Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
5.13.22 A tough read, but so good
Source: Libby
Source: Libby
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2019/11/2019-book-139.html
Cha is the author of the Juniper Song mysteries, which are not really my bag, but I wanted to read this stand-alone from her as it was getting great reviews. It's set in LA and focuses on two families--one African-American, one Korean-American--in the early 90s and in the present day. And I was totally caught up from the first page--just super compelling characters and narrative voices, and the suspense really draws you in. The murder at the heart of this story is based on a real murder (which I think I learned about from OJ: Made in America) and Cha does a lot to bring it back to life and show how the issues it raised are just as relevant now. This dragged a teensy bit for me in the middle but on the whole was a really powerful meditation on race and community and family. A-.
Cha is the author of the Juniper Song mysteries, which are not really my bag, but I wanted to read this stand-alone from her as it was getting great reviews. It's set in LA and focuses on two families--one African-American, one Korean-American--in the early 90s and in the present day. And I was totally caught up from the first page--just super compelling characters and narrative voices, and the suspense really draws you in. The murder at the heart of this story is based on a real murder (which I think I learned about from OJ: Made in America) and Cha does a lot to bring it back to life and show how the issues it raised are just as relevant now. This dragged a teensy bit for me in the middle but on the whole was a really powerful meditation on race and community and family. A-.
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
the hatred and violence between blacks and asians is a regrettable and painful manifestation of white supremacy and racism in america. it’s something that needs to be talked about more. this story is pretty basic but the topic is important
One of the most thought-inducing books I've read in a while.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel is a work of fiction heavily inspired by the 1991 killing of 15yo Latasha Harlins by store clerk Soon Ja Du, considered a major catalyst in the 1992 LA Riots. The book follows the story of two families, one Black & one Korean, as they are irrevocably connected by trauma & loss. I really appreciated the thoughtfulness & care that went into the crafting of the story and its characters. It brought so much humanity & nuance to stories I usually only read about in newspapers & history books. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shawn, Ava, Ray, Darryl, Aunt Sheila. Jung-Ja Han (Yvonne), Grace, Miriam. Los Angeles. Black, Korean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Racism