need a guide and/or a field guide or group. There is no ID info or field notes in this volume. There are an abundance of good pictorial field guides with good photos of cut and uncut minerals and where they're likely to be found. That info is not included here. 

Four stars. Well written and illustrated. 

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

An Inheritance of Magic - Inheritance of Magic #1

An Inheritance of Magic is the first book in a new urban fantasy series by Benedict Jacka. Released 10th Oct 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint, it's 384 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. 

The author is talented and prolific. He knows how to write engagingly, and the world building here is very different from the Iron Druid chronicles. The story reads more YA(ish) than his other work, however, there are definitely non-YA descriptions and themes here, such as horrible straight up animal torture which goes on for -pages-. (This one has its own entry on "does the dog die" but all the trigger questions aren't answered yet). It was difficult to read and it's not surprisingly a deal-breaker for a number of readers. 

That being said, there is also humor here, clever descriptive prose, nods to the sort of bureaucracy urban fantasy that brings Stross, O'Malley, Aaronovitch, Holt and the other boys in the band to mind, and glimmers of a really good magic system being unfolded presumably in future volumes. 

The book ends on a foreshadowing description. There are a zillion overarching unanswered questions/plot developments which are unresolved by the end. 

Three and a half stars. Given the publisher, this will be on most library acquisition lists already. Due to the graphic nature of some of the descriptions, it's not recommended for school libraries, especially in areas where book challenges and bans are common. The animal torture and casual cruelty are -very- hard going. 

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

Artisan Bread from Your Bread Machine: Quick, Easy and Excellent Bread at Home, including Sourdough

Artisan Bread from Your Bread Machine is a technique and tutorial guide with recipes by Manuel Monade for using the bread machine to make high quality loaves at home. Released 19th March 2024, it's 192 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The breads included here along with the techniques produce lovely crusty breads. It's not entirely clear how much time saving is possible, the prep and processing times aren't revolutionarily shorter than normal, but much of the process can utilise convenience shortcuts and automisation so that it's less work intensive. 

The first quarter of the book introduces the concepts, tools, ingredients, and supplies. The author goes into detail on different types of flour, four types of yeast (and which to choose for which purpose), tools, and troubleshooting. Mini tutorials are included set apart by highlighted text boxes throughout: why use a thermometer, measuring ingredients,  leftover bread uses, choosing gluten-free flours, making a sourdough starter, etc. There's a chapter on different types of bread machines, their cycles, and how to use them with the included recipes.

The recipes are written simply and understandably and are grouped in thematic chapters: traditional loaves, crusty loaves, sourdough, sweet breads, flatbreads rolls & bagels, seed nut & fruit breads, and herb and cheese breads. 

Recipes include a short description/introduction, ingredients in a bullet list, and prep/cookiing instructions. Recipe ingredients are listed with imperial (American) units, followed by metric in parentheses (yay!). Yields, proofing and processing times are included and easy to understand. Roughly 25% of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos. Photography is clear and in color throughout. 

The author/publisher have included a cross referenced index which includes ingredients for ease of lookup. Ingredients will mostly be accessible at any moderately well stocked grocer; some of the specialty flours might need to be sourced from bakery suppliers. 

Four stars. Really lovely recipes and simple instructions, well written.

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

Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS: The Sunshine Garden: Being a Team Player

The Sunshine Garden: Being a Team Player is a fun illustrated story with a good message written by Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Jenna Nahyun Chung. Released 19th March 2024 by Charlesbridge, it's 32 pages and available in hardcover format. Ebook due out from the same publisher April 30th 2024. 

This is a fun book with colorful illustrations and simple text and a good message about teamwork, compassion, and caring for our planet and each other. Mia's neighbor, Mr. Angelo, isn't feeling well, so Mia agrees to help take care of his garden plot in the local community garden. With her friends' enthusiastic help and creativity, they do the job and still have time for fun. 

It's a short book (32 pages) and the simple free (non rhyming) text will be a good read for youngsters who are beyond the basics with reading skills. Lexile measurement for this book is AD560L and it's recommended for ages 4-7 years. The cast of characters are ethnically diverse, and it's never pointed out, just a natural part of the book, which is lovely.

