About the Reviewer: Kathy Larabell, Volunteer Book Reviewer and a member of the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library states, “I am an educator who recently retired from an extensive career in teaching. Most of my teaching time was spent in middle school teaching language arts which I love. Reading has been my passion along with music and travel since I was a young girl. I hope you enjoy these reviews and there wonderful, creative books.”
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon – Adult Novel by Alexander McCall Smith
This 14th book in McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is again set in Botswana, Africa and features the characters that his readers have come to know so well. Precious Ramotswe is solving mysteries, but this time she sometimes operates alone as Mma Makutsi is expecting her first child. Two very interesting cases are brought to the detective agency involving malicious letters perhaps provoked by petty jealousy and an inheritance which is posssibly being falsely claimed. Intertwined with these professional issues are the everyday problems faced by the characters which have always been a part of this detective series. Mma Makutsi eventually plays a part in solving these problems by returning to her position as associate detective much to Precious Ramotswe’s relief.
As always, McCall Smith interjects humor in his novel both with JLB Matekoni’s efforts to become a better husband and the husband of Mma Makutsi having to find a creative way to get his meddlesome aunt to move back to her own house. A spirit of kindness and generosity is evident in this book as it has been throughout Smith’s series. A blending of the traditional and modern ways of life helps to craft the way the characters choose to live their lives.
Readers of McCall Smith’s detective series will recognize the references to prior books and the issues faced in them. An opportunity to again glimpse into the lives of these well-crafted characters and the unique setting is indeed a pleasure.
The Oracle of Stamboul – Young Adult novel by Michael Lukas
As the book opens, we meet Eleonora Cohen, an 8 year old prodigy living in Turkey in the year 1877. Eleonora’s father, who is a carpet merchant, adores Eleonora which is a sentiment not shared by her stepmother. So, when Eleonora’s father travels to Stamboul to sell his carpets, Eleonora becomes a stowaway on his ship.
This book is set during the time of the Ottoman Empire and is filled with descriptive detail of Stamboul and the exotic palace belonging to the sultan. The intrigue that exists at the palace as well as the magic that surrounds Eleonora further the plot and engage the reader in this story set so long ago.
This debut novel of Michael Lukas is a charming work with elaborate description and vivid characterization. The plot is fast moving and Eleonora’s intelligence and personality make her an interesting character in a fanciful novel.
My Momma Likes to Say – K-2 Grades by Denise Brennan-Nelson-author and Jane Monroe Donovan-illustrator
Using poetry, this author has found a unique way to learn about idioms, their derivations and meanings. The English language uses idioms to create imagery and describe situations in real life such as “It’s raining cats and dogs.” This book illustrates many idioms with literal interpretations in pictures and poetry that children will enjoy and remember. Personification is also used throughout the book, and it is written from a child’s point of view. The illustrations are colorful and engaging. Brennan-Nelson has also written sequels to this book such as My Grandma Likes to Say, My Teacher Likes to Say, etc.