Book – Page 2 – World of Bai

Book Review: “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murders” By Jesse Q. Sutanto

This was a buddy read with a few of my bookish besties. I am really glad that we had picked this book as I am not sure I would have picked it up on my own and would have ultimately missed out on such charming characters.

“People always say that your wedding day is the happiest day of your life, but honestly, people should try solving murders more often.”
Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

About The Book

Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Publisher: Berkley

Published Date: March 14th, 2023

Page Count: 339 Pages

Main Genre: Mystery

GoodReads Rating: 4.02

Format: Audio Book

Synopsis

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.

“In her experience, it’s best to nod and agree with what people say before doing exactly what you wanted from the very beginning.”
Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Rating

When this audiobook started I got a little nervous as I struggle at times when accents are added to them. I find it harder for my brain to catch every word when I am listening at my 1.5 – 2 speed. So instead of DNF’ing the book I lowered the speed of my audio till I got used to hearing the accent. This is something I am going to do from now on as I feel like I am missing a lot of great audiobooks because of this.

The characters in this book were all unique which added such a fun layer to my reading. I was worried having so many characters would get to be too much in moments but they each added an important part to the story and were all so different that they were easy to keep track of. Because of this the story quickly developed the found family trope which is one of my favorite things to read about.

Vera, at times, was annoying but this really didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. In fact, it actually made the story more enjoyable for me, no one is more surprised than I. While Vera was pushy and did not respect peoples space that is what made everyone around her love and respect her in the end. She surely did not keep her thoughts to herself and definitely did not think too much before saying anything but this really helped people to let their guard down around her. Seeing all of these random characters come together because of one woman was so heart warming.

As for the plot, I had no clue who could have committed the murder. The Author did such a good job and making everyone seem suspicious and yet innocent all at the same time. When the killer was revealed I was in genuine shock. I loved how it all played out in the end.

This book kept me laughing around every corner. The way Vera kept comparing the work of the cops to crime shows was hilarious to me and also quite relatable. I am not sure I would have crossed as many lines as Vera did but without her I truly don’t think the cops would have solved this case.

I also found it enjoyable to hear bits and pieces about Chinese cultures. I don’t know as much as I would like to but the way Vera was holding herself as a Chinese Mother was really fun and interesting to me. It got me more curious about the culture and is something I have started to do further research into myself. So I really appreciate that being written into this book.

I suggest picking this book up for a light enjoyable mystery that will keep you guessing till the very end.

“You don’t describe your job like that,” Vera scolds. “Is a small job, hah! Can you see men saying that? No, men will talk it up with bullshit, that is why they get even bigger job next time. There is no such thing as ‘small job.’ And don’t say in that silly tone, oh so apologetic, I am just silly woman having a small job. No!” Her index finger shoots up and points at Julia’s face like a sword. “You go and do this job proudly.”
Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

QOTD: What book had an ending that left you in shock?

Book Review: “If We Were Villains” By M.L. Rio

I have owned this book for probably three years. It has been sitting on my shelf taunting me everyday since I purchased it. My best friend has been suggesting I pick it up for even longer than that it seems, so it was about time that I finally pulled this book down and flipped through its pages.

“For someone who loved words as much as I did, it was amazing how often they failed me.”
M.L. Rio, If We Were Villains

About The Book

Author: M.L. Rio

Publisher: FlatIron Books

Published Date: April 11th, 2017

Page Count: 354 Pages

Main Genre: Dark Academia

GoodReads Rating: 4.09

Format: Audio/Physical

“You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough.”
M.L. Rio, If We Were Villains

Synopsis

Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he’s released, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

Review

I desperately wanted to rate this book higher than I did, however, I feel as if this was the rating the book was going to receive no matter what.

The main reason I had put this book off for so long was because I knew it was going to have a lot of Shakespeare texts and underlying meanings that would frankly, go right over my head. This, I was not wrong about. But with context clues I could gather little snippets here and there which I was honestly proud about.

