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bites_of_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Stay True is Hua Hsu's memoir centering his college years and his friendship with Ken, a fellow classmate.
I had no previous knowledge of Hua Hsu but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of his memoir, it goes into a young Taiwanese American man's life as he navigates his journey through college. He strives to be alternative and fully outside of the mainstream, which was quite enjoyable for me. His passion for writing starts with putting together zines about his favorite subjects, mainly music.
I really enjoyed learning about his participation in activism around campus and the history of activism during various times in history. I didn't enjoy the philosophy sections as much, but that's just a personal preference.
Overall I'd recommend the audio since it also allowed me to hear the emotions in certain sections of the book, which made it even more powerful.
I had no previous knowledge of Hua Hsu but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of his memoir, it goes into a young Taiwanese American man's life as he navigates his journey through college. He strives to be alternative and fully outside of the mainstream, which was quite enjoyable for me. His passion for writing starts with putting together zines about his favorite subjects, mainly music.
I really enjoyed learning about his participation in activism around campus and the history of activism during various times in history. I didn't enjoy the philosophy sections as much, but that's just a personal preference.
Overall I'd recommend the audio since it also allowed me to hear the emotions in certain sections of the book, which made it even more powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Drug use, Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Murder
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Thanks to PRH Audio for the free copy of this book.
- STAY TRUE is a meandering memoir, a book that truly captures the roaming of the mind that happens in college friendships as you are trying to figure out yourself and your relationship to the world.
- The blending of pop culture and philosophy in this book is wonderful, prompting deep consideration of how we choose to present ourselves and interact with others.
- The last portion of this book, after Ken’s death, is really hard. I think Hsu nailed that feeling of being unmoored after a loss, and it’s painful and beautiful to follow him as he tries to make sense of it all.
- STAY TRUE is a meandering memoir, a book that truly captures the roaming of the mind that happens in college friendships as you are trying to figure out yourself and your relationship to the world.
- The blending of pop culture and philosophy in this book is wonderful, prompting deep consideration of how we choose to present ourselves and interact with others.
- The last portion of this book, after Ken’s death, is really hard. I think Hsu nailed that feeling of being unmoored after a loss, and it’s painful and beautiful to follow him as he tries to make sense of it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Violence, Grief, Hate crime, Confinement, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual violence
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