< Back Kristen Wilson Nobody Likes a Picky Eater: And Other Life Lessons From Nonna's Kitchen K. Renée’s memoir, Nobody Likes a Picky Eater: And Other Life Lessons from Nonna’s Kitchen, is a poignant and deeply personal exploration of family, food, love, grief and sacrifice. Through a series of vivid, heartfelt vignettes, Renée weaves together her Italian heritage, childhood memories, and the complex relationships that shaped her life. The narrative is both intimate and universal, inviting readers to reflect on their own familial bonds and the ways in which food serves as a metaphor for connection, care, and identity. Renée’s prose is evocative, painting scenes of her childhood with sensory detail that brings her memories to life. From the olive tree in her front yard to the strawberries she sliced for her father, each anecdote is filled with emotion and meaning. The recurring theme of food—whether it’s Nonna’s insistence on clean plates, the strawberries sold by farm workers, or the meals shared with loved ones—serves as a thread that ties the narrative together, symbolizing nourishment in both the physical and emotional sense. Renée does not shy away from the darker aspects of her family’s history, including abuse, loss, and the weight of unfulfilled dreams. Yet, she balances these moments with humor, warmth, and a deep sense of gratitude for the resilience of the women in her family. The stories of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother reveal a legacy of strength and endurance, even in the face of hardship. Ultimately, Nobody Likes a Picky Eater is a celebration of life’s messy, imperfect beauty. It reminds us that the act of feeding—whether it’s a meal, a memory, or a moment of comfort—is an expression of love. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : Renée’s memoir is a heartfelt tribute to the power of food to connect us to our past, our loved ones, and ourselves. Purchase here

< Back James Richard Hansen Skies and Chasms: Poems Book blurb... In Skies and Chasms, poet James Hansen reaches new heights and depths of his veneration of nature and his passionate feelings of being a part of it. Sunsets, sunrises, the moon and stars, forests and meadows, flowers and seasons, all are the creative elements of Hansen’s sense of himself. His sensitivity to language is remarkable, as the words flow soft or robust, mellow or fierce. The very sounds of words are a music to match the vibrations of his soul. The symbolisms of nature echo the development of his spirit, and like a painter he describes nature’s scenes with ever-changing imagery. Every sunset is unique, every cloud is a new phenomenon, and the poet’s self-vibrates in metaphoric resonance with the universe’s infinitude. Of special note is the section of love poems for his wife. He will never believe that she is not an angel. The reader will rejoice at the poet’s grand good fortune for such happiness in life. Purchase here

< Back Steven C. Markoff An Improbable Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Book blurb... Rather than offering a conventional narrative, Markoff takes a deliberately analytical approach-mapping key events from ancient history through the present, comparing competing claims, and presenting conflicting interpretations side by side. The result is a structured, fact-based framework designed to help readers better understand how deeply rooted, and how complex, the conflict has become. Purchase here

< Back Robin Jeffrey R.A.T.: A Cadence Turing Mystery Chance and Cadence are back to solve another crime. R.A.T.: A Cadence Turing Mystery is the second instalment in the Cadence Turing mystery series and follows on where the first book finished. Arrhidaean, Chance Hale, has unexpectedly taken over the multi-million-dollar tech company, Halcyon Enterprises, following his fathers death. Whilst Chance did not welcome the public scrutiny that came with the leading the company, he demonstrates an aptitude for the role. Chance stands by his word not to sell weapons to the Charcornacian Government, for their role in the atrocities committed against the animanecron people. The animanecrons are curious and intelligent androids, that can feel emotion and pain. Chance had met and developed a close friendship with an animanecron, Cadence Turing, prior to his fathers death. Cadence moves into Chance’s flat but continues to hide her true identity in public. Chance receives a visit from representatives of the Charcornacian Government and is ordered to resume trading weapons with them. They have discovered Chance is living with an animanecron and threatens to kill her if he does not obey their orders. When Cadence’s friend, an animanecron-rights activist, is killed enforcement officers refuse to investigate because she is an android and therefore never technically alive. So, Cadence decides to take on the case herself. Will Cadence find the killer of her friend? And is her murder linked to Chance’s visit by the Charcornacian Government? R.A.T.: A Cadence Turing Mystery is an exciting and fast paced science fiction novel by author Robin Jeffrey , and the second book in the Cadence Turing mystery series. The book picks up where the first book in the series ended, and sees the relationship between Chance and android, Cadence, further develop. As political unrest breaks out in Arrhidaean , Chance and Cadence find themselves on a hunt for a dangerous killer. This series provides an interesting perspective on the future of android technology, the complex relationships between humans and androids, and the social, political and ethical concerns. It is a future that seems highly probable. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable and captivating murder mystery, set in a futuristic world. Purchase here

< Back Debra Lee Pullman Book blurb... In 1920s New Orleans, Eugene Ste. Cherie, a naïve Pullman Porter, stumbles into a world of booze, sex, and jazz when he helps a white passenger. He is later hired to work at a lakefront casino. Despite prohibition, alcohol flows freely, and Eugene tends bar at lavish social events. His wife Eartha remains oblivious to the secrets and lies surrounding him. As Eugene's good looks and skills make him a sought-after man, he narrowly escapes seduction and scandal. When Eartha uncovers his affair, she learns the painful truth about his involvement with the city's elite. Set against a backdrop of glamour and deception, this unforgettable story explores the price of ambition--and what's left when the lies run out. Purchase here

< Back Lisa Towles Switch Private investigator, Marissa ‘ Mari’ Ellwyn, is recovering at home following a near fatal hit and run car accident. Mari believes it was no accident, but an attempted hit on her life to stop her from investigating a string of bank robberies. As her business partner, Derek Abernathy, attempts to find the prime suspect, James Traeger, Mari is woken in the middle of the night by an intruder. The intruder is a Chief Forensic Pathologist named Dr Linus Hagen, who discloses suspicious activity at the local morgue. A John Doe was brought into the morgue and then mysteriously disappeared after the autopsy, along with the County Medical Examiner, Dr. Camille Bota. Mari and Derek take on the case and examine the autopsy reports and photographs of the John Doe. They discover peculiar marks on the body and suspect foul play. They soon identify the John Doe as a local man named Val Sharma, the Marketing Director of a technology company called AEI. As Mari and Derek look further into the company, they find AEI’s parent company (Praxis) is building a quantum computer called ‘Switch’. This new tech could destabilize the crypto market and threaten the U.S. economy. As Mari delves deeper into the case, another AEI executive goes missing. Mari discovers a disturbing connection between Praxis, a notorious crime boss, and her own estranged father. Switch is a gripping, fast-paced, techno-crime thriller by author Lisa Towles, and the third instalment in the E&A Investigations Series. The novel follows private investigator Marissa Ellwyn as she navigates a complex web of corporate corruption and espionage, murder, and personal betrayal. The story intertwines Mari's investigation with her personal struggles, including her relationship with her estranged father and her traumatic past. Told through the first-person perspective, Towles’ masterfully weaves a complex techno-crime thriller with a powerful, personal narrative. Overall, Switch is a clever, complex, and captivating thriller, with an intriguing and multi-layered storyline. A stellar third instalment of this gripping series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A suspenseful and absorbing techno-crime thriller, filled with mysteries and twists. Purchase here

< Back Robert Richardson 3 4 1 Book blurb... At its core, 3 4 1 delivers a powerful message: even in the face of uncontrollable circumstances, there is hope for justice, resilience, and love. Purchase here

< Back Alexander Semenyuk The Illuminated Book blurb... After the apocalypse comes, the Earth still spins, and for some, it’s not the end but the beginning of a new life. As hard as it is, dreams still exist, and for one lonely man, the dream is seeing the ocean at least once, so he sets off on the most dangerous journey together with his loyal dog. Purchase here

Book Reviews: Age 3 to 7 Eliana Miao The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story Megan Deliberto Garbage Squirrel Angela Odusanya Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Night at the Campsite Lori Rotter Breezy Bakes Her Best Jane Xu Can Pandas Be Koalas Too? Jasmine Shaughnessy I Love You More Than: A Bedtime Book for Baby Chef Seff Canter Cuisine: Shetland Soup Vicki Scott Burns Charli's Turtle Triumph: A Marine Biology Adventure Leandra and Kevin Decoud The What If Book Katie Laprade Magical Things Amber M. Berkowitz Gigglet The Happy Little Piglet Goes to School Daniel Cramton Seeking the Lost: Sheep LOAD MORE

