Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

By Dahl Botterill

Keiko Furukura has always found people confusing. As a child, she was disciplined for reacting strangely to social situations, and while she would eventually understand that her actions were considered socially unacceptable—dead budgies on the playground weren't potential dinner, and a shovel wasn't the ideal way to end a fight between fellow schoolchildren—she could never understand why. She was loved and cared for, but she didn't feel those emotions herself. She withdrew, toed the line, and avoided drawing negative attention until she stumbled upon a part-time job at a convenience store.

To say Keiko thrives in the convenience store would be an overstatement, but it does provide a place where she can fit into contemporary society. The job comes with detailed instructions pertaining to every aspect of employment, from customer interactions to personal health and hygiene. The biggest problem for Keiko when we meet her in Convenience Store Woman is that she's been at the convenience store for 20 years, and thus, once again finds herself at odds with the societal expectations of those around her. She's reached an age where she's expected to have either a husband or a career and having no interest in either is once again causing friction in her life.

Convenience Store Woman reminded me of Camus' Outsider in a lot of ways. Keiko doesn't just find herself incapable of fitting in, but the people around her can't fathom why this is the case. In many ways, this inability of those around her to understand how Keiko relates to the world reflects her inability to understand how she's supposed to—the difference is that she doesn't expect them to. She devotes a tremendous amount of effort trying to fit others' expectations and lessen the discomfort of those around her, often at great detriment to herself, but very few other people expend the same energy into accepting her the way she is.

This book is a quick read and quite unlike anything else I've read recently. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Convenience Store Woman introduces a protagonist that merely wants to exist. Keiko isn't seeking romance or adventure or success; her greatest drive is to fit into society, not necessarily well, but just well enough that her existence isn't troublesome to those around her. Convenience Store Woman is a great read about a fascinating character, and I enjoyed it very much.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata has been translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori.

Book Review: My Amy by Tyler James

By Cassandra Navratil

I was just hitting my early twenties when Amy Winehouse exploded onto the music scene, and I will never forget the first time I heard her on the radio. I will also never forget the day that she died—another brilliant musical talent gone at the young age of 27, just like Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain before her. Tyler James’ emotional memoir of his time with Amy, aptly titled My Amy, provides a peek into who she was prior to fame, and her eventual downfall into the reckless world of drug addiction. 

Through his eyes, Tyler (we’re on a first name basis as he writes so informally that you really feel like you know him by the close of the story) depicts Amy as a moody, wildly talented yet depressed pre-teen; someone he could finally relate to in the world of peppy theatre kids attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Their connection is immediate and a lifelong bond is formed. Tyler becomes Amy’s confidant, best friend, surrogate brother, biggest cheerleader, roommate, and ultimately, her protector. 

As she navigates her quick rise to fame, Tyler is with her each step of the way, and leads us along a tale that we all know does not end happily. For Tyler, though, having known her clearly left an enormous impact on his own self, career, and future. Amy’s eventual tragic demise is depicted as a testament to the immense and extreme pressures placed on young adults in the music industry as they top the charts. 

My Amy is one of those books written in such a smooth and informal style, I really felt like I could have been a fly on the wall. It put me on an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, especially due to its beginning and reflection on Amy’s childhood and formative teenage years. As a huge music and Amy Winehouse fan, this book was a four out of five stars for me in terms of the writing style, story, and overall look at her life from the perspective of one of her closest, longtime friends. 

Thank you to Publishing Group Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Umbilical Cord by Hasan Namir

By Carly Smith

Content warning: homophobia 

Umbilical Cord is a compilation of poems by Hasan Namir centring on deeply personal topics, including his homosexuality and fatherhood. Through his words, Namir delves into the profound emotions driven by surrogacy, parenthood, homophobia, and heteronormativity. He writes about his romantic relationship with his husband and his experiences of being an expectant parent (but not the gestational carrier) during pregnancy. He includes memories that tugged on his heartstrings in the early stages of raising a child, and the wishes and words of love he has for his new son. Umbilical Cord leaves readers emotionally charged and passionate about Namir’s hardships and triumphs. 

Umbilical Cord is perfectly named. Namir documents the connections he shares with various individuals, be it long term or brief, including his son, his husband, their surrogate, strangers, and his father. As he writes about these connections, he recalls situations of heartbreak and upset, as his father and others oppose his homosexuality. He also writes about times of joy while connecting with his husband and his son. 

The poems are not ordered chronologically, nor are they grouped by format, theme, or emotion. Rather, Namir orders his poetry in the same way life hits him—erratically, with waves of varied emotion. Just as relationships, both tumultuous and steady, are spread out over time, so too are the themes we encounter in this collection. His choice in ordering the poems in this particular way helps maintain interest, suspense, and empathy, especially for those who have not experienced what he has. 

He has a knack for evoking excitement. The catharsis created by his word choice is undeniable. This book is suitable for anyone wanting to gain perspective on same-sex parenthood, surrogacy, the spontaneity of children, and present-day prejudice against homosexuality. Even though Umbilical Cord offers insight into a set of unique experiences, it is still exceptionally engaging and approachable. 

