Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
ARC gifted by the publisher and ALC by prhaudio
Weird because I logged this book as read a month ago and wrote a review but it was deleted from both my read/own tags and the review is no where to be found
Weird because I logged this book as read a month ago and wrote a review but it was deleted from both my read/own tags and the review is no where to be found
ARC gifted by the publisher @aaknopf (I didn’t include this line the first time writing this review and Goodreads sent an email saying they will remove this post. I have since included this gift disclosure.)
What I liked
-the writing is easy to read (it took me ~5 hours to finish)
-interesting ideas here and there (unfortunately none are fully-developed. See next part)
-I can see this being a good book club book. Lots of interesting topics for discussion! (I can see BOTM picking this for April/May
What I liked
-the writing is easy to read (it took me ~5 hours to finish)
-interesting ideas here and there (unfortunately none are fully-developed. See next part)
-I can see this being a good book club book. Lots of interesting topics for discussion! (I can see BOTM picking this for April/May
.jpg)
gifted by the publisher
Aspiring fashion designer "Cordi" Mai Yin is down on her luck. Recently kicked out of her house by her parents, she desperately needs a roof and a job. When a mysterious man helps her secure an apartment with three other roommates—all with "Mai" in their names—and promises to help them achieve their dreams, Cordi and her new friends are ecstatic. But as their ambitions grow after the success of their first spells, so does the price. What are the Mais willing to pay in exchange for success?
Not your average coming-of-age tale, the protagonists are young adults grappling with the trials of adulthood. If you've ever felt like an imposter, wrestled with complex parental relationships, or struggled to set boundaries with new friends, you'll find a kindred spirit in Cordi.
The premise of sacrifice vs. success is very promising, but the writing lacks tension, and the plot is uneven. Given more editing, I see MAI as a story that's either faster-paced, with more developed fantasy and a more complex magic system, or a deeper exploration of complex relationships between friends and family.
I recommend MAI to those seeking a unique dark fantasy read that doesn't overwhelm with extensive world-building.
Aspiring fashion designer "Cordi" Mai Yin is down on her luck. Recently kicked out of her house by her parents, she desperately needs a roof and a job. When a mysterious man helps her secure an apartment with three other roommates—all with "Mai" in their names—and promises to help them achieve their dreams, Cordi and her new friends are ecstatic. But as their ambitions grow after the success of their first spells, so does the price. What are the Mais willing to pay in exchange for success?
Not your average coming-of-age tale, the protagonists are young adults grappling with the trials of adulthood. If you've ever felt like an imposter, wrestled with complex parental relationships, or struggled to set boundaries with new friends, you'll find a kindred spirit in Cordi.
The premise of sacrifice vs. success is very promising, but the writing lacks tension, and the plot is uneven. Given more editing, I see MAI as a story that's either faster-paced, with more developed fantasy and a more complex magic system, or a deeper exploration of complex relationships between friends and family.
I recommend MAI to those seeking a unique dark fantasy read that doesn't overwhelm with extensive world-building.
ARC gifted by the publisher. ALC gifted by librofm & Macmillan audio
Young Wang has received plenty of wisdom from his beloved uncle (Su Su), and one sticks with him the most: everyone gets just 7 great loves in their life—so don't blow it. Young meticulously analyzes everything in his life, driven by Chinese numerology and superstition. When he falls in love with the brilliant & charismatic Erena in 1995, Young realizes she's her 6th love. Is Erena the one? How will Young's superstitions affect their relationship?
888 is a coming-of-age story that will have 80s/90s babies nostalgic with its pop culture references. While I only sometimes got the music/movie connections, I was utterly impressed with this unique Chinese/Taiwanese immigrant story that doesn't rely on ANY stereotypes. Young's shyness & romanticism, Su Su's free-spirited demeanor, Erena's NSFW humor, and Young's supportive family, 888 demonstrate the joys, wonders, and awkwardness of growing up with loving friends & families.
Chang's skills as a poet shine through in 888, where second-person narratives, non-linear writing, and Su Su's advice written in letters alternate to deliver an experimental reading experience. For those wondering if the writing style will work for you, I highly recommend the brilliantly narrated audiobook by Eunice Wong.
I absolutely love the ending. Who would've thought a coming-of-age story about finding your one great love would make a grumpy 30-something tear up? I adore the message that our lives go on even if the story ends. Chang does something fascinating stylistically to demonstrate that while we are all the protagonists in our journey, others in our lives aren't just side characters either. The ending brims with tenderness and earnestness and makes me wish I had grown up in the US (something that NEVER happens when I read Asian immigrant stories for obvious reasons lol).
Clocking at 400 pages, it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of 888, and I wish the book were shorter, but the ending is so worth the build-up. For those looking for a unique narrative with experimental writing on growing up Asian in the 90s, don't miss 888!
Young Wang has received plenty of wisdom from his beloved uncle (Su Su), and one sticks with him the most: everyone gets just 7 great loves in their life—so don't blow it. Young meticulously analyzes everything in his life, driven by Chinese numerology and superstition. When he falls in love with the brilliant & charismatic Erena in 1995, Young realizes she's her 6th love. Is Erena the one? How will Young's superstitions affect their relationship?
888 is a coming-of-age story that will have 80s/90s babies nostalgic with its pop culture references. While I only sometimes got the music/movie connections, I was utterly impressed with this unique Chinese/Taiwanese immigrant story that doesn't rely on ANY stereotypes. Young's shyness & romanticism, Su Su's free-spirited demeanor, Erena's NSFW humor, and Young's supportive family, 888 demonstrate the joys, wonders, and awkwardness of growing up with loving friends & families.
Chang's skills as a poet shine through in 888, where second-person narratives, non-linear writing, and Su Su's advice written in letters alternate to deliver an experimental reading experience. For those wondering if the writing style will work for you, I highly recommend the brilliantly narrated audiobook by Eunice Wong.
I absolutely love the ending. Who would've thought a coming-of-age story about finding your one great love would make a grumpy 30-something tear up? I adore the message that our lives go on even if the story ends. Chang does something fascinating stylistically to demonstrate that while we are all the protagonists in our journey, others in our lives aren't just side characters either. The ending brims with tenderness and earnestness and makes me wish I had grown up in the US (something that NEVER happens when I read Asian immigrant stories for obvious reasons lol).
Clocking at 400 pages, it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of 888, and I wish the book were shorter, but the ending is so worth the build-up. For those looking for a unique narrative with experimental writing on growing up Asian in the 90s, don't miss 888!
Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea
Leah Hunt-Hendrix, Astra Taylor
A must read ❤️
Atmospheric writing but I’m too stoopid to understand most of it
Less of a memoir but like a collection of essay/manifesto/poetry! I really appreciate the author mentions not just the medical difficulty for trans people (it blows my mind that one needs to fundraise for life-affirming surgeries) but also the social adjustments.
They raise some fascinating thoughts about how one’s gender identity is influenced by social norms and how to parse out one’s identity from expectations. I wish this is discussed more in depth.
The discussions of toxic masculinity, especially within the Black (Christian) community is another focal point of the book.
While I don’t think PRETTY discusses anything new in terms of trans/queer/black experience, it’s still a book I’d recommend reading to remind ourselves of the importance of forming a truly inclusive community ❤️
The poems are very powerful and my favorite part of the book!
They raise some fascinating thoughts about how one’s gender identity is influenced by social norms and how to parse out one’s identity from expectations. I wish this is discussed more in depth.
The discussions of toxic masculinity, especially within the Black (Christian) community is another focal point of the book.
While I don’t think PRETTY discusses anything new in terms of trans/queer/black experience, it’s still a book I’d recommend reading to remind ourselves of the importance of forming a truly inclusive community ❤️
The poems are very powerful and my favorite part of the book!
gifted by the publisher
This collection explores the feeling of alienation with vivid imagery of those living in Rome. While there is violence, hatred, and xenophobia, RS also delineates the importance of forgiveness in a rapidly changing city. I appreciate Lahiri's restrained writing in exploring loneliness, even though it asks the readers to read between the lines.
favs
• The Boundary: a caretaker's daughter describes the life of a family of tourists
• P's Party: a married man finds himself intruged by a woman after seeing her multiple times at friends' parties
• The Steps: the changing scenary & people as witnessed by the steps in Rome
This collection explores the feeling of alienation with vivid imagery of those living in Rome. While there is violence, hatred, and xenophobia, RS also delineates the importance of forgiveness in a rapidly changing city. I appreciate Lahiri's restrained writing in exploring loneliness, even though it asks the readers to read between the lines.
favs
• The Boundary: a caretaker's daughter describes the life of a family of tourists
• P's Party: a married man finds himself intruged by a woman after seeing her multiple times at friends' parties
• The Steps: the changing scenary & people as witnessed by the steps in Rome