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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Most of the characters were ignorant when it came to other races and Sana whines a LOT - this made it difficult to get through. I think the author wanted to give a simple love story some depth by adding racism, but it missed the mark for me.
Loved reading the perspective of life for a young lesbian japanese girl in modern day america. Sana dealt with so many issues throughout the book that it amazed me she was able to have time to focus on school.
The book alluded to so much poetry throughout the book and Sana even wrote her own poetry journal. I only wish the poems were actually included. -though this may have been updated as i read the uncorrected proof.
I felt so bad as she struggled keeping the secret of her father's affair, tried dealing with racism issues and somewhat kept the secret of her being gay. This story was well written and relatable to a wide variety of people.
The book alluded to so much poetry throughout the book and Sana even wrote her own poetry journal. I only wish the poems were actually included. -though this may have been updated as i read the uncorrected proof.
I felt so bad as she struggled keeping the secret of her father's affair, tried dealing with racism issues and somewhat kept the secret of her being gay. This story was well written and relatable to a wide variety of people.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
It's books like this that make me glad I never dated in high school š
Jokes aside, this book approached some complex topics, in some cases with a lot of nuance, in others I would have wished for more exploration. It let's it's characters be flawed and messy, which I appreciate, but which also made for a frustrating reading experience at times.
Emily Woo Zeller remains a true performer in her narration and contributed a lot to my enjoyment of this book.
Jokes aside, this book approached some complex topics, in some cases with a lot of nuance, in others I would have wished for more exploration. It let's it's characters be flawed and messy, which I appreciate, but which also made for a frustrating reading experience at times.
Emily Woo Zeller remains a true performer in her narration and contributed a lot to my enjoyment of this book.
To a fault (perhaps) I often judge a book in large part with how much I enjoyed the characters, which isnāt exactly fair to the characters or an author, but I donāt think itās entirely too much to ask to spend time with people I like, even if they are literally bound to a page. And the truth is I didnāt like Sana, the novelās protagonist and narrator, at all. But in this case, I didnāt like her and it didnāt bother me. She bothered me. A ton. Sheās whiny and judgmental and so frustratingly passive I wanted to throw the book across the room. But I think that was sort of the point? She is a teenager, after all. I should have a bit of empathy since I was one once.
And Sana has a lot going on. Sheās grown up as the token āAsianā kid in Wisconsin with immigrant parents. She has a dad she rarely sees because he works so much. She has a mom that has one foot planted firmly in Japan and the other reluctantly in the US. She has a best friend whoās horrible. And then, in the middle of high school, she has to move to California, where she is the new kid (this time there are other Asian kids at leastāa lot of them, actually). But sheās also dealing with figuring out her sexuality and worrying that her dad is having an affair. So maybe I can cut her some slack?
The redeeming part of this story is Jamie Ramirez, the Mexican honors student Sana likes. But Iām not sure how anyone couldnāt like her. But the romance part of this novel isnāt without problems, so I may not recommend it on those terms if thatās what youāre here for. But itās refreshing to read a f/f romance with leads who are POCs! But yay for happy endings, even if the angst to get there was stupid and tiresome and maddening. Plus, Jamie deserved better.
There are also important and difficult discussions on race, but which is really what stands out in this novel. And to see it through the lens of Asian and Latinx experiences is great to see.
The supporting cast characters are fairly diverse! But I canāt say I liked anyone Sana befriended, except for Jamie.
Kudos for the appreciation of poetry, but it was too much Emily Dickinson for me.
I could have done with the intense focus on the cheating. Meh.
I struggle to rate this book. I could have gone as low as two and as high as four. So three is a good compromise, I think.
And Sana has a lot going on. Sheās grown up as the token āAsianā kid in Wisconsin with immigrant parents. She has a dad she rarely sees because he works so much. She has a mom that has one foot planted firmly in Japan and the other reluctantly in the US. She has a best friend whoās horrible. And then, in the middle of high school, she has to move to California, where she is the new kid (this time there are other Asian kids at leastāa lot of them, actually). But sheās also dealing with figuring out her sexuality and worrying that her dad is having an affair. So maybe I can cut her some slack?
The redeeming part of this story is Jamie Ramirez, the Mexican honors student Sana likes. But Iām not sure how anyone couldnāt like her. But the romance part of this novel isnāt without problems, so I may not recommend it on those terms if thatās what youāre here for. But itās refreshing to read a f/f romance with leads who are POCs! But yay for happy endings, even if the angst to get there was stupid and tiresome and maddening. Plus, Jamie deserved better.
There are also important and difficult discussions on race, but which is really what stands out in this novel. And to see it through the lens of Asian and Latinx experiences is great to see.
The supporting cast characters are fairly diverse! But I canāt say I liked anyone Sana befriended, except for Jamie.
Kudos for the appreciation of poetry, but it was too much Emily Dickinson for me.
I could have done with the intense focus on the cheating. Meh.
I struggle to rate this book. I could have gone as low as two and as high as four. So three is a good compromise, I think.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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
reflective
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
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes