Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only resolution is a peace of mind. And that is great. Also, warning if you have anxiety or depression, you will probably cry, randomly and frequently.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I mostly hated this book. I reminded myself she’s a teenager and I still hated it. It included every possible stereotype possible of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. If I weren’t one myself I’d think everything bad people say about our community might actually be true. That three of the few redeemable characters in the book who she admired were each white (her boyfriend, her teacher, her therapists) wasn’t lost on me. And the writing. So trite - Chicago is so cold apparently the only way to describe it is that it feels like your eyeballs will freeze. The one value I found is the important point that many times we fail to truly know those who are closest to us.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
4.5 stars. Loved the narrator’s voice: her anger and her vulnerability. I walked into a world so foreign to my experiences; I appreciate the access. There’s a lot in here ... immigration, the order, coming of age, love, all the choices that stretch out in front of us when we are 15 or 16 that seem perfect, unattainable, necessary.
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
I loved this book! It helped me see things differently, and I learned so much about what it might be like to be a daughter of immigrant parents.
dark
emotional
sad
6 out of 5 stars.
This book is a page turner. I was gripped from the first sentence until the end of the story. There is so much to unpack: friendships, romantic relationships (what the heck are they? Is this right? Is this how a kiss should feel?), sisterhood, secrecy, family trauma, art, hopes, and dreams (Julia WILL go to college. Julia WILL become a writer).
This is not a book to read if you like, "happily-ever-after" endings, but rather enjoy a book about finding out truths (and there are multiple truths), and spending time reflecting on those truths as they relate to the characters and possible yourself.
Read this book, in a group/book club if possible. I look forward to reading more works by Erika Sanchez.
This book is a page turner. I was gripped from the first sentence until the end of the story. There is so much to unpack: friendships, romantic relationships (what the heck are they? Is this right? Is this how a kiss should feel?), sisterhood, secrecy, family trauma, art, hopes, and dreams (Julia WILL go to college. Julia WILL become a writer).
This is not a book to read if you like, "happily-ever-after" endings, but rather enjoy a book about finding out truths (and there are multiple truths), and spending time reflecting on those truths as they relate to the characters and possible yourself.
Read this book, in a group/book club if possible. I look forward to reading more works by Erika Sanchez.