Monday, April 17, 2023

#AmReading



Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
 by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Published by Berkley on March 14, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Mystery & Dectective
four-half-stars
Goodreads

Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing… Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?

Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong enjoys nothing more than sipping a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy ‘detective’ work on the internet (AKA checking up on her son to see if he’s dating anybody yet).

But when Vera wakes up one morning to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, it’s going to take more than a strong Longjing to fix things. Knowing she’ll 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 decides it’s down to her to catch the killer.

Nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth.

This is my third book by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and I have to say, she writes some of the most fabulous and memorable characters. Just thinking about Vera brings a smile to my face. You know what I would love to see? A meeting between Vera Wong and the Aunties. I think Vera could definitely hold her own with the Aunties too.

I laughed so much as I read this book. Vera was wacky, hilarious, and a total sweetheart. I was often wondering why she was doing something, but every time, there was a method to her madness. Sutanto did a beautiful job depicting Vera's hidden emotions as well. There were times when her loneliness hit me hard, and that was why it brought me so much pleasure to see her finding her way into a rather amazing found family.

As for the mystery, the murderer was a total surprise for me. I must admit, though, that I was more invested in all the other characters, their lives, and relationships than I was the murder. The characters all earned a place in my heart, and I couldn't help but care for them. The food and tea talk were things that grabbed my interest too. I enjoyed learning about the different teas and their uses as Vera cooked feasts and meddled in all the "suspects" lives.

Another delightful book from Sutanto! Be prepared to have your heart filled with warmth, laughter, and joy as you read of Vera's madcap adventure.


No Two Persons
 by Erica Bauermeister
Published by St. Martin's Press on May 2, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
four-half-stars
Goodreads

One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives. New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister’s No Two Persons is “a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives.”

That was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go…

Alice has always wanted to be a writer. Her talent is innate, but her stories remain safe and detached, until a devastating event breaks her heart open, and she creates a stunning debut novel. Her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.

Together, their stories reveal how books can affect us in the most beautiful and unexpected of ways—and how we are all more closely connected to one another than we might think.

I wanted to read No Two Persons because it was a tale about books and how they impact our lives. As a reader, I live for such stories, but this book surpassed all my expectations.

I was fully engrossed from the very start and a huge fan of the structure. The story moved from person to person, and it almost seemed like it was based on Theo, the fictional book's main character's, years of existence. Beginning with the author and moving from reader to reader, it was wonderful to see their connection to this novel. I began to realize that Bauermeister also wrote connections between the readers, and I reveled in spotting how their lives were intertwined.

Theo's story was a way for the author to work through the grief of losing her bother. It was amazing to see the impact and the ways this story inspired others. We all view a piece of art through a personal lens. We bring different life experiences and ideologies, and these things affect the way we receive and interact with a story. I simply enjoyed this so much!

Overall, this was a beautiful story about the power of books.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER


What's your poison - Tea or Coffee?
Let Us Know in the Comments

24 comments:

  1. Ahh, No Two Person sounds beautiful! I love books about books, and the way the characters are all connected through the same story is really interesting.

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    1. Books that do something interesting structurally tend to delight me, and I had that plus a great story. I think I am a big fan of the vignette type stories too. I don't think I ever didn't enjoy a book written this way

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  2. Hey Sam! Hope you're doing well!
    I love the sound of the premise of that second book - talk about the perfect book for bookworms!

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    1. NICK!! I hope post-school life is treating you well. No Two Persons was something special for bookworms. The beauty of the story was a slow creep, but when it hit, it hit in the best way

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  3. That cover of No Two Persons always catches my eyes. I love that you enjoyed it (and the other book) so much!

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    1. It is a nice cover. It even shows the fictional character swimming.

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  4. No Two Persons sounds so unique. And what book lover doesn't love a book that seems custom made for bookworms?

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    1. It was very thought provoking and made me think about my own experiences. I loved it

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  5. Both of those sound good even if they aren't my usual type of books.

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  6. Vera Wong is on my TBR! I hope to listen to the audio if it's available for my country. I don't know why but mysteries seem to work best for me in audio!

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    1. I head it's being adapted. It will make a great movie/show. I feel like I miss something when I listen to a mystery or any story that is too complex. I mostly stick to contemporary romances for audio.

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  7. I can't get enough coffee haha. I got especially bad during the pandemic because I was working from home. I'd have multiple pots each day because it was just so convenient!. I've cut it back down to just on cup a day, but it will always be my weakness.

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    1. I am also a coffee drinker, but only allow myself one per day. I drank more during the pandemic too (thanks, WFH), but only two cups. I would never sleep.

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  8. I'm looking forward to both of these. I've seen so much love for Vera Wong!

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    1. I have not read any of Sutanto's YA books, but her adult books were all such a great blend of fun and family. Loved them all!

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  9. I am so glad that you loved Vera! I loved the found family the group created in this one. I have a feeling that I would also really like No Two Persons!

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    1. My heart went out to Vera. I can relate to when your kids get their own life and don't really have the time for you. I was glad she inserted herself in all these people's lives because the result was so wonderful.

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  10. Loved Vera! Yes, I was moved by her loneliness so I was happy she found her group of "suspects" to fill the void. She helped them so much too!

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    1. That is my thing. I revel when a character finds their people and their place. It's a hopeful thing.

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  11. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is on my TBR, and I'm really looking forward to it. Glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Lucy, it's so funny. Did you read the Auntie books? It has that type of vibe/humor, and it's something I adored. I hope you get to read it

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  12. I can't wait to read Vera Wong. I just love the author's humor!

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    1. This is the brand of over the top I enjoy for sure

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