DEBORAH CROMBIE: What fun to have the lovely Jonelle Patrick visiting us all the way from Tokyo this morning! I have no idea what time it is in Japan, but Jonelle is a treat any time of day. She has a new book coming out on April 21st, THE SAMURAI'S OCTUPUS.
I can't wait to learn the significance of the title, but today she's here to chat about something else. Here's Jonelle!
LET’S TALK COMFORT
READS
Good morning, Reds and fellow Readers! It’s me, Jonelle,
waving at you from Tokyo.
The divine Deb kindly invited me here today because I have a
new book coming out in April, but first there’s something else I’ve been dying
to ask the Reds and Readers about.
Did you open your email this morning and save Jungle Reds for last, knowing it’ll be a welcome antidote to whatever fresh outrage just screamed at you from the headlines? Like me, do you top up your cuppa and come here to be reassured that smart, thoughtful people still care about books and writing and each other? That there are still kind people on this earth who listen to each other, offer condolences in times of loss and sadness, encouragement to those with health woes, and joy at every new book release and award? I don’t know about you, but for me, Jungle Reds is one of those safe havens and islands of goodness I’ve come to rely on in this weary world.
But what do you do in the middle of the night when you need something more to whisk you away from your cares and worries? That’s what I’m here to ask about today.
Reds and Readers,
what do you look for in a comfort read?
Sometime during covid I stopped reading thrillers—a genre I
used to consume by the truckload—and started seeking out the kind of books that
will gently but firmly lure me away from staring at the ceiling at 3:00 a.m.
and worrying about test results or fretting over the problems of the world. I’m
pretty sure the Reds and Readers are world-class experts on comfort reads, because
so many of you write them and we so often recommend them to each other.
So…what defines a
comfort read for YOU?
What must-haves do
you look for in a comfort read?
What no-fly zones must
a comfort read absolutely avoid?
What are your
favorite comfort reads (and why)?
To get us started, want to hear mine?
Must-haves: Writing and plot so immersive I need to
set a timer if I’ve got somewhere to be; a setting/situation that’s very
different from the reality I’m escaping; a satisfying ending (everyone gets what
they deserve, good or bad)
No-flys: Graphic violence or cruelty; evil triumphing
over good in any lasting way
Favorite comfort reads: Mysteries have always been my
all-purpose comfort read—especially if they take place elsewhere and elsewhen (i.e.
not in the present-day USA)—because puzzling over a crime I know is going to be
solved in 350 pages stops me from obsessing about the problems that are tougher
to solve in real life. I’ve also started reading more historical fiction,
because whatever dire straits and evil leaders and wretched conditions the
characters have to endure, I know for a fact we survived that era. That the
pendulum always swings, humanity lurches forward, and evil goes out of style
again.
My latest go-to
comfort reads:
The Wine of Angels
by Phil Rickman
The Mists of
Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
A Letter of Mary by
Laurie King
In the Bleak
Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (this whole series, to be honest. Eek,
have I developed a vicar fixation?)
Matrix by Lauren
Groff
So tell me, Reds and
Readers, what about you? What do YOU look for in a comfort read?
Jonelle Patrick writes what she reads. Her new mystery, The
Samurai’s Octopus, takes place in Japan’s Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in the
1780s, where the shÅgun rules with an iron fist but women hold all the cards.
It’s a place where those with the most power must beg favor from those with the
least, and one resourceful girl growing up at the House of Treasures just might
bring down a high-ranking murderer if she manages to find the mother she’s
never known. If you’re my long-lost twin when it comes to comfort reads, here’s where
you can find out if The Samurai’s Octopus
checks all your boxes too…
Congratulations on your new book, Jonelle . . . I’m looking forward to reading “The Samurai’s Octopus” . . . .
ReplyDeleteComfort reads are like getting a hug from a book . . . . you’re left feeling peaceful and your heart is smiling. I have to agree with you, Jonelle, about Julia’s Clare Ferguson / Russ Van Alstyne books being comfort reads; I’d also add “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” and many children’s books like “Goodnight Moon” . . . .
Joan, no surprise, you are a woman after my own heart. I hesitated to mention how many YA books I consume in times of true distress, but now that you've opened the door, Counselor, I'll admit that the Narnia books are in my emergency stash for those dire staring-into-the-abyss nights. YA and childrens' books go that extra mile even beyond cozies, and I think the good ones are some of the finest literature ever written. (Did you ever reread Winnie-the-Pooh as an adult? I was astounded at how it spoke to me on a whole different level than the stories I was delighted by as a child!)
