Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
Vera Wong is a lonely 60-year-old lady living in SF's Chinatown who owns a failing teahouse business downstairs. Despite living alone, Vera is independent, disciplined, and always up for learning new things. One morning, she discovers a dead man holding a flash drive in the middle of her shop; Vera calls the police only after swiping the USB drive. Now, as a responsible and concerned citizen, not to mention someone who might've gravely interfered with the investigation, Vera must find the killer on her own.
VERA WONG is a cozy mystery filled with humor, twists, and, even better, references to tea and lots of food—I was drooling half the time reading this book! Vera is a quirky and relatable character, and I love her no-nonsense and sometimes pushy demeanor. Other characters are similarly lovable, and I find myself rooting for them even though they are murder suspects!
Through Vera's quest to solve the mystery, she develops friendships with the young people around her. I adore the heartwarming message that underscores the importance of elders developing new relationships. And Vera's advice cracks me up every time
VERA WONG is a cozy mystery filled with humor, twists, and, even better, references to tea and lots of food—I was drooling half the time reading this book! Vera is a quirky and relatable character, and I love her no-nonsense and sometimes pushy demeanor. Other characters are similarly lovable, and I find myself rooting for them even though they are murder suspects!
Through Vera's quest to solve the mystery, she develops friendships with the young people around her. I adore the heartwarming message that underscores the importance of elders developing new relationships. And Vera's advice cracks me up every time
When her outlandish mother asks Grace Johnson to join a road trip, Grace reluctantly agrees to grant her mom's 70th birthday wish. Driving from El Paso to Memphis and being stuck in a car with Elvis music, sequins, falsies, and difficult childhood memories, will Grace and her mom repair their fragile connection and heal the hurts of the past?
GRACELAND is a funny yet tender debut novel about complicated mother-daughter relationships. I loved how different Grace and her mom's personalities are; their banters are a great segue to breaking up the heavier moments of family trauma. I also appreciate that Grace's Elvis-obsessed mom isn't a typical Asian tiger mom who only cares about making money & babies
GRACELAND is a funny yet tender debut novel about complicated mother-daughter relationships. I loved how different Grace and her mom's personalities are; their banters are a great segue to breaking up the heavier moments of family trauma. I also appreciate that Grace's Elvis-obsessed mom isn't a typical Asian tiger mom who only cares about making money & babies
SUSPICIOUS HOLDOUT is an anthology of the lives of Black Americans from the late 1980s to the eve of Obama's inauguration following loosely connected characters. The stories capture poignant moments in the daily lives of African American families and explore how systemic racism–the criminal justice system, education, healthcare, police brutality, and the war on drugs–negatively impact the lives of Black Americans.
While I adore the topics raised by Hubbard and think they are essential, SUSPICIOUS HOLDOUT is a collection of varying quality. At times, I feel Hubbard focuses too heavily on political commentary at the expense of the plots or characters. With just over 200 pages, I also think 12 short stories are too many to leave an impact on the readers.
While I adore the topics raised by Hubbard and think they are essential, SUSPICIOUS HOLDOUT is a collection of varying quality. At times, I feel Hubbard focuses too heavily on political commentary at the expense of the plots or characters. With just over 200 pages, I also think 12 short stories are too many to leave an impact on the readers.
.webp)
BLANKET DANCE tells the story of Ever Geimausaddle, a young Cherokee and Kiowa boy, through multigenerational perspectives as his family navigates difficult situations. Told through the span of 30+ years from different POVs, we follow how the family soldiers Ever's father's illness and disability, his mom balancing work and care, and Ever's bottled-up anger as the family weathers financial instability.
While there is no lack of trauma and grief in BLANKET DANCE, Hokeah beautifully depicts how the community comes together to help Ever and his family in the face of adversity. BLANKET DANCE weaves the powerful message of the strength of a community with the valuable meaning of a blanket dance. I was profoundly moved by each character's tenderness and devotion to their culture.
BLANKET DANCE is a remarkable novel with multi-POV that still portrays consistent and captivating character development by following Ever's life closely. This is a phenomenal story and one of my top reads from Aspen Word's longlist.
While there is no lack of trauma and grief in BLANKET DANCE, Hokeah beautifully depicts how the community comes together to help Ever and his family in the face of adversity. BLANKET DANCE weaves the powerful message of the strength of a community with the valuable meaning of a blanket dance. I was profoundly moved by each character's tenderness and devotion to their culture.
BLANKET DANCE is a remarkable novel with multi-POV that still portrays consistent and captivating character development by following Ever's life closely. This is a phenomenal story and one of my top reads from Aspen Word's longlist.
HAJJI HOTAK is a short story collection with interconnected characters–primarily of an Afghanistan immigrant family living in California–focusing on modern-day Afghanistan and the Afghan diaspora in the United States. With luminous writing, Kochai explores the heritage, memory, and tenacity of Afghans and their unbreakable connections to home.
Playing Metal Gear reads like a fever dream in video games but packs a punch. Return to Sender is a heartbreaking and haunting tale of a kidnapped son and his parents. Enough! contains one long and brilliant sentence that lasts an entire page. Occupational Hazards is a list of job descriptions when a man recounts his life fleeing Afghanistan and remaking himself in California. And The Haunting of Hajji Hotak is written from a government worker's POV who becomes invested in the immigrant family's life.
I'm utterly impressed by Kochai's craft and his experimentation with different styles in each short story. Experimental writing can sometimes be a hit or miss for me, but in this case, I enjoyed it immensely!
Playing Metal Gear reads like a fever dream in video games but packs a punch. Return to Sender is a heartbreaking and haunting tale of a kidnapped son and his parents. Enough! contains one long and brilliant sentence that lasts an entire page. Occupational Hazards is a list of job descriptions when a man recounts his life fleeing Afghanistan and remaking himself in California. And The Haunting of Hajji Hotak is written from a government worker's POV who becomes invested in the immigrant family's life.
I'm utterly impressed by Kochai's craft and his experimentation with different styles in each short story. Experimental writing can sometimes be a hit or miss for me, but in this case, I enjoyed it immensely!