Knitting Block by Block

  Knitting Block by Block. by Nicky Epstein.
                             Potter Craft (Random House), 2010. Adult nonfiction.


Nicky Epstein is a rock star in the knitting world and any new book from her creates a buzz! This title is subtitled "150 Blocks for Sweaters, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Afghans, and More". It's a hefty 240 pages of full-color photographs, with diagrams, patterns, and techniques included. The paper is sturdy and the colorful blocks are shown clearly. Knitters can choose different blocks and vary them by color, size of needles, and types of threads. Basic blocks like seed, stockinette, and garter stitches would work for easy dishcloths while the blocks shown on the cover are more complex.  The majority of the patterns are not for beginners. With cables, ruffles, and woven stitches, some of the blocks would be at home on Project Runway clothing! Still, if you need a challenge, Epstein provides inspiration and ideas.














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"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

My Secret Guide to Paris

My Secret Guide to Paris by Lisa Schroeder.
                                  Scholastic Press, February, 2015.
                                  Children's fiction (chapter book).




Some advanced reading copies are just too good not to talk about immediately! Lisa Schroeder's latest title, due out in 2015, centers on Nora's upcoming twelfth birthday and the trip to Paris that she and her beloved grandmother are planning. Unfortunately, her grandmother dies. Nora finds three plane tickets with instructions for things to do, people to meet, and adventures awaiting in Paris. Mom and Grandma Sylvia seemed to not really get along so Nora worries about telling Mom about the trip. And, who will use the third ticket?




Things fall into place as Nora grieves, continues to research Paris, and the trip comes to be. Meeting her grandmother's friends teaches the family more about Grandma Sylvia and just how much she loved them. The book is a bittersweet romp with a little mystery, some new friends, and much love tucked together.




While it could have been maudlin, the death and grieving are presently in a way that seems realistic. The mother/daughter relationship in both generations rings true, too. The fun and adventures in Paris will have readers closely examining maps and photographs of the places the characters visit. All in all, a well written third through seventh grade chapter book that both captivates and teaches.

Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.

Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr. Ballantine Book, Penguin Random House, 2013. Nonfiction, Adult.


W.A. Clark helped establish Las Vegas. Clark County is named for him. He was, at best, a senator and copper magnate. At worst, he was controversial. Even Mark Twain railed against him! His first wife died. He married again and had two daughters in that marriage. When he died, the children from both marriages stood to inherit literally fortunes.


This book is really the story of his youngest child, Huguette. She lived to be 104. She had mansions in California, Connecticut, and New York City, but she seldom lived in any of them or went to visit. The last decades of her life were spent in a hospital room in New York City, but she was not really sick. She gave away millions. After her death, many people tried to prove that she was senile.  You will come to your own conclusion after reading this tale!


Well researched and with contributions by a family member who often talked by phone with Huguette, this tale will pique your curiosity, challenge how you think about the elderly, and make you think about the values of extreme wealth in new ways.

The Promise: A Novel by Ann Weisgarber

                           

The Promise: A Novel by Ann Weisgarber. Skyhorse Publishing,

                            2013, 2014.  Fiction

Talented young pianist Catherine Wainwright of Dayton, Ohio has been                    seen at the theatre in Columbus with her cousin's husband. Her

reputation is ruined.  She is uncertain what to do until she writes to                           childhood friend, Oscar Williams, who is now a widower with a small son and living in Galveston, Texas. It's 1900, and Catherine  jumps at the chance to start over when Oscar proposes.  Nan Ogden, a neighbor on the island, promised Oscar's first wife that  she would take care of little Andre. She now keeps house and cooks for the newly formed family, but does not understand the city ways of Catherine. Of course, readers know that a storm is coming. Who will survive? What will happen?

