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goldenelegy's reviews
150 reviews
The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette's by Hanna Alkaf
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
another work from hanna alkaf that i absolutely adore!
im not a big fan of horror genre but this book convinces me with its haunted-southeast-asian-school premise. and like usual, hanna alkaf tackles mental health issues in her story.
and surprisingly i actually don't find this story so horror. it focuses more on family problems and mental health issues than on the horror story. it seems that alkaf tries to insert a lesson that sometimes it's human that is the monster, not the ghosts, not the djinns.
i wish i could see more of khad and rachel's friendship dynamics, though. they found out about each other after about 50% into the book.
anyway, this book is worth given a chance!!
im not a big fan of horror genre but this book convinces me with its haunted-southeast-asian-school premise. and like usual, hanna alkaf tackles mental health issues in her story.
and surprisingly i actually don't find this story so horror. it focuses more on family problems and mental health issues than on the horror story. it seems that alkaf tries to insert a lesson that sometimes it's human that is the monster, not the ghosts, not the djinns.
i wish i could see more of khad and rachel's friendship dynamics, though. they found out about each other after about 50% into the book.
anyway, this book is worth given a chance!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault
Moderate: Gaslighting
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop - Selamat Datang di Toko Buku Hyunam-Dong by Hwang Bo-Reum
informative
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
it's a short-read telling stories of people who have died.
those people are shown pictures of their whole life and they have to choose some pictures of their most treasured memories. i find that concept quite interesting.
i admire how the author excellently makes connection about the characters. each stories are so touching, though not all the characters are perfect protagonists with perfect morals. it's so page turning, and i think the translation is really well done. i've read another work from this translator and i enjoyed the book as well.
those people are shown pictures of their whole life and they have to choose some pictures of their most treasured memories. i find that concept quite interesting.
i admire how the author excellently makes connection about the characters. each stories are so touching, though not all the characters are perfect protagonists with perfect morals. it's so page turning, and i think the translation is really well done. i've read another work from this translator and i enjoyed the book as well.
Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this story centers around jieun who possess magical powers to sense empathy and make wishes come true. one day she loses her parents and have to go through countless rebirths to find them. in one particular life, she decides to open a laundry service that can erase people's painful memories. and so people come with their own problems they want to forget and fix. friendship then emerges between jieun and those visitors.
i found jieun's conversations with the visitors quite interesting and thought-provoking. they discuss the bitterness of life as well as how one gets through hardships in life. but actually story-wise, im more interested with the friendship dynamics between her and the visitors. i also love how each visitors gets to rethink if they really want to erase their painful memories and each person ends up having different decisions about it.
there's something i still don't understand, though. there is this one character's background that remains mystery to me. the author doesn't explain it until the end of the story. i wonder if the author left it like that on purpose or i just failed to understand it.
i found jieun's conversations with the visitors quite interesting and thought-provoking. they discuss the bitterness of life as well as how one gets through hardships in life. but actually story-wise, im more interested with the friendship dynamics between her and the visitors. i also love how each visitors gets to rethink if they really want to erase their painful memories and each person ends up having different decisions about it.
there's something i still don't understand, though. there is this one character's background that remains mystery to me. the author doesn't explain it until the end of the story. i wonder if the author left it like that on purpose or i just failed to understand it.
Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.5
this story tells about a trans boy from the moon who gets adopted by a woman from the earth and he later embarks a journey of fitting in and getting to know himself after moving to earth. at first, changes sound so strange to him. he couldn't speak the language his peers are using, which is bahasa indonesia, and then he has difficulty bonding with his stepbrother.
basically this story portrays mostly about indonesian queer experiences and friendship as well as family dynamics. they also include indonesian cultures in the story. this is something so refreshing and the authors execute the story really well <3 but there are some indonesian conversations that aren't accompanied with translations so it might be a bit hard for non-indonesian speakers to understand some parts.
