I was surprised at how much I love this book. I must admit that the debut narrator's staccato delivery and fast-pace threw me a bit at the beginning. I was surprised at how much I love this book. I must admit that the debut narrator's staccato delivery and fast-pace threw me a bit at the beginning. I kept checking to make sure I hadn't accidentally increased the speed of the audiobook. I hadn't. I got used to it and fell deeply into this nuanced, suspenseful coming of age story. The interview between the narrator and author at the end was so cute and delightful. I'm also happy to learn that book Yadriel and Julian's story might. Highly, highly recommend!...more
This is one I definitely should've read with my eyes as the narrator did not do the book justice. While I appreciated her fluid pronunciation of BengaThis is one I definitely should've read with my eyes as the narrator did not do the book justice. While I appreciated her fluid pronunciation of Bengali words, her staccato delivery was uninflected, with little change in voice to indicate change in characters. I also found it curious that the narrator chose not to give the presumably Irish characters any sort of accent; but I guess no accent is better than a bad one.
The story itself was engaging from the start, encompassing a lot from family acceptance to Islamaphobia and homophobia and budding romance. Aside from the fact that there were an awful lot of characters "crossing their arms over their chests,"(to the point it became a distraction), I enjoyed this....more
This debut had a great voice and an intriguing premise as well as some hilariously snarky observations. It was my bedside table book early in the reopThis debut had a great voice and an intriguing premise as well as some hilariously snarky observations. It was my bedside table book early in the reopening of school and I was usually exhausted each night I picked it up. Teaching on Zoom is hard! ...more
Memoir is just about the only books written for adults that I read nowadays. I heard the author being interviewed on NPR and because I worked ER when Memoir is just about the only books written for adults that I read nowadays. I heard the author being interviewed on NPR and because I worked ER when I was a nurse, much of what she said rang true. One very distinct memory I have is from around 1979. I was working the evening shift and a new doctor had started in the ER. She was the first Black ER physician (male or female) on staff at the time. One of the ER doctors was a racist, sexist Indian doctor who treated her (well everyone) rather crappy. One evening, I heard him refer to her as Mrs. . She did not answer, so he called, "Mrs. across the room louder. I said, "I think you mean doctor . He looked at me and said, "What difference does it make?" I responded, "If it doesn't make any difference, then you won't mind if I call you Mr. or better yet, by your first name?" She looked over at me and mouthed, "Thank you." Sad but not surprising to see that not much has changed in 40 years.
The book is less a memoir than a series of telling vignettes. That made it no less interesting, but I don't feel like I really know the author having read the book the same way that I felt like I knew Michelle Obama after reading hers. I'm happy to have read it and would read the author's next book. ...more
An absolutely adorable debut with depth, great voice and down-to-earth issues, like how to afford college or, how people of color need to work harder An absolutely adorable debut with depth, great voice and down-to-earth issues, like how to afford college or, how people of color need to work harder for less or how exclusionary teen rituals like prom are. The story shone in the capable performance of a new-to-me narrator who did a fantastic job of bringing Liz to vivid life. High recommended!...more
I enjoyed the baseball in this epistolary novel, though I couldn't totally buy into the idea that an MLB pitcher would spend so much time correspondinI enjoyed the baseball in this epistolary novel, though I couldn't totally buy into the idea that an MLB pitcher would spend so much time corresponding with a fan....more
This was a bit of a miss for me despite the unique setting and issues. There were moments large and small that rang so true but I never connected withThis was a bit of a miss for me despite the unique setting and issues. There were moments large and small that rang so true but I never connected with Isaac and the ending felt rushed and unresolved....more
I'm glad I read this with my ears as the narrator's fluent Mandarin definitely added to the enjoyment. This breezy romance had depth as it also explorI'm glad I read this with my ears as the narrator's fluent Mandarin definitely added to the enjoyment. This breezy romance had depth as it also explored the conflict and tension between immigrant parental expectations and the passion and interests of gifted offspring. Better suited for a high school audience with its refreshingly frank discussions. ...more
I think kids will enjoy this. I mostly did - great baseball action, interesting comic book interludes, nice friendship story. The medical bits? A tad I think kids will enjoy this. I mostly did - great baseball action, interesting comic book interludes, nice friendship story. The medical bits? A tad soap opera-ish. ...more
Loved the voice. Dry, smart and witty. Loved the female friendships. This debut managed to be super-fun while plumbing the depths of insecurity over bLoved the voice. Dry, smart and witty. Loved the female friendships. This debut managed to be super-fun while plumbing the depths of insecurity over body image. ...more
This was so painful! Not because it was poorly written but because of the abuse that the mc, Sparrow endured. It was really hard to listen to. I had tThis was so painful! Not because it was poorly written but because of the abuse that the mc, Sparrow endured. It was really hard to listen to. I had to stop at one point. Then, the following day, I listened straight through. The author captured the toxicity of this relationship perfectly. The narrator's performance was quite compelling. There were some jumps in the narrative that seemed abrupt and were I reading with my eyes, I know I would've been flipping back to reread. I appreciated Lucas' POV, but I don't think it was entirely necessary. I did love the ballet descriptions though. ...more