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thepetitepunk's review
3.0
A difficult but meaningful read.
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of july≫
╰┈➤ 1. intimacies by katie kitamura
╰┈➤ 2. convenience store woman by sayaka murata
╰┈➤ 3. shout by laurie halse anderson
╰┈➤ 4. lemon by kwon yeo-sun
╰┈➤ 5. here the whole time by vitor martins
╰┈➤ 6. i’m still here: black dignity in a world made for whiteness by austin channing brown
╰┈➤ 7. the worst kind of want by liska jacobs
╰┈➤ 8. come as you are by emily nagoski
╰┈➤ 9. the swimmers by julie otsuka
╰┈➤ 10. fables: book one by bill willingham
╰┈➤ 11. the wild robot by peter brown
╰┈➤ 12. red to the bone by jacqueline woodson
╰┈➤ 13. afterlife by julia alvarez
╰┈➤ 14. no one is too small to make a difference by greta thunberg
╰┈➤ 15. ring shout by p. djèlí clark
╰┈➤ 16. a psalm for the wild-built by becky chambers
╰┈➤ 17. reasons to stay alive by matt haig
╰┈➤ 18. reminders of him by colleen hoover
╰┈➤ 19. binti by nnedi okorafor
╰┈➤ 20. the everything i have lost by sylvia zéleny
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of july≫
╰┈➤ 1. intimacies by katie kitamura
╰┈➤ 2. convenience store woman by sayaka murata
╰┈➤ 3. shout by laurie halse anderson
╰┈➤ 4. lemon by kwon yeo-sun
╰┈➤ 5. here the whole time by vitor martins
╰┈➤ 6. i’m still here: black dignity in a world made for whiteness by austin channing brown
╰┈➤ 7. the worst kind of want by liska jacobs
╰┈➤ 8. come as you are by emily nagoski
╰┈➤ 9. the swimmers by julie otsuka
╰┈➤ 10. fables: book one by bill willingham
╰┈➤ 11. the wild robot by peter brown
╰┈➤ 12. red to the bone by jacqueline woodson
╰┈➤ 13. afterlife by julia alvarez
╰┈➤ 14. no one is too small to make a difference by greta thunberg
╰┈➤ 15. ring shout by p. djèlí clark
╰┈➤ 16. a psalm for the wild-built by becky chambers
╰┈➤ 17. reasons to stay alive by matt haig
╰┈➤ 18. reminders of him by colleen hoover
╰┈➤ 19. binti by nnedi okorafor
╰┈➤ 20. the everything i have lost by sylvia zéleny
dianarlgs's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
ameserole's review
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Everything I Have Lost dives into some pretty tough topics throughout the book. Even though they are tough to talk about, it was very interesting to see it all from Julia's point of view. In the beginning, she is about 12 and pretty close to turning 13. All she wants to do is grow up like everyone else around her. She seems to be pretty focused on getting her period whenever she can.. but that's the sort of thing you can't rush. It'll come when it does but she kind of freaks out when it takes forever and ever (in her mind).
While watching Julia grow up and seeing the emotional and physical tolls her family goes through was very eye opening to me. This book didn't really shy away from anything and I really enjoyed that. I probably would've liked to see something from one of her parent's POV's just to get the full picture or how everyone in her family felt.. but I'll be okay with just getting Julia's diary format.
Other than that, this book also had some cute and funny moments. It totally flew by and I'm really glad that I got the chance to dive into this book.
The Everything I Have Lost dives into some pretty tough topics throughout the book. Even though they are tough to talk about, it was very interesting to see it all from Julia's point of view. In the beginning, she is about 12 and pretty close to turning 13. All she wants to do is grow up like everyone else around her. She seems to be pretty focused on getting her period whenever she can.. but that's the sort of thing you can't rush. It'll come when it does but she kind of freaks out when it takes forever and ever (in her mind).
While watching Julia grow up and seeing the emotional and physical tolls her family goes through was very eye opening to me. This book didn't really shy away from anything and I really enjoyed that. I probably would've liked to see something from one of her parent's POV's just to get the full picture or how everyone in her family felt.. but I'll be okay with just getting Julia's diary format.
Other than that, this book also had some cute and funny moments. It totally flew by and I'm really glad that I got the chance to dive into this book.
readsewknit's review against another edition
4.0
In Sylvia Zeleny's book The Everything I Have Lost, Julia, a twelve-year-old in Mexico, describes the changes she is witnessing. They fall into categories of fractures in her family and in her country, and she finds herself wrestling with what is real and true as she is moved to El Paso to stay with her aunt while her mother and father stay in Mexico and the details for doing so aren't immediately shared.
Themes of happy-sad and bridges are present, and I appreciated the value communicated in journaling.
The narrator does a solid job convincing listeners that the protagonist is a younger child.
If it's a concern for anyone, be aware of some swearing throughout the book.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
Themes of happy-sad and bridges are present, and I appreciated the value communicated in journaling.
The narrator does a solid job convincing listeners that the protagonist is a younger child.
If it's a concern for anyone, be aware of some swearing throughout the book.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
eileencastroo's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amazing story told in the first person by a teenager who is living her life on the border of mexico and texas. as a woman, it was a really touching story.
marijuanerareads's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5 because this makes me feel so seen :( a part of myself that I’m still comprehending. Me hace mucha falta mi papá. Sigh.
raebrock's review
4.0
I never finish audiobooks in one sitting, even short ones, but I was so engrossed with this one I kept finding random things to do while I kept listening. This book made me want to do chores! So weird.
