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elle_reads's Reviews (446)
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK SERIES REVIEW
[To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series] High Schooler Lara Jean begins dating.
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WHAT I LIKED
Her sister, Margot, says it best: Lara Jean is partially in love with every person she meets. Being in love with love is part of her charm. She’s simply a sweetheart who bakes cookies when she feels down, worries about her sisters 24 hours a day, and loves to style her hair in intricate braids. You immegiatly empathize with her confidence and insecutiries.
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Lara Jean jumps through many coming of age hoops throughout the series. I appreciated how Han showed readers showed how Lara Jean's relationships had changed even before the series began. The events in her childhood/middle school years have a huge impact on her difficulties. Through these events, Jenny Han unveils the double standards for teenage boys and girls.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
While I’m happy I read the series to understand what everyone is talking about, it just wasn’t for me. It was flat can of Fanta. There’s taste and a little fizz, but its not my favorite. I WOULD, however, definitely recommend it to most of my high school students. It teaches valuable lessons about feminine empowerment and just not caring how others see you. I wish there was more details about her mother, general family dynamic, and her experiences as an Asian American. Han does discuss these topics, but I wanted it to go deeper.
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series (by Jenny Han) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
Recommend to HS student? 5/5
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BOOK SERIES REVIEW
[To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series] High Schooler Lara Jean begins dating.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Her sister, Margot, says it best: Lara Jean is partially in love with every person she meets. Being in love with love is part of her charm. She’s simply a sweetheart who bakes cookies when she feels down, worries about her sisters 24 hours a day, and loves to style her hair in intricate braids. You immegiatly empathize with her confidence and insecutiries.
//
Lara Jean jumps through many coming of age hoops throughout the series. I appreciated how Han showed readers showed how Lara Jean's relationships had changed even before the series began. The events in her childhood/middle school years have a huge impact on her difficulties. Through these events, Jenny Han unveils the double standards for teenage boys and girls.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
While I’m happy I read the series to understand what everyone is talking about, it just wasn’t for me. It was flat can of Fanta. There’s taste and a little fizz, but its not my favorite. I WOULD, however, definitely recommend it to most of my high school students. It teaches valuable lessons about feminine empowerment and just not caring how others see you. I wish there was more details about her mother, general family dynamic, and her experiences as an Asian American. Han does discuss these topics, but I wanted it to go deeper.
//
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series (by Jenny Han) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
Recommend to HS student? 5/5
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Instagram @elle_reads
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Be With]
An eclectic mix of poems ranging from the author’s experience with his mother’s Alzheimers to his views on the American-Mexian boarder.
I loved Forrest Gander’s play with structure throughout his book. I could feel E.E. Cumming’s presence. My favorite poem is “On a Sentence by Fernanda Melchor.” “¿Qué es lo más cabrón que te ha pasado en la vida?” Gander’s answer: the routine of everyday life and a conversation with a spider. ⚡️4/5
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Be With]
An eclectic mix of poems ranging from the author’s experience with his mother’s Alzheimers to his views on the American-Mexian boarder.
I loved Forrest Gander’s play with structure throughout his book. I could feel E.E. Cumming’s presence. My favorite poem is “On a Sentence by Fernanda Melchor.” “¿Qué es lo más cabrón que te ha pasado en la vida?” Gander’s answer: the routine of everyday life and a conversation with a spider. ⚡️4/5
Instagram @elle_reads
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Requiem in Raga Janki]
A historical fiction based on the real life story of Hindustani singer Janki Bai Ilahabadi (1800-1934).
Janki’s singing it at its height right as record players become more popular. I enjoyed analyzing how technology changed her singing career. Neelum Saran Gour artfully depicts how Janki pushes the envelop of what is and isn’t allowed for women. As a singer, Janki is exempt from some societal rules, but the gossips never stop. Gour also shows how religion is a huge influence in Janki’s life and city. ⚡️3/5
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Requiem in Raga Janki]
A historical fiction based on the real life story of Hindustani singer Janki Bai Ilahabadi (1800-1934).
Janki’s singing it at its height right as record players become more popular. I enjoyed analyzing how technology changed her singing career. Neelum Saran Gour artfully depicts how Janki pushes the envelop of what is and isn’t allowed for women. As a singer, Janki is exempt from some societal rules, but the gossips never stop. Gour also shows how religion is a huge influence in Janki’s life and city. ⚡️3/5
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Five] Telling the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.