DeleteJoan, no surprise, you are a woman after my own heart. I hesitated to mention how many YA books I consume in times of true distress, but now that you've opened the door, Counselor, I'll admit that the Narnia books are in my emergency stash for those dire staring-into-the-abyss nights. YA and childrens' books go that extra mile even beyond cozies, and I think the good ones are some of the finest literature ever written. (Did you ever reread Winnie-the-Pooh as an adult? I was astounded at how it spoke to me on a whole different level than the stories I was delighted by as a child!)
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I am working my way through the full cast audio versions of the Harry Potter book. So good, except I can't quite get used to Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore because he sounds like Hugh Laurie!
Delete"books"
DeleteHugh Laurie as Dumbledore?? Can’t even imagine it. — Pat S
DeleteWelcome, Jonelle! Do you live in Japan full time? I lived on the Okakyu Line fifty years ago for a couple of years, teaching conversational English and studying Japanese. Your new book sounds fabulous!
ReplyDeleteComfort reads for me are historical and smart cozy mysteries, which is why that's also what I write (as Maddie Day). They were a great comfort to write during pandemic lockdown - my story was pretty much the only thing I could control and make sure things came out right in the end.
Edith, I have been a fan of yours forever (speaking of smart cozy mysteries!) and I never guessed you'd lived here until you mentioned it the other day! Have you been back since your Eikaiwa days? I have a cultural visa now for writing, so I COULD live here all the time...if all my family wasn't in San Francisco. I spend about half the year here in Tokyo, and the other half ironing napkins for all major holidays (none of my kids has twelve plates, forks or chairs, so I've been unsuccessful at retiring from turkey duty). But you are my sister in writing being a way to escape the various horrors of reality for a few hours (ugh, the pandemic was the worst, wasn't it?) I was so homesick for Japan the first time we moved back (I cried all the way to Narita Airport), writing my first (utterly unpublishable) novel was a way for me to spend four hours a day in Japan, even though my body was on Pacific Coast Time.
DeleteWhat a marvelous statement, Edith, about your story being pretty much the only thing you could control. Exactly! Comfort reads ease my days. I hope, when finished, my book will be a comfort zone, a place to hide away from the uglies life sends our way sometimes.
DeleteJonelle, I’m intrigued by your book and your description of comfort reads. You are on my TBR pile. Thanks for being here today.
Jonelle, intrigued by The Samurai’s Octopus as you are a new-to-me author! and one of my comfort reads is Shelby VanPelts’ octopus tale of Remarkably Bright Creatures. To answer your question about reading Jungle Reds: I just visit the website daily, don’t get the emails. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteElisabeth, you have wonderful taste in comfort reads. I LOVED Remarkably Bright Creatures! It's going to be one of my future 3:00 am Top Five, once my increasingly tired braincells forget enough of it to make it feel new again. I loved spending time with the characters and know it will all come out right in the end, which my two biggest hot buttons. (And I've seen you here before, never guessing that you do that most dedicated of things: come here without even an email to remind you! It really says something about a community when it's welcoming and safe enough to be part of peoples' everyday lives, don't you think?)
DeleteEdith, I have been a fan of yours forever (speaking of smart cozy mysteries!) and I never guessed you'd lived here until you mentioned it the other day! Have you been back since your Eikaiwa days? I have a cultural visa now for writing, so I COULD live here all the time...if all my family wasn't in San Francisco. I spend about half the year here in Tokyo, and the other half ironing napkins for all major holidays (none of my kids has twelve plates, forks or chairs, so I've been unsuccessful at retiring from turkey duty). But you are my sister in writing being a way to escape the various horrors of reality for a few hours (ugh, the pandemic was the worst, wasn't it?) I was so homesick for Japan the first time we moved back (I cried all the way to Narita Airport), writing my first (utterly unpublishable) novel was a way for me to spend four hours a day in Japan, even though my body was on Pacific Coast Time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book, Jonelle, I love histoical mysteries and it is going on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteSince the pandemic, I also have been searching for comfort reads. The Jungle Red Writers' books are all on the list, but I have also been reading lots of historical mysteries and lots of romances and romantic mysteries. In particular, I have gravitated towards books that are laugh-out-loud funny, devouring series like the Shackleford Sisters by Beverley Watt and The Carsington Family Series by Loretta Chase. If you like to laugh, I cannot recommend anything funnier. I just read A KING'S RANSOM by Janet Evanovich and could hardly put it down. I do set timers in order to get to appointments.
Oh my goodness, a new Janet Evanovich that comes this highly recommended from you? Straight to the TBR! And thank you for the laugh-out-loud funny recommendations that hooked you into reading an entire series. You know how some books start out funny, but the style of humor wears thin by the end? Hearing of a writer whose funny bone goes the distance is like GOLD.
