As a very young writer I fashioned myself a nascent intellectual, someone who read Walter Benjamin and Roland Barthes and kept a notebook of pertinent quotes to be lingered over or tossed into a piece of my own writing when the spirit moved me. I was not, mind you, averse to reading Seventeen or Glamour; […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/01/30/the-golden-age-of-glossies/
Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, Almost Home by Pam Jenoff is the first audiobook in the Jordan Weiss historical fiction series filled with mystery and romance tying the past and present. Despite some early struggles, you’ll want to grab a hot cup of tea and curl up with this listen.
Almost Home
by Pam Jenoff
Narrator: Jennifer Jill Araya
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A breathtakingly poignant novel of suspense about a woman who must face a past she’d rather forget in order to uncover a dangerous legacy that threatens her future.
Ten years ago, U.S. State Department intelligence officer Jordan Weiss’s idyllic experience as a graduate student at Cambridge was shattered when her boyfriend Jared drowned in the River Cam. She swore she’d never go back—until a terminally ill friend asks her to return. Jordan attempts to settle into her new life, taking on an urgent mission beside rakish agent Sebastian Hodges. Just when she thinks there’s hope for a fresh start, a former college classmate tells her that Jared’s death was not an accident—he was murdered.
Jordan quickly learns that Jared’s research into World War II had uncovered a shameful secret, but powerful forces with everything to lose will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Soon, Jordan finds herself in grave peril as she struggles to find the answers that lie treacherously close to home, the truth that threatens to change her life forever, and the love that makes it all worth fighting for. Fast-paced and impossible to put down, Almost Home establishes Pam Jenoff as one of the best new writers in the genre
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I’ve enjoyed some of the authors’ previous titles and was drawn to the synopsis of Almost Home. Ten years ago, U.S. State Department Intelligence Officer Jordan Weiss’ graduation from Cambridge was met with tragedy when her boyfriend, Jared, drowned in the River Cam. Jordan swore to never return to England, but a letter from a dear, terminally ill friend prompts a transfer. She now works for the American Office in London and is paired with Agent Sebastian Hodges.
Her new assignment is critical, and her partner is devilishly handsome. She is adapting when an old classmate tells her he believes Jarad was murdered. The tale that unfolds takes place in the present, but chapters take us back to Cambridge, the row team and her relationship with Jared.
The mystery was fantastic and quickly pulled me in. Jordan worked to solve both cases, as past and present blended and blurred. I struggled in the beginning with Jordan. I expected a much more confident personality, especially as an intelligence officer, but Jordan second guessed everything, and seemed to walk on eggshells.
We get romance, secrets, twists and some nail-biting moments of intrigue and danger. The last third of the audiobook had me completely hooked, and the ending left me counting the days until the next audio release.
Jennifer Jill Araya narrates and did a wonderful job of capturing the characters, suspense and tone of the tale. I am hoping she continues on the next audio.
Amazon | Audible
Pam Jenoff was born in Maryland and raised outside Philadelphia. She attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and Cambridge University in England. Upon receiving her master’s in history from Cambridge, she accepted an appointment as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The position provided a unique opportunity to witness and participate in operations at the most senior levels of government, including helping the families of the Pan Am Flight 103 victims secure their memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, observing recovery efforts at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing and attending ceremonies to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of World War II at sites such as Bastogne and Corregidor. Following her work at the Pentagon, Jenoff moved to the State Department. In 1996 she was assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Krakow, Poland. It was during this period that Pam developed her expertise in Polish-Jewish relations and the Holocaust. Working on matters such as preservation of Auschwitz and the restitution of Jewish property in Poland, Jenoff developed close relations with the surviving Jewish community. Having left the Foreign Service in 1998 to attend law school at the University of Pennsylvania, Jenoff is now employed as an attorney in Philadelphia. Pam is the author of The Kommandant’s Girl, which was an international bestseller and nominated for a Quill award, as well as The Diplomat’s Wife and Almost Home.
Jennifer Jill Araya has been listening to audiobooks since she was a young child, and the fact that she now gets to narrate audiobooks for a living is a dream come true. Jennifer’s training as an opera singer and orchestral cellist lend a musicality and depth of understanding to her narration that help bring her authors’ stories to life. She loves nothing more than giving life and breath to the printed word. When she’s not narrating, Jennifer can be found hiking, biking, running, or generally exploring her home city of Cincinnati with her husband Arturo (a.k.a. “Partner in Crime”) and their two children.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/01/almost-home-by-pam-jenoff.html
Fast Flight 540: Stuart Bump (Book 2) by M. M. Mesldorf is an exhilarating fantasy book that continues the story in book 1. Filled with surprising twists and turns, this lively fantasy story is sure to satiate any young reader’s appetite for adventure. Mesldorf’s writing style is simple but keeps the reader engaged throughout. The illustrations that accompany the story inspire the imagination and invite curiosity into the characters’ lives. The story begins with a brief overview of past happenings. I found the prologue to be a great refresher of book 1 and it helped to connect the events of past and present conditions. This will also help any readers who didn’t read book 1 first.
Stuart’s character tries to find a way to stand out from everyone when in reality he is a curious child who seems misunderstood by the people around him. As the story progressed I started to understand Stuart’s character better and he grew on me. The mother, Anslie, is an enchanting character and I enjoyed reading about her as well. In all, readers will find each character unique and intriguing in their own way.