It seems some people were bothered by the diary format but for me, hearing about the complex experience of life on the border through a young girl’s most private thoughts was incredibly powerful. The story starts when she’s 11 and naive, kind of aware of the problems in her neighborhood, country and family, but only in a vague sense. She’s still concerned about all of the things young girls everywhere think about, but through friend, boy, and school drama we get glimpses of the trauma that Julia is becoming increasingly aware of as she gets older. I loved this book and would definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
It seems some people were bothered by the diary format but for me, hearing about the complex experience of life on the border through a young girl’s most private thoughts was incredibly powerful. The story starts when she’s 11 and naive, kind of aware of the problems in her neighborhood, country and family, but only in a vague sense. She’s still concerned about all of the things young girls everywhere think about, but through friend, boy, and school drama we get glimpses of the trauma that Julia is becoming increasingly aware of as she gets older. I loved this book and would definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
mirandamc's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
a_manning11's review
3.0
Note: I received an ARC of this book via netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review of this audio book.
Audio book narration: 5*****
Lori Felipe-Barkin has done a wonderful job narrating this audio book. The narration makes this book easy to listen to.
Novel: 3***
I have so many issues with this book, but most of all, it was hard to listen to because I never got invested in Julia's story. This is not a happy book, and it's a hard read without having something that keeps the reader interested. 12-year-old Julia is irritatingly naive. Maybe this is explained by the fact that she does not have internet access (so cannot learn what her family, isolation and school are withholding from her), only leaves the house for school or with her parents, her family is severely dysfunctional and her parents keep her uninformed on everything from what her dad's job is to periods.
The book is promoted as a glimpse at life on both sides of the US-Mexico border, taking place in Juarez and El Paso, but for a major part of the novel we are introduced to Juarez through the eyes of a naive girl who is locked away at home and only see the direct consequences events have on Julia's life (such as being unable to leave the house).
Despite the fact that Julia's mother puts her husband before her children's safety and happiness at all times, a 14-year-old Julia and her baby brother eventually end up living in El Paso with their Tia, Bis (great grandmother) and cousin Jonas. Julia suddenly turns from naive girl to angry teen but still remains hopelessly childish in her thoughts and actions. Her anger is justified, but it seems highly unreasonable for her to resent finally being in the place she had been asking to move to for years because of all it has to offer her.
Even once she lives with her Tia I had lots of issues with the messages Julia and the reader are given. When Julia gets lost after her third day at school and arrives home late she is greeted with a slap on the cheek and a conversation that includes: "It happens everywhere. Girls are never safe." Also included are such gems as her best friend explaining to her that ' she has her father's blood, she is just like him' (that would be an organized crime hitman) and none of these things are ever questioned.
The ending has some positive notes, her hermanito is playing on the street, her mother may be returning to the land of the living and she has settled into high school... but I would have liked to see some more supportive characters, a teacher or school psychologist, an after school club or more positive friendships. Ideally, I think some therapy would have been appropriate for both children after all they have been through.
I was excited to read this book and am aware how much books by own voices authors on topics like these are needed, but I think this one has missed the mark, especially with middle grade readers in mind. It may still be a valuable resource if read at school with the support of a teacher or librarian who can fill in any gaps of information.
Audio book narration: 5*****
Lori Felipe-Barkin has done a wonderful job narrating this audio book. The narration makes this book easy to listen to.
Novel: 3***
I have so many issues with this book, but most of all, it was hard to listen to because I never got invested in Julia's story. This is not a happy book, and it's a hard read without having something that keeps the reader interested. 12-year-old Julia is irritatingly naive. Maybe this is explained by the fact that she does not have internet access (so cannot learn what her family, isolation and school are withholding from her), only leaves the house for school or with her parents, her family is severely dysfunctional and her parents keep her uninformed on everything from what her dad's job is to periods.
The book is promoted as a glimpse at life on both sides of the US-Mexico border, taking place in Juarez and El Paso, but for a major part of the novel we are introduced to Juarez through the eyes of a naive girl who is locked away at home and only see the direct consequences events have on Julia's life (such as being unable to leave the house).
Despite the fact that Julia's mother puts her husband before her children's safety and happiness at all times, a 14-year-old Julia and her baby brother eventually end up living in El Paso with their Tia, Bis (great grandmother) and cousin Jonas. Julia suddenly turns from naive girl to angry teen but still remains hopelessly childish in her thoughts and actions. Her anger is justified, but it seems highly unreasonable for her to resent finally being in the place she had been asking to move to for years because of all it has to offer her.
Even once she lives with her Tia I had lots of issues with the messages Julia and the reader are given. When Julia gets lost after her third day at school and arrives home late she is greeted with a slap on the cheek and a conversation that includes: "It happens everywhere. Girls are never safe." Also included are such gems as her best friend explaining to her that ' she has her father's blood, she is just like him' (that would be an organized crime hitman) and none of these things are ever questioned.
The ending has some positive notes, her hermanito is playing on the street, her mother may be returning to the land of the living and she has settled into high school... but I would have liked to see some more supportive characters, a teacher or school psychologist, an after school club or more positive friendships. Ideally, I think some therapy would have been appropriate for both children after all they have been through.
I was excited to read this book and am aware how much books by own voices authors on topics like these are needed, but I think this one has missed the mark, especially with middle grade readers in mind. It may still be a valuable resource if read at school with the support of a teacher or librarian who can fill in any gaps of information.