ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)

Growing up in a close-knit Pakistani community in Corona, Queens, Razia Mirza is constantly battling being the tradition-abiding daughter her parents want her to be and the free-spirited explorer she is. After Razia is accepted to Stuyvesant, she meets Angela, and their friendship blossoms into something more. But when an Aunty in the community discovers their relationship, Razia must choose between her family and her future.

ROSES is a poignant coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of growing up as a young Muslim girl in New York City. I adore watching how Razia navigates the challenges of balancing her faith and cultural heritage with her American upbringing, all while facing the fear and stigma surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community.

One of the most compelling and unique aspects of ROSES is the examination of the Pakistani diaspora in New York City and the challenges of assimilating into American culture while maintaining one's cultural heritage. Razia's journey highlights the universal struggle of finding one's place in the world and the importance of self-discovery, especially as an immigrant & first-generation American.

Rehman skillfully brings to life Razia's struggles with her religious mother and the tensions between different family members. Despite these challenges, Razia finds joy and makes friends through her city explorations. Set in the 1980s, ROSES is full of music references that could be nostalgic to readers familiar with pop culture from that era.

The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me wanting more resolution for Razia. Despite this, ROSES is a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of young people. It is a phenomenal read for those interested in the experiences of Muslim immigrants in the US and the complexities of growing up in a rapidly changing world.

After hearing so much about his rich uncle living in the US from relatives, 18-year-old Shelley heads to SF, hopeful that any hurdles can be overcome by the powers of the "Chinese groove," the unspoken bonds between Chinese people that transcend time and borders. However, upon arrival, Shelley finds that his "wealthy" uncle is actually unemployed, his family devastated by a senseless tragedy, and they want nothing to do with Shelley. Shelley must devise a plan to resurrect his American dream and bring the shattered family back together.

I adore this lighthearted and humorous novel! Shelley's naivete reminds me a lot of when I first moved to the States

After a late-night hit-and-run that leaves her father dead, Nora Guerraoui returns to the small town in the Mojave. Through alternating POVs of Nora, her parents, her high-school friend, the detective, a neighbor, and an eyewitness, Lalami beautifully explores the struggles of different communities and what it means to pursue the American dream.

Lyrical and evocative, OTHER AMERICANS paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, including Muslim Americans, undocumented immigrants, and war veterans. While the novel opens with a hit-and-run, OTHER AMERICANS takes on a slower pace than traditional mysteries and instead centers on portraying each character's diverse American experience.

I usually have trouble focusing on books with 3+ POVs; in the case of OTHER AMERICANS, Lalami's captivating and profoundly compassionate writing transports me into the lives of the different characters, allowing me to peer into their motivations, fears, and desires. I savored every moment of the story and didn't want it to end. OTHER AMERICANS shines a light on the humanity and resilience of Muslim immigrants and is an insightful work that explores the complexities of identity & prejudice.

THE CONSEQUENCES follows interconnected characters living in California's Central Valley. Set in the 1980s, Muñoz depicts personal challenges and ruthless struggles of the lives of the Mexican and Mexican American farmworkers in the small towns around Fresno. With unflinching portrayal yet tender care, THE CONSEQUENCES reveals the inner lives of workers and the impact of their choices.

A couple of stories that left an imprint on me are Anyone Can Do It, where two women trying to survive their husband's deportation, The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA, which highlights the small kindness between strangers, and Susto, a haunting story about a foreman who discovers a body and one that leaves room for interpretation.

THE CONSEQUENCES is a muted yet profound anthology where Muñoz expertly weaves together the themes of time, trust, love, and the results of our choices.

In this intimate graphic memoir, Deborah Jung-Jin Lee depicts her experience emigrating from South Korea to the US and growing up in an education system that amplifies one's otherness rather than embraces her uniqueness. Deb's English isn't perfect, her teachers can't pronounce her Korean name, and she's self-conscious about the shape of her eyes.

Even in supposedly safe spaces, she's not considered Korean enough at Korean school, and her fights with her mom at home continue to escalate. Deb is caught in limbo as her mental health plummets.

While labeled as a YA memoir, IN LIMBO touches upon extremely heavy topics of child abuse and suicide that readers should check before picking up. A debut with gorgeous art and profound messages, Lee portrays her struggles with "assimilation" as she leans on art, therapy, and friendships to navigate her teenage years. IN LIMBO is a beautiful work that examines the Korean-American diaspora and mental health.

Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for the eARC.