Book Review: The Fishy Squishy Goonies of Wabigoon Lake by Mardi-Lee Plomp

By Jamie Maletta

My son received The Fishy Squishy Goonies of Wabigoon Lake as a Christmas gift, adorably accompanied by a stuffed goon-y goon “Goonie” monster, and a concretion directly from Northwestern Ontario’s Wabigoon Lake itself. It was such a sweet and fun gift with little treasures to hold as you read the book.  

The story talks about the lake, the swimming, the fishing, and of course the creatures of the goon-y goon! Adorably described as disgusting yet somehow cute and lovable, the “Goonies” live at the bottom of the waters where they are growing very concerned about the trash, plastic, and rising pollution building up in their lake. Trying their best to keep the lake clean, the Goonies reluctantly tidy, whisk away pop cans, collecting lures and old tires throughout their day. The Goonies are very proud of their lake and tell stories about the lake in the winter and about the shallow waters’ concretions, and of course, they invite the reader to clean up some of the garbage the next time they visit! 

This was such a sweet story, and I loved the added lesson surrounding pollution that was written on a level that children can understand. Each page has adorable illustrations, with the story displayed in large font, making reading a little easier for the new book lover in your life. 

I’ve passed by this lake numerous times while visiting my parents, and I love the local and close-to-home aspect! My son is only two, but once he’s old enough to understand that the book is about that lake, we will definitely make a trip out there (and, of course, make sure to pick up some trash during our visit)! I always love a local book, and this is one I feel the little reader in your life will truly enjoy! 

Book Review: Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

By Megan Amato

Content warning: blood, torture, violence

  These violence delights have violent ends. 
  And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, 
  Which as they kiss consume. — Shakespeare

After that maddening and hair-pulling cliffhanger Chloe Gong left us with in These Violent Delights, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the conclusion to the 1920s Shanghai duology, Our Violent Ends. Both books are named aptly after Romeo and Juliet, the work that inspired them, and the titles hint at the arrogant decadence and bloodshed that coat the pages and trap the tragically in-love protagonists in the blood feud between their rival gangs. The finale is intense, full of hostility and betrayal, but most of all love, in all its forms. 

To protect everyone she cares about and hold her place at the top of the Scarlet Gang, Juliette killed one of Roma’s best friends—or so everyone thinks. Marshall hides during the day in an apartment outside of the city and sneaks out at night to protect those he cares about in the White Flowers Gang while Juliette smuggles him food. Although Roma and his cousin Benedikt are out for her blood, she keeps up the ruse as bloodshed between the rival gangs escalates.

But it’s not only the gangs who are amping up the violence. As the communists and nationalists make moves to take over Shanghai, so too does a blackmailer who will let the city fall to contagious monsters unless both Scarlet Gang and White Flowers come to heel. Juliette and Roma will have to work together again to save their city and risk both their hearts and lives in the process.

This thrilling conclusion brought the characters we were just getting to know in the first book to life—especially the side characters. We get much more of fun-loving Marshall and his relationship—or lack thereof—with his military father. Juliette and Marshall’s blossoming friendship provides some of my favourite moments in the novel, as does his devil-may-care attitude as he vigilantes to save his love, Benedikt, from his own destructive behaviour. Roma’s younger sister Alisa is also far more fleshed out. Her motivations and actions shift from younger sister to a girl just as willing to protect her family without the bitterness Roma carries. 

However, Kathleen’s character arc stands out from everyone’s—including the main characters. She transforms from a supporting character into her own as her position as Scarlet infiltrator into the communist party blurs until she no longer pretends to sympathize. Though she loves her cousin, she moves out from under Juliette’s shadow, sheds the disguise of the dead sister she’s worn for too long, and emerges as Celia, a woman who wants more for herself and her city than the corruption and violence of gang life. 

Roma and Juliette’s love is just as all-consuming and destructive as it has been all along, each willing to sacrifice everything to protect and love the other. But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful to behold. Despite the many consequences of their actions, their love for each other is just as intense as their love for Shanghai. When both are threatened, their combined efforts to save everything that matters has them shed their gang roles and egos, which ups the stakes and moves the plot to its volcanic crescendo. 

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada, for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

By Larissa Page

If you’ve been looking for a fun, steamy, 2SLGBTQIA+ romance, I have one for you. As someone who tends to be pickier about romance (I have been known not to finish contemporary romances for lots of reasons), I really enjoyed this one. 

Darcy has recently moved to Seattle to escape heartbreak and focus on advancing her career as an actuary. Her brother, a true romantic, is continuously meddling and trying to help her move on and get back “out there,” something she has no interest in doing. So, when he sets her up with Elle, a business partner who specializes in astrology, the practical and skeptical Darcy sees an opportunity to get her brother off her back. Even though the blind date goes terribly wrong, Darcy manages to rope Elle into a fake relationship. As they put on their charade, the lines between what is real and what is fake begin to blur.

The characters in this book were so well written. The hesitancies and minor miscommunications were real and relatable. It wasn’t hard to see where everyone was coming from in their actions and decisions, which is important when reading a romance because you want to be emotionally invested as the story moves—that’s why we read romances like these. The fake dating trope was also well done, and I think that this trope in general can be less triggering than some other romance tropes.. 

The “steamy” or “spicy” level of this romance is fairly high. This is not a “fade to black” type of romance. It builds up the chemistry between the two characters, then absolutely delivers the goods. It may not be a book you want to read in public and it is “not safe for work,” so if you’re listening to it on audio, make sure your headphones aren’t leaking sound! 

I found Darcy and Elle lovable and I was rooting for them the whole time, both individually and as a couple. It was a story that made me feel good, hopeful for love, and connected to the characters. It is not very often I pick up a sequel immediately after finishing a novel, but I have already started Hang the Moon (a sequel focusing on some of the supporting characters from this one) and I saw today that there is a third one coming next month, which I am also very excited to read.

Book Review: Midnight in the Snow by Karen Swan

By Erica Wiggins

Trigger Warnings: death, suicide, domestic violence

Karen Swan has written more than twenty books, and I had the pleasure of reading my first book from this author last year. She has a special way of weaving a story that draws you into the pages slowly and without you realizing that you just keep turning the pages and cannot stop. The best part about this author, you ask, she releases two books a year, so once you love her, there is always more to read. Midnight in the Snow is her newest release.

Midnight in the Snow follows Clover Phillips, a documentary filmmaker. Clover’s most recent project was about Cory Allbright, a surfer whose career ended after a tragic accident. While making her film, Clover becomes close with Cory and his family. When tragedy strikes again, and Cory is found dead, Clover is determined to find answers for his grieving family and for herself. She turns her attention to Kit Foley—the man she believes is responsible for all the tragedies in Cory’s life and decides her next documentary will be about him. 

I went into this story not knowing what to expect from her Christmas release, but from page one, the story begins to weave. From the descriptions of the landscapes to the feelings of the characters, Swan crafts her story to keep you reading. I became invested in Cory’s story and his struggles. I felt my emotions swirling beneath the surface—joy, sadness, grief, sorrow. The way that Swan describes Cory’s funeral is so beautiful and touching and has lingered with me. 

As Clover begins her investigation into Kit, we are drawn into a world of professional snowboarders and idyllic landscapes. I don’t know much about this winter sport, but the beauty is you don’t have to. Swan puts you there watching these professionals practice their sport. You see the landscapes, feel the cold, and celebrate the successes. You get a glimpse into the culture of snowboarders and comradery. 

I love the way the story shifts from the slopes to the bar to the chalet, where she stays with her crew to complete her research. You are given slices of the story through interviews with Kit and those people in his life, simple interactions, and observations from the characters. We learn about Kit’s life in snippets and start to question whether he is responsible for everything that happened. We start to question if he really is as bad as we think. Characters that we think are good are turned, and their true selves revealed.

I felt like I was on a ride with this story, flipping back and forth between what I thought about Kit and connecting together the clues. This is what is so good about this story—that innate realization that all is not as it appears. I couldn’t put it down. Each little teaser of information led me to read the next chapter and the next. This story is about a woman trying to find the truth, do the right thing, and fight for the underdog. It becomes a journey through grief, loss, strength, and bringing the truth to light. We also get a dash of romance in some unexpected love stories—this book truly has it all. Another five-star read for me. I would not hesitate to pick up anything this author writes. I truly cannot say enough about this author. 

Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Once More, With Feeling by Sophie McCreesh

By Melissa Khan

Content Warnings: Drug use, Alcoholism, Depression, Addiction

If you’re a fan of messy protagonists, then Jane from Once More, With Feeling by Sophie McCreesh is the one for you. We follow Jane as she muddles through her days, hardly able to perform basic tasks like her job or staying sober. Jane’s struggle with adulthood stem from her murky childhood, which we see through a cloudy lens—little moments interspersed throughout the novel.

There is no true plot or clear motivation to the story, which can become frustrating for the reader as we wait for our main character to do something. There are long stretches of prose, full of sardonic humour, that both boast Jane’s artistic capabilities and highlight her inability to make anything of them. The absence of a storyline perfectly describes the lack of motivation found within Jane and shows just how wayward her life seems to be. She’s a girl lost in her own loneliness, which endears her to the reader.  

Spending her days under the influence of alcohol and various drugs is something I, as a reader, struggled with seeing. Her substance abuse was made more tragic by the people in her life enabling her to do so. There was the obvious manipulation by Richard, her older boyfriend, who often used Jane’s impaired judgement to his advantage. Jane’s dependence on her closest friend, Kitty, was also often exploited. She was always ready to encourage Jane’s destructive behaviours when it led to a good time but disappeared during her times of need. 

Jane’s relationship with her friend Anna, a discredited therapist she met as a child, was the one I was most invested in and shocked by. The unfolding of their dynamic was made so slowly and carefully that, by the end, the reader is confronted by the significant role Anna plays in influencing Jane’s actions, as well as who Anna is as a person.

