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christinam's reviews
95 reviews
Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The story/plot was okay but the narration was painful to listen to. The upspeak/rising inflection/high rising intonation was not for me.
Can I Give My Stepkids Back by Aurélie Tramier
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
After suddenly losing her sister, Morgan is stunned to learn she has become the legal guardian of her niece Lea and nephew Elliot. Albeit slightly overwhelmed, Morgan is determined to honour her sister's wishes. But between Elliot's rough start in a new school and her meddling narcissistic mother, she starts to doubt whether she's cut out for the task of raising children. As Elliot, Lea, Morgan and her loveable pup Snoopy try to create a new family unit, troubling parts of Morgan's traumatic past threaten to upend this new arrangement before it's really had time to develop.
The title of this one is a bit misleading because Elliot and Lea are not stepkids in the traditional sense of the word. Once you get past that mental toad block, it's a really lovely book. A quirky and emotive story about a family picking up the broken pieces of their hearts and learning to heal together.
The title of this one is a bit misleading because Elliot and Lea are not stepkids in the traditional sense of the word. Once you get past that mental toad block, it's a really lovely book. A quirky and emotive story about a family picking up the broken pieces of their hearts and learning to heal together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Any book that can make me laugh until I cry is a win for me. With an eye-catching and suggestive title, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has a fair amount of steam. But don't be fooled, this novel is about much more than that. This story explores sexual positivity, ageing, generational gaps, code-switching, feminism and patriarchy. At its core, this novel is about women who live their lives in the space between what's expected of them and what they want.
A mix of mystery, family drama, rebellion and heroism this novel is an engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I kept putting it down because I simply wasn't ready for it to end.
A mix of mystery, family drama, rebellion and heroism this novel is an engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I kept putting it down because I simply wasn't ready for it to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
CW: drug use, assault, child abandonment
From The Ashes was a contender in Canada Reads 2020 and the 2nd best selling Canadian Book of 2020. Like most of the books I've read as of late, I don't think I would have read this on my own. We had the opportunity to virtually meet with Jesse and it was one of the highlights of 2020 for me. He was so open and honest with us as we asked questions about the book and his life. I can't thank him enough for taking the time to meet with us.
Over the last few weeks, I've struggled to find the words that'll do this book justice. And I've yet to find them. This book manages to be both heartbreaking and inspiring. No one should have any of the experiences Jesse outlines in this book. But in reality, some of the ordeals he went through are common for many individuals experiencing homelessness, struggling with substance abuse and battling their own inner demons. I've thought about this book at least once a week since I've finished it. About the ineffective policies, harmful myths and misconceptions, the moral superiority and stigma, that reinforce and act against folks who want to break cycles and forge a different path.
This book showed me how easy it is to reduce the multifacetedness of people who face some of the struggles Jesse details in his book to labels. It is necessary to understand they are complete people who are worthy of self-determination, respect and assistance on their terms without paternalism and contempt. When you find yourself ready to pass judgement, as you read this book or engage with initiatives for marginalized folks in your community, I ask that you introspect on those feelings. And then consider them from the perspectives of Jesse and others who have faced similar struggles as whole people and not labels.
From The Ashes was a contender in Canada Reads 2020 and the 2nd best selling Canadian Book of 2020. Like most of the books I've read as of late, I don't think I would have read this on my own. We had the opportunity to virtually meet with Jesse and it was one of the highlights of 2020 for me. He was so open and honest with us as we asked questions about the book and his life. I can't thank him enough for taking the time to meet with us.
Over the last few weeks, I've struggled to find the words that'll do this book justice. And I've yet to find them. This book manages to be both heartbreaking and inspiring. No one should have any of the experiences Jesse outlines in this book. But in reality, some of the ordeals he went through are common for many individuals experiencing homelessness, struggling with substance abuse and battling their own inner demons. I've thought about this book at least once a week since I've finished it. About the ineffective policies, harmful myths and misconceptions, the moral superiority and stigma, that reinforce and act against folks who want to break cycles and forge a different path.
This book showed me how easy it is to reduce the multifacetedness of people who face some of the struggles Jesse details in his book to labels. It is necessary to understand they are complete people who are worthy of self-determination, respect and assistance on their terms without paternalism and contempt. When you find yourself ready to pass judgement, as you read this book or engage with initiatives for marginalized folks in your community, I ask that you introspect on those feelings. And then consider them from the perspectives of Jesse and others who have faced similar struggles as whole people and not labels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual assault
Skin Deep by Sung J. Woo
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Woo weaves themes of ageing, beauty, identity, and ethics into one of the most interesting mystery novels I've read to date.
Beauty and ageing – “Ageing is a disease, and there is a cure" The idea that "youth is an automatic kind of beauty. An effortless beauty" is so peculiar. Especially because I don't think many people would label the type of beauty they're referring to as effortless. Furthermore, the focus on the alleged loss of beauty versus the knowledge and wisdom we gain as we age is something that I thought about long after I finished reading this book.