The story seemed episodic, with chapters that connect the events and actions that take place. This fun adventurous tale is perfect for young readers as it is filled with action, fun mischief, and tricks that will keep you hooked until the very end. The story takes place in two fascinating worlds, the world of dreams and reality. I felt that the book had a slow start but the ending of the book made up for it all. The build-up, when connected, created a beautiful climax in the story.
FastFlight 540 (Book 2) takes readers on a spirited adventure that will make them fall in love with the characters all over again. I recommend this book to young readers and teen readers as they will surely enjoy the inherent adventure and wild turn of events faced by the characters in the story.
Pages: 337 | ASIN: B0BQ9JB4NC
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/30/fastflight-540-stuart-bump/
If I Knew You is a stirring poem about parenthood, growing up, and family that is paired with beautiful watercolor artwork to create an emotional picture book that will be impactful to both kids and adults.
Although the book is short, it conveys the emotions and thoughts expectant parents usually have. I thought at first the poem would be about a mother wondering about the first few years of their child’s life, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the poem goes much further than that and explores the many different phases of life, and parenthood. The last few pages certainly touched my heart as I reflected on the same times I had with my children, and those times that are yet to come.
The poem is easy to follow, and lyrical, which will make it perfect for beginning readers. Young children will be glued to the pages as their parents read this wonderful poem to them as the mix of watercolor and graphic art makes for a vibrant picture book that is eye-catching. There are both boys and girls, men and women, all throughout the story so the book will speak to anyone, no matter their age.
If I Knew You is a memorable and evocative picture book that is a perfect gift for expecting parents, or as a book to read to children as it will inspire them to think about their life ahead.
Pages: 41 | ASIN: B0BQNZM7V6
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/30/if-i-knew-you/
Beautifully Blemished: Learning and Celebrating Skin Differences is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children that their unique skin is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. Instead, children learn about various skin conditions that are all normal and make the person with them special. Things like birthmarks, moles, and freckles to Vitiligo, Rosacea, and Psoriasis are all covered in this fantastic book.
Author Leanne Stuckey and illustrator Traci Allison have combined their skills to bring children a meaningful and important story. Each child featured in this moving book shares how they are unique and special, from the stars in the sky to the bright colors of fall. Each skin condition offers children a chance to see something in themselves that is positive and encouraging. The illustrations show each child positively and respectfully, giving those with unique skin a voice.
Beautifully Blemished will help children learn about positive self-image, self-esteem, and compassion for those that look different from themselves. This eloquent story will help children appreciate all the differences in people around them and themselves. It is an excellent tool for teaching diversity and acceptance. Learning about different skin conditions will help children understand that physical appearances are not what matters, and just because someone looks different than them, it is not a bad thing or strange. This superb picture book will educate children and encourage them to be themselves and be proud of who they are inside and out.
Pages: 36
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/30/beautifully-blemished/
A young boy was having a normal ordinary day when he discovered a ball of string. There is nothing magical or special about this string. However, when he ties the string to his finger, he remembers to do his chores, wear his helmet, do his homework, and brush his teeth. Then the boy uses the string to do fun things like walk the dog and fly a kite. It isn’t long before he imagines all the fun and exciting adventures he can go on with his string. What started as a simple ordinary string became an extraordinary source of imagination and inspiration for many great adventures.
The String, written and illustrated by T.C. Bartlett, is a whimsical picture book about a boy and how he discovers all the fun he can have using his imagination and a piece of string. The illustrations are humorous and engaging, taking young readers on a journey with the boy to discover all the uses for his newly found string. I loved the creative uses for such a simple object. No magic or mystery was involved, just one active imagination and willingness to see what could happen. This is an important lesson for kids, a chance to grow their minds with simple things in a world where electronics seem to rule the entertainment industry. Yet, this incredible story shows that something so simple and common can provide hours of enjoyment and use.
The String is a beautifully written children’s book that teaches children to look for wonder in simple everyday objects. It teaches them to use their imagination to find things to explore their world. This is a beautiful book for preschool and kindergarten children to read and open up discussions of exploring their environment to make the most of what is around them each day.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 1733908676
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/30/the-string/
From Peacock Lane: the Poetry and Prose of Emily Evans Volume 1 is a collection of evocative poetry and prose written by Victoria Winifred’s late mother, Emily Evans. It’s a unique and personal glimpse into the 1930s, featuring nostalgic moments in time, from fabric textures and living on a farm to more impactful experiences that can be unexpected and, at times, conjure a sense of fear of the unknown or sadness.
Evans does an exceptional job of creating a vivid atmosphere so that the reader is immediately transported to a cornfield with chirping crickets, to the scent of brewing coffee, city scenes, and the rugged countryside. Each poem brings a slice of the past to life, with just a few, vibrant words that ignite the imagination, painting a clear picture in the reader’s mind. I found the book easy to follow, with groups of poetry and prose divided into themed chapters, which flow smoothly from beginning to end.
Evans masterfully evokes a strong emotional response with a few, strong words and phrases in each poem. I enjoyed her work’s simplicity and the natural flow of one piece to the next for seamless reading. It’s a great book that deserves to be read in one setting, over a weekend at a cottage, or in a quiet location, where you can absorb the author’s scenery, tone, and message. It’s an easy book to re-read and reflect on the author’s experiences, feelings, and the historical setting, which I found intriguing, and kept me turning one page after another.
From Peacock Lane: the Poetry and Prose of Emily Evans Volume 1 is a wonderful collection and a very promising start to a series of poems and prose. It’s a fantastic book with a refreshingly simple but engaging style. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/30/from-peacock-lane/