Although the narrative is sporadic at best, the story really hit its peak during Jane and Kitty’s trip to London. There, Jane begins a spiral that is hard to recover from and it’s where readers begin to feel the true weight of what Jane is struggling with. It’s not just the gritty relatability of being young and confused, but it’s a powerful loneliness she can’t escape from.

Wild and reckless as our main character, confusing and intoxicating as the prose, this story will resonate with readers of all kinds. There’s something so unique about this story that it will have you rooting for Jane against all odds.  

Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Unfudge Yourself by Linsey Nogueira Flannery

By Jamie Maletta

Unfudge Yourself: A Parent’s Guide to Happiness is just that. Geared towards mamas, this book was a perfect and quick read that put a lot of common situations many of us face as mothers into perspective—an “outside-of-the-box-looking-in” kind of view. 

When you’re in the trenches of motherhood, everything can feel overwhelming. From what to feed your kids, to what to feed yourself if you get a second to do so, how to arrive anywhere on time, how to keep the house clean, your marriage/relationship alive, all while attempting to resemble a semi-functioning human. (I’m still working on that last one.) We put so many things on the backburner in order to function on the day to day that everyone inevitably begins to suffer the consequences. The biggest question is: how do we balance it all and live a happy and fulfilled life?  

Linsey Nogueira Flannery is a mother of two who has asked herself the very same kinds of questions. Sharing many (hilarious) personal and relatable stories and some tips and suggestions for balancing it all, Linsey offers what just might be the refreshing perspective you’ve been looking for. The book is funny, relatable, encouraging, and practical, and each chapter ends with a small “homework” task in relation to the topic that’s being covered. It was a great way to reflect and review some habits that I just don’t love, with the tools and positive encouragement to do so. I found myself truly engaged in the topics and really enjoyed what the overall book had to offer.  

Clearly, I loved the book! I felt so refreshed and motivated having read it, and I’m so happy to have come across this one! I think there are seasons of motherhood where we lose ourselves, function on autopilot, and just manage to get by. I also believe that this phenomenon is very common—we just don’t talk about it. We binge the highlight reels of Instagram, the bright and cheerful gentle-parenting TikTok videos and find ourselves feeling like we’re coming up short. To know someone’s life in an Instagram-worthy picture, or minute-long video is impossible, and I can guarantee we’re all experiencing some (if not all) of what Linsey Nogueira Flannery is talking about. I think it’s worth the read, whether you’re struggling or feel like you have this wonderful, chaotic, messy yet beautiful thing called motherhood down. We can all use a healthy dose of self-reflection and checking in with ourselves from time to time is such a great habit to form! Add Unfudge Yourself to your TBR pile today and see for yourself what a little self-care can do!

Book Review: The Bookstore Cat by Cylin Busby Illustrated by Charles Santoso

By Christine McFaul

Calling all cat lovers! The Bookstore Cat is a new-ish picture book (2020) written by Cylin Busby and illustrated by Charles Santoso. An alphabet book for readers aged 3-5 and such a well-loved read in our house, I had to share. 

Inspired by a Victorian Parlour game, the book’s simple concept is to describe the Bookstore Cat using each letter of the alphabet. The bookstore cat is an adorable cat … and also bossy, cuddly, darting, and so much more, as this book brings its feline bibliophile to life with clever, perfectly chosen descriptors from A to Z.

The illustrations are warm and expressive and add an additional level of humour with perfectly captured cat-ty details that never fail to have my own little bookworms laughing out loud no matter how many times we re-read. 

A note, the letters in this book are lowercase, making it a perfect learning tool for children who have already mastered their uppercase alphabet. Or, to add another layer of learning, try playing your own version of the Bookstore Cat game by using the handy set of instructions provided by the author. 

An irresistible read from A to Z. I’m usually more of a dog person, but for The Bookstore Cat I will make an exception. 

Book Review: My Ackee Tree by Suzanne Barr with Suzanne Hancock

By Christina McLaurine

My Ackee Tree is a memoir full of food and heart. Suzanne Barr is vulnerable and open as she recounts her journey to becoming a chef. This journey takes her from her childhood home in Plantation, Florida, to New York City for college and in search of her independence. Soon, she finds herself in Atlanta, where she discovers her activist spirit. However, before long, she returns to Florida to care for her ailing mum. While grieving the loss of her mother, Barr sets off again. Her travels take her back to New York City and subsequently to culinary school. Post culinary school, she spends some time in Hawaii, the Hamptons, and France before eventually settling in Toronto, where she opens her own restaurant.  

Barr is candid about the challenges and losses she’s faced along the way and offsets them with her strength and leaps of faith. From learning to quell self-doubts to navigate being a Black female in white-male dominated spaces and vindictive landlords and business partners. As Barr recounts each challenge, she contrasts it with her takeaways and lessons learned in a way that both educates and inspires her readers. Those who have limited knowledge of culinary school or the restaurant industry shouldn’t shy away from reading My Ackee Tree. Barr does a great job of explaining and illustrating those spaces for those unfamiliar with them.

