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heyitsjude's reviews
175 reviews
How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao
2.0
I’m disappointed this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it fell so flat for me. For starters I didn’t like the writing style. It was a lot of “tell and not show.” The protagonist, Nancy Luo’s voice was shallow and repetitive in her narration. She’d repeatedly mention “The incident” for greater emphasis constantly throughout the chapters. I couldn’t root for any of the characters they felt static and so did their relationships. I couldn’t see any reason they’d have a genuine connection aside from the dirty laundry they share. It made it difficult for me to like their friend group. As for the thriller aspect it wasn’t very thrilling. The plot twist wasn’t good because nothing alluded to the person being The Proctor beforehand. It felt random, like it was thrown in at the last second. I thought the concept was amazing. the pressure that Asians face in academia and the lengths they’ll go to achieve it. The themes of class, immigration, the competitive environment of school, the social and academic pressure of it all. It’s a brilliant idea, but the execution was okay. I feel like this book could’ve given so much more with it’s concept, but it fell short.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
4.0
Open water is a beautiful and poignant story about the intricacies of love, and what it means to be vulnerable. The story takes place in Britain about a photographer who falls in love with a dancer. We follow the photographer, told in second person perspective we are drawn in as reader. And are given the view of what life is like for a black man living in Britain. It discusses the fear one has of being seen, and what it means to truly be seen by those who care about you. The narrator discusses what life is like living in his body and the relationship he has with it, and how that also affects the relationship he has with his girlfriend. This book reads like poetry with its lyrical writing style. It is a wonderful book that celebrates the artistry of black creators.
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
3.0
3⭐️ This book was so fun to read. A lot of people say if you like Young Royals on Netflix to read Red White & Royal Blue, but the concept of this book reminded me of the show way more.
Heartbroken after a summer fling with her friend, Millie applies to a boarding school in Scotland to escape from her problems, and unresolved friendships. There she ends up rooming with Princess Flora.
I loved the first half of the book as I’m a sucker for enemies to friends to lovers type of tropes. The two lead characters had great chemistry and I loved their back, and forth banter. My only issue with this book was the pacing. It felt like everything happened and the end of the book. The resolution was a bit rushed, but aside from that this was adorable and very fun to read.
Heartbroken after a summer fling with her friend, Millie applies to a boarding school in Scotland to escape from her problems, and unresolved friendships. There she ends up rooming with Princess Flora.
I loved the first half of the book as I’m a sucker for enemies to friends to lovers type of tropes. The two lead characters had great chemistry and I loved their back, and forth banter. My only issue with this book was the pacing. It felt like everything happened and the end of the book. The resolution was a bit rushed, but aside from that this was adorable and very fun to read.
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
5.0
THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!! I loved it so much, and I wish this book existed when I was in high school. It felt like the author was drawing from my life experiences because of incredibly relatable it was. I felt so seen while reading this book. It was such a charming, and touching story.
Counting Down With You follows the story of Karina Ahmed. Throughout her life Karina has lived to appease her parents, and lives in the shadow of her brother. It is something she has grown to accept, and live with until a certain someone changes her perspective. This is where Alistair "Ace" Clyde comes in. Karina is assigned to tutor Ace which later evolves into her fake dating him while her parents are away in Bangladesh. The longer Karina's parents are away the more she wants to live for herself. As time goes on Karina learns that she has many people on her side, her friends her grandma, and Ace. They truly see her, and push her to reach for what feels like is an impossible dream in her eyes.
I loved this book, and seeing Karina, and Ace's relationship grow was wonderful. Their banter was adorable, and it had me smiling to myself as I was reading. I'm glad that Ace acted as Karina's support system, and not a knight in shining armour. It is actually a point that's acknowledged in the book. He is so patient and understanding with her when it comes to the boundaries that come with dating while having strict/conservative parents. Why can't more guys be like Ace Clyde haha.
As for Karina I really saw myself in her. I feel like many people do. Karina lives for the constant approval of her parents for them to be proud of her. This something many people of color experience. They need the validation of their parents because in their eyes it is everything to them. It's the greatest accomplishment for a child from a family like Karina's to say the words, "I'm proud of you." Like Karina I always felt the pressure of being the eldest daughter. The weight of academia and the value it holds to my parents. It is something that deeply resonated with me, when I was in high school my grades were my life. If I failed or got so much as a C I'd cry over it or have a panic attack because I didn't want to let my parents down. I didn't want them to be disappointed. Education is the greatest gift immigrant parents bestow upon their children. It is the chance at a better life. They want what's best for you, but sometimes what they think is best may not always be right.
