A quick post to say that Mimi Lee Gets A Clue was nominated for a 2021 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery Novel! https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/Awards.html … [Read more...]
On Author Blurbs
January 11, 2021 Leave a Comment
Ever wonder about those quotes by authors you find on books? Having been asked to write some recently, I blogged about my thoughts on Writers Who Kill. See the post here: https://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2021/01/thoughts-on-blurbing-by-jennifer-j-chow.html … [Read more...]
Festive Reading
January 4, 2021 2 Comments
"A new challenge is near." (fortune cookie saying) Here's how I celebrated during my much-needed break from writing over these last few weeks. I read. For fun! Sometimes I like measuring my vacations by the number of books I've read. It gives me an indication of how much lovely time I spent between the pages of a book. Also, it fuels that inner competitive streak in me. (In elementary school, I once won a reading contest hands-down--and got handsomely rewarded with a gift card to a local … [Read more...]
Book Club Day!
December 11, 2020 Leave a Comment
Hi, Folks! I'm at Chicks on the Case today talking about Mimi Lee Gets A Clue. Come check it out: https://chicksonthecase.com/2020/12/11/chicks-book-club-mimi-lee-gets-a-clue-by-jennifer-j-chow/ … [Read more...]
Happy Book Birthday to Me!
November 10, 2020 4 Comments
A quick announcement that Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines is out in the world today. It's the second installment in the Sassy Cat Mystery series, where a Los Angeles pet groomer solves cases alongside her talking sassy cat. Book links:Penguin Random HouseBookshopAmazon or go out and support your favorite indie bookstore or online retailer! … [Read more...]
Book Review: Your House Will Pay
July 13, 2020 Leave a Comment
Your House Will Pay 5 stars Genre: Contemporary fiction (mystery/thriller) A literary revelation.There are no easy answers or one-sided characters in Cha’s latest novel. Instead it offers a finely drawn dual perspective about racial relations through the main characters, Grace Park and Shawn Matthews. Rooted in authentically detailed Los Angeles history, Cha pens an illuminating work about racism, family, and society—a timely read for us all. A taut novel that features a raw and … [Read more...]
Book Review: Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes
April 13, 2020 2 Comments
Books are my go-to pleasure these days. It's really tough out there, and reading is my solace. One novel that helped me at the very beginning of this period is Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes. 5 stars Genre: Contemporary fiction Pros: Immersive worldFull of heart and humor Cons: An incident at the end might be too dramatic for some readers A compulsive read. I loved this book about the mamas and dramas happening in this particular high school. The teaching world … [Read more...]
#BookReview: The Satapur Moonstone
November 25, 2019 2 Comments
5 stars Genre: Mystery (historical) https://www.amazon.com/Satapur-Moonstone-Mystery-1920s-India-ebook/dp/B07CWF5BQF Pros: Excellent historical insight and world-building Unique and well-drawn protagonistA solid mystery Cons: Pacing may be slow for some in the first few chapters This is a historical gem of a book. It took me a few chapters to get into the pacing of the novel, but after that, I was sucked into Perveen's world. I really love the idea of her being … [Read more...]
#BookReview: Exhalation
September 30, 2019 2 Comments
5 stars Genre: Short Stories (science fiction) Exhalation: Stories Pros: InventiveVaried styles of writingComplex narratives that really make you think Cons: Some stories didn't draw me in as much as the others Yes, Ted Chiang is amazing. I really like how he explored some of the scientific concepts and how it would really impact humans. Also, I loved how versatile Chiang is in his prose. He's able to write with a lyrical or historical air, but also able to switch to … [Read more...]
#BookReview: The Astonishing Color of After
May 13, 2019 Leave a Comment
The Astonishing Color of After 5 stars Genre: YA magical realism Pros: Addresses the complexities of griefProvides multiple cultural referencesUses sensory poetic language Cons: Repeats color themes that may be distracting What an amazing and heart-wrenching book! I'm really glad I picked it up. It ties in cultural significance with the accuracy of feeling like an in-between girl straddling two worlds. I love how real the novel gets about grief and the ways we … [Read more...]