DeleteJudy, I too enjoy Janet Evanovich's mysteries. I just started A King's Ransom (at your suggestion earlier) and it moves quickly, a page turner. If you like romantic mysteries you might enjoy Rebecca by du Maurier, if you aren't already familiar with this book/movie. It's set in the late 1930's in England.
DeleteThanks, Anonymous. I reread REBECCA a couple years ago after reading a commentary on it by James Ziskin. Looking at it from his point of view changed that book in my mind forever, not for the better. I think that a really big question when it comes to classic literature is, "Does it hold up?"
DeleteOh I must!! read the James Ziskin commentary - thanks Judy. I'm not sure it would be a classic in the sense that I think of classics either, but I would say the movie directed by Hitchcock which was an academy award winner certainly is a classic. I love the characters, especially the dark and scary Ms. Danforth and the twist at the end that I never saw coming.
DeleteWelcome to JRW Jonelle! I recently also read REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES and adored it! I'm going to look for your book as soon as I finish here. I'm dying to know what you're doing in Japan!
ReplyDeleteOh Lucy/Roberta, I love your writing, and my goal is for my characters to meet in wonderful Japanese places and discover as much fabulous food as your characters do in Key West! You're so good at making the place you love come alive (even for readers who've never been there) so you know that it's the little day-to-day details (even the annoying bits) that really add that depth of experience that makes an exotic place also feel familiar. Even after twenty years, I still wake up here every day and see (or eat!) something I'd never see anywhere else. What brought me here in 2003 is that my husband's mother is Japanese and he has lots of family here, so when he had a chance to work in Tokyo for a couple of years, we jumped at the chance. But it's me who fell in love with the place and kept coming back for more, and now it's the excuse of book research that puts me here about half the year.
DeleteCompetence porn does it for me. Good people (flawed but caring) solving problems and trying to make things better. Lately The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, the Rivers of London, and all of Becky Chambers have been my go-to reading.
ReplyDeleteAlso Japanese cozies like THE FULL MOON COFFEE SHOP series by Mai Mochizuki, DAYS AT THE MORISAKI BOOKSHOP by Satoshi Yagisawa and THE CAT WHO SAVED BOOKS by Sosuke Natsukawa.
DeleteI love Murderbot!
DeleteOMG my long-lost sister, I am such a Murderbot and Becky Chambers fangirl. Have read all Murderbots multiple times, the Wayfarer books at least twice, and give Psalm for the Wild-Built to everyone I know. So it surprised me that you also like those Japanese cozies—what do you love about them? I found them sort of quirkily charming, but am slightly baffled at how hot they've become outside of Japan.
DeleteI am a huge Rivers of London fan (favorite series) and of Murderbot Diaries. Martha Wells has a new Murderbot book out next month, I think. Now I have to look up Becky Chambers.
DeleteDebs, I think you've sent lots of JRW readers to read or listen to the Rivers of London series. I find the audiobooks totally addictive.
DeleteMe, too, on the audiobooks, Judy. Definitely the top comfort listen.
DeleteI looked up Becky Chambers and her Hugo winning sci-fi series is on Kindle Unlimited. I've grabbed the first one!
Hi Jonelle, and welcome to JRW. I loved your first photo -- and immediately had to show it to my husband because last August we visited the very spot you are standing and it is always a thrill to have those places pop up.
ReplyDeleteI too, have pretty much lost my taste for thrillers in the current days. I kind of enjoy escaping into well written magical realism, like everything by Sarah Addison Allen, or even whatever genre one would call Ben Aaronovich's Rivers of London series. I also enjoy finding books with a good quirky main character to love, like Where'd You Go Bernadette or Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or When We Were Vikings. I don't read romances per se, but a good dose of romance in a mystery or serious novel can be a fine thing. I stumbled across a relatively unknown author named Emma Jameson who wrote the Lord and Lady Hetheridge mystery series that is police procedural with just the right romantic spice and I devoured them.
My no-fly list is about the same as yours. I would just add anything that makes my stomach roil as I read it. Life is too short and currently too full of real world drama to spend my reading time feeling that way.
Amen to real word news providing way too much stomach-flipping drama! I admire you for having the bandwidth for magical realism, and am noting your recommendations, because maybe I just haven't read the RIGHT magical realism yet. The fact that you've read whole series makes me want to give those a try.
DeleteSusan, thank you for suggesting Emma Jameson's books. It turns out that I already have the first one in my Kindle. I bet I bought it after one of the JRW "what we're reading" blogs. Moving it closer to the top!
DeleteSusan, Jonelle and Judy, thanks for mentioning Emma Jameson’s Lord and Lady Hetheridge books. I just got the first one on Kindle for free! — Pat S
DeleteMust Haves: The World Wars and living through them – Jacqueline Winspear, and Molly Dobbs, Charles Todd and Bess Crawford. Susan Elia MacNeil. Lately Kate Thompson (British) and her stories. I don’t like the ones that are historical, but more mushy love story than the time line.
ReplyDeleteNo Flys: Psychological thrillers. Some authors who have outstayed their welcome – stories become just formulaic.
Reading Right Now: Gerald Durrell The Garden of Gods – The writing could have used editing, but you can just imagine the island, the people, and the fact that we watched the tv shows, the people who portrayed the family. I have to ignore all the snakes.
Have To Dole Out Carefully: Jena DeLeon. Since I met the ladies, and since I read of their antics in bed, and since they keep me up all night laughing, I have to dole these books out carefully. I need my sleep, and don’t want to reach the end.
Favourite Comfort Reads: Louise Penny. Going to Three Pines is always a place of comfort even if there is weather and murder, and usually a government issue. We lived in Eastern Ontario when her books first began. I personally knew all the ‘characters’ – they lived on my street or in my neighbourhood. When she said Gabri and Olivier – my husband was rebuilding their B&B. There was a Ruth – she didn’t have a duck, but she was just as outspoken even if her language was a bit less crusty. We saw the government of Quebec and knew of the politics that she spoke of. The original Ralph Cosham spoke the language as it was to be spoken – toque pronounced correctly. Now that we no longer live there – she creates memories of a life and friends we loved.
OK, any books that have to be "doled out carefully" so you won't come to the end are going straight onto my TBR stack. And weirdly, I don't enjoy reading Louise Penny as much as listening to them as audiobooks. Ralph Cosham was so amazing as Inspector Gamache, but he also gave the other characters their own distinct voices without being campy.
DeleteWelcome, Jonelle ~ and I love your name! Congratulations on your latest book "The Samurai's Octopus". You mentioned two interesting comments: #1. You asked if the Jungle Red Readers saved opening this blog first or last while perusing morning emails. If I am not heading out the door for an appointment I like to perk a pot of coffee and leisurely read through the Jungle Red email after finishing the task of opening the other emails. Saving the best for last as well as that first cup of java is a great way to start the day. :-) And #2. You shared that you took a break from reading mystery novels during Covid. I did just the opposite. Our household was balancing major and frightening medical issues at the same time the pandemic hit and my head was not only spinning with confusion and chaos but my mind had scrambled down the rabbit hole as well. It was difficult to stay focused on day to day tasks but somehow reading a mystery novel brought me front and center into a feeling of normalcy. Crime fiction forces one to concentrate and pay attention and it was a Hank Phillippi Ryan murder mystery that pulled me back into reading again. I had abandoned all forms of reading prior to that and I believe that I mentioned that to her during one of the Jungle Reds blogs. As life is always an adventure of the unexpected this year has proven to be a rather challenging one and so I am constantly seeking out ways to settle down and find those moments of normalcy. It may be the enjoyment of changing out the winter wreaths to spring ones and scattering pots of colorful viola/pansies in the courtyard. Out comes the rabbit decor to replace the winter reindeers. Or it may be watching a Masterpiece Theatre series or black and white noir movie with a hot cup of tea or treat. Or call a friend. Or bake some cookies. Whatever I need to do to "find the joy" I seek that out and it's a great form of therapy. Uncomplicated and free. :-) Right now I am switching back and forth between two books ~ "Raising Hare A Memoir" by Chloe Dalton and "Ikigai" (The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life). The second one I have been "nursing" for several months; it's a pleasant way to remind myself that the simple joys are often the answer to being happy. As a side note my late Aunt Saiko was born in Tokyo and although she lived happily in the States for many years she always missed her home in Japan. I think it's wonderful that you are able to split your time between San Francisco and Tokyo!
ReplyDeleteRaising Hare was so lovely! Definitely a comfort read.
DeleteAww..thank you so much! That is so lovely to hear! Aww. Thank you, dear Evelyn!
DeleteCongratulations on your new novel, Jonelle and welcome to Jungle Reds! Yes to all of your questions.
ReplyDeleteYour list of no-fly is a good start. I wanted to add a few things to the no fly list. Misogyny never sat well with me. If women are ALWAYS the murder victims, that is another Big NO. Unpopular opinion here: I am NOT a fan of cliffhangers.
Not a fan of thrillers, though. Life is too short and there are many books, which I have not read yet.
My comfort reads must have a sense of calm in the story. A comfort read is any book that leaves me feeling happy and hopeful. Often, my comfort books are the novels by Alexander McCall Smith.
Oh my gosh, it's time for me to catch up on my Alexander McCall Smiths! Thank you for reminding me of that ultimate comfort series. I love those because I also accidentally learn something new about Botswana life and society every time I read one. It's not easy to do that without being Lord Explainington, and I really admire how he makes readers feel like insiders, even if we've never been there. (And yes, thank you for adding the ugh about books where women are always the victims! I'm tired of those too.)
DeleteDiana, thanks for mentioning Alexander McCall Smith, I especially love his No! Ladies' Detective Agency where the women are the smart ones and seem to have all the answers!
DeleteI agree it does leave you feeling happy and hopeful.
Hi Jonelle, Welcome! I will look for your new book. When I think of a comfort read, my first thought is big historical novels, like those of the late Sharon Kay Penman. I love just immersing myself in the past. Novels with humor are a big help too. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Bill Slider mysteries come to mind. She is so clever and funny.
ReplyDeleteYes to big historical novels! The fatter, the better! I'm going straight out to investigate Sharon Kay Penman's books, and try a sample of the Bill Sliders. Thank you for the recommendations!
DeleteOh, the Bill Sliders! I am so behind. Must remedy!
DeleteHi, Jonelle, nice to "meet" you! You never know who is lurking around here, do you? LOL Yes, JRW is one of my daily comfort reads, especially these last six years or more. Bless you all, for the amazing conversations.
ReplyDeleteMay I say that The Samurai's Octopus is one of the most intriguing titles I have ever seen? I will definitely add this to my teetering TBR pile, since--especially since COVID--reading stories that take place in exotic other lands, times, and cultures has become one of my personal favorites, too. It makes my imagination work harder, which in turn causes the real world around me to fall away. Bliss!
Like you, I stopped reading thrillers, although I was already starting that trend before the pandemic. Having three adult daughters, two of whom travel the world, often alone, I could no longer stomach the trend of about 20 years ago of fem jeop, torture, and cruelty to women. Nope, nope, nope. I worry enough about my offspring, without having my imagination tweaked.
Favorite comfort reads: all of Rhys's books, including her standalones. Jenn's books. Helen Simonsen's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Remarkably Bright Creatures. Kevin Wilson's This is no Time to Panic, and Nothing to See Here. And lots more, too many to list!
PS I don't get the emails, JRW is my home page on one of my four browsers!
DeleteMy fellow armchair traveler, come right over here and sit by me! Your favorite comfort reads overlap so significantly with mine, I'm now curious about what international fiction has most transported you? I too enjoy books with international settings, because I love it when an author makes me feel like an insider, even if I've never been there. I love seeing new places through the eyes of characters who have to deal with the day-to-day annoyances as well as the delights. (For example Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen and Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti have both figured out how to navigate the arcane ladder of Italian bureaucracy with delightfully dark humor.) What about you? What parts of the world you like "visiting" best?
DeletePulling up a chair. Somali Dev's books take place in the US, primarily, but a lot of them spill over into India. Butter, by Asako Yuzuki. Fiona Grace's Tuscany and Sicily series. Tangerine, by Christine Mangan (not exactly a comfort read, but to a foreign land). Pachinko, by Min Jim Lee. Anything by Frederik Backman. Anything by Lisa See, but especially Snowflower and the Secret Fan. The Jaipur Trilogy by Alka Joshi. Sujata Massey's Purveen Mistry series. Isak Dinesen's books. Beryl Markham's, which also take place in Kenya. 100 Years of Lenni and Margot, by Marianne Cronin. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. Miss Benson's Beetle, by Rachel Joyce.
DeleteKaren, one of my favorite cozy mysteries is -"Vish Puri, India's Most Private Investigator" series, written by Tarquin Hall. It is set in Delhi, India and highlights Indian society, culture, and most importantly food! Vish Puri is Punjabi living in Delhi. It has a lot of humor which is so refreshing.
DeleteTarquin Hall's book about living in Brick Lane was one of my favorite research books when I was writing Necessary as Blood. I'll have to look up his mysteries!
DeleteHi Debs, Brick Lane was so interesting (about his experiences living in London). Yes, I love his cozy mysteries and the Vish Puri series is well written and like I said, has so much truth to life in Delhi and always such humor. His relationship to his mother in law is a hoot!
DeleteMorning all ~ The no-fly zone things you mentioned are mine as well. And, Diana, I too wonder why it’s pretty much always women who are killed. Not always, but lots. Some cliffhangers are so stressful. I’ve started several books, like 5 or 6, in the last month and have had to put them down bc they are just too stressful in content. One of my go-to requirements is fabulous descriptions of all things nature, a walk in the woods, a nest, a garden, a waterfall. Not over done but just right to set the scene of calmness and thinking time. Paula Munier writes such a series.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the rest of the questions: I read Jungle Red every day just as soon as my coffee is ready. What a delightful way to start my day. So happy to have found it. Paula B
DeletePaula, I too have put down more books in the past three years than in all the rest of my life, because they just pushed me into the ruts already being worn too deep by the daily news. Life is too short for books that make me feel worse instead of better. And thank you for reminding me that books with excellent nature settings are restorative in a whole new way. Is "A Borrowing of Bones" where you'd start with the Paula Muniers?