Another way I saw myself in Karina was through the book's accurate depiction of anxiety. Tashie executed this so well. The constant stream of thoughts, and worry. The over apologizing, and constantly saying "Sorry." Which is something I still do too. I've yet to break my habit of saying sorry. Like Karina I also struggle with anxiety. I don't countdown like her but I count to 100 instead. :)
This is one of my new favourite books. It may not have existed when I needed it in high school but I hope that more people will find this book when they need to feel seen, and heard. To know that life exists outside the expectations of your family. That their disapproval is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a life for themselves.
Counting Down With You follows the story of Karina Ahmed. Throughout her life Karina has lived to appease her parents, and lives in the shadow of her brother. It is something she has grown to accept, and live with until a certain someone changes her perspective. This is where Alistair "Ace" Clyde comes in. Karina is assigned to tutor Ace which later evolves into her fake dating him while her parents are away in Bangladesh. The longer Karina's parents are away the more she wants to live for herself. As time goes on Karina learns that she has many people on her side, her friends her grandma, and Ace. They truly see her, and push her to reach for what feels like is an impossible dream in her eyes.
I loved this book, and seeing Karina, and Ace's relationship grow was wonderful. Their banter was adorable, and it had me smiling to myself as I was reading. I'm glad that Ace acted as Karina's support system, and not a knight in shining armour. It is actually a point that's acknowledged in the book. He is so patient and understanding with her when it comes to the boundaries that come with dating while having strict/conservative parents. Why can't more guys be like Ace Clyde haha.
As for Karina I really saw myself in her. I feel like many people do. Karina lives for the constant approval of her parents for them to be proud of her. This something many people of color experience. They need the validation of their parents because in their eyes it is everything to them. It's the greatest accomplishment for a child from a family like Karina's to say the words, "I'm proud of you." Like Karina I always felt the pressure of being the eldest daughter. The weight of academia and the value it holds to my parents. It is something that deeply resonated with me, when I was in high school my grades were my life. If I failed or got so much as a C I'd cry over it or have a panic attack because I didn't want to let my parents down. I didn't want them to be disappointed. Education is the greatest gift immigrant parents bestow upon their children. It is the chance at a better life. They want what's best for you, but sometimes what they think is best may not always be right.
Another way I saw myself in Karina was through the book's accurate depiction of anxiety. Tashie executed this so well. The constant stream of thoughts, and worry. The over apologizing, and constantly saying "Sorry." Which is something I still do too. I've yet to break my habit of saying sorry. Like Karina I also struggle with anxiety. I don't countdown like her but I count to 100 instead. :)
This is one of my new favourite books. It may not have existed when I needed it in high school but I hope that more people will find this book when they need to feel seen, and heard. To know that life exists outside the expectations of your family. That their disapproval is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a life for themselves.
Temporary by Hilary Leichter
Temporary is a work of surrealist literary fiction, and the concept instantly intrigued me. It follows the life of an unnamed protagonist who we know as a temporary. In this world, temporaries are people who act as stand ins for people in their lives. They can be mothers, pirates, shoe closet organizers, they can even act as the barnacles on whales! This was such a bizarre but enjoyable book. I think it will definitely resonate with people who are on a constant job search like I was. In this world, your job, and what you do is your defining trait. It makes up your whole life. These temporaries live and die working. They work their whole life in search of stability or what is known as “the steadiness.” It is when they are given a permanent position. It’s the greatest achievement for a temporary. This is not a typical book about finding a job, it’s not an office set novel. The story is divided by the temporary’s job experiences and it gets more, and more compelling with each part. If you want a surrealist, magical realism type book about finding your way this is for you.
4.0
Temporary is a work of surrealist literary fiction, and the concept instantly intrigued me. It follows the life of an unnamed protagonist who we know as a temporary. In this world, temporaries are people who act as stand ins for people in their lives. They can be mothers, pirates, shoe closet organizers, they can even act as the barnacles on whales! This was such a bizarre but enjoyable book. I think it will definitely resonate with people who are on a constant job search like I was. In this world, your job, and what you do is your defining trait. It makes up your whole life. These temporaries live and die working. They work their whole life in search of stability or what is known as “the steadiness.” It is when they are given a permanent position. It’s the greatest achievement for a temporary. This is not a typical book about finding a job, it’s not an office set novel. The story is divided by the temporary’s job experiences and it gets more, and more compelling with each part. If you want a surrealist, magical realism type book about finding your way this is for you.