basically this story portrays mostly about indonesian queer experiences and friendship as well as family dynamics. they also include indonesian cultures in the story. this is something so refreshing and the authors execute the story really well <3 but there are some indonesian conversations that aren't accompanied with translations so it might be a bit hard for non-indonesian speakers to understand some parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia
Museum Teman Baik by Ruhaeni Intan, Reda Gaudiamo, Cynthia Hariadi, Bageur Al Ikhsan, Rassi Narika, Kennial Laia, Teguh Affandi, Awi Chin, Sri Izzati
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
adventurous
emotional
informative
relaxing
fast-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
4.25
caution: do not read this book with an empty stomach (the food descriptions will make you hungry)
this book follows the life of two girls: one is a vietnamese girl who operates a banh mi stall in saigon, and the other is a vietnamese diaspora who fakes her travel from her mom. throughout this book, they both explores saigon's street foods and landmarks (and fell in love <3)
the introductions to the MCs are done perfectly, i was immersed right away. it centers around both characters' family problems, dealing with grief, trust, and even love itself. for vivi, she also deals with identity confusion as a diaspora. the raw portrayal makes it easy for us to relate to. it also depicts life after the vietnam war, which is important to add to the context. the description in the book feels so alive, it's like i truly experience queuing at the banh mi 98 stall, tasting the foods, and strolling around the busy city.
i would definitely give it 5 stars if it weren't the ending that felt too rushed. but then again this is meant to be a light, relaxing read, highlighting the MC's daily life and character development.
if you're looking for a sweet sapphic romance with no misunderstanding trope and no complicated conflict, this is for you <3
this book follows the life of two girls: one is a vietnamese girl who operates a banh mi stall in saigon, and the other is a vietnamese diaspora who fakes her travel from her mom. throughout this book, they both explores saigon's street foods and landmarks (and fell in love <3)
the introductions to the MCs are done perfectly, i was immersed right away. it centers around both characters' family problems, dealing with grief, trust, and even love itself. for vivi, she also deals with identity confusion as a diaspora. the raw portrayal makes it easy for us to relate to. it also depicts life after the vietnam war, which is important to add to the context. the description in the book feels so alive, it's like i truly experience queuing at the banh mi 98 stall, tasting the foods, and strolling around the busy city.
i would definitely give it 5 stars if it weren't the ending that felt too rushed. but then again this is meant to be a light, relaxing read, highlighting the MC's daily life and character development.
if you're looking for a sweet sapphic romance with no misunderstanding trope and no complicated conflict, this is for you <3
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i think i was able to enjoy this book more than the 1st book. i don't remember exactly what the 1st book was like but this sequel has a neat plot and soulful descriptions. with the character momoko being back, it makes the story even more alive. another thing that makes this book more interesting is that it explores the complexity of human's emotions. the characters deal with issues that could be so relatable to most of us: dealing with grief, opening up to other people, and accepting our flawed part. also, the characters mentioned some interesting real books that i should definitely check out later :)
this was definitely such an enjoyable read. it should be perfect for those who looks for a calm, light read, but with some philosophical depth.
this was definitely such an enjoyable read. it should be perfect for those who looks for a calm, light read, but with some philosophical depth.
Motherhood by Kanae Minato
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
at first i was struggling to continue reading this book, but im glad i managed to finish it! this book deals with such important topics that makes you reflect about it as well. in portraying the mother-daughter dynamics, the author provides the point of view of both the mother and the daughter. the mother in this story confuses her role as a daughter and as a mother. she still seeks validation and love from her mother, and she would be jealous of what her own daughter has and she couldn't accept it when her daughter doesn't live up to her expectations. but then her daughter also seeks her love but she cannot show her love as her mother and it breaks my heart.
there's a whole discussion regarding motherhood that i found interesting, a question whether motherliness is an inherited trait or something that is affected by the environment, and if it is related to the patriarchal culture that force women to have this trait.
it's also heartbreaking and infuriating to see her in-laws overworks her and blames her for everything. her husband does not even side her.he even cheats. such a cruel world for the mother and her daughter.
it's something that not everyone can read but still worth to read. i haven't read any of minato kanae's books before this, but im interested to read more!
there's a whole discussion regarding motherhood that i found interesting, a question whether motherliness is an inherited trait or something that is affected by the environment, and if it is related to the patriarchal culture that force women to have this trait.
it's also heartbreaking and infuriating to see her in-laws overworks her and blames her for everything. her husband does not even side her.
it's something that not everyone can read but still worth to read. i haven't read any of minato kanae's books before this, but im interested to read more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Death of parent, Abandonment