Scan barcode
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
Mary H.K. Choi easily is becoming one of my favorite authors. I listened to this one on audio and I thought the person did a bang up job . . . except that Rayne and Li sounded identical and that was a little creepy. But this story is NOT predictable and I think that Choi has her pulse on Gen Z and young Millennials.
emmagray13's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
manuelapalmieri0109's review against another edition
1.0
1.5* this book just wasn’t for me. I was quite bored and didn’t care about any of the characters. I had rly high expectations bcz I rly enjoyed emergency contact so this is kinda disappointing.
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
WOW !!! An A+ sophomore novel from Choi, whose first novel EMERGENCY CONTACT I also loved. Since reading EMERGENCY CONTACT I got more familiar with Choi's other work - her nonfiction writing and her two podcasts, Hey Cool Job and Hey Cool Life - and reading PERMANENT RECORD with that background was so enjoyable. I could hear everything in her voice, even though Pablo isn't necessarily a cipher for her, and it makes complete sense that *she* would write *this* novel, with the kind of knowledge and interests and worldviews that she has.
PERMANENT RECORD is kind of tricky, because you're waiting the whole time for Pablo to get his shit together and just COMMUNICATE HEALTHILY WITH PEOPLE, but that's also the brilliance of it. I was totally pulled in and was rooting for him (and all his family members!) throughout the book. Plus, the character of Lee is super smart and turns the idea of "Ariana Grande Youthful Pop Goddess" on its head in some respects.
I think the book's mastery lies in its last 25% - when things all start wrapping up and resolving (or not resolving! and needing work!) but in ways that I completely wasn't predicting. I literally stayed up until 4:30 am just to read most of this in one sitting, the book was that engrossing and Choi's writing so compelling. I hear there's a third novel in the works, and whenever that comes out I'll be excited to read it!
PERMANENT RECORD is kind of tricky, because you're waiting the whole time for Pablo to get his shit together and just COMMUNICATE HEALTHILY WITH PEOPLE, but that's also the brilliance of it. I was totally pulled in and was rooting for him (and all his family members!) throughout the book. Plus, the character of Lee is super smart and turns the idea of "Ariana Grande Youthful Pop Goddess" on its head in some respects.
I think the book's mastery lies in its last 25% - when things all start wrapping up and resolving (or not resolving! and needing work!) but in ways that I completely wasn't predicting. I literally stayed up until 4:30 am just to read most of this in one sitting, the book was that engrossing and Choi's writing so compelling. I hear there's a third novel in the works, and whenever that comes out I'll be excited to read it!
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book. I wasn't really into it in the beginning, I wanted the romance aspect to happen and wasnt as interested in the life of our main character. BUT as the story progressed I shifted interest and become more interested in his life than the romance aspect of the book.
I did NOT know what to expect going into the book, and overall I enjoyed it. I think it was interesting, I had a good time, and I was mostly satisfied by the ending. That being said, I didn't love it and I sort of wish we got a little more at the end.
I did NOT know what to expect going into the book, and overall I enjoyed it. I think it was interesting, I had a good time, and I was mostly satisfied by the ending. That being said, I didn't love it and I sort of wish we got a little more at the end.
rayyyyoflight's review against another edition
5.0
Phew! Read this in two sittings. I laughed, I cried. I loved it all.
handmaderiot's review against another edition
3.0
Pro:
Racially & economically diverse characters.
Cons:
I cared way more about the side characters than the protagonist or the love interest.
Racially & economically diverse characters.
Cons:
I cared way more about the side characters than the protagonist or the love interest.
lildipdop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0