Today in the mail, G and I got this graphic novel, UPROOTED by @ohtruth from one of my dearest friends, @kathfitz. It’s a memoir about a girl from TorToday in the mail, G and I got this graphic novel, UPROOTED by @ohtruth from one of my dearest friends, @kathfitz. It’s a memoir about a girl from Toronto who moves to Hong Kong as a teen in the 90s, and how she overcomes culture shock and learns to adapt to her wildly different surroundings. It’s also about her father’s family fleeing China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The art is wonderful and so recognizable. It’s funny and moving and tender and sweet.
Like Ruth, I moved from Toronto to Hong Kong when I was a teen in the 90s. I had also never lived anywhere but Canada and left behind a group of friends who I loved. Like Ruth, my parents spoke Cantonese to me often and I would speak English back. Like Ruth, I had to overcome a lot of shyness to begin speaking Cantonese in Hong Kong again, with both my extended family and in the streets. Like Ruth, I attended an international high school in Hong Kong, and felt overwhelmed by a lot of the classes at first. Like Ruth, I hung out at Pacific Place with friends on the weekends, and listened to both Western and Cantopop stars. And like Ruth, when we first moved, my brother and I were often left to fend for ourselves, because my parents were working. Like Ruth, I also had family members who fled China during the same war, and remember it with sadness but also some pride. It is an absolutely surreal experience to read a memoir that so closely mirrors your own life experience. At this point, I count living in Hong Kong as a privilege. But at the time, I remember aching so much for my life in Canada and fantasizing about moving in with my best friends.
I don’t have anything really profound to say about this book, other than that it was deeply moving, eerily familiar, and that I felt understood and seen by it - maybe in a way that I never was at that time. I really really hope that other Third Culture Kids will read this and maybe see a little of themselves in it. Deeply grateful to have read this and to Ruth for sharing her experience - and to @mackidsbooks @stmartinspress @raincoastbooks for publishing it....more
4-4.5 stars. This is my favorite Emma Lord book since her first, Meet Cute. It has a lot of the same elements - mainly the love of New York, the frien4-4.5 stars. This is my favorite Emma Lord book since her first, Meet Cute. It has a lot of the same elements - mainly the love of New York, the friend circle, the app, and just SO MUCH CUTENESS and will-they-won't-they stuff. Riley and Tom are such unbelievably cute cinnamon rolls that it's hard not to love them, but as usual with Emma Lord, that fluffy exterior belies the hot messes that they actually are. Riley's issues stem from her shutdown after Tom leaves in high school, leaving her bereft without a co-conspirator. Because she got into trouble at school with him, her mother attempts to control her every move in her last years of high school, creating a "Good Kid" version of Riley where she not only feels like she's not herself, but also that her true self is not good enough for her mom. Whew. Tom's story unfolds as we see Riley and Tom traverse New York and discover just how isolated he's become - and how he combats that. I won't go into spoilers, but let's just say that Emma Lord knows how to reveal secrets at precisely the right moment, and even though I had guessed at some of the secrets Tom was keeping, I couldn't guess at everything.
I think the thing that resonated the most with me in this book is Riley's feeling that she's directionless. There's nothing more relateable at 17-18, when people tell you you're supposed to be choosing what you do for the rest of your life. Her scrappiness and her ability to find and discover more about herself is what drives this book, and makes it such a keeper. The cute scenarios, the wonderful friend circle, and the backdrop of New York are icing on the cake.
Emma Lord has been an auto-buy author for me since the beginning - she doesn't disappoint. People looking for really awesome older YA contemporary that isn't too adult will find it here....more
**spoiler alert** 4 stars. Spoilers all the way through my review.
All That’s Left To Say was a very tough and long book to get through, because the su**spoiler alert** 4 stars. Spoilers all the way through my review.
All That’s Left To Say was a very tough and long book to get through, because the subject matter is grief and addiction and being left behind with a memory of a person who is different from what you thought. It is, in a word, multi-faceted, and that makes it one I know I’m going to think about a lot and read again.
For me, what pulled me through this book (because it was LONG) was a) the mystery of what happened the night when Sophie died b) the friendship between Hannah and Gabi, brought together by grief and vengeance and pain but also Sophie c) the simmering romance between Hannah and Christian. Everything else was gravy, from the mother-daughter moments to the debate club stuff to the moments with each of the people that Hannah ends up befriending in her search for the person who sold Sophie drugs. I’m grateful that Hannah as a character was so complex and almost a bit unlikeable because it just made her so real. Of course she wouldn’t be the nicest or the best to be around. And of course, she had moments of wisdom and pockets of joy where we could see who she was before. It was the fullness of the characters that definitely kept me going - and the humour and sparkle of Christian Dailey, the debate boy of my dreams.
Where this book fell down for me was in the alternating timelines. I think that focusing on these characters in a normal time-forward narrative would have worked better. I was often confused by the switch between junior and senior year and had trouble distinguishing between them.
And yet, it’s hard to say so much about the structure of this book without recognizing the writing and the absolute godsend to YA that is Emery Lord. Not only does she have a depth that is so beyond her years, but she translates that kind of revelation to YA novels in a way that just astounds and makes you think. This book especially, was full of so much weight and wisdom that made me believe so much in the struggle that Hannah was facing. I appreciated so much that she was writing from a place where you feel like nothing you do can change things, and where the struggle is against an epidemic of addiction that is so much larger than the individual. What do you do in that scenario? It’s not that Emery has all the answers, but she provides some ideas that I really think may inspire teens to take action for change.
In the end, All That’s Left to Say is a complex and emotional read with a mystery for contemporary YA fans. If you are new to YA contemporary, this is not the one that is going to totally grip you. But if you're into emotional, thoughtful reads, go deep into this journey of pain and rise through it....more
4.5 stars. Look, people, you might be doubting reading a YA if you are coming from Ali Hazelwood’s adult romance. And all I have to say is, TRUST. Tru4.5 stars. Look, people, you might be doubting reading a YA if you are coming from Ali Hazelwood’s adult romance. And all I have to say is, TRUST. Trust that the Hazelwood magic is still here. Because it is.
Firstly, let me say that CHECK & MATE is not totally what I would consider YA. It’s really the perfect encapsulation of that liminal space between YA and adult books that the publishing industry used to market as New Adult. The characters are between 18-20, mostly. The issues they are dealing with are post secondary issues. So yeah, this is definitely a New Adult - and thank goodness, because it really keeps Hazelwood in the world she knows and describes so authentically.
It has all the hallmarks of her usual, glorious, completely addictive work: The dazzling voices and banter by Mallory Greenleaf, chess genius who has banished chess from her life for REASONS. The laugh-out-loud calamities that happen to her that signal the chaos of her life. The push-and-pull of Mallory and the love interest, Nolan Sawyer, world’s top chess player. If you love Ali’s neurotic, overachieving MCs and her devoted, love-at-first-sight broody heroes, she’s got you. In many ways, this is essentially an Ali Hazelwood book that centers around chess and happens to have slightly younger characters (and closed door sex). Other than that, all the wonderful, hilarious, offbeat characters are there. The great female friendships (and in this one, family relationships). The intersectional issues of health and financial security. The way she tackles gender inequality. The singular focus on one subject (in this case, chess), and how she makes it so interesting despite not knowing how to play. And yeah, the pining, swoony ache that you get in your stomach because you are dying over these characters not getting together and being happy and doing all the making out. It’s all there. And it’s so fun and joyous, with the self-discovery that only comes from being out on the world as a new, young adult, floundering. Is it angsty? Yes. But did I love every minute of it (including the chess, even though I don’t play chess)? Yes.
Basically, CHECK & MATE is a banger. Go pick it up if you love any contemporary romance and/or the Queen’s Gambit. You won’t be sorry. ...more
3 stars. This is probably one of the fullest explorations of Georgiana Darcy I’ve ever seen or read, and how emotional abuse can deeply hurt and break3 stars. This is probably one of the fullest explorations of Georgiana Darcy I’ve ever seen or read, and how emotional abuse can deeply hurt and break down a person. Set in the competitive world of prep school, this retelling sees Georgie Darcy dealing with the aftermath of her relationship and break down after Wickham uses her to deal drugs at school, and the events of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in the background. The concept was well executed, and a unique take on a retelling. I liked Fitz as a character a ton, and I really enjoyed the Avery character as a love interest and the very true to life band geekiness. The fandom stuff was a bit jarring for me, but if you liked those parts I’d say, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, you’ll probably like this. And the ending with the discussion about race, privilege and how to move forward was superb. But where this fell down for me was in the sheer slog of the beginning and middle parts. Honestly, this was a 2.5 star read until right at the end because there was a lot of repetition, way too many flashbacks, and WOW, the angst. And yet…I can’t say that it didn’t work. It’s long, it reads a bit like fanfic itself, but it does hold together. Read if you like Austen retellings, broken characters looking to fight back, and band geekery. A library read for sure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Books/Wednesday Books for the eARC/audio ARC. ...more
4.5 stars. My absolute favourite from Emily Henry so far. This had it all - steamy romance, fun characters, banter, books, the ache of true emotion an4.5 stars. My absolute favourite from Emily Henry so far. This had it all - steamy romance, fun characters, banter, books, the ache of true emotion and insurmountable challenge, and a very well-earned ending. Love love love. Longer review soon....more
4.5 stars. Casey McQuiston cannot write a bad book, and in fact, seems to only be able to write brilliant ones. Her razor-sharp wit and impeccable cha4.5 stars. Casey McQuiston cannot write a bad book, and in fact, seems to only be able to write brilliant ones. Her razor-sharp wit and impeccable character development make I Kissed Shara Wheeler an incredible YA debut, and a book that is big on romance, friendship, and what it means to be a gay teenager in a Southern Baptist town. The cast of characters is huge, well-hewn and fun, with voices that are unique and questioning and self-aware, all at once. Wonderful, wonderful read. ...more
4.5 stars. This was basically unputdownable. If you're a theatre kid or you just happen to love dramatic, full-throttle characters, When You Get the C4.5 stars. This was basically unputdownable. If you're a theatre kid or you just happen to love dramatic, full-throttle characters, When You Get the Chance is for you. Since I am both of these things, I adored this angsty YA novel that's full of fun, uniquely millennial teens, lots of bantery love-hate goodness, and ALL THE FEELS. Emma Lord is already on my auto-buy list, but this book feels like the perfect marriage of the family stuff from You Have A Match, her sophomore book, and her wonderful, snarky, social media-y debut, Tweet Cute. Throw in all the musical theatre references, true New Yorker knowledge, and the Mamma Mia like story of finding your mom, and you've got a really big story to tell. And Emma Lord is up to it. She channels heroine Millie Price's voice like only someone who is just as dramatic and bold can, and she makes even the most far-fetched of parts in this story work because, like the rest of her books, it's just so darn cute.
