A very poignant story about an elderly Swedish man named Bo who is reaching the end stage of his life and trying to hold on to his autonomy over the wA very poignant story about an elderly Swedish man named Bo who is reaching the end stage of his life and trying to hold on to his autonomy over the wishes of his son. 'Clearly everyone but me gets to have a say in what happens in my life.' The story examines aging as well as father-son relationships and how they evolve over time.
I was quite moved by this story as my husband and I are being pressured to make decisions about what the future holds for us. The generation we raised is now switching roles with us and want to be in control. As Bo says, 'I don't know when that happened.'...more
I was interested in reading an arc of this non-fiction book about picky eaters when it was offered to me because my 10-year-old grandson is a very picI was interested in reading an arc of this non-fiction book about picky eaters when it was offered to me because my 10-year-old grandson is a very picky eater. Being someone who has tried to eat in healthy ways for many years, I was pretty sure I knew what the author would say is the cause behind the current increase in fussy eating among American children...and I was right: ultra-processed foods and snacking.
But first, the author looks at how children were fed in America over the last 150 years or so and finds that children usually ate just what their parents ate. Next she examines how that has changed and what popular theories about raising children helped drive that change--think Freud and Dr Spock.
But for me this is the golden nugget of her research: "Two-thirds of the food American children eat is now ultra-processed--unsurprising, since most things marketed as 'children's food' are branded factory products. And the more ultra-processed food children eat, the likelier they are to be both undernourished and overweight. Child obesity was rare just a few decades ago, but now almost half of American children are overweight or obese..."
Now my grandson is not overweight but he'd prefer a hamburger and fries from Culver's over a home-cooked meal anytime. He's even fussy about desserts! When he visited for a week last summer, I made homemade chocolate ice cream. He said he only likes vanilla but he ate the waffle cone. He won't eat any cookie made with peanut butter, nuts, raisins or oatmeal and most recently he decided he doesn't like chocolate chips. What's a grandmother to do?
The last chapter of this book gives some practical suggestions for helping picky eaters begin to make healthier choices at mealtimes. The last 50% of the book contains the author's thank yous and notes and citing of the material included so the book is not as long as you'd think.
I received an arc through NetGalley; my review is completely voluntary....more
Some forty years ago, Hurricane Marie swept through St Medard's Bay on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and among the victims wWho killed the Governor's son?
Some forty years ago, Hurricane Marie swept through St Medard's Bay on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and among the victims was a young, handsome and married lawyer with a bright political future named Landon Fitzroy, son of Beau Fitzroy, the formidable Governor of Alabama. When autopsy results showed his death was actually murder, Landon's gorgeous 19-year-old lover, Gloria 'Lo' Bailey, was arrested and put on trial but the case ended with a hung jury so justice was never served, much to the governor's fury.
Now 60-year-old Lo, just as beautiful as ever, is back in town, staying at the Rosalie Inn with August Fletcher, a journalist who is helping her write a tell-all book about the case. Geneva Corliss, the owner of the struggling inn, is the narrator of the story. Most locals have been living in St Medard's Bay for generations so there are many layers of connections and secrets to be slowly revealed.
I enjoyed this mystery quite a bit with its building dread as yet another hurricane develops in the Caribbean Sea. Will it head their way? Well-written characters and evocative setting complete an intriguing mystery.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
This is a lovely collection of Val McDermid's thoughts about the winter season, including her own memories, some poems and quotes from other authors, This is a lovely collection of Val McDermid's thoughts about the winter season, including her own memories, some poems and quotes from other authors, and quite a bit about writing and books. There are also some very nice illustrations of nature done by Philip Harris which complement the writings. I'm surprised that this wasn't published in time for gift giving this holiday season. It would have made a terrific choice for several book lovers on my list.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new book via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
**Library's Afternoon Book Club Read for December, 2025**
Jumping in on book #28 in the series isn't hard and the story is light and easy reading. Andy**Library's Afternoon Book Club Read for December, 2025**
Jumping in on book #28 in the series isn't hard and the story is light and easy reading. Andy Carpenter, lawyer and dog lover, takes on the defense of a fellow dog lover named Bobby who is accused of murdering a member of his former gang, the Cobras. The evidence against him seems pretty cut and dried but Andy has a whole crew of helpers and experts to help him investigate the case.
