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bookedupandbusy's reviews
152 reviews
Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen
4.0
This book is about the Tran family, who are Vietnamese and settle in Toronto, Canada where they open a no-frills nail salon. All is going well until a luxury, Instagrammable nail salon opens across the road. The family do whatever it takes to save their salon.
Don’t be fooled by this fun and bright cover, it is a light hearted and very easy read, but it is filled with drama and is a very important story about gentrification in neighbourhoods; larger businesses driving out small businesses and immigrants in search of the American Dream.
The storyline is a fresh premise. I have not read a book that gives voices to Vietnamese nail technicians and the author’s parents actually own a nail salon!
It’s a fun and entertaining read and the plot is very believable and fast paced. There is talk of gel nails, acrylics, nail colours and more and funny customer tales.
The story is told from the viewpoint of multiple family members and the challenges they encounter to find extra cash to keep the salon in business. I loved the parents, Debbie & Phil, they were old school, traditional and cultured and I learnt a lot about Vietnamese traditions from them.
Money is a very important theme. How different family members valued money was interesting and the there was one family member, Dustin, the only son who did not work in the salon who had a salary outside the business and I did wonder why he never financially contributed in helping his parents, he was never asked to. This is a great convo starter for expectations on daughters and sons in the family.
I think this will be a great TV adaptation. It’s a storyline that is new and can be expanded.
Don’t be fooled by this fun and bright cover, it is a light hearted and very easy read, but it is filled with drama and is a very important story about gentrification in neighbourhoods; larger businesses driving out small businesses and immigrants in search of the American Dream.
The storyline is a fresh premise. I have not read a book that gives voices to Vietnamese nail technicians and the author’s parents actually own a nail salon!
It’s a fun and entertaining read and the plot is very believable and fast paced. There is talk of gel nails, acrylics, nail colours and more and funny customer tales.
The story is told from the viewpoint of multiple family members and the challenges they encounter to find extra cash to keep the salon in business. I loved the parents, Debbie & Phil, they were old school, traditional and cultured and I learnt a lot about Vietnamese traditions from them.
Money is a very important theme. How different family members valued money was interesting and the there was one family member, Dustin, the only son who did not work in the salon who had a salary outside the business and I did wonder why he never financially contributed in helping his parents, he was never asked to. This is a great convo starter for expectations on daughters and sons in the family.
I think this will be a great TV adaptation. It’s a storyline that is new and can be expanded.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
***Major trigger warnings in this book, if you need to know beforehand, please do research.
This story has a very captivating prose. Told from the dual perspective of Alix and Josie, who are birthday twins, the themes are dark and eerie and the story is wild and intense!
This is a very different story for Lisa. I feel her books usually involve numerous characters, although there are a few secondary characters I felt the focus was mainly on Josie and Alex. When Josie finds out that Alex is her birthday twin and she has her own podcast, Josie uses the opportunity to tell Alix her life story which is quite concerning
4.0
***Major trigger warnings in this book, if you need to know beforehand, please do research.
This story has a very captivating prose. Told from the dual perspective of Alix and Josie, who are birthday twins, the themes are dark and eerie and the story is wild and intense!
This is a very different story for Lisa. I feel her books usually involve numerous characters, although there are a few secondary characters I felt the focus was mainly on Josie and Alex. When Josie finds out that Alex is her birthday twin and she has her own podcast, Josie uses the opportunity to tell Alix her life story which is quite concerning
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
5.0
This book deserves all the stars and more. I went in blind and was amazed by the rawness and deep emotion of the story. I think you should go in blind too. So I won’t discuss the characters/storyline & plot too much and focus more on how the story made me feel.
Set in Syria, this is 19 year old Salama’s story. She is a pharmacist working at the hospital saving those affected by the Syrian Revolution. She is selfless and I regularly forgot that she was 19 years old carrying the weight of the victim’s suffering on her shoulders.
The story is about the human emotion behind the Syrian conflict. It is beautiful but also terribly horrifying.
The book is classed as young adult, however this is subjective. I personally struggled to read some parts because the writing is so well done, that the imagery was so vivid in my head that I could not cope with some parts. I just kept seeing the videos and photos from news reports years ago with Syrian children in hospitals.
I am thankful for this story for the awareness of the Syrian revolution and not shying away from the realities of war on young adults and children, which I find some authors tend to desensitise for obvious reasons.
The highlight of the story for me was Kenan and Salama’s relationship. Their love is awkward and innocent but showed strength amidst the tragedy. They needed each other to survive and I believe their love was written in fate.
PTSD is a major theme throughout but it is explored in an interesting way which may also shock you.
Set in Syria, this is 19 year old Salama’s story. She is a pharmacist working at the hospital saving those affected by the Syrian Revolution. She is selfless and I regularly forgot that she was 19 years old carrying the weight of the victim’s suffering on her shoulders.
The story is about the human emotion behind the Syrian conflict. It is beautiful but also terribly horrifying.
