The Eyes Are the Best Part
The Eyes Are the Best Part begins as a family memoir. Ji-won is devastated by her father leaving their family for his mistress. Ji-won’s mother is alternately despondent and hopeful of a reunion. One day, the mother makes fish and insists that Ji-won eat the fisheyes for luck. Ji-won thenContinue Reading
Under a Rock
I so wanted to like Chris Stein’s, the guitarist from Blondie, autobiography, Under a Rock. Unfortunately, from my perspective, it needed both editing down and fleshing out. The author includes a lot of details about his childhood, 30% of the book, that didn’t add much to his story. When heContinue Reading
The Queen of Poisons
Mayor Geoffrey was beloved by everyone in the English small town of Marlow. Well, by everyone but his killer. It seems that The Queen of Poisons, aconite, had somehow made it into his coffee at a local town council planning committee meeting, of which he was a member. Luckily, Suzie,Continue Reading
Tiger Chair
In Tiger Chair, a Chinese platoon leader writes a very long letter home to his best friend from the front. It is not a cheerful letter. Ten long years ago, China declared a world war after a squabble in Taiwan. The letter writer has been stationed in Los Angeles forContinue Reading
The Noh Mask Murder
The Noh Mask Murder has the best conclusion of a golden age locked room mystery that I’ve read since Agatha Christie died. It is brilliant. There are two things that annoy me in this book. First, it spoils the ending of a famous Christie book. Second, it would have beenContinue Reading
If Something Happens to Me
Ryan is on a lover’s lane date with his girlfriend, Ali, when he is ripped from the car. The assailant takes off with both Ali and the car. The only detail Ryan can remember about the man is he has both pinkies missing. The police suspect Ryan’s story but don’tContinue Reading
The Ex-Human
I have one word for The Ex-Human: boring. The author obviously has several axes to grind. If you are fascinated by science fiction because it shows us a world of wonder and imagination, read some science fiction. If you want to read about academics arguing about the definition of postmodernismContinue Reading
Lights, Camera, Bones
Lights, Camera, Bones is another great cozy mystery starring the Delaney Detective Agency. The Agency consists of organic farmer Sarah Booth Delaney and her best friend Southern belle Tinkie. They are asked to investigate some disappearances from a nearby movie set. The movie is about local Mississippi history. However, someContinue Reading
Edenfrost
In Edenfrost, the Russian Civil War between the socialists and royalists is being brutally carried out. After their house is invaded and burned to the ground, two children run from the soldiers who killed their parents. The children are unarmed and the November night in Ukraine is cold. Groups ofContinue Reading
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes is filled with comfort food recipes reduced in both sodium and calories. Each recipe comes with full nutritional information. Unfortunately, there are no photos included. I also question some of the directions. In More Like Your Mama’s Tuna Casserole, for example, putting cooked egg noodlesContinue Reading
The Ministry of Time
The Ministry of Time merges time travel with a romance and a spy thriller with varying results. A minor government translator is given a dream job. She is hired to teach a time traveler from the 1840s how modern life works. They will live together for a year. Rent, foodContinue Reading
Behind a Closed Door
First off, I love all the author’s previous thrillers. I also love a good genre mashup. Behind a Closed Door is marketed as a romantic thriller. But is it really? I would say it’s closer to a male erotica thriller. It reminds me of the uncomfortable sexism of a MickeyContinue Reading
Imposter Puzzle Book
The Imposter Puzzle Book contains twelve varied puzzles to solve. Some are easy and some are more difficult. One I had solved without knowing it. The evidence presented includes handwritten notes, police statements, phone records, diary entries, and much more. It was fun to play amateur detective for several days.Continue Reading
Worry Lines
Worry Lines is a graphic novel/self-help book about conquering accepting your own mental health issues. It is best to read this book as a daily reader rather than straight through. That was how the illustrations were originally released on Instagram. Most people will find something relatable within these pages. However,Continue Reading
Kawaii Birdies
Kawaii Birdies are a Japanese artform that is easy to learn, at least with the help of this book. The author begins with two simple circles. Soon, the reader will find pages of details to add from noses to wing shapes. A full-color pictorial of different types of birds isContinue Reading
Death Is No Excuse
I never thought that I would say this but the funniest book I read this month was Death is No Excuse, a book about wills, trusts, and guardianships. It is amazing how fast distributing your assets after death can go horribly, and hilariously, wrong. Each chapter of the book endsContinue Reading