This isn't really a Christmas mystery, as the cute cover art and title would lead you to believe, but I enjoyed the characters and the laugh-out-loud humor. The dogs are minor characters in this story, which surprised my fellow book club members, and are just involved during their many walks, allowing Andy time to think. The jury trial is pretty interesting, watching Andy at work to provide some reasonable doubt. Nice twist ending that I should have seen coming but didn't. I would definitely enjoy reading more in this series....more
"Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones, Hear the word of the Lord." This was a great introduction to David Housewright's McKenzie series. Jumping into boo"Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones, Hear the word of the Lord." This was a great introduction to David Housewright's McKenzie series. Jumping into book #22 was not hard to do; the story works well as a standalone. McKenzie, once a cop, now a P.I., is asked by his friend Angela to look into the theft of a dinosaur head from the Montana site where she and several others from the University of Minnesota have been working that summer. There is no lack of possible suspects which kept me guessing to the end. I really liked McKenzie, his desire to help people, and especially his 'inner voice' which speaks to him on several occasions. Quite amusing. I'm looking forward to reading many more of these books in the series now.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this mystery via NetGalley. My apologies for taking so long to get to it though. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
This guide to eating the low-FODMAP diet has been very helpful after my husband was told to eat this way. It has both detailed scientific information This guide to eating the low-FODMAP diet has been very helpful after my husband was told to eat this way. It has both detailed scientific information and tasty recipes. We've enjoyed: Baked French Toast, Pumpkin Pancakes, Turkey Cranberry Panini, Vegetable Frittata, Glazed Salmon, Autumn' Roast Chicken with Autumn's special glaze with pumpkin seeds, and Rosemary Red Potatoes.
My one complaint is that on occasion she refers to another recipe needed to make along with the one you are working on but doesn't give the page number, only the chapter where to find it. I've found that to be very frustrating....more
It's Christmas time in Northshire, Vermont, and everything should be festive and joyful, but unfortunately viral online headlines*3.5 stars rounded up
It's Christmas time in Northshire, Vermont, and everything should be festive and joyful, but unfortunately viral online headlines blare the news: 'Yuletide Killer slays Santa on the winter solstice.' Former Army MP Mercy Carr and her game warden husband, Troy, just want to enjoy their baby's first Christmas, but as the killings continue, they are expected to pitch in to help find the killer.
I'm jumping into the midst of this series but catching the drift wasn't hard. Mercy is part of a close-knit family and is lucky to have so much support. It was delightful to spend time with them at Christmas as they solve a very intriguing mystery. I enjoyed the characters and their many pets (especially Elvis and Susie Bear) and the lovely songs and poems that opened each chapter.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new cozy mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
In the eighth outing in the Scottish police procedural series featuring DCI Karen Pirie, chief of police of the Historic Cases Unit, she and her team In the eighth outing in the Scottish police procedural series featuring DCI Karen Pirie, chief of police of the Historic Cases Unit, she and her team investigate two intriguing cases. In the first, a skeleton has been revealed when a motorway washes out, later to be identified as the remains of a freelance investigative journalist who disappeared after his pregnant fiancé was murdered some ten years ago. Was he working on something that got them killed?
The second case involves a man who died after what seemed to be an accidental fall down a hotel's slippery outdoor stairs. His brother, a New Zealander, makes the trip back to Scotland with evidence the police overlooked, the identity of a man who followed the brother down those stairs, and Karen's team looks into that case too.
This is a well-plotted and enjoyable addition to the series. Karen's team, Daisy and Jason, each has a unique set of investigative skills and work well together even though there's always a hint of competition, a bit of tension between the two. The pacing of the story is quite satisfying even though the conclusion has an unusual twist.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