Starry Night by Isabel Gillies

 Starry Night: A Novel by Isabel Gillies. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2014.
                             Young Adult, Fiction


While young adults may love this story of wealthy teens in New York City, some adults will quake at the sex and drug opportunities presented to the characters. The novel reads smoothly and builds slowly. Central to the first half of the story is the big opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that will be curated by the father of Wren, an artistic, smart teen. Wren's family and her friends are the players in the book. The teens are invited to the opening and what happens that night sets the stage for the rest of the tale. Wren thinks she has met the boy of her dreams.  Nolan, the heartthrob guy, is a little older, plays in a band, and may not be as wonderful as he seems. Her friend Farah thinks it's cool when a grown-up artist singles her out for his attention. Girls meet boys, boys breaks girls' hearts, life goes on...but this will be a book that teens will want to read!

The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin.

            

          The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin. St. Martin's Press, an imprint of Headline Publishing Group, 2014. Fiction   

What a refreshing twist in that the fortune hunter is a man, not a woman! Set in 1875 and beyond, this tale will satisfy Downton Abbeyish fans and those who like a well written romantic novel. Bay Middleton is the handsome, but untitled, military horseman of the title.  Will plain, but wealthy, young Charlotte Baird capture his heart or is he only after her money? When the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (Sisi), comes to England, her expert riding skills require an equally talented riding partner. Bay is suggested by none other than Earl Spencer himself. (Queen Victoria also makes an appearance as herself.) Of course, she is married, has grown children, and is definitely several social notches above even Charlotte and her friends. Lush details of fancy balls and elegant hunts  provide the backdrops for the emotional ebb and flow.  When Bay enters the Grand National race, both women show up to watch and the adventure is neatly tied up in a satisfying conclusion.     

                    

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal

  Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal.
                              Pamela Dorman Books, Viking, 2014.


For many years Queenie and her family have helped Miss Fannie run a household and learn the very proper ways of doing things in New Orleans. But, it's 1964, and times are changing. Dollbaby and her own daughter Birdelia have new ideas. When Miss Fannie's estranged son dies, his widow Vidrine drops off tween Ibby to live with her grandmother. Fannie, Queenie, Dollbaby, and Ibby form solid family bonds and navigate both the past and the future up to 1972.


Full of believable characters, interesting happenings, and a vivid setting, this tale is truly a masterful debut novel. The title character could be argued as integral to the story, but it is through young Ibby's eyes that readers see and come to understand the truths about her family and the times. This will be the talk of your next book group!

Charleston by Margaret Bradham Thornton

 Charleston by Margaret Bradham Thornton. HarperCollins, 2014.


When Eliza Poinsett visits her home in the South after college and a dream stint in London that includes art and a dashingly handsome Etonian, it's been ten years. Her old flame, Henry, awaits. "Will she?" or "Won't she?" stay and reconcile with her past?


While this could be the plot of a fluffy romance, this fiction debut is a real heart breaker! The lush descriptions of the South are gorgeous and worthy of armchair travel. The slowly paced plot allows for enjoyment of both settings and actions. Readers will root for Eliza and her quirky neighbors and friends as they learn to appreciate every single minute of Life itself.  All will be resolved, but probably not in the way that readers expect!

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

  Rain Reign. By Ann M. Martin. Feiwel and Friends, an                              imprint  of  Macmillan, 2014. Middle Grade fiction. 




Although she is known for her wildly popular Babysitter Club series of books, Ann M. Martin has also won a Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe. The woman is an insightful writer of stories about children and dogs. This one book, Rain Reign, is a masterpiece of understatement, reality, and insight.




Rose Howard's diagnosis is high functioning autism. Rose lives with her father in a cabin near Hatford, New York. She struggles with life both at school and at home. Things change for the better when a dog comes into Rose's life. When Hurricane Susan turns inland and Rose's town is in its cross-hairs, Rose loses Rain. In the course of events, Rose learns that true love and bravery go hand in hand. Martin chose not to just end with a happy reunion, but throws curves that force Rose and readers to dig deep within themselves and ponder heart-rending decisions. While the ending is resolved and is really the best ending possible for Rain, and for Rose, this upbeat, but melancholy, story will start conversations among many readers about dogs, parents, families, and hurricanes, too.




