This week's features include a look at our First Impressions readers' thoughts on two recent releases: Heartbreak is a fascinating work of memoir and scientific study about the physiological effects of a broken heart, which the author began researching after her divorce; and The Last Grand Duchess is an engrossing historical novel about the Russian Romanov family.
Thanks for reading,
Davina Morgan-Witts
BookBrowse Publisher
|
|
Each month we give away books to BookBrowse members who live in the U.S. to read and review. Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every 3-4 months. Here are their opinions on two recently released titles. |
|
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey by Florence Williams
"In her new book, Heartbreak, Florence Williams turns her personal heartbreak from a divorce into a pilgrimage in pursuit of discovery and healing. This remarkable journey is propelled by her desire to understand the nature of heartbreak itself. Why is her body reacting as it is? What, if any, are the tools one can use to fortify and move forward? Her path takes her into the study of the science of heartbreak…yes, there is such a thing. This journey requires inquisitiveness, openness, flexibility, durability, courage and determination. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the science interesting and valuable. Heartbreak is an eye-opener, and the telling, coupled with the research information provided, can benefit a broad range of people for a wide variety of reasons." - Lorraine D. (Lacey, WA)
"Over the last several years I have been intrigued with heartbreak, loss, grieving and the varied ways people navigate and heal through these journeys. I am a nurse with a 40-year career focusing in the ER and hospice; a caregiver of family members young and old through illness and death; and like many, have and will continue to experience heartbreak. I found I was able to apply what I was learning to romantic heartbreak, traumatic loss, family dysfunction in its many forms and illness suffered from these losses (physical, psychological, spiritual). By the end of the book, I felt I had insight into a few new tools that I could use and share on my life journey. I participate in two book clubs and am anxious to share this book." - Michele B. (Wallingford, CT)
"This book was so interesting to me...and so relevant! All of us have experienced grief and/or heartbreak at one time or another; this author really delved into it and the physical effects that it has on our bodies. I have always wondered what causes the actual pain in our hearts when we are sad or heartbroken; this book explores that and other physical things that happen to our bodies during love and loss. I loved this book and the uniqueness of it all!" - Becky S. (Springfield, MO)
|
|
W.W. Norton & Company. Science/Health. 320 pages. Published Feb 1, 2022.
Readers' Consensus: 4.1/5, Number of Reader Reviews: 24
|
|
|
|
The Last Grand Duchess
by Bryn Turnbull
"Books on the Romanovs, much like World War II, are everywhere. And while we all know the last chapter of this well-chronicled story, this particular book focuses specifically on the eldest Romanov daughter, Olga, and her coming of age. Clearly well-researched, this book is what all historical fiction strives to be: detailed, informative, entertaining and compelling. One hundred years after the fact, this story still has a haunting impact." - Diana C. (Boca Raton, FL)
"Finally, a historical novel that doesn't focus on Anastasia. Olga, the oldest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, is presented as more than just another "royal"; instead, she is a thinking, wondering young woman whose expectations of a normal life will never happen. Based on multiple non-fiction sources, including Olga's diaries, we are able to examine, and maybe understand, how and why the Russian Revolution came about, from a purely personal perspective. Easily read, highly recommended for any fan of historical fiction." - Beverly
"Great historical novel. Anyone wanting to learn about the Romanov Dynasty, this is the book to read." - Mary Lou F. (Naples, FL)
|
|
MIRA Books. Historical Fiction. 384 pages. Published Feb 8, 2022.
Readers' Consensus: 4.6/5, Number of Reader Reviews: 23
|
|
|
|
For Members: Available to Request Now |
|
Members! This month's First Impressions and Book Club books are now available. Request at bookbrowse.com/arc before end of Saturday, February 12.
Books are provided to U.S. resident members free of charge with the understanding that they'll do their best to either write a short review or take part in an online discussion forum (depending on whether the book is assigned for First Impressions or the Book Club.)
Join BookBrowse, or renew your membership, and request a book before end of Saturday and you will receive it.
|
|
|
Celebrating Black History Month with Books
In celebration of Black History Month, we feature more than 70 outstanding contemporary works of nonfiction and historical fiction by Black authors.
|
|
Discussions are open to all, so please join us! If you would like to receive a message when a particular discussion opens, sign up for a one-time notification. You can also find inspiration for your group among our 200 past discussions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opens April 2
(Copies available to request)
|
|
|
Solve our Wordplay puzzle to reveal a well-known expression, and be entered to win the book of your choice from the current selection or a 6-month membership to BookBrowse.
"N M B With P"
|
|
The answer to the last Wordplay: A P O B Y Houses
"A Plague on Both Your Houses"
Meaning: Both sides are at fault. I will not take sides and will have nothing to do with it.
This expression comes from Act III, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1592). It is spoken by Mercutio who, despite being Romeo's best friend, has avoided taking a side in the ancient feud between the two families, and has remained good-natured and optimistic. Even when wounded by Juliet's cousin Tybalt while defending Romeo's honor, he initially laughs it off as a "scratch," but when he realizes the severity of his injury, he dies cursing both houses: "A plague o' both your houses! I am sped."
Some people know this phrase as "a pox on both your houses" (and we accepted this variation as correct), and interestingly, it seems that at least one early version of Romeo and Juliet from 1597 does refer to pox. According to The Phrase Finder (phrases.org.uk), Shakespeare references the word plague hundreds of times in his plays; and there's a good smattering of references to pox as well (such as, "A pox on him, he's a cat still," from All's Well That Ends Well -- "cat" being a term of contempt).
|
|
With so many new books published every month, it's difficult to find the standouts, the ones which are really worth your time. This is why hundreds of thousands of readers rely on BookBrowse to do the hard work of sifting though the multitude of titles to find the most promising new books, with a focus on books that entertain, engage and enlighten. |
|
BookBrowse Highlights is one of our four free newsletters. We also offer Publishing This Week every Sunday, and Book Club News and Librarian News monthly.
|
|
|
1-408-867-6500
Toll Free: 1-800-745-5306 (US & Canada)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
