1. The comic book really is a perfect consumer item. It’s portable, flexible, cheap enough to be disposable, durable enough to last several lifetimes with proper archival care, lightweight, colorful and simple (no packaging or shrink-wrap required). Think in terms of the entire package, the structural cohesion of every component (from page numbers to indicia, […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/06/becoming-enid-coleslaw-the-complete-eightball-daniel-clowes/

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto was such a joy to read. It’s a cozy murder-mystery that will warm your heart and make you laugh aloud. Vera Wong owns a tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown and when a man ends up dead in her shop, she investigates. The tale that unfolds was, in a word, wonderful.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:

A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.

Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady–ah, lady of a certain age–who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing–a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?

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I am still grinning about this story. It’s an elevated cozy mystery that deals with family, friendship and the most ornery, loveable old women. I want to visit Vera Wang’s Famous Tea Shop and have Vera Wong fix me the perfect tea. If I am lucky, maybe she will feed me.

The tale begins by introducing us to Vera Wong, who lives alone above her teashop. We learn about her son, her day and, of course, her shop. I loved Vera from the start and chuckled at her antics. Her talk about young people had my sides hurting, and I easily related to her situation.

Vera is lonely and when she awakens to find a dead body in her shop, she calls the police. From the crime scene to her interactions with the police, I was hooked. Lord, she was hilarious. I want to have as much confidence as she does when I grow up.

When the police rule the death accidentally, Vera investigates. She placing an ad in the paper to catch the killer, keeps a journal and oh yeah, she might have withheld some evidence from the police.

Sutanto then introduces us to, as Vera would like to say, “the suspects.” First there is the widow, next is a young man claiming to be a reporter and a young woman who does a true crime podcast and one other. I loved getting to know each of them. All of them have secrets and it’s up to Vera to uncover them. Along the way, wonderful and not so wonderful things happen.

One part murder-mystery and one part friendship and made family. Vera brings this group of loners together. Foodie lovers will appreciate all the talk of food and meals Vera whips up during the “investigation”. I want to try everything Vera made. A little girl will steal your heart, as will Vera. I am truly hoping we see more of Vera.

This was my first time reading Jesse Q. Sutanto works, but it won’t be my last. Be sure to read the back matter and her message about this book and how it came to fruition. This is a book I would recommend to everyone. You’ll laugh, cry, solve a murder and meet lots of memorable characters. It’s bookshelf worthy.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/vera-wongs-unsolicited-advice-for-murderers-by-jesse-q-sutanto.html

Her Lover’s Face by Patricia Elliott is an intriguing and captivating novel that offers readers a whirlwind of twists, turns, and surprises. This family drama interweaves romance, suspense, and danger to create a beautiful and complex novel. The story centers around two imperfect individuals, and the novel opens with the death of Laryssa’s abusive husband. This sets the stage for the struggle that Laryssa, who is pregnant, must face as she navigates a new life free from her abusive partner.

What sets this book apart from many other romance novels is its depiction of the complexities of relationships. Elliott expertly portrays the flaws in her characters, ensuring that readers are unable to identify a clear hero or heroine. Instead, the novel explores the gray areas that exist within human relationships, effectively capturing the nuances that make them so intricate. The author also skillfully portrays the differences between the ways men and women think and react in certain situations, creating a narrative that feels true to life.

Laryssa’s character is the backbone of this story, and the author has done an excellent job of portraying her struggles as she tries to come to terms with her newfound freedom. When she meets Alex, who bears a striking resemblance to her late husband, the attraction between them is undeniable. However, Laryssa is determined not to surrender her power to anyone and seeks to define the terms of her own love and life. Unfortunately, both Alex and Laryssa are plagued with trust issues and a lack of understanding of each other, making it clear that they both require therapy to resolve their issues.

Her Lover’s Face is an excellent read that offers a nuanced exploration of human relationships, filled with engaging and multifaceted characters that will keep readers captivated until the last page.

Pages: 302 | ASIN : B079DS6X9X

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/14/her-lovers-face/

Author Karen Leppert delights readers with this Sci-Fi story of action and romance. Grace is an intriguing 17-year-old orphan who knows something is different about her. She lives in denial of the recurrent blackouts where she wakes up with strange injuries and leaves and dirt in her hair. The presence of a new student at school, Jack Elliot, gives her the indisputable feeling that she already knows him. Yet, she is comforted by his presence and yearns to learn more about this handsome boy. Jack reveals that Grace is like him, an angelic non-human with other souls living inside of her. As her guardian, his role is to help her integrate her “alters” to control them. As the integration takes place, they encounter challenges, including a plot for one alter to take control of Grace. Meanwhile, they cannot deny what they feel for each other, and Jack risks losing everything for Grace’s love.

Reguarding Grace is a complex story at the beginning, but the author’s writing kept me hooked, and I found that as I delved deeper into the story, I gained a better understanding of the plot, which flowed beautifully. The plot of the story is unique and could benefit from Prolog. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found the plot twists suspenseful and engaging, and I wanted to learn more about the characters. I was particularly intrigued by the concept that people living with Dissociative Personality Disorder are actually non-humans who serve as a host for the souls of the deceased, which I found both exciting and believable. Leppert’s portrayal of an intricate network and society of these creatures that exist secretly in the human world was reminiscent of the Twilight series, which I enjoyed.

Reguarding Grace is a gripping paranormal romance filled with suspense. Overall, I would love to see a sequel or two of this story, following Grace and Jack as they continue to learn more about themselves and others like them on exciting adventures.

Pages: 282 | ASIN : B07YYVVHLP

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/14/reguarding-grace/

David W. Berner’s The Islander is a poignant and thought-provoking work of fiction that delves into themes of grief, healing, and companionship. The novel follows Seamus Damp, an aging writer seeking solitude on a remote island to escape his troubled past. However, his attempt at a monastic life is disrupted by his painful memories that continue to haunt him. On the island, he meets a young woman, Maddie, who is also struggling with her own past. Together, they embark on an emotionally-resonant journey of healing and find solace in each other’s company.

Berner’s narrative style is engrossing and creates a vivid story that makes the pain and struggles of Seamus and Maddie tangible, if not relatable, to the reader. Through his skillful writing, he captures the beauty of the isolated island off the coast of Ireland, immersing the reader in its lush landscape. I’ve never been to Ireland, or been isolated for too long, but this book gives both an air of intrigue and a fascinating appeal.

The author’s sensitivity in handling matters of the heart is evident in the deep conversations between the two main characters, which lead them to explore their past traumas. The compassion and kindness that Maddie shows Seamus during his health emergencies are both heartwarming and gratifying. I was surprised by how deeply thoughtful this book is and was pleasantly immersed in the story after the first few chapters.

The Islander is a short but impactful read that explores the human condition in a compelling way. The book’s message is powerful, and the characters’ journeys are relatable, making it a highly recommended read.

Pages: 141 | ASIN: B0BWWZMR5Z

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/14/the-islander/

Are You A Bird Like Me? Is a captivating tale of a little bird named Sky who, with the help of her friends, learns to fly. Newly hatched Sky accidentally falls out of her nest while her parents are out looking for worms. Unable to fly back up to her nest, she ventures out to look for her parents. Along the way, she meets Nutso the squirrel, Mona, the butterfly, and Stretch the Giraffe, who all lend a helping hand. But will Sky overcome her fear of failing and take to the skies?

Authors Ms. Noel Foy and Mr. Nicholas Roberto have crafted a charming and heartwarming story that will capture the imagination of young readers. Sky is an endearing character, and her journey of growth and self-discovery is beautifully portrayed. The friendship and support of Sky’s animal companions are uplifting and show the power of collaboration in achieving a shared goal. The book’s illustrations are enchanting and transport readers into Sky’s world. Ms. Foy and Mr. Roberto skillfully weave a message of teamwork, courage, and perseverance that applies to readers of all ages. The book’s overarching theme is particularly relevant for young readers who are learning the value of working together to achieve a common goal, both in school and later in life.

Are You A Bird Like Me? is an inspiring and delightful read that encourages young readers to face their fears, try new things, and accept help from others. I highly recommend this book to young readers as it is sure to capture their hearts and imaginations as they follow Sky and her friends on their quest to help her find her way back home.

Pages: 54 | ISBN : 1625020562

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/14/are-you-a-bird-like-me/

Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case is a captivating tale that transports readers to 1932 Los Angeles. This engrossing story follows the journey of an 11-year-old girl named Sparky, a street-smart and resolute young girl who unwittingly becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young blonde girl she found dead on a bench. The story begins on her birthday when she had saved up a box of sweets to celebrate her special day. However, her birthday takes a drastic turn when she finds herself accused of a crime she did not commit.

Author Rosalind Barden’s writing had me hooked from the first page, and Sparky’s character immediately drew me in. The author has done an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the buildings and characters, making them easy to visualize. Tootsie’s character adds an interesting layer to the story, and her home is described in such detail that it feels like a character itself. The food Sparky is offered at Tootsie’s house is also beautifully described, making the reader’s mouth water. Sparky’s character is tough and independent, but the author has also demonstrated that she has a kind heart that she tries to keep hidden. This makes her a lovable character, and the reader cannot help but root for her as she tries to solve the case and live her life without fear. The mystery in this story is expertly crafted, pulling the reader in and keeping them gripped until the very end. The suspense is palpable, making it difficult to put the book down. I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next and how the story would unfold.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, suspenseful mystery. Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case is a page-turner that will leave readers eager for more.

Pages: 218 | ASIN : B07H49P46T

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/14/sparky-of-bunker-hill-and-the-cold-kid-case/

Talking to Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton about her new novel ‘Birnam Wood’

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Our picks for the best nonfiction of March

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Before you watch the Oscars, read these books

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