Curriculum tie-ins are a natural with this title. Getting along with others, following rules, and even cafeteria manners are addressed. Rose loves homonyms and prime numbers so don't be surprised if students start their own lists! But, please don't be put off by the difficulty of reading these words aloud. Maybe just keep a running list on the chalkboard for students to see. This book is meant to be shared and will definitely be loved by a wide variety of readers!                          

The Visitors by Sally Beauman

The Visitors: A Novel by Sally Beauman. Harper, 2014.
                                  Adult fiction.


Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and archaeologist Howard Carter are well known for their discovery of King Tut's tomb. Sally Beauman has taken real characters and interspersed them among just as riveting fictional ones. The main characters are the fictional eleven-year-old Lucy and her friend Frances, a real girl who was the daughter of an archaeologist. Readers follow Lucy throughout her lifetime and in the end it is Lucy who looks back to tell what happened to all of the imagined and real characters. Beauman weaves the tales of families, discoveries, secrets, and love masterfully into this 529 page book. Beauman is clear about fact and fantasy with charts to explain who's who and includes endpaper maps of the Valley of the Kings. She does not tie up all loose ends though as with Poppy or exactly the relationship between Nicola and Clair or even if anyone besides Lucy ever got to read Miss Mackenzie's memoir.  But, if readers are willing to forgive a few minor points, they will love the story and the atmospheric descriptions.


After a hot ALA in Las Vegas and summer heat in Houston, I somehow took refuge in this book's Egyptian settings and English manners. I could not decide whether to read it quickly to find out what happened or just savor a few pages a day and enjoy the ride. I chose the latter and looked forward to being with Lucy and Frances for a little while each night. What a great way to spend some air-conditioned moments in armchair travel! The book will make readers run to learn more about the 1920's, King Tut, and the Carnarvons. Fans of Downton Abbey will recognize the class system, clothing, and food described.

The House on the Cliff: A Novel by Charlotte Williams

  The House on the Cliff: A Novel by Charlotte Williams. Bourbon Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2013. Adult fiction.


Psychologist Jessica Mayhew's new client, Gwydion Morgan, has some problems. He has a button phobia, for one thing. His wealthy family of stage folks owns a huge clifftop mansion on the Welsh coast. Perhaps the au pair who disappeared when Gwydion was a child did not die accidentally. As Jessica tries to help, her own marriage, her children, and her own practice become endangered. A tightly paced psychological thriller, this one will keep you guessing about potential "baddies" and ultimate outcomes.

Netherwood: A Novel by Jane Sanderson

  Netherwood: A Novel by Jane Sanderson. William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2011. Adult fiction.

Tiring of waiting for another season of Downton Abbey? Netherwood is the ancestral home of coal baron Lord Netherwood and his family. The small village nearby is home to miners, villagers, and a few visitors. The two groups meet when Eve Williams, an enterprising young mother faces a tragedy. Her former act of charity brings a new lodger and friend, a Russian woman. Eve becomes a fabulous baker and is tapped by the Netherwoods to help at the manor and in their London home. Love and realistic situations in a slowly paced beautifully told tale! Sequel is Ravenscliffe.

Natchez Burning by Greg Isles

 Natchez Burning by Greg Isles. William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. 2014. Adult fiction.

Dr. Cage has treated almost everyone over the years and when he is charged with a crime, many of the residents of Natchez, both black and white, are willing to do anything to help him. Not the least of these is his son, Penn, the mayor and a former prosecutor. Penn's fiance, the smart and beautiful publisher of the local newspaper, has already won a Pulitzer. When old racial troubles and past history influence the present, the three characters are tied in a race for their lives. Full of violent, emotional and really mean people who want the past to stay in the past, this is a huge tale that will carry the reader along for a wild ride into the South's mossy swamps, juke joints, and even homes of the privileged few. A thriller to the very end!

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014? Middle grade fiction. (I read an advanced copy of book that said publication would be February 3, 2015.)

Iris and her family have moved to Corvallis, Oregon after her friend, Sarah, has died. That sounds like a really depressing way to start a book for children. But, the story is much more about Life than about Death. Iris finds it hard to adapt to all the rain, to make friends, to not think that Sarah's spirit has moved with them, and to move on. But, her upbeat househusband dad and "miracle" friend Boris are worthy and interesting characters who pull along the slowly building plot and help Iris. Iris learns new skills and even teaches Boris a thing or two! This middle grade debut by Arnold is a little miracle of its own and will be no doubt be generating Newbery buzz very soon.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

 Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2014. (Middle Grade fiction).

Theodora Tenpenny's family has seen better days. After her grandfather dies, about all they have left is their townhouse, some chickens, a garden, and less than $500. But, this tale has a painting at its center. It might be very old. It might be very valuable. It might be stolen since Grandpa Jack had been a security guard at the big art museum.
How Theodora unearths clues, lives with little money, and even makes a friend in Bodhi, the daughter of a couple of rock stars provides a varied and interesting plot. Along the way are well drawn, highly memorable characters like Reverend Cecily who can translate Latin, a street vendor who knows all about paints, and the new male librarian who is willing to bend a few rules to help two tweens who need information. This is one of those great mysteries that teach readers about Raphael, about the Monument Men, about eccentrics, and about friendship itself. As Fitzgerald's middle grade debut novel, this book only bodes well for her future works. I can hardly wait to see what she does next! In the meantime, look for Under the Egg in Newbery 2015 buzz!

The Book of You by Claire Kendal

 The Book of You by Claire Kendal. HarperCollins, 2014. (Adult fiction)

In Bath, England, likeable Clarissa seems to have made the wrong choice in men and is soon being stalked. She reads all the pamphlets about what to do and keeps a journal to document the increasingly bizarre attempts of the man to track, contact, and become part of her life. Clarissa has been chosen for a multi-week jury trial and it soon seems like the case is paralleling her own life. As she gets closer to other jurors, the story expands until its heartpounding ending.

This suspenseful thriller is UK author Claire Kendal's first novel and it bodes well for future works from her. The events seem believable and the pacing is quick. Readers will care about Clarissa, her parents and friends, and the budding relationships she is trying to establish as she breaks free of one man's obsession. If you liked Gone Girl and Before I Go to Sleep, try The Book of You!

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

 The Family Romanov:  Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming. Schwarz & Wade Books, Penguin Random House, 2014. Middle grade readers and up.

It's easy to become absorbed in the tragic story of Russian tsar Nicholas II who looked so much like his cousins in the English royal family, the beautiful  Empress Alexandra who put so much faith in the healer Rasputin, and their four daughters and little son and heir. Many other books tell their story. The real contribution of Candace Fleming's nonfiction book is the vast research she has done and the interweaving of the accounts of Russians who lived during the times. Fleming makes readers understand how little access to or even news from the royal family any average peasant, factory worker, or WWI soldier had. Even the little heir's hemophilia was kept secret. As poverty soared, food, heat, and other basics of life became scarce. Men like Lenin seemed to offer new ideas and solutions.  The great Russian empire crumbled and few suspected that the very lives of  the royals were in danger. Readers can do no better than this title for an overview of Russian history from 1903-1918. Fleming updates with modern searches, DNA analysis, sainthoods, and attempts to reunite the family in burial. Photographs and extensive sources enhance the book.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Random House, 2014. Young Adult

I grew up an only child in rural East Texas.  Stories about wealthy families who have lots of cousins and spend summers on their own private island are great summer fantasies for me. So when the trailer and all the pre-publicity about this book started, I thought to myself, "I am in!" It turns out this is one wild ride. With a May, 2014 publication date, the timing is perfect. Grab a copy and  put this one in your beach bag and enjoy.