Identity – The main character, Siobhan O'Brien (Kim Shee-Bong) is a Korean-American adoptee. There are many scenes where flabbergasted individuals try to ‘figure out’ why she has an Irish name but Korean features by asking the tired question of “where are you really from”. Anytime her identity was questioned, her responses were always epigrammatically entertaining.
Ethics - Have you ever had to double-check a headline to confirm it's from a legit news source instead of The Beaverton or The Onion? That's how I felt reading this book. I couldn't tell if the mirror was being held up to say 'this is where we're headed' or 'this is where we are'. Woo's depiction of the beauty industry's lax compliance to ethics may seem farfetched. Perhaps they are, but I think the notion of 'the ends justify the means' is becoming a more common practice. Some of the unethical behaviour in this book made me uncomfortable because it caught me off guard and because it ventured past unethical and into illegal territory.
Beauty and ageing – “Ageing is a disease, and there is a cure" The idea that "youth is an automatic kind of beauty. An effortless beauty" is so peculiar. Especially because I don't think many people would label the type of beauty they're referring to as effortless. Furthermore, the focus on the alleged loss of beauty versus the knowledge and wisdom we gain as we age is something that I thought about long after I finished reading this book.
Identity – The main character, Siobhan O'Brien (Kim Shee-Bong) is a Korean-American adoptee. There are many scenes where flabbergasted individuals try to ‘figure out’ why she has an Irish name but Korean features by asking the tired question of “where are you really from”. Anytime her identity was questioned, her responses were always epigrammatically entertaining.
Ethics - Have you ever had to double-check a headline to confirm it's from a legit news source instead of The Beaverton or The Onion? That's how I felt reading this book. I couldn't tell if the mirror was being held up to say 'this is where we're headed' or 'this is where we are'. Woo's depiction of the beauty industry's lax compliance to ethics may seem farfetched. Perhaps they are, but I think the notion of 'the ends justify the means' is becoming a more common practice. Some of the unethical behaviour in this book made me uncomfortable because it caught me off guard and because it ventured past unethical and into illegal territory.
Saturdays at Noon by Rachel Marks
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An outstanding debut novel from Rachel Marks shows us what happens when judgment is replaced with empathy and understanding.
Emily wants to keep the world away. Jake just wants to keep his family together. They are so different, Jake has no idea how being paired with her in group will help. However, when Alfie, who never likes strangers, meets Emily, something unexpected and exceptional happens.
Through multiple points of view, Marks is able to shed light on the internal and external challenges of a parent struggling to connect with and understand their child. Such as, the guilt Jake feels when he gets frustrated with Alfie's seemingly irrational behaviour and the judgmental looks and comments he endures from strangers.
Marks' inspiration for this book is based on some of the challenges and learnings she experienced while raising her son. Her intimate connection to the subject matter brings a raw authenticity to the story that shines a light on the humanness of parents in similar situations.
This is a powerful and heartwarming book that will eventually be added to my forever library.
Emily wants to keep the world away. Jake just wants to keep his family together. They are so different, Jake has no idea how being paired with her in group will help. However, when Alfie, who never likes strangers, meets Emily, something unexpected and exceptional happens.
Through multiple points of view, Marks is able to shed light on the internal and external challenges of a parent struggling to connect with and understand their child. Such as, the guilt Jake feels when he gets frustrated with Alfie's seemingly irrational behaviour and the judgmental looks and comments he endures from strangers.
Marks' inspiration for this book is based on some of the challenges and learnings she experienced while raising her son. Her intimate connection to the subject matter brings a raw authenticity to the story that shines a light on the humanness of parents in similar situations.
This is a powerful and heartwarming book that will eventually be added to my forever library.
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Alternative Remedies for Loss by Joanna Cantor
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
CW: loss of a parent, drug use
I'm lukewarm on this one. I could have DNF'd but I was curious how it was going to end.
Only four months after her mother's death, everyone in Olivia's family seems ready to move on. Her brothers are settled comfortably in careers and families of their own; her father has already started to date again, inviting a woman named June on a family trip. But, as Olivia struggles to get her life back on track without her mom, she discovers a secret romantic correspondence her mother had with a man who signed each letter “F.” Her journey to find F's identity, leads Olivia to an ashram in rural India, on a quest that will reconfigure everything Olivia thought she knew about her family.
The concept is interesting. Do we know our parents as well as we think we do? How does the loss of a loved one and grief affect a family and change/strain relationships? And like the title of the book suggests, everyone has their own remedy for processing grief and loss. Great ideas but I just didn't enjoy the execution.
My other issue with this book is that we really only get the tourist-oriented side of India. I recognize that Olivia is a tourist. But when I think of how integral India has been in other stories (languages, religions, food, climate, geography etc) there wasn't much here at all. And as you can see in the second picture, the framing. Why use words like "weird" and "strange" that are known to have negative connotations? I should have DNF'd there but I trudged on. Finally, the few interactions that Oliva does have outside of tourist-oriented India, tend to be negative learning. Based on the framing what does that suggest about other parts of India? The parts that aren't tourist-oriented?
Although I didn't particularly enjoy the book, it gave me lots to think about. Books like this usually lead to an exercise in informal dialectics in my house and I wouldn't have it any other way.