kaileehaong's reviews
423 reviews

Worry by Alexandra Tanner

dark funny 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

Sibling (or more specifically, sister) dynamics are brought out in full force here as we dive into city living with two quarreling sisters, Jules & Poppy. For anyone who has complicated relationships with sisters, mothers, fathers, extended family; the themes in this book will resonate. This novel felt like a darkly humorous social commentary. While occasionally the back-and-forth of the “I love you, I hate you” dynamic between family felt a little too much, it’s grounded in a reality that is very much so accurate.

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Very poetic, essay-like. I read his memoir first, and this novella read similarly. Themed of identity, queerness, forgiveness, grief run throughout. 

Memory Piece by Lisa Ko

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Fantastic novel following three friends from adolescence to adulthood to their elder years. Each character’s different personalities, interests, and skill sets provide unique lenses into the sociocultural aspects of the times/world they’re living in. I loved the structure and artistic nature of this novel. 

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Extremely strange novel, but it did captivate me! Abandoning her love for piano/playing music, we follow our protagonist as she gets involved with what seems to be a “holistic” beauty company, but turns out to be something much more sinister. The twists and turns were crazy, but interesting. 

Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A great American road trip made queer and modern. One of the biggest glaring issues I had with the book that I just couldn’t buy into was the strange narrator that felt omniscient but also real that dipped in and out of the narrative (and subsequently took me out of it). I enjoyed reading the story of Leah and Bernie and their messy, complicated lives—their art and their coming-togetherness. Without the narrator situation I think this book would be closer to a 4-5 situation. Characters were like able and unlikeable in interesting ways. 

Model Home by Rivers Solomon

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A very intriguing and, as selected by the options listed here, "mysterious." Solomon's writing here is strong, and a world has been built up that is exciting, interesting, and believable, while also casting a shadow of uncertainty that puts a reader at unease. Pacing felt right, until the end where things seemed to accelerate very quickly and wrap up all at once. I do appreciate the lean into the realistic, as we are meant for so long to believe in the supernatural, but are brought back to the earth-shattering realization that yes, humans are that horrible. 

Family Meal by Bryan Washington

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

5.0

Best book I’ve read in a while, and seriously couldn’t put it down. I read the first half in one session and finished it the second. This book handles queerness, loss/grief, and navigating familial relationships with such ease. Segmented out into three different POVs, I’d follow these characters anywhere. Cam wrestles with the loss of a partner and loss of self. TJ grapples with who he is and what he wants. Kai haunts the pages like a wise, omnipresent being. Fantastic read.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Fantastic memoir that intertwines culture, queerness, identity, family (and found family) in an artistic and reflective way. The intersection of Lamya’s interpretation of stories from the Quran and stories from her life at multiple points from childhood to adulthood is excellently woven and kept me engaged at all times.

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Nice YA read with a happy ending! Themes of cultural dissonance, queer coming-of-age, navigating mental health issues as a teenager, etc. We follow Yami on her journey at a new school, figuring out who she is, who her friends are, and who her family is.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Fascinating, strange little novel/novella that tells a tale of womanhood, isolation, self-discovery, and grief in an unnamed, strange world. This was a slow start for me, but once I got going I couldn’t put it down.  No chapters, no page breaks, just one long stream-of-consciousness style piece of writing through the eyes of one character.