A delicate story that reaches for depth in the way teenagers do: with drama and a lil dash of cliché. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-ManuA delicate story that reaches for depth in the way teenagers do: with drama and a lil dash of cliché. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, which helped cut the cheese. (My underdeveloped hypothesis is that tolerance for cheese is higher when content is not consumed via written text.) I enjoyed this and definitely teared up a few times in public, as one does.
Really chomped through this one. Fast-paced plot, interesting characters, more violent than anticipated. I just want all these kids to live a happy anReally chomped through this one. Fast-paced plot, interesting characters, more violent than anticipated. I just want all these kids to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Had a difficult time engaging with this story: the pacing felt slow and I couldn't empathise with any of the characters. Perhaps the former was exacerHad a difficult time engaging with this story: the pacing felt slow and I couldn't empathise with any of the characters. Perhaps the former was exacerbated by the difference between audiobook and text-reading speed....more
A trip down memory lane; made me chuckle out loud on public transport. Picked this up at Ingerid’s when I realised that I’d never read the last book oA trip down memory lane; made me chuckle out loud on public transport. Picked this up at Ingerid’s when I realised that I’d never read the last book of the series....more
The novel is quite gripping and is a well-crafted commentary on fame. I was not the biggest fan of the semi-retroactive storyteller POV or the ending The novel is quite gripping and is a well-crafted commentary on fame. I was not the biggest fan of the semi-retroactive storyteller POV or the ending that serves no purpose aside from letting you know that there will be a second book.
I’ll still read book 2 though because I love Hank Green the person....more
It's been so long since I've submerged myself in a fantasy novel (I've just double-checked to make sure I'm not lying). The Candle and the Flame is peIt's been so long since I've submerged myself in a fantasy novel (I've just double-checked to make sure I'm not lying). The Candle and the Flame is perfect for this endeavour: powerful women, multi-faceted friendships, an exciting call to adventure, all set in a bustling, dusky city.
And also I've missed YA romance okay don't @ me.
Congratulations on a wonderful debut, Nafiza!...more
1) I found Green's portrayal of Aza's OCD striking and was briefly led to inhabit a perspective that I do not have; always thankful of authors who are1) I found Green's portrayal of Aza's OCD striking and was briefly led to inhabit a perspective that I do not have; always thankful of authors who are able to do this.
2) There's something light and pure and sweeping about the way love exists in young adult novels, which is a joy to read....more
Made me feel really, really heavy; an examination of success and failure and parental expectation and what it feels like to grow up Asian American in Made me feel really, really heavy; an examination of success and failure and parental expectation and what it feels like to grow up Asian American in America....more
Told through a uniquely situated protagonist re: racist police brutality; important reading. I spent much of Saturday making dumplings and trying not Told through a uniquely situated protagonist re: racist police brutality; important reading. I spent much of Saturday making dumplings and trying not to cry while listening to the audiobook (which is fantastic, by the way)....more
I started this book dubiously, as I do not quite understand the gamer lifestyle and am generally uninterested in 80's pop culture. RPO was a pleasant I started this book dubiously, as I do not quite understand the gamer lifestyle and am generally uninterested in 80's pop culture. RPO was a pleasant surprise, however! A fun, summer-train-ride read....more