Incredibly approachable, this book is super important for Asian Americans - and truly, all Americans - to read. Camp tells many relatable anecdotes, eIncredibly approachable, this book is super important for Asian Americans - and truly, all Americans - to read. Camp tells many relatable anecdotes, explains complicated terms in simple language, and breaks down Asian American identity in a compassionate and understanding way.
Camp does NOT condescend or make you feel stupid - and whether this is your first exposure to these ideas or it's old hat, this book is a great primer and jumping off point. "Louder than Lies" will definitely be a staple of Asian American studies in the future. I can't wait to have it be required reading for my children. ...more
Even though I find the entire premise of the book stupid (Why are you killing your own people to make better killers in the war?!?), the story is soooEven though I find the entire premise of the book stupid (Why are you killing your own people to make better killers in the war?!?), the story is soooo compelling and I am so invested and I just want to keep reading and reading.
Are the tropes troping? YES. Are some of the plot twists twisting and also a bit familiar? ALSO YES. BUT WHO CARES? So much fun. So much sizzle. So much tension. Loved.
Fourth Wing is addictively readable because Yarros copy pastaed almost every dragon and dystopian novel in the last 30 years and mashed them together AND ADDED SMUT. I know this AND still enjoyed it. ...more
Wow. There are definitely parts I had to skim because I hate horror and it was really gross. HOWEVER. I did enjoy the plot, and the rage was completelWow. There are definitely parts I had to skim because I hate horror and it was really gross. HOWEVER. I did enjoy the plot, and the rage was completely relatable. The Ji-Won is clever and unreliable as a narrator but the ending is satisfying. ...more
What I love most is Kitasei’s commentary on empire, settling, colonizing, individual v communal identity, and “stealing” people’s art/objects. I love What I love most is Kitasei’s commentary on empire, settling, colonizing, individual v communal identity, and “stealing” people’s art/objects. I love the narrative and how so much story was packed into this book that easily could have dragged on and on. (I would have read it, though!) Gently funny, Asian swashbuckling Indiana Jones in space! LOVED IT. ...more
I don’t know what it says about me, but I found the light depictions of physical abuse easier to swallow than the descriptions of WoWow. What a ride.
I don’t know what it says about me, but I found the light depictions of physical abuse easier to swallow than the descriptions of Wong and her mother and brother slowly suffocating in New Hampshire because of racism.
The story is riveting and fascinating. My main criticism is that sometimes, especially near the back third, the timeline and numbers get really confusing and I had a hard time understanding what happened when. But overall, wow. ...more
I am so disappointed. Ostensibly, this book has everything I want: queer author, queer characters, Chinese fantasy, 9-tailed foxes, magic, history, reI am so disappointed. Ostensibly, this book has everything I want: queer author, queer characters, Chinese fantasy, 9-tailed foxes, magic, history, reincarnation, multiple timelines, and smut. It should be a shoo-in for fave book contender! And yet, though the story/plot has twists I didn’t expect, the execution was lacking.
The dialog was terrible and wooden and clunky. It had me questioning whether the author had ever participated in a conversation let alone heard one. The smut is cringe and clunky and not sexy (although there are instances where it’s not meant to be sexy). I never believed the love between the main characters — and none of the relationships between anyone — familial, platonic, romantic, sexual — none of it was believable.
I really really wanted to like the book but I just didn’t. ...more
Stay True is really good and will not destroy you or make you cry even though it feels like it should. It’s actually very boring in parts — or not borStay True is really good and will not destroy you or make you cry even though it feels like it should. It’s actually very boring in parts — or not boring, but like it’s all the mental and relational detritus that isn’t important to anyone else but you because you love someone.
I love it because he went to Berkeley the year after I started college and I also grew up in the Bay Area. It reminded me specifically of my college days and that heady feeling of friendship and freedom and school and feeling like you’re the first to discover justice or radical ideas or rebellion.
Plus, his relationship with his parents is so healing and lovely and I can’t believe it is true — especially his dad. Such a precious bean. Those were some of my favorite parts.
Beautiful memoir and the nature of self, identity, love, and the accuracy of memory. ...more
I wish I could word or think conceptualize music the way Abdurraqib does. His words about Blackness, about Black joy, grief, survival, tenaMasterful.
I wish I could word or think conceptualize music the way Abdurraqib does. His words about Blackness, about Black joy, grief, survival, tenacity, and music!!! About surviving and thriving on the margins, through grief so thick you might choke—masterful writing.
Best taken in small doses so the words can sink in. Truly a masterpiece. ...more
Solid and well-written, part of me feels bad giving it 3-stars. But again, 3-stars is good! Solid and respectable. I found the straight forward tone aSolid and well-written, part of me feels bad giving it 3-stars. But again, 3-stars is good! Solid and respectable. I found the straight forward tone and subject matter very appealing and this book/memoir is incredibly readable. At the same time, there seemed to be a distance in that tone, and it was hard for me to connect and feel as if I knew the author. Of course, the author doesn’t owe me that sort of intimacy — and I think trotting out our trauma in a way to please the audience is highly overrated.
Anyway. Interesting, full of love, compassion, and gentle firmness, I enjoyed the book. ...more
It took me a while to get into, but once I did - WOW. Full of dark humor, wry observations, and teeming with fury and sorrow, it’s not my favorite kinIt took me a while to get into, but once I did - WOW. Full of dark humor, wry observations, and teeming with fury and sorrow, it’s not my favorite kind of writing but it was incredibly compelling. ...more
I devoured this memoir. Such a compelling read, Foo is gentle with her retelling of her trauma and her incredibly researched writing is helpful, hopefI devoured this memoir. Such a compelling read, Foo is gentle with her retelling of her trauma and her incredibly researched writing is helpful, hopeful, and honest. Beautiful and infuriating and packed full of love and grace. A gift. ...more
Light and easy in tone, the breezy story moves a bit too fast and abruptly at times. Things get told and explained a little too much, and their gifts Light and easy in tone, the breezy story moves a bit too fast and abruptly at times. Things get told and explained a little too much, and their gifts feel extremely convenient and cheap when used as easy outs. ...more
This book was hard to read — not because it is poorly written. Rather, because it is so well written. I don’t know what it says about me that I can reThis book was hard to read — not because it is poorly written. Rather, because it is so well written. I don’t know what it says about me that I can read a book about human trauma and barely blink, but tell me a story about the imminent extinction of sturgeon or whales, and I have to step away so that I can breathe.
Brilliantly written. I love books talk about a thing by talking about another thing. I so envy the way writers can do that! Loved this book. ...more
Funny, zany, and full of commentary, Starter Villain was amusing and ridiculous in all the best ways. I did find the asides and banter slightly distraFunny, zany, and full of commentary, Starter Villain was amusing and ridiculous in all the best ways. I did find the asides and banter slightly distracting in the ways it was very progressive and left of center - mostly because it felt occasionally like an after school special (though an incredibly witty one). Overall, a good read. ...more
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