The narrator is Cady Sinclair, the oldest grandchild. Readers may suspect from the title that she will not be a completely reliable storyteller. Add migraines that totally incapacitate Cady, a summer she cannot remember, and whispered conversations of others to that mix. Too much detail would give away the things that make the book work. Just read it!

The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey

  The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey. Adult Nonfiction.
                             Penguin Books, 2012.

Family secrets! Lords and Ladies! A history mystery! All are wrapped up in this tale set in Belvoir Castle in England. Home to the Duke of Rutland's family for generations, Belvoir was the regional seat of power and wealth. Catherine Bailey was among the first researchers to have access to "secret rooms" that were sealed in 1940, after the 9th Duke died there. Bailey hopes to write a book about the area men who valiantly served in WWI efforts. What she finds is that the 9th Duke has clearly eliminated several years of documents in his own lifetime and caused distinct gaps in three different time periods. Why? What is hidden?

Bailey is not able to solve all of the questions, but it is fascinating to follow her careful research. The current Duke and his family support her efforts. Their archivist provides some clues to the organization of the thousands of boxes of letters, records, and documents, but it is Bailey who sorts and sifts and ponders. She pieces together a lively look at the people, the events, and the tragic history of Belvoir.

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

 The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay. HarperCollins, 2012.
                                  Adult Fiction.

In the tenements of New York City in the 1870's, twelve-year-old Moth is sold into servitude by her own mother. She is cruelly treated, escapes, and finds her way into a high class training school for prostitutes. Wealthy gentlemen pay high prices for "untainted" companions, it seems, and believe this can cure them of a variety of diseases the men may carry. Of course, sometimes the girls get sick and die of those scurges. Moth makes friends with Dr. Sadie, a physician who treats the residents of the area and who wants very much to help Moth and rescue the child. Details about the society of the times, the role of women, the unprotected status of children, and the high prices of freedom and life alone are vividly described. Moth's story is one that readers will remember for a long time.

Pictures of the Past by Deby Eisenberg

Pictures of the Past. Deby Eisenberg. Studio House Literary, 2011.
                           Adult Fiction.

 

In 2004, a Holocaust survivor, stunned to see a painting of a young girl that is hanging in the Art Institute of Chicago, recognizes it to be the same one that was in her neighbor's home in Germany before the war years. How has it come to be in the museum? What is its connection with wealthy philanthopist Taylor Woodmere who has apparently donated it?  The book takes readers to 1937 where a young man goes to Paris on business, but falls in love with a beautiful girl from Berlin. An alternating tale is that of Rachel Gold in the 1960's Chicago. Rachel falls in love, falls herself pregnant, and moves to New York City to live with a family friend who is also a Holocaust survivor.  Years later, why does Rachel's grown son feel a connection to the same painting? Can Taylor Woodmere unravel the mysteries? This is a book about the puzzles, interconnections, and powerful events that happen in wartime, but continue throughout the years.

The Book of Someday by Dianne Dixon

 The Book of Someday by Dianne Dixon.
                            Sourcebooks Landmark,  2013. Adult Fiction.

This tale involves the voices of three women and a mystery of the past that connects them all. Livvi, a successful writer in 2012's Los Angeles has had a less than perfect childhood. Her attentive literary agent and friend, David, urges Livvi to start another book. She is caught up in a time-consuming relationship with Andrew, a weathly, handsome man who seems to love Livvi. But, Andrew has his own secrets. Micah, a wildly popular photographer in New York City in 2015 is facing a life crisis. She wants to make amends for her own past and find peace. Young mother AnnaLee lives in 1986 in Glen Cove, Long Island. She has a young daughter, Bella, whom she and her less than ambitious husband both adore. Character based, the intricate plot threads are woven together in the alternating voices of these women until the end of the book.  Readers will find clues along the way, but will definitely want to keep reading to learn how the women are connected and what happens to them all. This is Dianne Dixon's second book.