The book is classed as young adult, however this is subjective. I personally struggled to read some parts because the writing is so well done, that the imagery was so vivid in my head that I could not cope with some parts. I just kept seeing the videos and photos from news reports years ago with Syrian children in hospitals.
I am thankful for this story for the awareness of the Syrian revolution and not shying away from the realities of war on young adults and children, which I find some authors tend to desensitise for obvious reasons.
The highlight of the story for me was Kenan and Salama’s relationship. Their love is awkward and innocent but showed strength amidst the tragedy. They needed each other to survive and I believe their love was written in fate.
PTSD is a major theme throughout but it is explored in an interesting way which may also shock you.
Maame by Jessica George
This is how you do realistic character development. This is a great debut. The growth of Maddie’s character was exceptional. The one thing that stood out for me in this book was the father-daughter relationship bond.
I love a story set in South London and I loved Maddie. In this coming of age story, she is written to be naive but she wasn’t immature. I empathised with her. At 25, trying to find herself and juggle settling into her career, caring for her sick father, and managing her selfish mother and brother, she had so many challenges but handled them with pure grace. I loved her flaws because they were relatable; she was an over thinker that Googled everything.
The story explores heavy themes of death and grief, but there is a light humorous tone throughout, especially Maddie’s reflections of her own dating antics and sexual encounters, and from her mother, who was very comical. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments.
Maddie’s friendship dynamics and work colleagues highlighted the expectations and pressures placed on black women to fit in in certain spaces. She was trying to keep up with some friends but it was clear that their lifestyles and cultural expectations never aligned.
I appreciated learning about Ghanaian culture and practices in times of death and grief. It was these times that Maddie was learning and coming into her culture herself.
Some parts of the storyline were predictable, especially when she moved home and began dating. But then I think; was it predictable, or was the writing so authentic and true to life that I just knew what was coming, as I have experienced Maddie’s situations with my own friends - it was real!
Maddie’s mental health is a major focus of the story. The disagreements between Maddie and her Ghanaian God fearing mother really shone a light on the importance of mental health and speaking to a specialist when you also believe in God.
I really enjoyed this one.❤️
5.0
This is how you do realistic character development. This is a great debut. The growth of Maddie’s character was exceptional. The one thing that stood out for me in this book was the father-daughter relationship bond.
I love a story set in South London and I loved Maddie. In this coming of age story, she is written to be naive but she wasn’t immature. I empathised with her. At 25, trying to find herself and juggle settling into her career, caring for her sick father, and managing her selfish mother and brother, she had so many challenges but handled them with pure grace. I loved her flaws because they were relatable; she was an over thinker that Googled everything.
The story explores heavy themes of death and grief, but there is a light humorous tone throughout, especially Maddie’s reflections of her own dating antics and sexual encounters, and from her mother, who was very comical. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments.
Maddie’s friendship dynamics and work colleagues highlighted the expectations and pressures placed on black women to fit in in certain spaces. She was trying to keep up with some friends but it was clear that their lifestyles and cultural expectations never aligned.
I appreciated learning about Ghanaian culture and practices in times of death and grief. It was these times that Maddie was learning and coming into her culture herself.
Some parts of the storyline were predictable, especially when she moved home and began dating. But then I think; was it predictable, or was the writing so authentic and true to life that I just knew what was coming, as I have experienced Maddie’s situations with my own friends - it was real!
Maddie’s mental health is a major focus of the story. The disagreements between Maddie and her Ghanaian God fearing mother really shone a light on the importance of mental health and speaking to a specialist when you also believe in God.
I really enjoyed this one.❤️
Wednesday's Child by Yiyun Li
3.0
A collection of short stories written by the author over a decade, spanning loss, alienation, ageing and the strangeness of contemporary life.
Each story explores motherhood and raising children in different ways. I liked that all the women were nuanced. The book is filled with so much wisdom and shows the good, the bad and ugly sides of parenting.
I enjoyed my read but I wasn’t totally blown away. The stories are profound but I found that I just didn’t connect with quite a few of the stories. The prose is lyrical and each story has a deeper meaning but I found it to be overly descriptive in places.
One story that stood out for me was ‘A Sheltered Woman’. This is the story of Aunty Mei who is a postpartum care nanny looking after a depressed mother. The contrast in their lifestyles was intriguing.
Each story explores motherhood and raising children in different ways. I liked that all the women were nuanced. The book is filled with so much wisdom and shows the good, the bad and ugly sides of parenting.
I enjoyed my read but I wasn’t totally blown away. The stories are profound but I found that I just didn’t connect with quite a few of the stories. The prose is lyrical and each story has a deeper meaning but I found it to be overly descriptive in places.
One story that stood out for me was ‘A Sheltered Woman’. This is the story of Aunty Mei who is a postpartum care nanny looking after a depressed mother. The contrast in their lifestyles was intriguing.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
5.0
THIS BOOK!
Again, I went in blind and my heart was shattered. It is a heavy read, that is powerful and problematic, so approach with caution. How did this story have me feeling empathy for one of the worst characters in the story?????!!!!!
