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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
choi’s writing is very nice — this was an enjoyable read! i didn’t like jayne’s character at first but over time i realized that maybe i just didn’t like her because she reminded me of myself. lol. i really really really liked the ending. ok thank u
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m still not exactly sure how to feel about this book. I expected much more than I got.
It felt like the characters development relied on flaw-full characters, in an attempt to make them realistic, but instead it made everyone out to be a type of caricature. It became very difficult to view them as real people.
That being said, the storyline and plot was well done and this book did make me very emotional (nearing the end and with the familial themes). I feel like if I read this book again at another time I will come to appreciate it more.
Some good quotes:
It felt like the characters development relied on flaw-full characters, in an attempt to make them realistic, but instead it made everyone out to be a type of caricature. It became very difficult to view them as real people.
That being said, the storyline and plot was well done and this book did make me very emotional (nearing the end and with the familial themes). I feel like if I read this book again at another time I will come to appreciate it more.
Some good quotes:
Secrets are like wishes. Everyone knows they don’t work if you tell. But if you really want them to gain power, you can’t acknowledge that they exist. When Mom left, my secret kept me safe.
I always thought that if I just did everything the way [Mom] told me to, or the way she’d do it, she’d love me more. […] I just want Mom to like me. […] I don’t mention the part where I wish my sister liked me, too.
No matter how much I love [New York], it doesn’t love me back. If I weren’t so broken, it would fit. I feel like I don’t have a home.
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
sad
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
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“It's easier to watch myself be sad than actually feel sad.”
“It's crazy how lonely it is to be in a family.”
“He holds me longer than I’d expected him to. I leech everything I can out of the hug. Bleed it.”
My heart is so heavy and my body is so sore from reading this one - it felt like Mary H.K. Choi plucked thoughts out of my own head sometimes. I might take some time to recover from this one. 4.5 stars.
“It's crazy how lonely it is to be in a family.”
“He holds me longer than I’d expected him to. I leech everything I can out of the hug. Bleed it.”
My heart is so heavy and my body is so sore from reading this one - it felt like Mary H.K. Choi plucked thoughts out of my own head sometimes. I might take some time to recover from this one. 4.5 stars.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
When I went to re-read this book, I was fully expecting to take it off my shelves afterward. Instead, I actually found myself enjoying this book much more than I did the first time around.
Yolk takes us through two sisters' (Jayne and June) estranged relationship after Jayne finds out that June has been diagnosed with uterine cancer. This book covers so many themes, and does it so well.
Jayne's narration is realistic, as is this book overall. The sibling dynamic, especially, was so relatable. Jayne and June are also viscerally real characters. Their flaws are openly displayed, which leaves the reader (me, at least) disliking them at certain points. However, if it wasn't for their flaws, I don't think this novel would have been as emotionally impactful. Eating disorders, being Asian American, immigration, illness, and other topics are heavily discussed. I also enjoyed how Jayne and June's past was interwoven during the present moments. Jayne's train of thought felt natural and engaging.
Yolk was hard to read at times, and borderline hard to read at others, but it's plot is a page-turner and emotionally gripping. The ending is sad and sweet, yet also realistic. Also, side note, the hardcover edition of this book is one of the prettiest books I own. Read this book not only for the story, but for the pretty cover too.
Yolk takes us through two sisters' (Jayne and June) estranged relationship after Jayne finds out that June has been diagnosed with uterine cancer. This book covers so many themes, and does it so well.
Jayne's narration is realistic, as is this book overall. The sibling dynamic, especially, was so relatable. Jayne and June are also viscerally real characters. Their flaws are openly displayed, which leaves the reader (me, at least) disliking them at certain points. However, if it wasn't for their flaws, I don't think this novel would have been as emotionally impactful. Eating disorders, being Asian American, immigration, illness, and other topics are heavily discussed. I also enjoyed how Jayne and June's past was interwoven during the present moments. Jayne's train of thought felt natural and engaging.
Yolk was hard to read at times, and borderline hard to read at others, but it's plot is a page-turner and emotionally gripping. The ending is sad and sweet, yet also realistic. Also, side note, the hardcover edition of this book is one of the prettiest books I own. Read this book not only for the story, but for the pretty cover too.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was okay. I wanted to love it, it has everything I love- complicated family dynamics, fucked up characters, real problems (cancer), interesting sister roles, unspoken hurt, unhealthy coping mechanisms, self harm- but I just didn’t. I felt like some of topics could have been explored better.