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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Not Here to Be Liked was a really sweet read about Eliza Quan, a somewhat prickly teenager who wants nothing more than to be the editor-in-chief of Willoughby Bugle, her high school's newspaper:
Unfortunately for Eliza, things go awry when it turns out that there is someone else running - Len DiMartile, former baseball player and new joiner to the paper. Len throws an absolute curveball into Eliza's plans because it turns out that he does clean up nice and he can give a pretty decent speech when he wants to. And it seems like everyone else just considers him to be the better candidate as he just seems "more like a leader", despite Eliza over-qualifying him in almost every single aspect:
In her outrage, Eliza writes a vitriolic article denouncing Len, patriarchy and the newspaper but doesn't actually expect that the post will be published on the newspaper site. But it seems like the fates really do have it out for her because the article mysteriously gets published and goes viral and Eliza and Len are forced to work together for an article to prove that there are no hard feelings between them. I actually adored the premise and the budding relationship between Eliza and Len and the complications that this leads to, especially in the grander scheme of patriarchy vs Eliza's high school. I found Eliza relatable albeit somewhat prickly.
I also loved that the book wasn't just about the romance between Eliza and Len but was also about Eliza's friendships. Eliza's longtime best friend Winona is a film-maker who is struggling with her latest project when she gets caught up with Eliza's feminist movement. Eliza also befriends popular girl Serena whose popularity, it is said, is tied to all the boys that she has dated so far. Yet each of them seems to have a slightly different idea of what feminism means:
I'm really impressed with Michelle Quach's debut novel because she really explores feminism, friendships and romance in a really nuanced manner. Len isn't necessarily the bad guy here and Eliza isn't the bad guy for making him the face of the patriarchy in her high school either. Yet, things certainly become far more complicated when they develop feelings for each other and I'm glad that all the loose ends were tied up well too. I'm really looking forward to see what else she publishes.
For almost three years, I've been the most prolific, hardest-working most no-nonsense staff member the Bugle has ever seen. I can write a quality 750-word article in thirty minutes flat, I pitch half the stories that make it onto the front page every month, and I'm already the current managing editor - a position they normally give to a senior. So, no, I don't need people on the Bugle to vote for me just because I clean up nice. They're going to pick me because I'm the most sensible option. Because literally no one else will do a better job.
And also, as it happens, because there is no one else. I'm running unopposed.
Unfortunately for Eliza, things go awry when it turns out that there is someone else running - Len DiMartile, former baseball player and new joiner to the paper. Len throws an absolute curveball into Eliza's plans because it turns out that he does clean up nice and he can give a pretty decent speech when he wants to. And it seems like everyone else just considers him to be the better candidate as he just seems "more like a leader", despite Eliza over-qualifying him in almost every single aspect:
And yet. There is maybe something. I know it, because it kind of worked on me, too, even though I tried to throw it off angrily. It was something in the way he spoke, the baritone equivalent of putting an arm around you, of looking into your eyes as if to say, "I got this," even though you know he's got no such thing. It reassured me even as it caused me to doubt myself. What if he is actually better? Why is he so effortlessly better?
It's the reason why the majority of the Bugle staff voted him in to be editor in chief, despite everything. It's also the reason why James can be bombastic and particular, but why I can't be...whatever I am.
Because everyone loves a girlboss until she tries to tell you what to do.
In her outrage, Eliza writes a vitriolic article denouncing Len, patriarchy and the newspaper but doesn't actually expect that the post will be published on the newspaper site. But it seems like the fates really do have it out for her because the article mysteriously gets published and goes viral and Eliza and Len are forced to work together for an article to prove that there are no hard feelings between them. I actually adored the premise and the budding relationship between Eliza and Len and the complications that this leads to, especially in the grander scheme of patriarchy vs Eliza's high school. I found Eliza relatable albeit somewhat prickly.
I also loved that the book wasn't just about the romance between Eliza and Len but was also about Eliza's friendships. Eliza's longtime best friend Winona is a film-maker who is struggling with her latest project when she gets caught up with Eliza's feminist movement. Eliza also befriends popular girl Serena whose popularity, it is said, is tied to all the boys that she has dated so far. Yet each of them seems to have a slightly different idea of what feminism means:
"And more importantly, I think she needs us, too," I added, nodding at the window. "Which is the point of feminism, right? All of us sticking together?"
Sighing, Winona hoists herself onto the ramp railing and dangles her boots in midair. "Yeah, I know," she grumbles finally. "Just wish we could all agree on the details."
I'm really impressed with Michelle Quach's debut novel because she really explores feminism, friendships and romance in a really nuanced manner. Len isn't necessarily the bad guy here
Spoiler
although he has been hiding more than one secret from Eliza
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my gosh, I loved this book!!!!!! Everything from the characters to the plot to the dynamics.
The enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance was great. The dynamics and banter between Eliza and len was on point as well. I really liked and appreciated the plot of feminism in the novel. I thought that was written really well.
This book took me 5 hours to read because I could not put it down. I had a smile on my face throughout as well. If you haven’t read this book, please pick it up
Oh my gosh, I loved this book!!!!!! Everything from the characters to the plot to the dynamics.
The enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance was great. The dynamics and banter between Eliza and len was on point as well. I really liked and appreciated the plot of feminism in the novel. I thought that was written really well.
This book took me 5 hours to read because I could not put it down. I had a smile on my face throughout as well. If you haven’t read this book, please pick it up
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
2.5 stars.
this was... not it. do i understand and appreciate what it was *trying* to do? sure! but i feel like what was supposed to be a book about challenging the patriarchy and showing a group of teenagers what feminism means just missed the mark, in the end.
so first off, our protagonist, eliza, is running for head editor of her school paper, unopposed. the day of the election, len (our "face of the patriarchy" and love interest) decides to throw his hat into the ring. the two give speeches, and despite having more experience and time spent at the newspaper, len wins by a landslide. eliza feels like she was unfairly treated because clearly len only won because he's a man, and thus begins the events of the novel.
here's the thing, imo len didn't win because he's a man. he won because his pitch was better than eliza's. it's shown right off the bat that eliza is combative, stubborn, and doesn't listen to her coworkers. on the flip side, len (though new to the newspaper) is a good public speaker and easily wins everyone over. i think it would've been better if len clearly was unqualified and had a crappy speech, because as-is, len winning really wasn't unfair.
also, the way this book handles feminism is a bit narrow-minded. while there is a line at the end about how feminism means supporting all women, regardless of who they date, what they wear, etc. there are plenty of times in the book where one of the side characters judges a girl for "being a slut" and thinks she's so much lesser than the other girls "who aren't like that" (so like, literally the 'not like other girls' trope.) yeah, this is refuted at the very end of the book, but only after our main character is accused of "being a slut" because of her interest in len. there is no pushback for why that view was wrong in the first place, and seemed to be only challenged when it was relevant to the main character.
i will say though, this book isn't all bad; i found the side characters really enjoyable (even if eliza annoyed me to no end) and len was a good romantic interest, i just wish the message of the book was stronger and that the plot moved a little bit faster.
this was... not it. do i understand and appreciate what it was *trying* to do? sure! but i feel like what was supposed to be a book about challenging the patriarchy and showing a group of teenagers what feminism means just missed the mark, in the end.
so first off, our protagonist, eliza, is running for head editor of her school paper, unopposed. the day of the election, len (our "face of the patriarchy" and love interest) decides to throw his hat into the ring. the two give speeches, and despite having more experience and time spent at the newspaper, len wins by a landslide. eliza feels like she was unfairly treated because clearly len only won because he's a man, and thus begins the events of the novel.
here's the thing, imo len didn't win because he's a man. he won because his pitch was better than eliza's. it's shown right off the bat that eliza is combative, stubborn, and doesn't listen to her coworkers. on the flip side, len (though new to the newspaper) is a good public speaker and easily wins everyone over. i think it would've been better if len clearly was unqualified and had a crappy speech, because as-is, len winning really wasn't unfair.
also, the way this book handles feminism is a bit narrow-minded. while there is a line at the end about how feminism means supporting all women, regardless of who they date, what they wear, etc. there are plenty of times in the book where one of the side characters judges a girl for "being a slut" and thinks she's so much lesser than the other girls "who aren't like that" (so like, literally the 'not like other girls' trope.) yeah, this is refuted at the very end of the book, but only after our main character is accused of "being a slut" because of her interest in len. there is no pushback for why that view was wrong in the first place, and seemed to be only challenged when it was relevant to the main character.
i will say though, this book isn't all bad; i found the side characters really enjoyable (even if eliza annoyed me to no end) and len was a good romantic interest, i just wish the message of the book was stronger and that the plot moved a little bit faster.
I enjoyed this book because it was fun, compelling, and was a good introduction to showing what it can be like for young women (sadly not more young men too though) discovering what it means to be a feminist. The main characters are not always acting perfectly as a feminist would - they say and do sexist things towards and about the other men and women in their life, and they don't always tackle things the right way, but it's nice to see them recognize that feminism is complex and they try to change themselves and grow as they peel back new layers of this concept and how they want it to be reflected in society. This book tackles a lot of familiar boxes women, especially high school students, find themselves them trapped in. I hope it feels relatable and eye-opening to any young person who reads it. Finally, I enjoyed the balance between the way the book covered Eliza's family life, school life, friend life, love life, and they way she juggled each as she tried to define herself.
I love the issues that were brought up as well as the different perspectives discussed. It was very interesting reading the comments about feminism and holding a different opinion occasionally, but I enjoyed how the book dived into a somewhat controversial topic while being a cute romance novel.
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated