Book Review: The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck

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The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World  by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck is a children's book about a boy being taken around the world via the light from his menorah. In his travels, he visits different holiday festivals. Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book. I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I think it's important for children to learn about other holidays around the world in a fun way. However, I expected a little more description during the actual story to correspond with the illustrations instead of it being included in the author's note. I feel like the adults will have to explain the point of the book to children. With that being said, the writing was absolutely beautiful, and the illustrations are fantastic. Four out of five stars is what I gave The Light from my Menorah, Celebrating Holidays Around the World by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinck for taking the initiative to
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Book Review: Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien

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Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien is a cozy mystery is about Lana, who is officially the manager of her family's restaurant, traveling to Irvine, California for a convention.  Her sister, Anna May, joins her on the trip, and they stay at their Aunt Grace's rental property.  When Lana witnesses an alteration between one of the convention vendors and a journalist, she's upset.  The trip is further soured when that journalist is murdered at an event that Lana, Anna May, and Aunt Grace are attending.  Who killed her?  Lana and Aunt Grace take it upon themselves to investigate.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the digital copy of an Advanced Readers Copy of Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien.  I was happy to be approved to read this book.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book as I had never read anything written by Vivien Chien, but I was glad that I did.  The author did a fantastic job of giving the reader a recap of the backstories for the reoccurring characters in such a way that it flowed flawlessly.  Because of this, the novel can be read as stand alone book.  With that being said, I sometimes felt like the conversations between Lanna and Anna May could be stilted at times, especially when Anna May was speaking.  It seemed too proper for a lack of a better word.  I really did like all three of the main characters though, even though I think we're not supposed to like Anna May.

One thing that drove me a bit bonkers was that Lana's mother called her in California at midnight, pacific time.  That would mean it's three o'clock in the morning in Cleveland, Ohio.  It seems a little unrealistic to me that her mother would be up at that time, even working in the restaurant business.

As for the murderer, a lot of the suspicion was thrown on the husband, but I really didn't think it was him.  My guess was that it was either the fortune cookie vendor or Ernest, the editor.  You'll have to read it for yourself to see if I was right or wrong.

However, the story was entertaining enough and held my attention.  Despite it being about murder, it was a lighter read because it doesn't have all the guts and gore that most mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels have. Four out of five stars is what I give Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien.

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