Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t know which was more relatable, Jayne’s relationship with her sister, her mother, herself, her self image, her self identity, figuring your shit out in your 20s, OR the college counsellor telling her to use the 54321 strategy and that she only have eight sessions. This was another book that showed how it can feel to navigate your early 20s and dealing with new and changing relationship and your own self. I thought the writing was good (maybe a little too millennial at times), and thought that the dialogue was realistic, as well as the dynamic between the sisters. Jayne, whether she realized it or not, also showed a lot of development over the couple of month that the book takes place.
Wow. This book was a roller coaster of emotions but I couldn’t put it down. Sisters, family, body image, and some absolutely hilarious and relatable drunken nights in NYC. Highly recommend.
This was a hard read. I guess it’s never a lighthearted read when the main character is struggling with so many issues. Jayne’s self destructive actions, while longing to be seen, accepted, and to belong are difficult to ‘enjoy’ as a reader.
However, the dynamics with her sister June, and her journey to healing, and to be hopeful again was really interesting.
I loved the stylistic choices that the author made, Jayne was not your typical, easy to understand or likeable character. However, she felt genuine. Her flaws were daring, and her monsters were real.
Same holds for her sister June. Loved how she just came across as hating her sister, and that the sisters just couldn’t seem to express their feelings for each other with words - but it all showed in their efforts and actions.
I do get that this novel might not be for everyone. Around 75 percent in I still couldn’t really grasp where the story was heading and why the characters acted the way they acted. It wasn’t until the very last chapters it all finally clicked, and the set up turned out to be well planned and designed.
However, the dynamics with her sister June, and her journey to healing, and to be hopeful again was really interesting.
I loved the stylistic choices that the author made, Jayne was not your typical, easy to understand or likeable character. However, she felt genuine. Her flaws were daring, and her monsters were real.
Same holds for her sister June. Loved how she just came across as hating her sister, and that the sisters just couldn’t seem to express their feelings for each other with words - but it all showed in their efforts and actions.
I do get that this novel might not be for everyone. Around 75 percent in I still couldn’t really grasp where the story was heading and why the characters acted the way they acted. It wasn’t until the very last chapters it all finally clicked, and the set up turned out to be well planned and designed.
last time I read this was in 2022!!!! Still one of my favorite books everrrrr
emotional
reflective
medium-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
emotional
funny
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THANK YOU RACHEL FOR THIS BOOK.
honestly, i wasn't sure what's exactly going on until the very last part of the book. i guess this was part of Mary Choi's intention.
I've never experienced ED, nor do I have a sister, also am not a Korean-American.
But the self-destructiveness. I can feel it in my bones.
And my tears started steaming down the second I saw "Umma" in the last chapter. Maybe it's because I've read Crying in H-Mart, I had a better understanding of Korean-Americans. And "umma" always has a soft spot in my heart. I miss my mom.
No comment on the Patrick line. Sounds like a fuckboi name for an Asian-American. Also as much as he's too good to be true to Jayne, I don't know how I feel about him.
Will soon come back and read it the second time. I feel like I missed a lot of things while I was just trying to figure out what this book is about. Although the ending answered a lot of questions, it was a very sudden and almost lazy ending that Umma just told her everything...
But anyway, at least the ending was hopeful.
honestly, i wasn't sure what's exactly going on until the very last part of the book. i guess this was part of Mary Choi's intention.
I've never experienced ED, nor do I have a sister, also am not a Korean-American.
But the self-destructiveness. I can feel it in my bones.
And my tears started steaming down the second I saw "Umma" in the last chapter. Maybe it's because I've read Crying in H-Mart, I had a better understanding of Korean-Americans. And "umma" always has a soft spot in my heart. I miss my mom.
No comment on the Patrick line. Sounds like a fuckboi name for an Asian-American. Also as much as he's too good to be true to Jayne, I don't know how I feel about him.
Will soon come back and read it the second time. I feel like I missed a lot of things while I was just trying to figure out what this book is about. Although the ending answered a lot of questions, it was a very sudden and almost lazy ending that Umma just told her everything...
But anyway, at least the ending was hopeful.