Category Archives: gentle reader
How to Raise An Elephant: No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (21) – Alexander McCall Smith
Mma Ramotswe can find a way to solve any problem, so she doesn’t think this one can be too hard. Surely taking care of a baby elephant is something she can manage . . . or is it? And she … Continue reading
Migrations – Charlotte McConaghy
Franny has an irresistible urge to wander. She just cannot stay in one place for very long. She also has an irresistible urge to swim in the ocean, the very cold ocean. And she has a great love for birds. … Continue reading
The Time of Green Magic – Hilary McKay
From the publisher, “When Abi’s father marries Max and Louis’s mom, their families start over together. Abi suddenly finds herself the middle child, expected to share far too much—especially with grubby little Louis. Then they move into an eerie, ivy-covered … Continue reading
Anxious People – Fredrik Backman
The eight strangers who were participating in an apartment viewing could not, in their wildest imaginations, have thought this would have been a life-or-death situation. (And really it wasn’t, but they didn’t know that!) You see, a bank robber burst … Continue reading
The Geometry of Holding Hands: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (13) – Alexander McCall Smith
What a treat in this era of staying home and self-distancing. Isabel Dalhousie is always calm and reassuring. You know that everything will be all right, eventually. This time, her problems center on her niece, Cat, who has an unsuitable … Continue reading
To The Land of Long Lost Friends: No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (20) – Alexander McCall Smith
Oh My! It was so nice to be back in Botswana, feeling the hot dry wind blowing in from the Kalahari, appreciating the lacy shade of an acacia tree, and listening to the musings of Mma Ramotswe. When she happens … Continue reading
Maximillian Fly – Angie Sage
Maximillian Fly is a roach of sorts, with human characteristics and quite tall at over six feet. He’s actually much kinder than the humans. Thoughtful, keeps to himself. Until he witnesses two children, Kaitlin and Jonno, desperately running in the … Continue reading
The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted – Robert Hillman
It is 1968 in rural Australia. Tom Hope is trying to understand just why his wife left him. Her note didn’t help: I’m leaving. Don’t know what to say, Love Trudy. Tom has never known what to say to people. … Continue reading
Where the Heart Is – Jo Knowles
From the publisher: “If home is where the heart is, what would happen if you lost it? Compassion and humor infuse the story of a family caught in financial crisis and a girl struggling to form her own identity. It’s … Continue reading
Lovely War – Julie Berry
From the publisher, “It’s 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She’s a shy and talented pianist; he’s a newly minted soldier with dreams … Continue reading
Pay Attention, Carter Jones – Gary D. Schmidt
Sixth grader Carter Jones, opens the door to find a portly butler during a frantic first day of school morning for the four children. In the vein of Mary Poppins, sans magic, he arrives at the most needed time. Carter’s … Continue reading
Once Upon a River – Diane Setterfield
There was a tradition at the Swan, an ancient inn on the banks of the Thames. It was a tradition of storytelling. Joe Bliss was very good at storytelling. His wife ran the inn. Joe told the stories. And it … Continue reading
Love à la Mode – Stephanie Kate Strohm
From the publisher, “Take two American teen chefs, add one heaping cup of Paris, toss in a pinch of romance, and stir. . . . Rosie Radeke firmly believes that happiness can be found at the bottom of a mixing bowl. … Continue reading
Saving Winslow – Sharon Creech
From the publisher, “Louie doesn’t have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small creatures. So when his father brings home a sickly newborn mini donkey, he’s determined to save him. He names him Winslow. Taking care of him … Continue reading
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