Sometimes it’s not about what is waiting for us at our destination but about how we’ve changed and grown during the process. Barr seamlessly weaves themes of grief, race, identity, activism, and community through her journey while highlighting the importance of the journey itself. It’s unmistakable that Barr is deeply influenced and inspired by the places she’s been, the experiences she’s had, and the people she’s met. Each one has not only shaped her but also directly or indirectly influenced the rest of the journey. She carries them with her in her soul and infuses them into everything she does, especially her food. My Ackee Tree reads like an ode of thanksgiving for the people, places, and experiences that have inspired her the most.  

Thank you, Penguin Random House, for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: If You Give A Moose A Muffin by Laura Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond

By Jamie Maletta

We’ve all heard of Laura Numeroff’s very popular book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and her numerous books to follow such as Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse (my son’s first love), If You Take a Mouse to School, and If You Give a Mouse a Brownie. (Only to name a few!) These books are absolutely darling and beloved by many since Laura Numeroff’s debut in 1985.  

If You Give a Moose a Muffin is one of my son’s very favourite books. With large, bright, and colourful pages and a sentence or two on each page to keep their little minds engaged, this is the perfect book to add to your child’s collection. The writing is done in such a way that easily describes the story, and the illustrations go right along with it. All to be easily understood by a younger age group while still being interesting enough for the 3-7 age range (as appropriately suggested). This sweet and silly story will have the young reader in your life happily amused as the moose is given muffin after muffin, to only want more muffins, with an array of shenanigans that ensue during their adventure to obtain yet another! I have now read this book many times, and I don’t tire of this adorable story!

Although this book is one of the classics, first released in 1991, I find myself just as engaged now as I would have been as a child. I think we sometimes forget about our favourite childhood books, and when they resurface into our lives, it’s such a wonderful and nostalgic experience to read them again to someone we love. Laura Numeroff has so many really great books, from board books to hard and soft covers to choose from, and each one is adorable in its own way. I highly recommend If You Give a Moose a Muffin and the many other books within the collection by Laura Numeroff, as they truly are such a special read!

Book Review: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warning: murder, violence, minor gore  

After a breakup, Lila Macapagal returns to her small hometown to recover and to help save her family’s Filipino restaurant. Unfortunately, her high school ex-boyfriend Derek seems to have taken it upon himself to run their restaurant out of business—along with most of the other restaurants in town—with his vindictive, slanderous reviews. Lila, unwilling to let her family’s restaurant remain at risk, gets into a fight with Derek and his father. Then Derek dies, right in the middle of the restaurant. 

Derek’s stepfather, who happens to be the restaurant’s landlord, accuses Lila and her family of poisoning Derek. Now it’s up to Lila and her best friend to solve the mystery and save Tita Rosie’s Restaurant—before Lila finds herself next on the chopping block. 

Arsenic and Adobo is the first book in Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries, a new cozy murder mystery series featuring a diverse cast of characters and enough mouth-watering descriptions of food to make up for all the dead bodies. Until reading this book I wasn’t aware that “cozy murder mysteries” existed, but this book really captures the essence of the subgenre; it is full of crime and murder, while also maintaining an atmosphere of comfort (in large part aided by the most delicious descriptions of food I have ever read). While the book obviously features murder, and Lila often finds herself in dangerous situations, things are never overly gory or violent. As someone who likes the intrigue of a good mystery but doesn’t want to deal with serial killers or mutilated corpses, this was perfect for me. 

This book is an absolute delight. Lila is spunky and compelling, and each member of her family is distinct and colourful. The entire cast stands out, each with their own fleshed-out personality no matter how much they feature into the narrative. The vibrancy of the characters is complemented by Manansala’s rich descriptions of the town, particularly the local restaurants that factor heavily into Lila’s investigation. This book’s love language is food, and through food Manansala creates a rich and diverse tapestry of Lila’s hometown and the people who live there, all while developing the mystery narrative. 

I obviously can’t talk about this book without discussing the mystery plotline. Now, I will admit I don’t always enjoy mysteries, since I find it easy to predict plot twists. This book, however, is just the type of mystery I love. The pacing of Lila’s investigation works perfectly to set up the world of the series while keeping the investigation moving quickly. Each clue revealed made me feel closer to discovering the culprit, and yet I was still surprised by the twists and turns. Manansala crafts the mystery in such a way that there are a number of possible suspects, and when it comes down to the final reveal, I was both surprised and satisfied. The true strength of a mystery, in my opinion, is when the conclusion of the case makes such perfect sense that you kick yourself for not figuring it out sooner. All the clues are there, but hidden enough that they’re easy to overlook, making the investigation exciting and satisfying to read. 

The writing style of this book is fun and quick, the descriptions mouth-watering, the mystery shocking and satisfying. There are moments to sit and savour the delicious flavours of Lila’s newest culinary creation, and sections that fly by as she gets pulled closer to danger. As someone who hasn’t read the genre in a long time, this book has everything I want: a compelling mystery, a likeable and clever amateur detective, and an external world that complemented the mystery storyline. Everything came together to create a world that I am eager to get back to.