Four and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, reading circle, or gift giving. The author/publisher have also included a short list of activity prompts at the back of the book for facilitators/teacher/parent or reader use. 

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

Pocket Nature: Beekeeping: Explore the Marvelous World of Honeybees

Pocket Nature: Beekeeping is an accessible and attractive pocket guide to bees and beekeeping by Ariel Silva. Due out 26th March 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a layman accessible and appealing book. It has a very retro vibe, with simple monochrome line drawn interior art (not as detailed as the cover art, which is gorgeous). It's a bit scattered and the information is not very rigidly organized. The author covers general (*very* general) info on bees, pollination, getting started with beekeeping (parts of a hive), honey, and some of the appeal of the craft. There are several activity prompts scattered throughout which will help readers get outdoors, observe, and *learn* about the more philosophical aspects of beekeeping and appreciation for our vital pollinators.

Three and a half stars. It's *not*, strictly speaking, a primer for actually getting started beekeeping (although it does give some tips); it's mostly a general short guide to getting out in nature and finding help to get started and some of the author's own background journey. There are also companion volumes in the series with the same format and graphic vibes on foraging, learning to identify wildflowers, and more. 

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

The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic

The Blues Brothers is a well balanced bio-retrospective and history of the iconic film and associated culture by Daniel de Visé. Due out 19th March 2024 from Grove Atlantic, it's 400 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

The book is absolutely packed full of reminiscence, history, and background; from the original Not Ready for Primetime troupe (Ackroyd, Belushi, Radner, Murray and the others) to the culture of improv comedy, the whole zeitgeist of the early 80s, and the chaos and drug use, and the filming of the Blues Brothers. 

It's not just about the film, and for all folks who have come to adore it in the nearly 45 years since it hit the theaters, there are also lots of takeaways for fans of 80s culture, rhythm & blues, and the actors and musicians and their wider circle of influence. 

Four and a half stars. Definitely one for public library acquisition, nonfiction readers, culture and film fans, and potentially as support curriculum for culture/film classes. It's very well annotated and the bibliography will provide many hours of further reading. It's a melancholy read.

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

Julia Rothman's Ocean Anatomy Activity Book

 

Julia Rothman's Ocean Anatomy Activity Book is a fun, accurate, well written, and illustrated activity book for kids by Julia Rothman. Due out 19th March 2024 from Hachette on their Storey imprint, it's 64 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

There are a number of different activities, and it's gratifying to see that the author has managed to make them *fun* and appealing for everyone and at the same time, basing them on actual scientific methods and observation. Kids (and facilitators) are invited to observe, count, and learn about ocean life and nature and record those observations. There are also word puzzles like scrambles and crosswords. Each page is illustrated in color. 

Five stars. Due to the nature of activity books (being written in and *used*), it's probably not appropriate for library acquisition. Classroom use (for which it's certainly appropriate) would require a copy for each child. This would make a great purchase for home use or for gift giving. 

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

 

The Vegetable Eater: The New Playbook for Cooking Vegetarian

 

The Vegetable Eater is a well written monograph on vegetarian food and lifestyle with recipes developed and curated by Cara Magnini. Due out 19th March 2024 from Hachette on their Workman Publishing imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover 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 beautifully appealing book with well styled tasty food; simple enough for "everyday" but also including recipes which will fit in with entertaining or more formal occasions. They all feature vegetables in a starring role, and really are anything but boring or "samey". 

The introduction includes advice on stocking the pantry, staples to keep on hand, choosing seasonal produce, tools/knives/work surfaces, prep/washing and storage. The intro chapter is followed directly by the recipes, arranged thematically: entree salads, soups, sandwiches, grain bowls, steaks fritters meatballs & sheet pan meals, casseroles & savory pies, and sweets. 

Recipes include a description/background, ingredients in a bullet list, and step by step cooking instructions. Ingredient measures are provided in imperial (American) units. There's a metric conversion chart included in the appendices. Nutritional info is not provided. Ingredients will mostly be easily sourced at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Some few ingredients might require a visit to an Asian/international grocer. 

Companion recipes, such as sauces to pair with the dishes are conveniently located *with* their respective recipes. It's super convenient. 

Photography is clear and in color throughout. The food is professionally and appetizingly styled and serving suggestions are appropriate and appealing. 

The author/publisher has also included appendices: metric conversion chart, seasonal recipe suggestions, and contents with page numbers for sauces, condiments, dips, and spreads. 

Four and a half stars. Well written and super tasty recipes. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving purposes.

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

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is a warm and compassionately written slice-of-life love letter to booktores and literature written by Hwang Bo-Reum. Written in Korean and released in 2022, this English Language translation from Bloomsbury is 320 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. 

This is such an appealing and inviting book. MC Yeongju is burnt out and sheds her old life and searches for new meaning and seeks to build a more contemplative life as a bookseller in a residential neighborhood outside the metro area. It's touching and fulfilling to see her build herself back up book by book. 

This is 100% character driven; there's not a plot with a beginning-middle-end. As such, western readers might find the pacing unusually slow and meandering. There isn't a clear denouement, it's a series of small daily vignettes.

The translation work by Shanna Tan is seamless, and it doesn't read as if it were translated (except that the pacing and vibe are definitely not western in style or feel). 

Four stars. A contemplative read. 

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

Death and Fromage - Follet Valley Mysteries #2

 

 

 

Death and Fromage is the second book in Ian Moore's Follet Valley cozy series set in the Loire Valley. First published in 2022, this paperback edition was released 5th March 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint. It's 320 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.

This is a very light humorous cozy featuring a pair of unlikely amateur sleuths: Richard, a hapless middle aged Englishman running a B&B in France and Valérie, a force of nature femme fatale and current patron of Richard's establishment whilst she's house hunting in the area. 

The comparison between this and Osman's Thursday Murder Club books is not entirely apt and unfortunately this series suffers by comparison. There is a frenetic bantering quality to the humor here and there's more self-aware aspect; almost breaking the fourth wall in places. (Metalepsis for the English majors in the room). Despite that, it's entertaining and easy to read and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well written. There are a number of genuinely funny bits and the author is quite adept at patter and dialogue and his comedic timing is excellent.

Four stars. There are three books in the series currently (with a 4th out in June 2024), along with a couple of shorter stories, and it would make an excellent choice for binge/buddy read.  

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

 

Murder at the College Library -

 

Murder at the College Library is the fifth 42nd St. Library mystery by Con Lehane. Released 5th March 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur 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.

The main protagonist isn't young, tough, or wisecracking. He's a mild mannered librarian with a melancholy background, trying to live his life honorably with a very challenging life situation (previously estranged son recently out of prison, grandson in his immediate nuclear family, partner who is expecting a baby, etc). It's very refreshing that he isn't a superhero. The characters are well written, with well plotted motivations and, in some cases, agendas. There's a lot going on: murder on a local liberal arts college campus for which MC Ambler's friend is a prime suspect, theft of potentially valuable first edition classic mysteries, more tie-in subplots involving a secondary character (McNulty the bartender) from the other books. Despite so many subplots, the author handled the complex storyline well, and readers won't have trouble keeping the story straight. The murders are bloodless and off-scene. The denouement is tense, action filled and satisfying.
 
One of the main characters in this book (McNulty) is also the protagonist in his own series of 3 books, making this book a tie-in/crossover. It works fine as a standalone. One of the best parts of these books is the name-dropping classic mystery title and author trivia and recommendations. Book lovers will always find at least a few titles to chase down after finishing this one. It's lovely to see the classic mystery authors of the 19th-20th centuries getting some attention.

The language in this book is rough (R rated), there's is potentially triggering discussion of sexual infidelity and abuse/abandonment. 

Four stars, entertaining, well written, and satisfying.

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

 

Beautiful Remains - Dr. Harrison Lane #2

Beautiful Remains is the second procedural psychological thriller/mystery featuring Dr. Harrison Lane by Gwyn Bennett. Originally published in 2021, this reformat and re-release 3rd May 2023 on Storm Publishing's indie press is 244 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. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is an ongoing series (currently 8 books) with a fair bit of background continuity and an overarching plotline that moves across the volumes in the series. Titular protagonist Dr. Lane is a behaviorist working in a psychological (ritualistic) crimes unit. He has a difficult past, with murder trauma and memory loss. Much (most) of the crime and descriptions in the book are graphic and often scary and creepy (obviously, and for many readers this will be a feature, not a detraction). 