If I were to be completely honest with you I didn’t really love any of our characters. I feel as if they were all very flawed. I can see why the author wrote them this way for the plot but I needed someone to want to cheer for to keep my interest piqued. This is honestly more of a poor reflection on me rather than the text though.

While I may have not loved the characters I did find James at least partly interesting, especially as we neared the end of the book. I feel as if his character had the most growth or shall I say decent into madness? He didn’t feel as one note as most of the other characters and knowing the ending of the book I can see why his character interested me so much.

I felt as if the beginning and end of the book moved quickly but the middle drug out for me. I can understand the importance of the plot line here but It made me struggle to want to pick the book up other than the fact that I wanted to know the truth much like Colborne. If the pacing had picked up a bit in the middle I could have seen this book getting a bit of a higher rating from me.

I hope to re read this book one day in the future, maybe with a bit more of an appreciation for Shakespearean texts as I think this book could mean so much more to me with just an inkling of an understanding of his work. The book has the potential to only grow in ratings with the more I read it.

“But that is how a tragedy like ours or King Lear breaks your heart—by making you believe that the ending might still be happy, until the very last minute.”
M.L. Rio, If We Were Villains

QOTD: Do you have a love for Shakespeare? If so where would you point someone new to the topic to start?

Book Review: “Project Hail Mary” By Andy Weir

This book is one that is typically out of my comfort zone so I am shocked at how fast I finished this. I literally devoured this book in one sitting, no joke. I remember seeing the popularity of this book over the past few years but was truly never drawn to it so I am thankful a movie is coming out as I knew my husband will want to watch it but I couldn’t go until I had read the book, or at least tried to.

“Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.”
Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

About The Book

Author: Andy Weir

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Published Date: May 4th, 2021

Page Count: 476 Pages

Main Genre: Science FIction

GoodReads Rating: 4.50

Format: Audio Book

“Usually you not stupid. Why stupid, question?”
Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

Synopsis

A LONE ASTRONAUT.
AN IMPOSSIBLE MISSION.
AN ALLY HE NEVER IMAGINED.

RYLAND GRACE is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and Earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could imagine it, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“Once again I’m struck by melancholy. I want to spend the rest of my life studying Eridian biology! But I have to save humanity first. Stupid humanity. Getting in the way of my hobbies.”
Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

Rating

Review

To start this review I would like to tell you that the audio book is fantastic and I would highly recommend reading this book via that format. I have heard that the Audible version is the preferred Audio book platform for this book though so keep that in mind.

* Mild spoilers may be ahead *

As this audio book started playing I wasn’t convinced that this book was for me. I struggled to connect to our main character for the first chapter or two. But as the book progressed and we got a peak into his background I quickly fell in love with the story. Our main character was unreliable because frankly he couldn’t remember a single thing. I thought this was a really interesting way to discover who this man was and his motives for being in this situation he has found himself in.

Rocky was my favorite addition to this book. Him being added made this story really touch my heart and at times made me shed some tears. The relationship built between these two characters was really touching and I loved the way that it built over time. The fact that they learned how to communicate with one another was not only impressive but built by a desperation for the need of survival.

Just the fact that this man got to be the first person to ever confirm alien life and then grow a relationship with said life made me so giddy! I really adored how excited both parties were to get to know about one another and their cultures. I could read an entire second book if one was published just based on the ending of the story that we got.

I was honestly shocked at how quickly I fell in love with this story and how connected I felt to the characters by the end. The ending made me cry uncontrollably and I am actually very happy for that. I couldn’t imagine this book ending any other way than how it did. The last sentence alone was *chef’s Kiss*.

I think if I would have read this physically I probably would have DNF’d the book due to all the sciencey talk that is like a foreign language to me. The Audio book production made all that talk sound interesting and actually convinced me I might have a slight understanding as to what is happening.

I can not wait for the movie to come out. I have high hopes so it better be as good as I am thinking or else I might be crushed!

“Well, you’re not alone anymore, buddy,” I say. “Neither of us are.”
Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

QOTD: Would you ever want to visit space?

