Overall enjoyed. Some of the chapters contain information I wouldn't anticipate being there. Eg the chapter “1968: What’s in the Name “Asian American”” spent half the time discussing the origins of the term as one expects, but the other half was about Asian-Black solidarity. Which was interesting but not at all related to the theme of chapter so I was surprised it was included here. 

I also don’t think 200 pages is enough to discuss all these times and events. Each topic was brief, I found it so interesting I wanted more. 

The author did an impressive job weaving in firsthand contemporaneous accounts too which kept it from being too dry or uninteresting. Also the writing was surprisingly engaging for nonfiction histories. I’m tabbing the book with two colors: orange for interesting/new facts, and blue for good writing which I didn’t think I’d do for a nonfiction. Almost poetic. 

Frankly my only critique is that it’s too short and I wish there was more of it! 

This was….alright. 

Very abrupt romance, which seems out of character for Logan. We didn’t know until about halfway through that Logan is bisexual, all the lead up is vague speculation, so up until they literally start hardcore flirting/lightly touching there was no hint of romance on Logan’s end. Also Kosoko Jackson’s main POV characters tend to be very judgmental and Xavier is no exception. Lots of small town judgement that is overt, but also lots of subtle comments sprinkled throughout as well that aren’t ever really reckoned with. 

Another abrupt change: there was an extreme shift from “I hate small towns and the people who are in them have achieved nothing with their lives” for the first 70% and then at 80% he’s like “how dare people judge small towns.” Which is like….what he has been doing this whole time. And it’s not until like the 90% mark that he has a few moments of self reflection about why small towns might not be so bad after all. Quite the tonal shift without a lot of acknowledgement from Xavier. 

I didn’t expect a murder mystery to be so heart warming! I was nervous after the absurd zaniness that was Four Aunties and a Wedding, but this was great.  Thoroughly enjoyed, and thank goodness that guy died tbh!