A hefty final book in a beloved series that completely nails the landing? MWT, you're too good to us!
(view spoiler)[So fun to see Gen from the eyes oA hefty final book in a beloved series that completely nails the landing? MWT, you're too good to us!
(view spoiler)[So fun to see Gen from the eyes of a narrator who picks up on nearly everything he's doing and who is a very close match to him in terms of intelligence and canniness. It made for fewer big OMG twists, but a more satisfying reading experience, in my opinion. I can't wait to reread this one now that I'm not worried it's going to end in 'rocks fall, everyone dies'! (hide spoiler)]
(I am THRILLED this book is finally out, since I got a sneak peek ARC from the publisher and then basically had to tamp down my feelings for two months to not give spoilers away. It was agonizing and made me feel just a teeny tiny bit Eugenides-like.)...more
A super charming, one sitting read. Skye is such a fun protagonist to root for, and dare I say that Henry Cho should join Peter Kavinsky in the pantheA super charming, one sitting read. Skye is such a fun protagonist to root for, and dare I say that Henry Cho should join Peter Kavinsky in the pantheon of Dream Fictional Boyfriends? (Yes, I do dare say it.)...more
I liked Permanent Record more than Emergency Contact, particularly for how rooted the story felt to a place and to a certain period of young adulthoodI liked Permanent Record more than Emergency Contact, particularly for how rooted the story felt to a place and to a certain period of young adulthood that can be both dizzying and difficult. I found Pablo's anxiety spiral realistic and sympathetic, (view spoiler)[though I'm not really satisfied with the book's explanation of how he racked up so much college debt when his mother is an anesthesiologist?? I get that NYU is super expensive, but anesthesiology is one of the highest-paid medical specialties?? (hide spoiler)] And I really liked how prominently friends and family featured in the book, and how much richer the characterization was compared to Emergency Contact.
Ultimately, with both of Choi's books, I always end up wishing they'd been around when I was a late teen/early-twentysomething, because I think I would have enjoyed them more. Her characters are so fully realized as part of that young adult zeitgeist, almost painfully so for me now that I'm no longer in that period of my life....more
Just as new romances are inevitably most interesting to the people within them, Emergency Contact fell short for me because there didn't seem to be anJust as new romances are inevitably most interesting to the people within them, Emergency Contact fell short for me because there didn't seem to be any there there. I was watching two people fall in love, but from the outside, and similarly to real life, having no footing within an interiority that could create empathy meant that I was mostly annoyed by the in-jokes and the breathless proclamations of "no one has ever made me feel this way before/this person is so incredibly special" that came without really any plot or characterization backing....more
Pitch perfect voice for both halves of the intertwining narratives, a main character to root for, and an unflinching but not gratuitous look at the hoPitch perfect voice for both halves of the intertwining narratives, a main character to root for, and an unflinching but not gratuitous look at the horrors of being a girl within patriarchy. Just fabulous....more
Slow going with both the narrative and the voice at first, but the last fourth of the book was unputdownable for me. A brutal read, but also offers imSlow going with both the narrative and the voice at first, but the last fourth of the book was unputdownable for me. A brutal read, but also offers important blueprints for community organizing and activism....more
Appreciated the other forms of rep, but very disappointed that the attempt to dismantle/critique Victorian imperialism ends up using ethnic diversity Appreciated the other forms of rep, but very disappointed that the attempt to dismantle/critique Victorian imperialism ends up using ethnic diversity primarily as set dressing. I also found the character of August to be underwritten, which made his part in the conclusion feel more plot-devicey than earned....more
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