DeleteJonelle, you will love Paula's books!! And, yes, A Borrowing of Bones is the first.
DeleteI consider some mystery series to also be comfort books (think: Maisie Dobbs series). I also love classics as comforting books and recently re-read The Good Earth and re-loved it. On a recent trip to England, I visited the town of Hartfield (the setting for the Winnie-the-Pooh series), so I have been on the hunt for the antique versions of the series to re-read. With the visual setting in my mind, I suspect I will be transported back to my childhood… and beyond…!
ReplyDeleteStacia, I have those antique versions--they were mine-- but sorry not lending:-))
DeleteI did not know that there was a real town where Winnie-the-Pooh was set! MUST GO. (I don't know if you read the comments upstream, but I was just saying that reading the Pooh books as an adult was such a revelation to me. I was bowled over by how those familiar little stories had such witty depths when I read them to my children years later. My respect for A.A. Milne is limitless.)
DeleteWelcome Jonelle, it must be getting late in Japan! I loved reading Winnie the Pooh (as an adult) to my young daughter. Like you say there is so much depth ("You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" AND "Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart") to the stories and the lovable characters.
ReplyDeleteMilne was such a brilliant writer. Years ago I was browsing in the library and found A.A. Milne's The Red House Mystery (pub. 1922). It was his only mystery.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your life in Japan - I'm so curious.
Ahahaha if my family were here, they'd be warning you, "Do not say the J-word around her or you'll never escape!" As my children never tire of reminding me, "Mom, you're the only one of us who's NOT AT ALL Japanese" (my husband is half) and that explains pretty much everything about me and Japan. Being an outsider who speaks the language is actually the best of all worlds, because I'm not subject to the crushing obligations or expectations Japanese women deal with, but I'm welcomed into places I'd never even dream of being invited into back home. For example, the first time we moved here in 2003, I was invited to join a ladies club that's half Japanese women and half foreigners. Most of the foreign members are an ever-changing kaleidoscope of ambassadors' wives but the Japanese members are women from families who are, like, the wife of the guy who would be shogun now if they still had shoguns. Or their family has had their own private museum for 26 generations. Or their eldest brother is a National Living Treasure, who invited us up on stage to learn how to walk like a Noh actor (spoiler: I have no future in the Noh theater). That gave me more of a peek behind the cultural curtain than most foreigners get, so I went to serious Japanese school the second time we lived here* and now people offer to show me THE MOST AMAZING STUFF wherever I go, because I'm like some sort of exotic zoo animal who can talk. I've lived here long enough now that I'm plenty aware of the downsides of living in Japan, but I still get up every day and see things I'd never see anywhere else. I still love Japan, even the annoying bits.
Delete*Just gonna say, going to language school with bright-eyed college grads who were half my age was the most humiliating thing I have ever done in my life. I was the worst student in the class. By far. And how did I know that? They gave the tests back the Japanese way: worst grade first, best grade last. I cried after class every day. But you know what's funny? I still have close friends in that class. They felt so sorry for me they helped me study, and I learned people like you much more if you're the worst student than the best!
I think my response disappeared. Not sure. Anyway, thanks for the update - and tell your kids we here at JRW love hearing your stories about Japan! Love your descriptions of the Japanese women. Sorry about the Japanese class - I can really relate as I had the same experience with a Spanish class, and I knew a bit of Spanish already. My teacher was so demeaning towards me! Aye Caramba!!
DeleteComfort books for me are defined by what is going on in my life. Pandemic? Lots of international thrillers that I could track via my world atlas. It let me feel less claustrophobic being trapped in my apartment. Turmoil in my personal life? I need humor and comfort cozies. Earlier in this stream you asked about the Japanese cozies popularity and I would say for me it is the fact that they are gentle and wise. Don't hit you over the head, but let you find your own wisdom in the words. Right now, life is trying to get into a rut so I'm reading a mishmash of books in an effort to keep my brain agile. The latest book surprise that lifted my spirits and kept me up late at night finishing it is T. Kingfisher's Paladin's Grace. It is a romantasy filled with humor, humanity and hope. Just what I needed! Glad you visited with us today and congrats on your latest book! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteWow, I deeply admire your reading journey! I get stuck in such a habit of reaching for "more like this thing I know comforted me in the past" that I don't raise my eyes to see what else might be on the horizon. I've never read romantasy—even though it's super hot right now—and now I know where to start!
DeleteI'll confess that I'm not a huge fan of romance - avoid it like the plague - but in a romantasy I can skip over the rather raw parts (I'm 71, been there done that, meh) and when they're done we can get back to the action again. Apologies for the punctuation goofs. That's never been my strong point! -- Victoria
DeleteI am not to familiar with Japanese books/authors, so I am so looking forward to reading your book.
ReplyDeleteI remember traveling with our teenage grandson last year (long plane ride) and his interest in the Japanese comic/graph art books called MANGA. We later hit every book store in our destination (Princeton, NJ) and must have come home with about 20+ manga books. Without reading a single one, my grandson brought me up to speed.
My son loves manga too! I'm too much of a dialogue fiend and twisty plot lover to find them super engaging (they're visually spectacular, but don't advance the story fast enough for me) but manga comic books and anime animated movies are how lots and lots of people first fall in love with Japan.
DeleteYes Jonelle! Manga definitely seems to appeal to teenage boys.
DeleteWelcome, Jonelle! And comfort reading is such a sweet concept… In movies, I can always go back to the Devil wears Prada, or my cousin Vinny, or any Tracy and Hepburn and be transported. I don’t usually reread books, though, and cannot remember the last time I did. I would never say no to Agatha Christie, though, If that’s all there was in a summer house for instance, and Anthony Horowitz‘s novels are always a treasure. As I have said over and over, “ It is always safe inside a book.” (Even if it is a psychological thriller, which I absolutely adore. A thriller is not always graphically violent, of course, because that is something I avoid.)
ReplyDelete"It's always safe inside a book" is going to be my new favorite saying! (And I probably wouldn't have time to reread either if I had to deal with the flood of requests for blurbs and speaking engagements and interviews and the heap of other responsibilities that come with being as fabulously beloved as you and your books are. That you read at all for pleasure is amazing!)
DeleteAwwwww that is incredibly kind of you. You are making me blush, but thank you. I am very lucky sometimes, And I am so grateful. (And Debs is right… What time is it there?)
DeleteI had the great good fortune to read THE SAMURAI'S OCTOPUS and oh, Reds, you are in for such a treat. It's a beautiful story, gorgeous setting, gorgeous writing. I could gush on. I love Jonelle's writing. As for comfort reads, unlike many of you, I still love a good thriller. I'm a voracious reader, and read everything. Just read a stunning book that is not a comfort read, but so amazing I have to mention it: WILD DARK SHORE, by Charlotte McConaghy. I have taken to reading poetry to help me through the dark times we are in nationally. Joseph Fasano's THE LAST SONG OF THE WORLD sits on my desk as does THE INTENTIONS OF THUNDER, by Patricia Smith (winner of the 2025 National Book Award for Poetry). I dip into them daily. I count Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series as among my favorite comfort reads. I love Lady Georgie! I save Deb Crombie's books for when I really need to disappear from the world as I know it. But I also enjoy Mick Herron's Slow Horses series. His writing is sly and smart. I guess I find comfort in immersing myself in a good story.
ReplyDeleteTerry, I owe you more gratitude than I can ever repay for your many kindnesses (not least of which is the generosity of spirit in your words here!) but I am especially grateful to you for introducing me to the Jungle Reds. As you saw above, this lovely community of writers and readers has become so much more than just a book blog to me. Also, you're inspiring me to be more like you and put my big girl pants back on. I'm gonna go for Wild, Dark Shore—I keep clicking on it when it's recommended to me, and you've persuaded me it's time to take the plunge.
DeleteI knew you two were friends! I adore Terry--as she knows!--and hope to meet you in person some day, Jonelle!
DeleteJonelle, love the title of your newest book, the setting, and the summary of characters/plot. I'll be seeking this out. It fits my criteria for a comfort read: exotic setting, different time period, smart women. I gave up on thrillers a long time ago. My comfort reads are usually mystery or fantasy series with characters I enjoy. Anything by Dorothy Gilman--both her Mrs. Pollifax series and all of her standalones. Charlotte MacLeod's mystery series--especially the series with Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn, also the series with Madoc and Janet Rhys. Our own Rhys' Evan Evans books. The Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters. Dorothy Sayers or Ngaio Marsh. The Belgariad by David Eddings. Mary Stewart's romantic suspense. And if it's 1 a.m. and I need something I don't have at hand, I turn to LIBBY and my kindle.
