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Did not finish, won't ever finish. (Jan 21 - Jan 24, 2021)
I might be throwing in the towel too early since I'm only 4 chapters in. But I'm just uninterested and unmotivated to keep going.
I might be throwing in the towel too early since I'm only 4 chapters in. But I'm just uninterested and unmotivated to keep going.
What a ride. Dial A for Aunties has redefined what "page-turner" means to me. Without even realizing it, I was 84% in, gripping my stomach from laughing too hard and extremely eager to reach the conclusion.
If you're looking for a serious, character-focused crime novel with heavy themes and a realistic storyline, this is definitely not that book. Please carry on with your life.
*But* if you're in the mood for laugh-out-loud humor, unprecedented mayhem (involving meddlesome family members and over-the-top drama), and delightful twists and turns at every corner, I highly recommend Dial A for Aunties.
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of Dial A for Aunties from its publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a serious, character-focused crime novel with heavy themes and a realistic storyline, this is definitely not that book. Please carry on with your life.
*But* if you're in the mood for laugh-out-loud humor, unprecedented mayhem (involving meddlesome family members and over-the-top drama), and delightful twists and turns at every corner, I highly recommend Dial A for Aunties.
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of Dial A for Aunties from its publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Diversity tags: queer POV character, m/m relationship
Just when I thought that everything was finally, finally falling into place, the rug was quietly, suddenly pulled out under me. Flamefall is an unexpectedly darker, more sinister, and thought-provoking follow-up to its well-written predecessor. It hurts my soul to think that I have to wait at least another year for the final installment.
Initial thoughts:
Spoiler
animal cruelty and death; human abuse and slavery; implied sexual coercion (off-page); blood, violence, and war; massacre (on-page); public execution (non-explicit); famine; depiction of grief and loss of family members; slut-shamingDiversity tags: queer POV character, m/m relationship
Just when I thought that everything was finally, finally falling into place, the rug was quietly, suddenly pulled out under me. Flamefall is an unexpectedly darker, more sinister, and thought-provoking follow-up to its well-written predecessor. It hurts my soul to think that I have to wait at least another year for the final installment.
Initial thoughts:
Will not finish - 37%
A Pho Love Story was listed as part of my most highly anticipated 2021 releases. And so, it hurts my heart a little to admit that I don't have the energy to finish this book.
This isn't a badly written book. It's just not a story for me. I know that A Pho Love Story will resonate deeply with a lot of readers from the Asian diaspora, especially among immigrants. In fact, I highly recommend reading the reviews of Michelle and Lauren.
However, as someone who's been born and raised in Asia, I guess I've reached a point where I crave representation that goes beyond the struggles of being Asian and American. Quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of this lens. And that's not a reflection of the author's writing. It's a reflection of where I am mentally and emotionally as a reader seeking characters who look like me and live like me.
Moreover, while I cannot comment on the book as a whole, I will say that I think there's a missed opportunity here. I was really looking forward to the intensity and tension derived from rivals turned lovers. However, the relationship between Linh and Bao is more of a forbidden romance, and I was a bit disappointed that the rivalry is solely between their parents. In fact, Linh and Bao identify their common ground right away and easily bond. This is also partially why my interest immediately declined. I would've loved to see them being ruthlessly competitive, slowly unlearning their biases, and working towards bridging the chasm between their families. But alas, this is not that story.
On a more positive note, A Pho Love Story delves into the trauma experienced by refugees of the Vietnam War, which is a discussion that is very sorely-needed. Undoubtedly, this debut novel brings something meaningful to the YA contemporary genre.
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of A Pho Love Story from its publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
A Pho Love Story was listed as part of my most highly anticipated 2021 releases. And so, it hurts my heart a little to admit that I don't have the energy to finish this book.
This isn't a badly written book. It's just not a story for me. I know that A Pho Love Story will resonate deeply with a lot of readers from the Asian diaspora, especially among immigrants. In fact, I highly recommend reading the reviews of Michelle and Lauren.
However, as someone who's been born and raised in Asia, I guess I've reached a point where I crave representation that goes beyond the struggles of being Asian and American. Quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of this lens. And that's not a reflection of the author's writing. It's a reflection of where I am mentally and emotionally as a reader seeking characters who look like me and live like me.
Moreover, while I cannot comment on the book as a whole, I will say that I think there's a missed opportunity here. I was really looking forward to the intensity and tension derived from rivals turned lovers. However, the relationship between Linh and Bao is more of a forbidden romance, and I was a bit disappointed that the rivalry is solely between their parents. In fact, Linh and Bao identify their common ground right away and easily bond. This is also partially why my interest immediately declined. I would've loved to see them being ruthlessly competitive, slowly unlearning their biases, and working towards bridging the chasm between their families. But alas, this is not that story.
On a more positive note, A Pho Love Story delves into the trauma experienced by refugees of the Vietnam War, which is a discussion that is very sorely-needed. Undoubtedly, this debut novel brings something meaningful to the YA contemporary genre.
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of A Pho Love Story from its publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
It is 4 AM. My 1 remaining brain cell and I will head to bed and regroup in the (later) morning for my preliminary review.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone is a heartbreaking, poignantly written tale that touches familial relationships, Jewish culture and religious practices, and the exhilarating thrill of first loves, while simultaneously addressing physical illnesses and mental health. It should be noted, however, that the novel also contains heavy content such as self-harm and suicidal ideation. A trigger warning has been provided by the author herself.
I picked up You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone as my first read of 2018, and I am infinitely glad that I did because – no exaggeration involved – this book ripped me apart, destroyed the most fragile parts of my soul, and then proceeded to piece me back together into a hot mess that’s emotionally stronger and ready to charge into unknown waters.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone was largely driven by its characters rather than its plot, and the way it was executed was superb. The author really took her time in establishing and shaping the leading characters, supporting cast, and their relationships with each other, which consequently allowed me to invest in all of them. This deliberately careful approach also resulted in a lot of interesting and engaging relationship dynamics among family members, among friends, between siblings, and between romantic partners – all of which I completely loved reading about.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone as part of my participation in a blog tour hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity!
I picked up You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone as my first read of 2018, and I am infinitely glad that I did because – no exaggeration involved – this book ripped me apart, destroyed the most fragile parts of my soul, and then proceeded to piece me back together into a hot mess that’s emotionally stronger and ready to charge into unknown waters.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone was largely driven by its characters rather than its plot, and the way it was executed was superb. The author really took her time in establishing and shaping the leading characters, supporting cast, and their relationships with each other, which consequently allowed me to invest in all of them. This deliberately careful approach also resulted in a lot of interesting and engaging relationship dynamics among family members, among friends, between siblings, and between romantic partners – all of which I completely loved reading about.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone as part of my participation in a blog tour hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity!