Many of the descriptions are graphic and readers need to expect on-page violence, as well as atmospheric tension and ritualistic murder. There's a subplot in this volume with a stalker who is terrorizing his colleague (a forensic investigator) which is also moderately graphic. 

The plotting is tightly constructed with lots of twists and surprises. The pacing is somewhat uneven, and the dialogue is patchy and occasionally stilted enough to drag readers out of their suspension of disbelief. It's written in third person, and the author does a lot more "telling" than "showing" by direct info dumping.

That being said, readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with ritual crime and creepy locations will find a lot to like here. Although the main crime here is self contained in this volume, the multi-book plotline about Lane's cold case trauma will be spoiled if they're read out of order. 

Three stars (mostly for the clunky dialogue and flat descriptions). Recommended for fans of Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza. 

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

A Midnight Puzzle - Secret Staircase Mystery #3

A Midnight Puzzle is the third volume in the Secret Staircase cozy series which is full of illusions, building, and stage magic by Gigi Pandian. Due out 19th March 2024 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 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.

Readers who already enjoy stage magic mysteries and illusions, with a heaping side order of old houses with hidden rooms and architectural easter-eggs like bookcases which are secret doors and mantelpieces with hidden catches to open secret panels will *love* this series. The plot turns around an ensemble cast of specialty builders, stonemasons, and woodworkers who design and install secret rooms and hidden staircases. This is a limited suspect pool cozy with hidden rooms aplenty, secret alcoves, puzzle rooms, and eccentric characters. 

Although it's a murder mystery, it felt as though it were written more for a younger (YA/NA) audience. It has a definite Nancy Drew vibe with a little whiff of Scooby Doo, and in fact the author refers to the group of friends investigating the mystery as the Scooby Gang.

Throw in lots and lots of stage magic, a family curse (the eldest child shall die by magic), hidden motives, and crazy architectural prestidigitation, and stir well. The book is also absolutely full of bookish references and readers who enjoy classic mysteries from the Golden Age of fiction will find lots and lots of titles and authors to follow up.

The MCs family is multi-ethnic and the requisite cozy recipes at the back of the book reflect that background and are a really eclectic mix of odd and whimsical.There is a strong romance sub-element as well which will please readers who enjoy light mysteries with romance elements. The story is self-contained in this volume, but it's the third book in the series and there are a fair number of spoilers included here for developments contained in the first two books; so it's best read in order.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours 38 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Soneela Nankani. She has a warm and nuanced voice and does a good job delineating a wide range of characters across a range of ages and both male and female. There are a number of Scottish characters, and the narrator struggles mightily with the various accents, not entirely successfully. She does a much more mellifluous job with the Indian and American accents. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It would make a good choice for library acquisition, as well as a long weekend binge / buddy read.

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

 

Haru: Book 1: Spring

Haru is a hauntingly well told coming of age story in graphic novel form written and illustrated by Joe Latham. Released 12th March 2024 by Andrews McMeel, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook (comiXology) formats. 

This is an appealing and very well written fantasy adventure featuring two friends, Haru, a young flightless bird, and their friend Yama. They're both bullied at school and dream of leaving the small valley community they've grown up in. Most readers will have no trouble empathizing with the two friends as they try to navigate life.

There are much darker, malign forces at work behind the scenes and the friends are soon drawn inextricably into the eternal struggle of good vs. evil. 

There are some admittedly scary parts in the story which might be a trifle too spooky for younger readers. There's nothing graphic on-page, but it *is* quite creepy in several places. It's a story told in four volumes, of which this is the first, and as such, it's not a self-contained story.

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or middle school+ acquisition, home use, or gifting to a youngster who loves fantasy adventure.

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

Dino-Earth Day

Dino-Earth Day is an appealing illustrated picture book for the youngest readers (5-9 years) by Lisa Wheeler. Released  5th March 2024 by Lerner on their Carolrhoda imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

One of a series of dino-books by this author, this outing sees the dinos taking care of the earth, recycling, and making a difference for the planet we all share. The illustrations by Barry Gott are colorful, whimsical, and fun. They're full of small details which invite readers to pause and take a deeper look. Really cute and they'll appeal to all ages. 

Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library, home use, or gift giving. 

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

Rooted Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes, Stories, and Ways to Connect with the Natural World

Rooted Kitchen is a tutorial guide to foraging and reconnecting with nature including recipes developed and curated by Ashley Rodriguez. Released 5th March 2024 by Penguin Random House on their 10 Speed Press imprint, it's 272 pages and available in paperback format.

The author writes passionately and engagingly about foraging, love of environment, and the importance of stewardship of our precious vulnerable planet. The book is written clearly in layman's language and is easily accessible for the average reader.  It's arranged logically with recipes collected in seasonal chapter. The author also cautions against over-harvesting, a vitally necessary reminder everyone needs to hear.

The recipes showcase forage-able ingredients. They're arranged by season: Spring - Summer - Fall - Winter. Recipe ingredients are in bullet lists with imperial (American) units, followed by step by step preparation and presentation instructions. Many of these recipes are *fancy* and would be right at home at a trendy local-sourced foodie restaurant. They're gorgeously styled and presented; some of them are breathtaking (pea and nettle butter toast with pickled shallots and mint is beautiful and appetizing). There are many meatless and vegan friendly dishes included, but not all are.

This is definitely one for dedicated foodies. It's a lovely book and would make a superlative choice for public library acquisition, gift giving, and home reference. Some of the ingredients take a while (days) to prepare, so this is definitely not a "have dinner on the table in 30 minutes" type book. Slow, meditative food, well prepared.

Four and a half stars.

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

Pocket Nature: Flower Finding: Delight in the Splendor of Wild Blooms

Pocket Nature: Flower Finding is an accessible and attractive pocket guide to finding and identifying wildflowers by Andrea Debbink. Due out 26th March 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a layman accessible and appealing book. It has a very retro vibe, with simple monochrome line drawn interior art (not as detailed as the cover art, which is gorgeous). It's a bit scattered and the information is not very formally organized. The author covers general botanical and simple ecological concepts like nomenclature, native vs. invasive species, identification tips, etc. There are several activity prompts scattered throughout which will help readers get outdoors, observe, and *learn* about the species in their areas. 

Three and a half stars. It's *not*, strictly speaking, a field guide aimed at plant identification (although it does give some tips); it's mostly a general short guide to getting out in nature and finding and enjoying the wildflowers. There are also companion volumes in the series with the same format and graphic vibes on beekeeping, foraging, and more. 

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

Book of Cakes - National Trust

 

The National Trust Book of Cakes is a superb collection of 55 classic cake recipes and tutorials curated by Linda Collister under the auspices of the National Trust. Due out 18th June 2024 from HarperCollins on their Collins Reference imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

The book's introduction covers tools, supplies, general info, background on ingredients and more useful tips and tricks to get the best results. The recipes are grouped thematically into chapters: loaf, fruit, sponge, and small (individual serving) cakes such as tiffin, rock cakes, Welsh cakes, muffins, etc. 

Recipes contain a description in a short introduction, ingredients in a bullet list, and step-by-step cooking instructions. Ingredient measurements are supplied in metric measurements.  The nutritional information is not included. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. The classic recipes are all to be found here, making it a valuable reference book. There's a spiced gingerbread loaf I remember very well from my own childhood, and there are so many others. The recipes are traditional in the UK, and will be most familiar to readers from the UK, some of them less so to readers from the USA.

There are no photographs included, and the whole has a very cosy retro feel, with line drawn illustrations throughout. 

Five stars. This is a wonderful resource and will be a classic go-to for casual to light formal occasions. Highly recommended for library acquisition, as well as for the home library. 

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

Devil's Gun - Disco Space Opera #2

 

Devil's Gun is the second SF novel featuring the cast and crew of You Sexy Thing (a space ship) by Cat Rambo. Released 29th Aug 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher 3rd quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

I've been a fan of the author for years and some of their short fiction is not just good, but sublime. The writing here is, as always, more than competent and eminently readable. The main themes here, of found family, finding one's purpose, and making the universe a slightly better place, sit side by side with LGBTQIA+ representation (which -hallelujah- does *not* drive the entire plot), adventure, and a solid mix of humor which surprised an audible chuckle in several places.

