books in translation Archives

THE EX-BOYFRIEND’S FAVORITE RECIPE FUNERAL COMMITTEE (DNF Book Review)

Posted on October 17, 2025October 17, 2025 by CJ | A Well-Read Tart

I really wanted to like The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee. Yes, despite its unnecessarily long title. (Anyone else getting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society flashbacks???) This Japanese novel by Saki Kawashiro (translated by Yuka Maeno) has food, it has healing, and it has community. The description of the book even reminded me my women’s fiction novel, Desserted, that I still hope to find a home for:...

THE GIRL WHO DIED (Book Review)

Posted on January 14, 2022August 28, 2024 by CJ | A Well-Read Tart

I'm not sure how I stumbled across The Girl Who Died. I think author Ragnar Jonasson blurbed another scary book that I'd read and loved. I thought, if I loved that book, I'd probably love books by this author, too. What's The Girl Who Died about? The Girl Who Died, despite its off-putting title, was a really enjoyable read. It's brimming with tension and atmosphere, suspense and mystery. Main character Una spontaneously accepts a...