< Back Michael Dow Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers: Help, Im Bleeding! Jean learns basic first aid, with the help of the school nurse, Florence. Three little girls, Jean, Sonia, and Condi are playing outside at school when Jean trips over a rock and falls down. She cuts her hand on the rock and is sent to the school nurse to stop the bleeding. Nurse Florence puts on her gloves and puts pressure on Jeans hand. She explains how Jean’s own body will heal itself and stop the bleeding by using the food she has eaten. She puts some anti-bacterial cream on the wound and covers it with a band-aid to keep it clean. To help her wound heal faster, Nurse Florence recommends that Jean eats a healthy diet, including green vegetables, cereal and eggs, and drinks plenty of milk. Jean thanks Nurse Florence and hopes one day she might become a nurse herself. Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers: Help, I’m Bleeding! is an illustrated picture book By author Michael Dow. Inspired by the nursing profession and particularly the remarkable work of Florence Nightingale, the book provides a basic lesson in first aid for very young readers. It follows a young girl who is injured at school and is treated by the school nurse, Florence. Nurse Florence treats the girls wound, but also gives advice about how to help her own body heal. The girl is so inspired by Nurse Florence, she hopes to become a nurse one day too. The book is an educational and engaging story, that will help young readers understand basic first aid, and may even inspire them to pursue a career in nursing, medicine, or science. It shows the important work that nurses do to help others when they need treatment, but also the work they do in health promotion and disease prevention. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A great introduction to first aid for young readers, and a fascinating insight into the nursing profession. Purchase here

< Back Phyllis Harris The Gift Shop Bear A bear is for life, not just for Christmas! For most of the year, the little gift shop bear lives inside a box, in a dusty attic, above the gift shop. Once a year, at Christmas time, Annie takes him out of the box, to join in the Christmas festivities in the shop. Annie and the Bear fill the shop with fun and laughter, they help decorate the shop, drink lots of cocoa and listen to the Christmas carol singers. All the children that visit the shop want to take the bear home, but this special little bear is not for sale. He takes pride of place underneath the Christmas tree in the shop window. But, on Christmas Eve, the bear overhears a conversation that the gift shop is closing, and the bear is worried he might never see Christmas, or Annie, again. But the bear receives the most wonderful Christmas gift, as he finds a new home where he belongs and can be loved and cuddled, all year round. The Gift Shop Bear by author Phyllis Harris is a charming picture book for younger children about a little bear and his friendship with a little girl, Annie. The book will delight younger children, who will relate to the story, as they experience the joy of unpacking their favourite Christmas toys every year, and the sadness when they are all packed away. Beautifully written and illustrated by Phyllis Harris, this is a sweet, sentimental and nostalgic story, and I expect it will become a future Christmas classic. This book is a wonderful festive treat and would make the perfect Christmas eve story or Christmas gift. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet, sentimental and nostalgic story, about a little bear and his friendship with a little girl. Beautifully written and illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Purchase here

< Back Jana L. Farris The Chicken on the Moon A little chick, dreams big. Little Chick was tiny on the day he was born, but he wanted to grow big and tall, so he ate all his corn. He dreams of travelling to outer space, but he is still too small. So, Chick studies hard, morning, noon, and night, and learns everything there is to know about space. One day, all of his hard work pays off when he is selected as an astronaut. But when they try to send him to the sun, Chick knows it is a bad idea, and he takes a detour to the moon instead! The Chicken on the Moon by author and illustrator Jana L. Farris is a fun, creative and quirky illustrated picture book for young children about a little chick who dreams of becoming an astronaut. The little chick is told he will never make it, but he never gives up hope and continues to follow his dream. The book will encourage young children to work hard and follow their dreams. If a little chick can do it, anyone can! This is a fun picture book, written in rhyme. Children will love the chicken characters and will laugh out loud at Chick’s amazing space adventure. The illustrations are cute, colourful, and quirky. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, creative and quirky illustrated picture book for young children about a little chick who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Purchase here