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katieurban's review
4.0
"Be a human to the human in front of you." That is one of the lines from the book that has really struck a chord with me. I don't normally gravitate towards nonfiction or memoirs, but this was my book club's pick of the month, as one of our book club members is friends with the author. And I'm so thankful it was the pick because this is an amazing book, and I walked away learning so much. Lee centers her memoir within the context of race as a binary system in America, specifically detailing how she struggled in a system that positions minorities to see other people of color as rivals. There is so much emotion and knowledge packed into a relatively short book! This book is a call to action, memoir, and a lesson in racial studies, all written in such a humorous, honest, vulnerable and direct way. Thank you NetGalley for the early copy.
maybeimreading's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Beautifully written and inspiring. I found certain parts to be challenging to read, maybe it's my own history and reflections that gave me pause. I enjoyed how the ending was inspiring and allowed me to reflect what ripple effects and actions may I do that will make a difference and build a bridge and connection.
Gnawing at me (and even prior to reading this book) has been the question of whether or not America will see and recognize Asian Americans as American and her ending helped me come to an understanding. I will do my best to not focus on what others may think and feel but embrace who I am.
Julia Lee, thank you for writing this book, and allowing me to reflect on my thoughts and feelings I sometimes bury because it is so hard to think about.
Gnawing at me (and even prior to reading this book) has been the question of whether or not America will see and recognize Asian Americans as American and her ending helped me come to an understanding. I will do my best to not focus on what others may think and feel but embrace who I am.
Julia Lee, thank you for writing this book, and allowing me to reflect on my thoughts and feelings I sometimes bury because it is so hard to think about.
emelynreads's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The perfect companion read to "You Sound Like a White Girl" by Julissa Arce.
This memoir really reads like a thought provoking essay collection, and it validates my lived experience as an Asian American.
Get your note app/annotation tools ready, you'll be saving a ton of quotes from this book.
This memoir really reads like a thought provoking essay collection, and it validates my lived experience as an Asian American.
Get your note app/annotation tools ready, you'll be saving a ton of quotes from this book.
jmwarner's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
I loved this memoir. It shines the light on such a dark part of American society - racism, and racism that is rarely discussed or mentioned. I cannot recommend this read enough.
sdlauram's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed the memoir aspects of the book, but felt that the last half got a little didactic & didn’t offer new information.
cherreadssharereads's review
5.0
I don’t rate memoirs but this is more than a memoir — it also serves as a call-to-action. I loved these chapters that were so so so personal but also so empowering to someone who also often finds herself very angry with the world, with America, and with race relations here. Angry but also very lost. Paralyzed almost. But Lee clears it up — it’s the fault of white supremacy and us claiming confusion and paralysis need to heed this call. Let’s get angry and fuck shit up.