I loved all the parts of Millie in this - she is a hot mess of perfect curls, big personality, ambition and sparkle, and you can just FEEL how much she's going to mess up spectacularly, but then fix everything in the end. And the foil of Oliver - her stage manager nemesis - and the boy she's competing with for an agent internship - who surprises her with his thoughtfulness and earnestness? Yeah, it's a hate-to-love that is hard not to ship.
Let's not forget the fun secondary characters, from Millie's best friend Teddy, the geocaching teen, to protege (and possible sister) Chloe, who worships Millie's confidence and shares her love of theatre. There's also the quiet dad in her way (but who has kept Millie grounded) and her cool aunt who runs a club, and the three potential moms.
The best part about When You Get the Chance is just how much it draws you into Millie's world, keeping you guessing on the mystery of Millie's mom, while watching her stumble and develop into the person she's hiding. Because even though she's big and full of personality, the real Millie is uncertain, scared of not being liked, and even more scared of being vulnerable. It's a classic YA tale, but it's done with so much wholesomeness and wisdom that you can't help but cheer for Millie.
I'm the kind of person who can usually guess exactly what's going to happen in a book - and especially in YA contemporary, which is my jam. When You Get the Chance, though, hit all the right notes in terms of carrying the different threads of the story and diverting my attention from the plot to the characters - so much so that I was just as shocked as Millie was when the climax came. With this book, Emma Lord has cemented herself as capable of delivering a fresh, quirky take on the bildungsroman that is both unexpected but will find its way into your heart.
A (dare I say it) fresh, super contemporary, sex positive, bisexual retelling of Emma that is all about voice. If you’re a person who loves quirky, noA (dare I say it) fresh, super contemporary, sex positive, bisexual retelling of Emma that is all about voice. If you’re a person who loves quirky, no-holds-barred characters who are both annoyingly flawed and endearingly honest, this book is for you. It lives and dies on main character Elliot McHugh’s narration and point of view. I’ll be honest, I could see some readers just losing their patience with her, but luckily, I wasn’t one of them. I stuck with her and loved her more with each chapter.
Ok, here’s the thing: Fresh is very loose on plot and very heavy on characterization, and accuracy of portrayal of the heady, intoxicating first year of university. Friendships that are established by circumstance and made whole and real through shared experience (omg Lucy and Micah and Brad…so good). Parties that feel like movie scenes, but never actually quite live up to them. Breakups and makeups and hookups and gossip that can destroy or cause you to grow. And classes that stimulate or shift entire career trajectories. This is what this book is like. It’s so true to my first year experience - except that maybe I didn’t quite go as far or screw up as hard as Elliot did (I was definitely more a Lucy, her roommate). But that’s not to say there weren’t people who did.
There are whole conversations in this book that I have never seen portrayed anywhere else that I also had with my freshman year friends. On that alone, author Margot Wood is breaking new ground. But she ups the ante by making Elliot and her friends not just sex positive, but deeply hungry for booty and down for all kinds of new erotic experiences. That, too, feels so real and new. In fact, I would say that this book feels like a bit of a manual to surviving your first year of university/college relationships. And it works.
That said, it wouldn’t be an Emma retelling without a real romantic throughline and Wood delivers with a delicious, achingly slow burn of a hate-to-love between Elliot and her RA Rose. Every moment with them is charged and bantery, and the unrequited stuff is some of the best I’ve read in awhile. You will feel and NEED these two to get it together.
Overall, I really enjoyed slipping into Elliot’s head and reliving my own snarky, slightly-bad-at-friendship freshman year. If I have qualms, they are simply that it took me awhile to get into Elliot’s head and there were moments when I couldn’t see how certain scenes were feeding into what I thought was the thesis of the book. But other than that, the characters are really well-developed, diverse and engaging, the dialogue funny, and Elliot so clearly drawn that I really felt I knew her at the end. Fresh is definitely worth your time if you want a very contemporary YA that keeps it real. A definite one for people who like Mary H.K. Choi’s Emergency Contact.
P.S. if you are in the book blogging world, you may recognize a few of the names and characters that Wood drops in - Sasha (Alsberg) is a side character, and Wood’s former colleague at HarperCollins’ Epic Reads channel, Aubry, is also mentioned....more