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WHAT I LIKED
Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Nichols. Annie Chapman. Elizabeth Stride. Catherine Eddowes. Mary Jane Kelly. Know the names. Know the victims.
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Hallie Rubenhold is a social historian goddess. I’m stunned by her blatant disregard of the sensationalized Jack the Ripper. She waded - no, she swam - through so much fiction to find slivers of facts about these women. Her research is uncanny. Her book is not like “a movie/book based on true events.” The Five is the facts pure and simple. Her details of live in Victorian England coupled with the records of each women brings their stories back to our collective memory.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
As the obvious minority, I didn’t know much about Jack the Ripper. I knew it was the name of a London killer, but that’s it. I had to research contemporary views to understand what Rubenhold was fighting. I would have appreciated a bit more coverage of Jack the Ripper’s presence in media today and at the time of the killings. Easily fixed with a few Google searches - I would recommend doing this before reading if you are with me in the minority camp.
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The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper (by Hallie Rubenhold) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️✨4.5/5
BOOK REVIEW
[The Five] Telling the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Nichols. Annie Chapman. Elizabeth Stride. Catherine Eddowes. Mary Jane Kelly. Know the names. Know the victims.
//
Hallie Rubenhold is a social historian goddess. I’m stunned by her blatant disregard of the sensationalized Jack the Ripper. She waded - no, she swam - through so much fiction to find slivers of facts about these women. Her research is uncanny. Her book is not like “a movie/book based on true events.” The Five is the facts pure and simple. Her details of live in Victorian England coupled with the records of each women brings their stories back to our collective memory.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
As the obvious minority, I didn’t know much about Jack the Ripper. I knew it was the name of a London killer, but that’s it. I had to research contemporary views to understand what Rubenhold was fighting. I would have appreciated a bit more coverage of Jack the Ripper’s presence in media today and at the time of the killings. Easily fixed with a few Google searches - I would recommend doing this before reading if you are with me in the minority camp.
//
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper (by Hallie Rubenhold) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️✨4.5/5
Instagram @elle_reads
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Ikigai]
The happiness of always being busy.
I loved the calm, collected, and motivated feeling that washed over me after finishing Ikigai. Ikigai reminded me to focus on my hobbies. It reminded me to relax, but continually work though what I love. I enjoyed the text’s simple diagrams and general organization. 4/5⚡️
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Ikigai]
The happiness of always being busy.
I loved the calm, collected, and motivated feeling that washed over me after finishing Ikigai. Ikigai reminded me to focus on my hobbies. It reminded me to relax, but continually work though what I love. I enjoyed the text’s simple diagrams and general organization. 4/5⚡️
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Far Field] A woman searches for a Kashmiri clothing salesman.
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WHAT I LIKED
The Far Field is Shalini's coming to terms with the reverberations of her actions. It’s a confession. I enjoyed the overtones Madhuri Vijay was able to convey using this plot structure. Her writing has a touch of Rushdie prose with Murakami’s melancholy vibes. I loved her understated yet lively images of India.
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The side characters are this text’s saviors. While I had a difficult time caring about Shalini (she’s a bit of a Salinger character - and y’all know how I feel about those), I continued my read just for the sake of understanding the people Shalini encounters. Shalini’s relationship with her mother is equally fiery and drenching. Her relationship with the merchant she adventures to find is equal parts mysterious sage and pitious wreck.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shalini just didn’t do it for me. I get that she’s supposed to be ignorant of the issues of Kashmir, but she’s just too ignorant of even the issues outside her own garden gate in Bangalore. I felt like her naiveté was more for the ease of the author explaining events to readers than additional plot meaning. There were so many written nods that Shalini inherited her mother’s fiery temper, but we never truly saw it. The author tells you Shalini grew from this experience, but never actually showed us. It was one dimensional with the unfulfilled promise of more.
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The Far Field (by Madhuri Vijay) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Far Field] A woman searches for a Kashmiri clothing salesman.
//
WHAT I LIKED
The Far Field is Shalini's coming to terms with the reverberations of her actions. It’s a confession. I enjoyed the overtones Madhuri Vijay was able to convey using this plot structure. Her writing has a touch of Rushdie prose with Murakami’s melancholy vibes. I loved her understated yet lively images of India.