Book Review: “Listen For The Lie” By Amy Tintera

I had honestly not heard to much about this book before I had read it. It was recommended to me by one of my Bookstagram friends moreazlibros for my 12 books from 12 friends challenge for this year. I am really happy that this book was suggested to me as I probably wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.

“You don’t owe anyone your whole story.”
Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

About The Book

Author: Amy Tintera

Publisher: Celadon Books

Published Date: March 5th, 2024

Page Count: 336 Page Count

Main Genre: Mystery, Thriller

GoodReads Rating: 4.07

Format: Audio

“I am not responsible for the fake version of me you created in your head.”
Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

Synopsis

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

Review

This book has a pretty unreliable narrator as our main character. She doe snot remember anything form the night that her friend was murdered, all she knows is that everyone suspects it was her and she can’t really blame them.

I at first was really struggling with the main characters inner thoughts as it made her seem very guilty to me. I wasn’t sure why we were even reading this book if she was having thoughts of murdering everyone around. Talk about a guilty conscious! But as the plot started to unfold everything started to click, thankfully!

I think I hated every character in this book at one point or another, except for Beverly, our main characters grandma. She was hilarious and always knew everything going on around which made me love her even more.

The ending of this book was very shocking to me. I didn’t expect the murderer to be who it ended up being at all. This made the ending unpausable and had me on the edge of my seat. But this was pretty much the feeling all throughout the book though because it seemed to have twists and turns being tossed around at every corner.

If I could have lived without one thing in the entire story it would have been the random love plotline between the podcaster and our main character. It just wasn’t needed and didn’t add much to the whole story.

Overall I would recommend this book to people who love true crime podcasts as the audiobook was well produced and felt like a true podcast story was unfolding before my ears.

“Some people will never believe you no matter how hard you explain yourself. Trust me, there’s no pleasing people. If they’re determined to think the worst of you, they will.”
Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

QOTD: DO you have a favorite Podcast?

“People don’t believe women who fight back. When a man lashes out, people say he’s lost control of his temper or made a terrible mistake. When a woman does it, she’s a psychopath.”
Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

Book Review: “To Sir Phillip, With Love” By Julia Quinn

It has been a while since I have picked up a Bridgerton Book but with Season 4 about to Air on Netflix I decided this was the perfect time to dive back in. Mostly because I heard that Eloise starts a bit of her journey this season and so I would like to be overly caught up.

“Men. The day they learned to admit to a mistake was the day they became women.”
Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, With Love

About The Book

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon

Published Date: July 1st, 2003

Page Count: 372 Pages

Main Genre: Historical Romance

GoodReads Rating: 3.69

Format: Audio Book

“. . . I do not tell you often enough, dear Mother, how very grateful I am that I am yours. It is a rare parent who would offer a child such latitude and understanding. It is an even rarer one who calls a daughter friend. I do love you, dear Mama.”
Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, With Love

Synopsis

Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife’s distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her…

Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking… and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except… he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young – and decidedly unruly – children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

Review

Eloise is my favorite character in the Netflix adaptation but to be honest I haven’t felt the exact same way throughout the books. Getting to read her specific story really did help that picture adapt in my mind though.

I have a hard time seeing the Eloise from earlier in the series becoming the Eloise this Book depicted but I think that is an important part of typical character growth as she goes from not wanting to be married to finding the right man and finally finding a place she truly belongs.

I love that their romance starts with the exchange of letters as that is the one main thing I have always linked Eloise to. This is a very common aspect sprinkled throughout the book and that helped me really grasp her character. Another thing that felt a lot like her character was when she ran away to officially meet this man. She makes split decision without thinking of the consequences and that felt absolutely correct for her.

I absolutely adored the interaction with her step kids. She never really treated them as step kids and truly accepted them as her own. Getting to see this dynamic felt extremely refreshing. I also loved the playfulness she allows these children to express. The kids should get to feel like kids while they are young and she really embraces this.

Overall, I found the romance was really cute! I really enjoyed how easy it was for Phillip to lean into her family and accept them, it felt very seamless. Her brothers over protectiveness was probably one of my favorite scenes as the Bridgerton Brothers will always be my favorite characters.

I can’t wait to watch the adaptation!

“I had to do something,” she said. “I couldn’t just sit and wait for life to happen to me any longer.”
Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, With Love

QOTD: Who is your Favorite Bridgerton Sibling?

Book Review: “Chlorine” By Jade Song

This is a book I know I wouldn’t have ever picked up on my own. I had heard decent reviews regarding the story but in all honesty I thought the book was much bigger than it truly was and a book about mermaids didn’t really strike a chord within me. I am very grateful for my friend Syd who asked to buddy read this with me along with Ireland and Katie, all of which are my best friends on Bookstagram.

**Spoilers ahead if you have not read the book. **

“I guess hearts are slippery because they’re covered in blood. I wish I could bleed mine dry. Then I’d miss you less.”
Jade Song, Chlorine

About The Book

Author: Jade Song

Publisher: William Morrow

Published Date: March 28th, 2023

Page Count: 256 Pages

Main Genre: Horror/FIction

GoodReads Rating: 3.65

Format: Physical Book

“I died and regenerated every month. How else could I define the experience? The reasonable explanation was death. I decided when my body was wheeled into the morgue, the coroner would declare I died of being a woman. Which was far better than dying of being a man.”
Jade Song, Chlorine

Synopsis

Ren Yu is a swimmer. Her daily life starts and ends with the pool. Her teammates are her only friends. Her coach, her guiding light. If she swims well enough, she will be scouted, get a scholarship, go to a good school. Her parents will love her. Her coach will be kind to her. She will have a good life.

But these are human concerns. These are the concerns of those confined to land, those with legs. Ren grew up on stories of creatures of the deep, of the oceans and the rivers. Ones that called sailors to their doom. Ones that dragged them down and drowned them. Ones that feasted on their flesh. Ones of the creature that she’s always longed to become: mermaid.

Ren aches to be in the water. She dreams of the scent of chlorine–the feel of it on her skin. And she will do anything she can to make a life for herself where she can be free. No matter the pain. No matter what anyone else thinks. No matter how much blood she has to spill.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“As a mermaid, I now recognize how winning places the self within a construct of hierarchy over other bodies—a false construct. There’s no victory when someone else loses.

But back then, oh, how I adored winning. The rush of it all! You poor humans. You’ll never learn to be better, not when winning is so addictive.”
Jade Song, Chlorine

Rating

Review

Reading this book as a buddy read was the right way to go. Getting to talk about the underlining meanings was really helpful. Was this book about mermaids or mental health? Maybe Both?

My main consensus is that our character was struggling with mental health issues. From her dad leaving her and her mom at such a young age, her swimming being compulsive, her coach not really caring to push the limits too far etc.

These events all put a lot of strain on Ren and the only way she could truly cope was becoming the mermaid she always felt she was. This also plays into feeling comfortable in your own skin and becoming who you were meant to be whether that’s a boy/girl or in this case a mermaid. Our physical bodies don’t always reflect what our soul feels we are and I think Ren describes herself really well in that context.

In the end of this book Ren stitches her legs together to grow her tail. This is of course to gain her full mermaid potential but the idea only forms after she gets disqualified from a much needed win. When you put that much pressure on yourself to be the best and know your coach and teammates all rely on you it can do a lot of harm. This is when I wish that someone would have stepped in and done more for Ren instead of letting her self isolate as she did.

Overall I did enjoy this book, Ambiguous ending and all. I am still going back and forth on if Ren found her mermaid family or if she passed away. But regardless of my endless questions this book has a lot of great commentary that I think everyone is one way or another can benefit from. Please read the trigger warnings before reding this though, it gets dark and lonely!

“How was I supposed to differentiate between the pain due to the concussion and the pain due to the agony of everyday human life?”
Jade Song, Chlorine

QOTD: If mermaids were real would you want to be one?