The titular "Sexy Thing" is an AI bio-ship central to the plot, and this is not a racy/sexy book by any salacious definition of the word. There is some inherent violence (it's a pirate space opera SF cozy mystery adventure), but again, not egregious, and the violence is integral to the plot. As in much of the author's oeuvre, there is heavy tragedy mixed in amongst the humor.

There is so much going on in the plot that it could easily have devolved into a muddled chaotic mess, but the author is skilled and technically so adept at the craft of writing that the whole gels into a cohesive and entertaining melange. Despite being the second book in a series (with a third due out in Aug 2024), it works fine as a standalone. The author provides enough backstory and context to enjoy the book without drowning the reader or info-dumping character background. The first book is equally delicious and this would be a great choice for public library acquisition, a long weekend binge or buddy read.

Four stars. All in all a good and worthwhile space opera with some foodie moments. The author writes very very well.

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

 

Cooking in Real Life: Delicious & Doable Recipes for Every Day

Cooking in Real Life is a casual "everyday" cookbook with appealing recipes by Lidey Heuck. Released 12th March 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a graphically appealing, well written, and accessible cookbook with an array of everyday recipes to appeal to most tastes. The author has included an abbreviated pantry and ingredients list, but the recipes take up the bulk of the content. They're arranged thematically: Snacks & Drinks, Salads & a Few Soups, Chicken Beef & Pork, Fish & Shellfish, Veggie Mains, On the Side, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch, and Dressings Sauces & Extras.

Ingredient measurements are supplied in imperial (American) standard units with some metric measurements in parentheses.  The 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.  The photography is abundant and clear and the recipes are illustrated simply and clearly.

This is a large collection of recipes and even allowing for the fact that some of them are very similar to others in the same category, this will keep readers going for ages. There are many simple and healthy "everyday" recipes. 

This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, gift giving, and a great "care package" moving out gift (bundled with cooking supplies and housewares) to newly fledged young adults living on their own for the first time.

Five stars. 

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

How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: End Power Struggles, Break Bad Screen Habits, and Transform Your Relationship with Your Kids

 

How to Raise a Healthy Gamer is an interesting and well written monograph by Dr. Alok Kanojia on the challenges of balancing screen engagement, especially in a family dynamic (which often comes down to parents nagging kids to log off and interact with the real world). Released 12th March 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Rodale Books 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. 

The author does a good job of arranging the information (and there's a *lot* of info here) in logical progressive chapters where the info is easy to find. He explains the background psychology (understanding) in layman accessible terms, followed by chapters on communication (talk), and making and implementing plans for healthy online time (act). He also discusses troubleshooting, what to expect, timelines, as well as some ways neurodivergence (ADHD, autism spectrum, depression/anxiety, and possible substance abuse issues) can impact progress. 

The author/publisher have also included appendices: timelines and working prompts to help the process, a solid bibliography with chapter note references.

The book is aimed at parents who are not medical professionals, and as such is quite easy to understand and utilize. It's a different method of interaction which places a great deal of emphasis on empathy, communication, and understanding (and openness), rather than forcing, nagging, punishing, and negative communication patterns.

Four and a half stars. 

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

Listen for the Lie

Listen for the Lie is an engaging standalone modern podcast crime thriller by Amy Tintera. Released 5th March 2024 by Macmillan on their Henry Holt Celadon imprint, it's 338 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. 

This is a mystery with roots in a long ago cold case murder. The format is familiar - podcast dialogue interspersed with third person descriptions and flashbacks with dialogue. Podcast/true crime mysteries have become quite a popular subgenre in the last few years and this is a fairly good one.

Readers should bring an extra generous helping of patience. Although quite well written, the first major reveal happens at around 90%. The denouement and resolution were (mostly) satisfying and fair play. There's a hint of enemies to romance as well, and some foreshadowing for the future for the characters. 

Four stars. This will undoubtedly already be on acquisition lists for most public libraries, and is also recommended for crime thriller readers. It's written as a "true crime" podcast but is fiction and (as far as publishing/author info indicates) not based on actual events to any degree. 

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

Gnome and Rat: Time to Party!

Gnome and Rat: Time to Party! is an adorable illustrated story and the second book featuring the titular main characters by Lauren Stohler. Due out 12th March 2024 from Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 80 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Gnome is soon 133 (!!!) and wants his friends to help him find three totally super awesome things to do on his birthday. Best friend Rat wants to help, but also can't help but feel just a tiny bit left out. Reading about their natural feelings, and their genuine friendship, in simple but honest language is just beautiful and moving. It's written for kids (Lexile GN520L (graphic novel)) but there are takeaways for all ages here and the illustrations are really well done and fun. 

There are four chapters and they're interwoven, but the chapters work well as pause points, which makes it ideal for short reading sessions. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for gift giving, and for home use. Wonderful and well told. 

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

In and Out the Window

In and Out the Window is a sweetly written and well curated collection of poetry by Jane Yolen. Due out 12th March 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Philomel children's imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

Although this collection is aimed at young readers, there are beautiful and lyrical moments for all ages to be found here. Poetry is often a joy to read and these poems, from a beloved and prolific author, are curated carefully and very well. 

The poems are accompanied by simple and appealing line drawings by Cathrin Peterslund. They enhance and support the text very well. The whole is appealing, engaging, and comforting. 

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

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

The Fruits Get Political

The Fruits Get Political is a funny, tongue-in-cheek illustrated chapter book for youngsters by Adam Musselmani. Due out 26th March 2024, it's 162 pages and will be available in hardcover format. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, the first two books in the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. There's no information about the availability of this, the third volume, on KU (it's still pre-release).

This is the third outing for the VIP fruits, and this time, the fruits are entering the political arena. It's a simple chapter book, with humor that will entertain most 8-12 year olds. The author himself is a young person (11, according to his facebook page), although gifted with an above average vocabulary and impressive storytelling skills. 

The illustrations are appealing and in color throughout. The art, by Laura Liberatore, is simple, colorful, and absolutely full of whimsy. It doesn't overpower the story, but does a good job of supporting and helping move the story along. 

The book *does* read as though written by an (undeniably talented) 12 year old. It's authentic and exuberant, but also unpolished and earnest.

Four stars. It will likely be the subject of book challenges in public and school library collections (see cover), but the humor is not vicious in any way, or unwarranted. No fruits or vegetables are harmed in the process and everyone learns some good lessons. Recommended for gift giving, school and library groups, read-alongs, and gift giving. 

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

The Market of 100 Fortunes -

 

 

 

The Market of 100 Fortunes is a beautifully engaging fantasy mystery by Marie Brennan set in the multi-author sandbox Five Rings world. Released 20th Feb 2024 by Aconite, it's 336 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 Legend of the Five Rings world is a re-imagined "sandbox" setting with multiple authors and tie-ins, based on a roughly Feudal era Japan with the addition of dragons, magic, and political fantasy. Besides the fiction, the original setting was used for fantasy RPG, collectible card game, and even LARPing. There was also a D&D tie-in published as part of the third edition rules, called Oriental Adventures, which is now out of print. 

That has, more or less, nothing whatever to do with this mystery. Despite being the third mystery featuring these main characters, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and despite a large cast of characters, it's relatively easy to keep them all straight. The writing and especially the characterizations are beautifully rendered and three dimensional. The setting is organic and smooth and with literally thousands of pages of canon, it's as much a main theme of the book as the primary characters.

Four stars. Readers who want to do a deep dive will never run out of background reading material. Conversely, readers who just want to enjoy a well written mystery will find themselves richly rewarded here. 

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

 

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023

 

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023 is a well curated annual collection of new short mystery & suspense fiction edited by Lisa Unger (guest editor) & Steph Cha (series editor). Released 17th Oct 2023 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

There are 20 stories and they're from authors both familiar and new. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't deliver for me personally, but most were well written and competently plotted. Unusually, for this year's collection, there were no real knockout stories, including the one by Joyce Carol Oates, which should have been a given. 

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.  It didn't quite pan out here because the collection was more or less just "okay". 

Three stars on average (with, sadly, a couple of real clunkers). It's honestly (admittedly subjectively) not up to the predecessor volumes in the series. Maybe next year. Worth it for completists who always buy this series, and for public library acquisition.

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

 

Harlem After Midnight - Canary Club #2

Harlem After Midnight is a well written historical mystery and the second in a series by Louise Hare. Released 29th Aug 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 352 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.

Told in first person PoV as well as through parallel chapters in 3rd person PoVs, this is a subtle and engaging mystery set in 1936.  The author is adept at setting and description, and she does a great job of calling forth the spirit of the interwar years and the "golden age" of mystery. Readers of Marsh, Christie, Blake, and Crispin will find much to enjoy here. It's *not* those authors.. but you can see them in the writing.

The writing is more than competent and the mystery, clues, and plotting are well engineered and intricate. One codicil. This is absolutely not a standalone book and to understand context, characters, their interrelationships, and to get much out of the book, it should be read subsequent to the first book in the series.

Four stars. This is an engaging and beautifully written period mystery with an incredibly intricate denouement which would've done E.C.R. Lorac proud. 

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

 

Dolly Butler's Eight-Day Week

Dolly Butler's Eight-Day Week is an interesting historical British mystery set in London and environs by debut author Annette Kane. Released 28th July 2023 on indie press Book Guild, it's 336 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. 

This is an Edwardian mystery drama full of suffragist history, animal exploitation, sexism, and other less-salubrious facts of the middle and lower class existence in very early 20th century life in London. It features a rough and ready private inquiry agent who is gay, cross dressing, and disinclined to live inside the lines imposed on her by society. In fact, the book's opening sequence sees a ladies "convenience" in a department store emptied post haste because she has the audacity to actually urinate in the toilet where others could -hear- her biological function hitting the porcelain.  

The ensemble cast is full of oddballs, square pegs, and misfits. It's written compassionately however, and the author does a good job of pointing out their idiosyncrasies without making them freakish or poking fun. The prose is well crafted and descriptive. There are some pacing issues throughout and it does move quite slowly in places; but overall a very good read, and full of verisimilitude and real history interwoven into the text. 

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as for fans of historical British mysteries. It's not a cozy, and there are some mentions of stark realities of life during that time period, especially for women in non-traditional roles. It's fairly clearly foreshadowed that this is the first book in a series and that new adventures await. No publishing timeline given for a sequel. 

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

Nature Spy Guide

Nature Spy Guide is a well written and engaging field guide for young kids (and their adults) by Shelley Rotner. Released 5th March 2024 by Lerner on their Millbrook Press imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in paperback, library binding, and ebook formats. 

It's a short book but very well photographed and engaging. There are prompts and activities to get kids outdoors and -observing- the world around them. It would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, activity groups, or a homeschooling unit on nature/science. 

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

Essential Knit Sweaters: Patterns for Every Sweater You Ever Wanted to Wear Every Day

Essential Knit Sweaters is a versatile collection of knitwear designs with tutorials and patterns by Frauke Ludwig. Released 5th March 2024 by Rowman & Littlefield on their Stackpole imprint, it's 192 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

There are 21 designs included. All are styled and sized for female wearers, though there are some more neutral unisex designs which could be adapted for non-female wearers. The silhouettes are basic and mostly casual. There are some tees and basic designs which could be adapted to business/professional wear, but only a couple. 

The sizing is -very- adaptable and inclusive from XS to 2XL and with a variety of shapes from fitted to very loose and flowing. The author has a presence on Ravelry, but none of the designs in this book are available or previously published on the website. All of the sweaters are "normal" and none of them are too "artsy-fartsy" or "out there". 

Each sweater's tutorial is written into its own chapter with construction notes, tools and supplies, and with lots of process and assembly notes. The photography is in color throughout the volume. The brands used are heavy on European manufacturers, Rico, Lang, Lana Grossa, etc, but the gauge and yardage are given, so it should be moderately easy to substitute. 

Approximately 25% of the book's volume is given to a general beginner tutorial and how to knit. It's not clear why the editorial decision was made to include the info, but the included lessons will be useful to any readers starting from scratch. The illustrations are clear, line drawn, and easy to understand.

Four stars. Nothing extremely out of the ordinary, but a good, solid, workhorse of a book. The designs are basic and general enough that it would be a good jump-off point for customizing or designing sweaters. 

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