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wordsaremyforte's review against another edition
4.0
The second I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it right away, being the complete violin nerd I am who foams at the mouth at so much as a mention of a violinist in a book. Good Enough might be a simple contemporary novel, but that doesn't mean it wasn't profound; it was certainly a relatable experience. I won't claim that I have tiger parents or that I ever felt victimized by my family, so I can't entirely say I relate to Patti Yoon's circumstances to a T. However, having escaped the toils of the soul-sucking college admissions process, I loved reading Patti Yoon's story, especially since she is a violinist like myself.
Now, I'm no B-tier prodigy, but regardless, I, too, feel inexplicable love for playing my violin and music in general. I pity the kids who are forced into learning an instrument solely to 'look good for colleges.' I feel very grateful that I never quit the violin when I was struggling to learn treble clef and fingerings as a fifth-grader. I am also extremely grateful that I love music so strongly and passionately that I've never felt it to be a weight on my shoulders. Unfortunately, the ambition of actually becoming a musician is stigmatized as risky, a constant gamble (in the era of COVID especially).
And that's the thing, isn't it? Risk. Our parents and elders would have us to believe that a life without risk in which one is coddled with cushy job security is ideal. Those of us who venture into careers that pan out as constant gambles will never escape risk. It is all of our dream to become successful enough to do what we love and also get paid for it.
Like many of us non-Asians, we have all heard the jokes, the jabs, and the pity surrounding how Asians are notoriously strict in child upbringing; they stand in popular culture as the quintessential harbingers of hours of draining SAT prep and ivy expectations higher than the ozone layer. Paula Yoo very much hones in on what it is like to have these 'tiger parents' and how frustrating it can be to live with people who constantly nag you about your grades and future. Patti Yoon follows her parent's yellow brick road to success, fulfilling each of their expectations to a T: becoming the best at a unique talent (violin), earn stellar grades to become valedictorian, and earn acceptance to Ivy Leagues. Even though Patti's work shows for itself and she is surrounded by hard-earned successes, this came at a cost to her relative social isolation and lack of adolescent experiences. I'm no stranger to this lifestyle either.
In Patti Yoon's senior year, she finally understands what the culmination of all her efforts should amount to: her happiness. Not her parents' happiness, or her bank accounts. You don't have to be the absolute cream of the crop to feel content with your place in life. Will good things come of hard work regardless? Of course. But putting yourself down because you aren't as academically strong as the valedictorian or as technically talented as the concertmaster isn't going to help anyone in the long run. The way some parents treat their children twists their mindset into thinking like this, no matter how hard they reason with themselves. Even so, you can't sacrifice happiness for success. It's not worth it. A life lacking personal contentment and happiness is not sustainable for anyone, no matter what your parents/family have to say about it. Good Enough is a perfect example of how difficult and debilitating it can be for ambitious teens aiming to achieve seemingly-impossible goals, and Patti Yoon shows us that, as long as we're following our instincts and aim to be happy first and foremost, we'll be absolutely fine.
Now, I'm no B-tier prodigy, but regardless, I, too, feel inexplicable love for playing my violin and music in general. I pity the kids who are forced into learning an instrument solely to 'look good for colleges.' I feel very grateful that I never quit the violin when I was struggling to learn treble clef and fingerings as a fifth-grader. I am also extremely grateful that I love music so strongly and passionately that I've never felt it to be a weight on my shoulders. Unfortunately, the ambition of actually becoming a musician is stigmatized as risky, a constant gamble (in the era of COVID especially).
And that's the thing, isn't it? Risk. Our parents and elders would have us to believe that a life without risk in which one is coddled with cushy job security is ideal. Those of us who venture into careers that pan out as constant gambles will never escape risk. It is all of our dream to become successful enough to do what we love and also get paid for it.
Like many of us non-Asians, we have all heard the jokes, the jabs, and the pity surrounding how Asians are notoriously strict in child upbringing; they stand in popular culture as the quintessential harbingers of hours of draining SAT prep and ivy expectations higher than the ozone layer. Paula Yoo very much hones in on what it is like to have these 'tiger parents' and how frustrating it can be to live with people who constantly nag you about your grades and future. Patti Yoon follows her parent's yellow brick road to success, fulfilling each of their expectations to a T: becoming the best at a unique talent (violin), earn stellar grades to become valedictorian, and earn acceptance to Ivy Leagues. Even though Patti's work shows for itself and she is surrounded by hard-earned successes, this came at a cost to her relative social isolation and lack of adolescent experiences. I'm no stranger to this lifestyle either.
In Patti Yoon's senior year, she finally understands what the culmination of all her efforts should amount to: her happiness. Not her parents' happiness, or her bank accounts.
Spoiler
Even though Patti is accepted to all the Ivy Leagues and is The Best Violinist in Connecticut, a very high standard for any of us to live up to, her story still applies to everyone.hezann73's review against another edition
3.0
Patii spends all her time trying to be a PKD (Perfect Korean Daughter) so she can fulfill her dream of getting into HARVARDYALEPRINCTON. But is it her dream, or her parents dream? And where does music, which makes her so happy, fit into the plan?