ReplyDeleteFlora, I think our bookshelves were twins that were separated at birth. We've got so much overlap, I'm noting down the titles I haven't read, because if you liked them, I bet I will too! And your description of "exotic setting, different time period, smart women" is right up my alley—I love to read those books too. I just did a book giveaway in my April newsletter of five books with the theme "resourceful women in impossible situations"—The Square of Sevens (Laura Shepherd-Robinson), The Miniaturist (Jessie Burton), Matrix (Lauren Groff), The Marriage Portrait (Maggie O'Farrell), and Once Upon a River (Diane Setterfield). Are any of those on your selves too?
DeleteAhahaha if my family were here, they'd be warning you, "Do not say the J-word around her or you'll never escape!" As my children never tire of reminding me, "Mom, you're the only one of us who's NOT AT ALL Japanese" (my husband is half) and that explains pretty much everything about me and Japan. Being an outsider who speaks the language is actually the best of all worlds, because I'm not subject to the crushing obligations or expectations Japanese women deal with, but I'm welcomed into places I'd never even dream of being invited into back home. For example, the first time we moved here in 2003, I was invited to join a ladies club that's half Japanese women and half foreigners. Most of the foreign members are an ever-changing kaleidoscope of ambassadors' wives but the Japanese members are women from families who are, like, the wife of the guy who would be shogun now if they still had shoguns. Or their family has had their own private museum for 26 generations. Or their eldest brother is a National Living Treasure, who invited us up on stage to learn how to walk like a Noh actor (spoiler: I have no future in the Noh theater). That gave me more of a peek behind the cultural curtain than most foreigners get, so I went to serious Japanese school the second time we lived here* and now people offer to show me THE MOST AMAZING STUFF wherever I go, because I'm like some sort of exotic zoo animal who can talk. I've lived here long enough now that I'm plenty aware of the downsides of living in Japan, but I still get up every day and see things I'd never see anywhere else. I still love Japan, even the annoying bits.
ReplyDelete*Just gonna say, going to language school with bright-eyed college grads who were half my age was the most humiliating thing I have ever done in my life. I was the worst student in the class. By far. And how did I know that? They gave the tests back the Japanese way: worst grade first, best grade last. I cried after class every day. But you know what's funny? I still have close friends in that class. They felt so sorry for me they helped me study, and I learned people like you much more if you're the worst student than the best!
Jonelle, I love this! What a window into Japanese life! Would you ever write a book set in contemporary Japan?
DeleteThanks Jonelle - had to laugh at the examples of the women Japanese members!
ReplyDeleteJonelle, I've just added your book to my read list. Not because I'm attracted to the cover or the plot line (though I am) but because I liked everything you had to say about escaping and kindiness and all of the above. JRW blog is my daily comfort fix. I learn about all sorts of things that others are doing like cooking and what they're writing and reading and watching. Where people are traveling. It gives me a feeling of normalcy in a not so comforting time. So no, I don't save it for last. I don't open it first. I just know that sometime during the day, I'm going to get my comfort fix. I can't wait to read your book. Congratulations and thanks for pointing out that there are others who feel like I do.
ReplyDeleteGerri, you are one of the kindhearted members here whose comments I always enjoy seeing. I too come here pretty much every day, but I'm more of a lurker than a commenter due to being time zone-challenged. It's wonderful to finally connect! Isn't it kind of grand to think of each other many miles apart, each of us reading the same words with our steaming cups in hand?
Delete(Yikes, it's past 1:00 am Tokyo time, so I'm going to crawl under my futon for a couple of hours, but please please please carry on sharing all your comfort reads and I'll be back to join the conversation when the sun comes up!)
ReplyDeleteJonelle, thank you for eliciting such great comments from everyone today (well, tomorrow when you wake up and read this). I’ve added to my TBR with not only your book’s title, but many from the other Reddies.
ReplyDeleteI think of cozies as my comfort books, but as mentioned above, a good storyteller who writes a solid tale will fit the bill, too. Valerie Burns, Ellen Byron, Maddie Day, Jenn McKinlay, Ellie Alexander got me through the lockdown. Paula Munier, Kathleen Donnelly, and Margaret Mizushima all write about dogs and bad guys, but there’s goodness in their stories, too.
And as for the JRW blog, it is the very first thing I read every morning, if life doesn’t interrupt. The seven Reds are wonderful at getting us involved in the day’s topic (sometimes by inviting other authors like you to engage with us). The JRW community is also very interesting, welcoming and supportive. I’ve made some good friends here. — Pat S
What a lovely post, Jonelle! The cover of The Samurai's Octopus is gorgeous and I'm certain the story is as well. My comfort reads have been a lot of fantasy books - Terry Pratchett, mainly - as I've stepped into that world as a writer and find it endlessly imaginative and very much a "take me away" reading adventure.
ReplyDelete