Luckily, I don’t have to wait long. The next installment in Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries will be out February 8, and I’m excited to say that a review of Homicide and Halo-Halo is coming within the next few weeks. If you’re a fan of cozy murder mysteries and are looking for a book that will make you absolutely starving, now’s the time to pick up Arsenic and Adobo. 

Book Review: All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

By Carly Smith

All Her Little Secrets follows Ellice Littlejohn, a lawyer who works at Houghton Transportation Company—a corporation involved in some shady business. Not only does Littlejohn stand out as one of the few women in her department, but also as the company’s only Black employee. Shortly after her colleague and lover, Michael, is found dead, Ellice is thrust into his role at Houghton. As she makes her way up the ranks, and the police work to find Michael’s killer, she is forced into a past full of secrets that steadily unravel. Morris tastefully intertwines Ellice’s past and present lives in this well-paced, captivating thriller.

Ellice Littlejohn is a strong-willed, hard-working woman whose roots in a small, southern town are both a curse and a blessing. Her youth sculpted her into the clever, determined lawyer she is, while it also exposed her to pain and fear no child should encounter. Now working in Atlanta, Ellice has a new life that delivers many positives—money, freedom from her former abusers, and status. Nevertheless, parts of her old life like racism, heinous childhood memories, and the obligation to constantly protect her little brother, must be relived. Morris constructs a main character with great intention, making Ellice Littlejohn relatable and engaging. 

This debut novel can easily be confused for a book written by a seasoned thriller author; it contains just enough details to leave the reader enchanted but not so many as to feel overwhelmed or bored. I really enjoyed how Morris combined a unique thriller plot with the real-world, everyday intersection of race and gender discrimination that so many Black women experience. This added a sense of connection and reality to the fictional story that readers can take away and contemplate long after the book is finished. Morris tells the story in the first-person perspective, going back and forth between Ellice’s childhood and the present. Overall, All Her Little Secrets is a well-calculated, steady read that left me looking forward to Morris’s next book.

Book Review: My Body in Pieces by Marie-Noëlle Hébert

By Dylan Curran

Content warning: eating disorders 

My Body in Pieces is an impressive collection of illustrations that lend themselves to thought-provoking ideas on self-worth and the impact of everyday actions. This was a graphic novel that made me feel seen and heard. The anxieties embedded within its pages linger, slowly fading into nostalgias of worries we've all had: Do I look good in this? How can I be thinner? When will all these workouts start to show results?

As a reader, you feel yourself grow weary of Hébert’s choices. You know that these early decisions are hurting her—her friends, her family, her body. But you can't stop her. And you can't stop yourself from reading, from slipping into the familiarity of her actions.  

You feed yourself on her mistakes. Eagerly, you take another bite, devour the book whole. 

An examination of Hébert’s journey, the novel is told in evocative black and white, each frame reminiscent of family photo albums or photo essays. Every emotion in its pages is expressed with such certainty and depth that we feel ourselves leak into the pages and become embedded in these memories. As readers, we are shaped by the words "each day I focus on finding fault with my body, one piece at a time...I am good at it." 

The clarity of moments sketched in fragile charcoal strokes emphasizes the contrast of other characters' seemingly insignificant suggestions that have a huge toll on Hébert’s self-esteem. She is all too conscious of her image, ever reminded of her (self-perceived) failures, forever plagued by the reflection in the mirror. But what Hébert does not see, we as readers do: the love that follows her throughout the book. We catch glimpses in the wordless frames of Ganache, of Matilda, and even between family members. There is a tentative tenderness in each of these conversations. But, ultimately, we cannot deny that it is a genuine depiction of body dysmorphia, anti-fatness, and eating disorders. An all too familiar life for a woman who struggles to see the beauty within herself.  

Once layered in self-hatred, Hébert slowly polishes the pieces of herself through therapy and begins to reveal new aspects of herself: a friend, a daughter, an artist. 

We cheer for her in the final pages, revel in the positive changes she has made for herself. We too share an ice cream with a smile on our face. 

A note on the impressive task of translating a graphic novel: Shelley Tanaka has done wonders to translate the text from French to English, and in doing so, has conveyed a level of anxiety one assumes is found murmured throughout the original text. Tanaka effortlessly manipulates language to form swift, short snippets that flow between each frame. In this way, the translation blends seamlessly with the original graphics (illustrations by the author herself, Marie-Noëlle Hébert). Overall, My Body in Pieces is a striking debut and an impressive graphic novel that deserves a home on your shelf. 

Thank you to Groundwood Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! 

Book Review: Suture by Nic Brewer

By Lauren Bell

Content warning: gore

Suture by Nic Brewer tells the fragmented story of three artists and how the necessary sacrifices they make for their work baffles those around them. 

Eva is a filmmaker who uses her eyes as batteries for her camera. The first time she tried it was as a child, and her eyes haven’t worked the same since; her vision is only perfect when she looks through the camera lens. By the time she is 37, she’s lost colour vision in her camera too, and without it she only sees shadows. It is through the help of her devoted wife, Dev (whom Eva must learn to love), that she is able to find a careful balance.

Finn is a visual artist that uses her heart and lungs for her art. She is first introduced as a child observing the art class her father attends—a class adorned with scalpels and organs instead of the traditional supplies. By the time Finn is 30, she is a successful artist, but she gives up her passion soon after. It isn’t until her child begins following in her footsteps as a drummer that Finn is forced to reconcile her feelings about her family, art, and future.

Grace is an author who uses her blood to power her word processor. She is introduced as a bookish tween who rewrites her life through anecdotes from the books she reads, creating a fictitious self to make up for her lack of self-respect. Typically, when she writes, she pushes herself too far and frequently ends up admitted to the hospital, much to her partner’s and her network’s chagrin. Despite Grace’s successful debut, her second book is a flop, so she uses black market blood to produce the rest of her novels, a charade she can carry on easily after learning how to lie so well in her childhood.

Suture is built out of biting prose and vivid imagery. It is not a novel for those averse to gore, yet still should be considered a must-read. Creatives will feel seen with Brewer’s description of the artistic process, and achieving suspension of disbelief is easy. Others will enjoy Suture because of its incredibly human characters, each imperfect and multifaceted. With themes of empathy and love, Brewer also conveys the frustration of those supporting the main characters through their mental health difficulties. Those who have been in that position in their lives will see themselves in this novel. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Suture by Nic Brewer, and I devoured it in one night. I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially creatives and those who dwell in introspection, and I cannot wait to see what Brewer does next. 

Thank you Book*hug Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Her Turn by Katherine Ashenburg

By Tyra Forde

While the plot of Her Turn, the second fiction novel by Canadian author Katherine Ashenburg, spans only a few weeks, it effortlessly illuminates the ordinary and extraordinary (for better or for worse!) moments that make up everyday life. The novel begins in October 2015, where forty-something divorcee Liz, editor of a column called “My Turn,” combs for essays from across the country that capture unique stories with relatable themes. When one submission hits too close to home, not for its content but because of its author, Liz’s quiet life quickly spirals out of control. Her ex-husband’s new wife—the woman he had an affair with—writes in about her marriage, and Liz can’t help but write back as the anonymous editor.

Ashenburg artfully injects drama into the mundanities of Liz’s life. On the outside, her routine is careful and measured, including regular Italian language classes and yoga every Tuesday. On the inside, her schedule also includes a secret rendezvous with her married boss at a nearby hotel each week. The cast of family and friends that fill out her social circle is full of dynamic and inclusive characters, including her mother with dementia, her gay brother’s blended family, her college-age son, and her friends, each at different life stages—not to mention the other men that Liz keeps company. Her dating escapades are documented as if coming directly from a friend’s mouth and in a witty style reminiscent of Bridget Jones’s Diary.  

The novel is broken into chapters identified by the week they take place as fall bleeds into the winter. Set in Washington against the backdrop of Hilary Clinton running for president, Ashenburg explores how politics, with both a capital and lowercase ‘p’, infiltrate and impact daily life, even for apolitical Liz. A perfect choice to read during the holidays, these politics are especially evident in scenes that take place during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Most importantly, Her Turn is a story of forgiveness and the power it takes to give and receive it, even in the most difficult of circumstances. While Liz may not always make the right choice in romance, work, or life, her feelings and fears are shared with such honest narration that Ashenburg makes her a character to root for until the very end.   

At just under 230 pages, the novel is witty and heartfelt. I devoured it in one sitting. Ashenburg’s writing style romanticizes the everyday, and even when everything is going wrong in the plot, the novel never misses a beat. Her Turn comes highly recommended and has inspired me to read Ashenburg’s first fiction novel, Sofie & Cecilia.

*Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead

By Carmen Lebar

Content warning: sexual assault, racism, homophobia, physical violence, drug use

Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead is a beautifully written character driven novel about a Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer character. The novel centres around Jonny and his life in and outside the reservation. Jonny moves to Winnipeg for a better life, eventually working as a sex worker. The story is told in vignettes of Jonny’s life, leading up to his eventual return to the reservation to attend his stepfather’s funeral. These vignettes aren’t chronological, and they focus on his close relationships with his friends Tias and Jordan, his mother, and his grandmother. Jonny Appleseed navigates Jonny’s life as he tries to understand himself and the way he wants to live. I found the novel emotionally profound and brutally honest.

Whitehead eloquently writes Jonny’s story, capturing his character growth. Every hardship Jonny experiences is complex and intersectional; he is not just experiencing racism, but homophobia and classism as well. Jonny often mentions these moments with self-deprecating humour. The comedic relief in the novel is always placed at the right time and never takes away from the more emotional or difficult moments. I enjoyed reading Jonny’s raw first-person narrative. From his perspective, he reveals that the emotional ups and downs he faces in his present have been ultimately molded by his past. And while reading this novel, it made me realize how the world needs more books like this.

Jonny Appleseed has received numerous accolades from various authors and has won many awards and it is deserving of praise and recognition from critics of literary fiction. Many important and difficult topics are brought up in the novel and written in such a beautiful and poignant language - I don't want the hype of this novel to die down. This was the first novel I have read by a Two-Spirit/Indigiaqueer author and it won't be my last. 

Jonny Appleseed is a novel that I will continue to refer to and revisit in the future. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is actively wanting to read widely and diversely–especially if you want to read more books by queer and Indigenous authors. After the buzz dies down from this book, I hope it still is something people talk about and will read in the years to come. Jonny Appleseed is a timeless novel that deserves every bit of praise it has received.

Book Review: This Strange Visible Air by Sharon Butala

By Nikki Howitt

Content Warning: mentions of suicide, sexual abuse, rape, violence and murder

This Strange Visible Air is a collection of essays written by Canadian author Sharon Butala about the many nuances of life as you grow older, punctuated by her reflections and insights about her own aging process. 

The first few essays begin fervently discussing the ageism perpetuated by an impossibly fast-paced culture causing the elderly to fall victim to the Age of Invisibility. This breakneck culture now celebrates its ability to attain answers and results quickly, leaving the older population, who tend to speak and move slowly (or arguably with more thought and care), to feel a relentless disregard and diminishing usefulness. Even though the elderly make up such a large portion of the population, they are undervalued, at times mistreated, and significantly underutilized despite their wisdom and experience. 

Butala’s second essay on loneliness is both relatable and timely. Loneliness is a largely inescapable state of being that comes with the inevitability of growing older. While loneliness is part of being human, society recognizes that having companionship is integral for our well being and that the desire to be in the presence of others is innate. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear that loneliness is a common issue for the elderly when many connections are severed for one reason or another. Butala also states that while loneliness isn’t necessarily considered a social construct, as a reader, it was not difficult to make the connection to the current state of the world and the widespread loneliness and isolation that has been created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness is its own epidemic.

I only wish the author had continued on this path and sought to further challenge the framework and ideologies of modern society. My interest waned somewhat in the following essays focusing more on her perfunctory observations about the world around her, which left me to question the purpose of these explorations.

Butala manages to renew interest during the final few essays with regards to her pursuit for justice for the unsolved murder of Alexandra Wiwcharuk, with whom she was acquainted as a teenager, and in a subsequent essay, where she comes to terms with the passing of a family member due to a mental health crisis.

This collection of essays is part personal reflection and part apology, but the reader can nonetheless appreciate Butala’s ability to take stock of her life and share the lessons she has learned. While some of the insights are obvious, others are thoughtful and aim to assuage the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with growing older. These observations will undoubtedly appeal to readers of a certain age. However, younger readers can certainly benefit from her wisdom too.

Thank you, Freehand Books, for this complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Survive the Night by Riley Sager

By Sarah Murray

Content Warnings: kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, multiple car accidents, death, torture, suicide attempt

Survive the Night by Riley Sager is my first by this author and most certainly will not be my last! I have constantly heard so many amazing things about his works that I had to see what everyone was talking about. 

Survive the Night takes place in the 90s and tells us the story of Charlie, who recently lost her friend to a terrible murder by the Campus Serial Killer and feels partially to blame. She no longer wants to remain on the campus of the college that both she and her murdered friend attended. This is due to the memories that she has of their friendship at the college as it is where they first connected. Charlie then decides to put her name up on the carpool board in hopes that she can share a ride with someone going the same way as her. Luckily for her, a young man named Josh wants to find someone to drive with him as he makes his way home to visit his sick father. Throughout the night, as Charlie struggles with the movie type visions of what is going on around her, she begins to get suspicious of Josh and believes him to be the Campus Serial Killer, but instances have her questioning herself and Josh.

Survive the Night is told mainly told through Charlie’s POV, but there are chapters thrown in of some other major characters, which add to the story and allowed us to see more of what was going on, especially due to Charlies mental state. Charlie was an unreliable character due to her mental state and the type of “movie” visions she has of what is going on around her. I enjoyed that the story also took place in the 90s. It made the book more suspenseful as Charlie could not just take out her cellphone and text or call anyone when she felt unsafe. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to be in a situation that you feel unsafe in like being in a car with no way to contact help. One thing I did feel a bit confused by was the way Charlie stayed in the car even when she felt something was off. I understand that she felt unsure of her reasoning and mind, but at the same time, sometimes you need to trust your instincts. Having the book take place mainly in a moving vehicle was unique and different, especially as they were driving in such an isolated area.

Survive the Night kept me captivated from beginning to end. I had to know what was going on and didn’t want to put the book down. Even with my disbelief with some of Charlie’s reasoning—when she chooses to stay in a car with someone she does not trust—the middle to end of this book had me in shock with the twists and turns. I cannot wait to pick up Riley’s backlist!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the ebook copy for my honest review!