This was a good book and I read it really quickly. I smiled and had a good time, but it didn't really stand out to me. It felt like I'd read it before because the story was so familiar.
This was a good book and I read it really quickly. I smiled and had a good time, but it didn't really stand out to me. It felt like I'd read it before because the story was so familiar.
ktreadsnm's review
4.0
This was a lot of fun, and very relatable. I loved how you could really feel the main character's joy in music, and how some of the characters broke out of their stereotypical roles in other ways. A satisfying, realistic book in (almost) every way.
m0_x13's review
3.0
Cute, typical Teenage girl romance book, but had a good sense of humor and an ending that honestly caught me a little by surprise. Was worth the 50 cents I spent at a local thrift store on it, but not the 14 dollar store price that it was originally marked on the back, if you catch my drift.
libraryofc's review against another edition
4.0
it was a nice quick read that doesn't require much brain energy or deep thoughts. the plot was ok and it was pretty funny and kinda relatable except my life is not as extreme as patti's. btw I think patti is such a funny and cute name :)
valdez_inator's review
3.0
This book was very inspiring and moving. But it was also hilarious. I know that Patti has to go through a lot and the book was very good.
mostlyshanti's review
4.0
I love this book (which is probably why I've read it four times) I liked how, though Patti had a lot of pressure from her parents, and tried to blame them for all of it, a lot of the pressure to succeed came from herself. It's easy enough to say that this isn't realistic- and sure, maybe a IRL book would have more of the MC's best friend. But it actually happens- just read [b:Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother|9160695|Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother|Amy Chua|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347794294s/9160695.jpg|14039744] to prove it. I also relate a lot to Patty. Sure, my parents don't put pressure on me to do well, they just want me to be happy. But academically--or in school in general, I guess, I've always done really well. And I want to do well, and I want to do the best I can... and sometimes having a life conflicts with that (no matter how hard I try) But like Patti, in the end I do enjoy school. Also, our feelings toward AP Calculus are the same: it's mostly hell on earth, but when it's interesting, it's interesting. I also don't know much about rock music. I also liked the orchestra scenes (though I'm not one of the violists who would have a trombonist boyfriend... I only accept guitar players (jk)) Seriously though, the orchestra dynamics were perfect. And in terms of the relationship with Ben.. that is real life, and it felt so true. I also liked the formats- the lists, the chapter titles, the SAT tips, the statistics, the recipes-- it made for a slightly inconsistent but still awesome writing style. All in all, any high school overachiever should read Good Enough. No matter which culture you come from, or where you live (though knowing something about the US high school/college applications process will help). Because you are affirmed, good enough as you are.
clairelorraine's review
4.0
I REALLY could have used this book when I was a violin-playing over-achieving college applicant with her own unreciprocated crushes. I looooove where the plot goes in this book. It warms my heart, and I'd highly recommend it to any stressed students!
danadays's review
4.0
Context: I was so frustrated by the terrible representation of Koreans in Frankly In Love that I am reading more Korean-American books to see what representation I have.
SO. Given that, I liked this book a WHOLE LOT BETTER. I'm not giving it full 5 stars cuz I think the story is a little basic :/:/ Immigrant parents who want ivy league and push her to play music, she's obsessed with grades and SATs, etc. HOWEVER, I do think it's a relatively common experience. It was just all the combos in one made it a little generic :/:/
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I really appreciated Patti's acknowledgement and appreciation for both her American side and Korean side. She wasn't trying to reject Korea in order to fit in, but she also recognized her place as the only Asian in her school (wow). I loved that she actually got to know a little more of her parent's stories and saw them as humans, rather than these life-controlling alien immigrants who don't understand ANYTHING AT ALL (cough cough. Frank Li)
I also appreciated Patti's romantic interests and how it ended up being played out. I feel it was a realistic representation of what usually happens.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read that I feel represented Korean-Americans a lot better and more accurately. It humanized people, from Patti's parents, to the Korean and Korean-American leaders at her church. I'm off to read and compare more Korean-American books! Let's see if my rating for this book changes O.o
SO. Given that, I liked this book a WHOLE LOT BETTER. I'm not giving it full 5 stars cuz I think the story is a little basic :/:/ Immigrant parents who want ivy league and push her to play music, she's obsessed with grades and SATs, etc. HOWEVER, I do think it's a relatively common experience. It was just all the combos in one made it a little generic :/:/
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I really appreciated Patti's acknowledgement and appreciation for both her American side and Korean side. She wasn't trying to reject Korea in order to fit in, but she also recognized her place as the only Asian in her school (wow). I loved that she actually got to know a little more of her parent's stories and saw them as humans, rather than these life-controlling alien immigrants who don't understand ANYTHING AT ALL (cough cough. Frank Li)
I also appreciated Patti's romantic interests and how it ended up being played out. I feel it was a realistic representation of what usually happens.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read that I feel represented Korean-Americans a lot better and more accurately. It humanized people, from Patti's parents, to the Korean and Korean-American leaders at her church. I'm off to read and compare more Korean-American books! Let's see if my rating for this book changes O.o