//
The side characters are this text’s saviors. While I had a difficult time caring about Shalini (she’s a bit of a Salinger character - and y’all know how I feel about those), I continued my read just for the sake of understanding the people Shalini encounters. Shalini’s relationship with her mother is equally fiery and drenching. Her relationship with the merchant she adventures to find is equal parts mysterious sage and pitious wreck.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shalini just didn’t do it for me. I get that she’s supposed to be ignorant of the issues of Kashmir, but she’s just too ignorant of even the issues outside her own garden gate in Bangalore. I felt like her naiveté was more for the ease of the author explaining events to readers than additional plot meaning. There were so many written nods that Shalini inherited her mother’s fiery temper, but we never truly saw it. The author tells you Shalini grew from this experience, but never actually showed us. It was one dimensional with the unfulfilled promise of more.
//
The Far Field (by Madhuri Vijay) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Instagram @elle_reads
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Milkman]
Middle sister navigates a world where to be interesting is dangerous.
Milkman’s logic hurt my head - as it was supposed to. This book is a trek into stream-of-conscious writing. It is worth the struggle. I find myself going back to the characters. I wouldn’t have guessed this halfway through the book, but I will reread it someday. ⚡️4/5
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Milkman]
Middle sister navigates a world where to be interesting is dangerous.
Milkman’s logic hurt my head - as it was supposed to. This book is a trek into stream-of-conscious writing. It is worth the struggle. I find myself going back to the characters. I wouldn’t have guessed this halfway through the book, but I will reread it someday. ⚡️4/5
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva, and Tara] The (arguably) first love triangle in the world creates new goddesses and cities.
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WHAT I LIKED
Anand Neelakantan writes for those unfamiliar with Indian legends. It is easy to follow. I appreciated his explanations which I know to those familiar with the legend must be basic. Vanara is quick read that pulls you into the lives of Vana Nara or Vanara men. It was fun, and I learned a lot!
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Not all is as it seems as this seemingly lighthearted legend takes a step to the philosophical at the end. I loved Neelakantan’s passage of time at the end of this legend. He expertly emphasizes what changes and what remains the same.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The characters have a flat ‘legend’ quality. They are one-note throughout the next. The lack of character development makes them seem not fully alive. However, I think this is emblematic of the legend genre.
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Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva, and Tara (Anand Neelakantan) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
BOOK REVIEW
[Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva, and Tara] The (arguably) first love triangle in the world creates new goddesses and cities.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Anand Neelakantan writes for those unfamiliar with Indian legends. It is easy to follow. I appreciated his explanations which I know to those familiar with the legend must be basic. Vanara is quick read that pulls you into the lives of Vana Nara or Vanara men. It was fun, and I learned a lot!
//
Not all is as it seems as this seemingly lighthearted legend takes a step to the philosophical at the end. I loved Neelakantan’s passage of time at the end of this legend. He expertly emphasizes what changes and what remains the same.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The characters have a flat ‘legend’ quality. They are one-note throughout the next. The lack of character development makes them seem not fully alive. However, I think this is emblematic of the legend genre.
//
Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva, and Tara (Anand Neelakantan) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Buried] An American journalist explores Cairo during the Arab Spring.
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WHAT I LIKED
Yes.
BOOK REVIEW
[The Buried] An American journalist explores Cairo during the Arab Spring.
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WHAT I LIKED
Yes.
Instagram @elle_reads
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China]
Jung Chang writes her family memoir through the lives of her grandmother (concubine to a war general), her mother (leader of the Communist Party), and herself (survivor of the Cultural Revolution who immigrated to the UK). Each women experiences a step in the transformation of China. Chang's writing is beautiful, insightfully honest, and perfect balanced between personal events and historical events. Jung Chang didn't want to write this story. She resisted. But when her mother visited Chang in the UK and left hours of recorded history, she knew this story had to be shared. This is one of my top books of 2020.
⚡️5/5 (adding to my favorite books shelf)
MINI BOOK REVIEW
[Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China]
Jung Chang writes her family memoir through the lives of her grandmother (concubine to a war general), her mother (leader of the Communist Party), and herself (survivor of the Cultural Revolution who immigrated to the UK). Each women experiences a step in the transformation of China. Chang's writing is beautiful, insightfully honest, and perfect balanced between personal events and historical events. Jung Chang didn't want to write this story. She resisted. But when her mother visited Chang in the UK and left hours of recorded history, she knew this story had to be shared. This is one of my top books of 2020.
⚡️5/5 (adding to my favorite books shelf)