Sal and Noor are two Pakistani-American teens who are trying to rekindle their friendship after a falling out. Sal's mom is gravely sick and he's doing everything he can to help the family motel survive, while Noor desperately wants to go to college but her uncle who takes care of her wants to stop her.
The chapters are narrated by Sal & Noor, with flashback chapters narrated by Sal’s mother, Misbah. This is the first book I have read that focuses on the immigrant experience for Pakistani people and also the first book I have read that explores alcoholism.
The writing is fantastic and the narratives are filled with musical tracks that help to convey Noor’s feelings.
I was going to give it 4.5 stars because a very traumatic and abusive event takes place but it is never detailed or explicitly stated, it is just implied.. I did want a bit more from this but it also made me realise that the writing was strong and skilful enough that something implied could still evoke an emotion from me.
Taking all the above into consideration, I feel so bad saying this, knowing how you may feel after reading, but… Please Read This Book!
Again, I went in blind and my heart was shattered. It is a heavy read, that is powerful and problematic, so approach with caution. How did this story have me feeling empathy for one of the worst characters in the story?????!!!!!
Sal and Noor are two Pakistani-American teens who are trying to rekindle their friendship after a falling out. Sal's mom is gravely sick and he's doing everything he can to help the family motel survive, while Noor desperately wants to go to college but her uncle who takes care of her wants to stop her.
The chapters are narrated by Sal & Noor, with flashback chapters narrated by Sal’s mother, Misbah. This is the first book I have read that focuses on the immigrant experience for Pakistani people and also the first book I have read that explores alcoholism.
The writing is fantastic and the narratives are filled with musical tracks that help to convey Noor’s feelings.
I was going to give it 4.5 stars because a very traumatic and abusive event takes place but it is never detailed or explicitly stated, it is just implied.. I did want a bit more from this but it also made me realise that the writing was strong and skilful enough that something implied could still evoke an emotion from me.
Taking all the above into consideration, I feel so bad saying this, knowing how you may feel after reading, but… Please Read This Book!
Thicker Than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington
3.0
I am a Kerry fan but I expected a lot more from this Memoir. It started very strong, but went rather flat for me. If you are looking for a tell-all memoir this is NOT it. This is about Kerry’s rise in her craft and acknowledging an awkwardness she has always felt between herself and her parents.
Apart from her relationship with her parents, I don’t feel Kerry let me in enough. I wanted rawness and transparency, however it was too neat and tidy for me. She does touch on her wedding day but there are not many details about her becoming a mother or wife. She guards/protects her husband and kids and she has every right to do so, but I personally like when people discuss their highs and lows of motherhood and marriage whilst navigating a life in the public eye.
I felt there was more tea to her parent’s lives than hers. I was engrossed by her parent’s stories. They are interesting people!
Apart from her relationship with her parents, I don’t feel Kerry let me in enough. I wanted rawness and transparency, however it was too neat and tidy for me. She does touch on her wedding day but there are not many details about her becoming a mother or wife. She guards/protects her husband and kids and she has every right to do so, but I personally like when people discuss their highs and lows of motherhood and marriage whilst navigating a life in the public eye.
I felt there was more tea to her parent’s lives than hers. I was engrossed by her parent’s stories. They are interesting people!
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
5.0
Safiya recounts living with her strict Rastafari father and how she escapes his ideals.
What a stunning Memoir! I learnt so much. This story will stay with me for a while.
The author’s writing immerses the reader from the very first page, as Safiya details the history of Rastafari, how her parents met, life with her siblings and navigating school life as a Rastafari daughter. The opening scene is atmospheric as we are told of Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica (a man from Ethiopia who Rasta’s believe is their Messiah).
What I found most compelling about this story is that although Safiya is now telling the story as an adult, the ordeal, trauma and abuse was all through the eyes of a child’s
What a stunning Memoir! I learnt so much. This story will stay with me for a while.
The author’s writing immerses the reader from the very first page, as Safiya details the history of Rastafari, how her parents met, life with her siblings and navigating school life as a Rastafari daughter. The opening scene is atmospheric as we are told of Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica (a man from Ethiopia who Rasta’s believe is their Messiah).
What I found most compelling about this story is that although Safiya is now telling the story as an adult, the ordeal, trauma and abuse was all through the eyes of a child’s
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
4.0
I didn’t connect with the characters on this one, but I did enjoy the storyline. The story is reminiscent of the theatre show, Miss Saigon. It is a deep and powerful story with everyone searching for a sense of belonging.
It is a great insight into what really happened with American Soldiers and Bar girls and I learnt a lot about the Amerasian community and dust children.
Even though the ending tied up a little too neatly for me, the story is educating, true to life and very readable.
It is a great insight into what really happened with American Soldiers and Bar girls and I learnt a lot about the Amerasian community and dust children.
Even though the ending tied up a little too neatly for me, the story is educating, true to life and very readable.