Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.
Lian Hingee is reading Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
At least four different people have recommended the books of Jesse Sutanto to me, but one of the sad realities of working in a bookshop is that there's always shiny new releases waving their pages at you from the bookshelves, and older releases rarely get a look-in. Luckily my procrastination has paid off this time, as Sutanto's new book came home with me!
Featuring a septuagenarian sleuth who ends up in the middle of a (possible) murder investigation when the body of a dead man is discovered on the floor of her failing Tea House, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders is a crime caper with an endearing cast of characters and an enjoyably low-stakes mystery. Vera herself is a gloriously engaging protagonist who is either just shy of a caricature, or alternatively is a perfect rendering of an empty-nesting first-generation Tiger Mother. Think Father Brown, but set in San Franciso's Chinatown, and starring Evelyn from Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Jasper from our Teen Advisory Board is reading Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
I recently read Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, which is a cozy slice-of-life fantasy about an orc named Viv opening up the first coffee shop in the city of Thune.
I absolutely loved this book first and foremost for the characters, Viv is such a good protagonist with a simple but effective and relatable arc, Tandri is a character who I think everyone would want as a friend because she is just the kindest and most caring person, and Thimble is just the cutest and I want all of his delicious sounding recipes. Which brings me to the other reason I love this book — the descriptions of the coffee and various baked goods. Baldree very clearly has a deep appreciation for these things too as the book is filled with descriptions of warm cups of coffee and delicious biscuits and cakes that are genuinely mouthwatering.
