Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto - Vera Wong strikes again. I overall enjoyed this book and even cried a little at the end. The challenges were that the books tries to retain all the characters from the last book while adding several new characters, so it becomes a bit confusing to remember who is who. There are also the same mannerisms that are sometimes cute, sometimes cringey. However, the key themes around found family, being honest and accepting yourself in order to move forward, and caring deeply for others are what make this a satisfying read. The author's note at the end is also worth reading to learn about some of the inspiration for the themes in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee

 

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee - I am still working on claiming the title of artist for myself as it's something I enjoyed in high school, put aside for 20 years, and have just started returning to in the past couple years. So there were pieces of this book that I didn't feel applied to my current level of engagement. However, many many sections really did speak to me around the fears and hesitations and resistance. I was highlighting sections. Reading this book helped me pick up my watercolor painting for the first time in several months - something I had been eyeing but was avoiding. I think that reading this book helping me return to an almost-daily art practice is about the highest praise I can give. Thank you Amie. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby

The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby (NetGalley ARC pub 3/4) ⭐⭐⭐💫 I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. Perhaps I was just tired this week, but I had trouble sticking with it and it took me longer to finish than I expected. Maybe this just happens with the first book in a cozy series but the pacing felt a little slow. I enjoyed the small town setting, the library, and the characters. I will definitely consider reading the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Back After This by Linda Holmes

Back After This by Linda Holmes - This book started off a little slow for me - perhaps because I am not into podcasts, so some of the inside baseball didn't do much for me. About a third of the way in, I started to get into it - and I stayed up late to finish the last third of the book! I've enjoyed Holmes' other books which delve into some interesting themes but are also sprinkled with plenty of laugh-out-loud humor. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. 

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens - This was a hard read but I think important to learn about some of the wars in the 1990s that were only lightly covered. This was much more of a thriller than it was mystery or historical fiction. Despite the dark topic, I mostly enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Murder at the Opera House by Dawn Brookes

Murder at the Opera House by Dawn Brookes - I didn't love the characters but I found them entertaining and it was a fairly snappy read. I also liked the unique setting of Romania. I'd guess that as the characters develop more depth as the series progresses, they will become more enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13 New Books to Make Your Heart Race by Julia Spiro; John McMahon; Melissa Larsen; Sandie Jones; Jenny Elder Moke; Daisy Pearce; Andrew Ludington

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13
New Books to Make Your Heart Race

by Julia Spiro; John McMahon; Melissa Larsen; Sandie Jones; Jenny Elder Moke; Daisy Pearce; Andrew Ludington

I was worried these might be too creepy/thriller for me but most were actually just great mysteries based on the samples I read! There was great range in the stories I read, and I especially liked The Lost House, She Doesn't Have a Clue, Head Cases, and Splinter Effect. The last two are the first in a series so I will be excited to read the full books and perhaps continue with those stories. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.