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diary_of_a_reading_addict's review against another edition
4.0
Now I wanted to read this for a number of reasons 1- it is set in Coventry, where I live, and that is rare! 2- I was also moved here as a young child. 3- it sounded excellent! .
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This is told in diary form so I found it to be a quick read but so much was packed into it! It's funny and heartbreaking all at once. Jo is writing her diary of moving to Coventry and of life living above her parents Chinese takeaway. While it is hilarious to read about her goats and some of her family's antics it also deals with race, bullying and abuse. I loved this book and devoured it quickly. I also love that at the end of the book there are the numbers of organizations to help if you were affected by anything in the book.
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This is told in diary form so I found it to be a quick read but so much was packed into it! It's funny and heartbreaking all at once. Jo is writing her diary of moving to Coventry and of life living above her parents Chinese takeaway. While it is hilarious to read about her goats and some of her family's antics it also deals with race, bullying and abuse. I loved this book and devoured it quickly. I also love that at the end of the book there are the numbers of organizations to help if you were affected by anything in the book.
millie_980's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
sarah_faichney's review against another edition
5.0
This reminded me so much of my beloved Judy Blumes from childhood! As an old duffer now, I find it fascinating to see things from a young person's perspective and Sue Cheung does this very well through Jo Kwan. It puts me in mind of the saying about not expecting your child to tell you the big stuff if you don't listen to the small stuff, for that was the big stuff to them all along. As adults, I think we forget the way that children see the minutiae we often overlook. I guess we are too busy sweating our own small/big stuff. I loved the illustrations throughout. I didn't realise this story was partly autobiographical. The author is a true inspiration and I have no doubt that this book, and the humorous and engaging manner in which it is written, will help others in similar circumstances. Ditto the signposting at the end. I hope it was cathartic to write. Overall a great read. More please, Sue Cheung!
jasmineman's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
3.0
may5612's review
emotional
funny
informative
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
5.0
daisyeliza's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for a book club, which is why it took me so long to read lol.
I would never pick this up for myself but I genuinely loved it. I am so surprised. I don’t usually like books written in 1st person but this book was different.
I would definitely recommend.
I would never pick this up for myself but I genuinely loved it. I am so surprised. I don’t usually like books written in 1st person but this book was different.
I would definitely recommend.
amysreading_nook's review against another edition
1.0
TW: racism, child abuse
Ehhhh I really do not have much to say about this book apart from the fact that it really isn't for me. I don't think i've seen one bad review about this book so was excited to read it but it just really missed the mark for me and I feel like i've really missed something about this book that everyone else has seen.
I didn't really find it funny at all; I feel quite bad saying it but I was just quite bored throughout and never really enjoyed it. It's written in diary format which I thought would make it quite an easy and quick read but for some reason it just made it feel longer with this book.
I honestly don't know what it was about this book but I just didn't enjoy it and it wasn't one for me. I would recommend that you don't base whether you read this off of my review!! Some books just don't work for people and this didn't for me.
Ehhhh I really do not have much to say about this book apart from the fact that it really isn't for me. I don't think i've seen one bad review about this book so was excited to read it but it just really missed the mark for me and I feel like i've really missed something about this book that everyone else has seen.
I didn't really find it funny at all; I feel quite bad saying it but I was just quite bored throughout and never really enjoyed it. It's written in diary format which I thought would make it quite an easy and quick read but for some reason it just made it feel longer with this book.
I honestly don't know what it was about this book but I just didn't enjoy it and it wasn't one for me. I would recommend that you don't base whether you read this off of my review!! Some books just don't work for people and this didn't for me.
lily_95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I really don’t get this book, it’s mostly written in the style of books for a younger audience but the subject matter gets extremely dark and throughout the major plot points there was little importance and interest. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read and I’m sure some people would like it but I did not