Hey there! How’s it going? It’s so good to see you! Welcome to damppebbles, home of #R3COMM3DN3D2023. I hope you’re having a good week so far. It’s Wednesday so we’re one teeny, tiny step closer to the weekend. It’s also day fifteen of #R3COMM3ND3D2023 which means we are officially half way through this year’s feature. Where has the time gone? More importantly, how many books have you added to your TBR? Let me know!
One of the things I love most about #R3COMM3ND3D, apart from the books, is that I get to invite some of my favourite bookish people onto the blog. And today is a prime example of exactly that. I am delighted to welcome the brilliant HC of The Irresponsible Reader to damppebbles. HC’s blog is a pure goldmine of bookish delights and if you haven’t experienced its wondrousness then I politely suggest you pay The Irresponsible Reader a visit at your earliest convenience. I mean, you could go now but make sure you return otherwise you won’t find out which three books HC recommends…
So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2023? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers, reviewers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2023. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2023 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. See, it wasn’t too painful. I just like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉
Here are the three books HC recommends…
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
It’s a clever little murder mystery, with plenty of good suspects and nice twists. But the book isn’t really all that interested in the murder investigation. It’s just an excuse for these people to come together and start interacting. Vera herself doesn’t really want any of her suspects to be guilty—she’s too busy meddling in their lives to improve them (selflessly assisting them, she’d hurry to tell you). But she keeps plugging away at her little list of suspects because it’s something she’s started—and wouldn’t it be exciting to actually find a murderer? (even if it’s someone she doesn’t want to get into any kind of trouble).
By the time I got halfway through the opening paragraph, I’d started coming up with a list of people to recommend this book to. There was something about the voice that just jumped off of the page and said, “You’re going to have fun with this.” And I absolutely did—but there was more to it than that, being around these characters felt comfortable. I just wanted to spend time in their presence—like Stars Hollow, CT; the locker room of AFC Richmond; the Parks and Rec Department of Pawnee, IN; the Jigsaw Room of Cooper’s Chase retirement village; or Knight’s Bookstore in Abbi Waxman’s L.A. I don’t remember the last time that I read a cozy mystery that was so worthy of the title “Cozy.”
Yes, I wanted to figure it out. Yes, I wanted to know what happened to the characters and wanted closure for this period in their lives. But I read as slowly as I could because I wanted to linger. And I never do that.
HC’s Review of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
This is about as far from cozy as is possible to get. It’s a book about death—violent death at the hands of violent people who only hope to go on so they can kill again—However, in a serious way the book is really about life. It’s a celebration of life, a call to protect it, a call to see it for what it is. It’s a reminder that “where life is precious, life is precious.”
At the core, this is a satire and critique of the American culture–particularly as it relates to sports, mass entertainment, and (most importantly) the carceral system. Pitting convicted felons against each other in gladiatorial fights-to-death, selling merch featuring them, turning them into Reality TV personalities between bouts…Adjei-Brenyah holds up the worst of the US to look at.
Adjei-Brenyah does point in a way that suggests solutions, but doesn’t get preachy–nor does he pretend to have all the answers. It’s impossible to read this without being moved–perhaps to action. But it’s also a visceral and exciting read that can entertain you without forcing you to think deeply about what it wants you to.
HC’s Review of Chain-Gang All-Stars
Mrs. Covington’s by K.R.R. Lockhaven
I had a hard time picking something for this spot, in fact, I wrote partial drafts for 4 other books before I committed. But once I thought of mentioning this book, I just had to.
Lockhaven’s book is a Cozy Fantasy about Jacob, a young man trying to make his way in the world who ends up buying a struggling capybara-themed pub (as you do). He, his staff, and some other new friends try a few experiments and start to create a community. Part of what they try to do is find a treasure hidden nearby a long time ago–which will be enough to prop up the pub as well as help secure the future of some of Jacob’s new friends (largely non-human races that you only find in Fantasy novels).
The thing with Cozy Fantasy is that the plot comes second (if not tertiary) to things like character and atmosphere. Mrs. Covington’s shines here–it’s such a pleasant, comfy atmosphere that it trumps everything else. A treasure hunt with the staff of the friendliest bar this side of Cheers! might be the plot of this cozy fantasy novel. But the book’s core is kindness, community, optimism, and helping. Also, Nachos. Brought to you in a great fantasy world with a light and engaging voice, Mrs. Covington’s will leave you snug and content.
HC’s Review of Mrs Covington’s
Thank you so much, HC. I love all three of your choices but I am head over heels in love with the cover of Mrs Covington’s! That is one fabulous cover. I have also read Chain-Gang All-Stars and thoroughly recommend it. Dark and disturbing from start to finish but impossible to forget.
About HC, The Irresponsible Reader:
As the Irresponsible Reader, I’m a fanboy sounding my bookish yawp over the roofs of the Internet. Essentially, I’m just some guy with a habit that’s gotten out of control, and will very likely die crushed by an out-of-control TBR Pile in my dotage (or tomorrow). Appreciator of the Strange, the Neat, and/or the Yummy.
HC’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| The Irresponsible Reader | X (formerly Twitter) @HCNewton | Facebook | Instagram @irreader | Bluesky @hcnewton.bsky.social |
#R3COMM3ND3D will only run for the month of November this year so places are very limited. If you would like to take part in #R3C this year (and I would LOVE you to!) then please get your three choices in ASAP. If I’m unable to fill all 30 dates then any posts scheduled for the end of November will be brought forward and I will close the series early (but I don’t want to do that, it sounds miserable! 😂). Here are two different versions of the form if you fancy taking part.
If you’re a book blogger, bookstagrammer, reviewer or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/d6HbMLZJjEtUSm8FA)
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