A woman's voice by Aude Mermilliod, Martin Winckler
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4
A Woman’s Voice follows Jean, a genius medical student about to undergo the next stage of her residency, gynaecological care. Jean could care less as she is more interested in the surgical field. She isn’t enthused to sit in an office and listen to the hairy details of women’s gynaecological health. During this time, she is under the supervision of Dr. Karma. While shadowing him Jean finds their differing perspectives clash, and she begins to grow tired of working in the gynaecology clinic. Dr. Karma strikes up a deal with Jean to try things “his way” for a week, and if she doesn’t like it she can leave, and he’ll sign off on her residency. Throughout her time at the clinic Jean discovers there is much to be learned from the experiences of other women, and that patients are just jobs to be done with. Jean starts seeing them for the people that they are, and truly listens to their stories with an open heart. Through this book, I learned so much about the gynaecological field of healthcare, and it was actually interesting to read about. You can take away a lot from this book as it not only covers the health side of things, but also looks at sexuality, and gender identity. I liked that closer to the end of the book we got to see more of Jean as a character, and the story came full circle. Overall it was a great graphic adaptation, and I enjoyed reading it as I learned a lot from it.
Thank you to the publisher, Europe Comics and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Woman’s Voice follows Jean, a genius medical student about to undergo the next stage of her residency, gynaecological care. Jean could care less as she is more interested in the surgical field. She isn’t enthused to sit in an office and listen to the hairy details of women’s gynaecological health. During this time, she is under the supervision of Dr. Karma. While shadowing him Jean finds their differing perspectives clash, and she begins to grow tired of working in the gynaecology clinic. Dr. Karma strikes up a deal with Jean to try things “his way” for a week, and if she doesn’t like it she can leave, and he’ll sign off on her residency. Throughout her time at the clinic Jean discovers there is much to be learned from the experiences of other women, and that patients are just jobs to be done with. Jean starts seeing them for the people that they are, and truly listens to their stories with an open heart. Through this book, I learned so much about the gynaecological field of healthcare, and it was actually interesting to read about. You can take away a lot from this book as it not only covers the health side of things, but also looks at sexuality, and gender identity. I liked that closer to the end of the book we got to see more of Jean as a character, and the story came full circle. Overall it was a great graphic adaptation, and I enjoyed reading it as I learned a lot from it.
Thank you to the publisher, Europe Comics and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
5.0
THIS BOOK HIT SO HARD. I cried throughout reading it especially when it came to the end of the book. It goes without saying this book is incredible in terms of writing style, the way Kalanithi writes is incredibly unique to him, and I marked so many passages as I read. This book is about life and death. It discusses the notion that death isn’t something to be feared, and when facing it to face it with integrity. Not only that it makes you reflect on yourself, and how you wish to live your own life. It talks about how Paul wanted to spend his remainder of time on Earth, and it got me thinking about my own personal goals, and motivations. As you read you are sucked into your own thoughts of “How am I living? Is this the life I want? What do I want to do, and how much time do I have left on this earth to do it?”
Death is inevitable, and most people face it with a heavy heart, with suffering. But then there is Paul who embraces openly, accepting it as he has seen it coming from afar. The only thing we can do in the face of it or when witnessing it is to accept it in stride.
To live everyday as if it’s your last is a difficult thing no one ever suspects the arrival of the inevitable it hangs above are heads, but is never acknowledge until it’s in our face with nowhere left to turn to. This book makes you consider how you want to spend your own time, and what you make of your own life. Reading one’s life and death experience really makes you reflect upon your own. And I think that was one of Kalanithi’s intentions with this book. I think this book will be one that will stay with me for a while.
Death is inevitable, and most people face it with a heavy heart, with suffering. But then there is Paul who embraces openly, accepting it as he has seen it coming from afar. The only thing we can do in the face of it or when witnessing it is to accept it in stride.
To live everyday as if it’s your last is a difficult thing no one ever suspects the arrival of the inevitable it hangs above are heads, but is never acknowledge until it’s in our face with nowhere left to turn to. This book makes you consider how you want to spend your own time, and what you make of your own life. Reading one’s life and death experience really makes you reflect upon your own. And I think that was one of Kalanithi’s intentions with this book. I think this book will be one that will stay with me for a while.