kaileehaong's reviews
423 reviews

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.0

I read first “Everyone in This Room Will Someday be Dead,” by Emily Austin and have just made it to this book. I really enjoyed it! We follow the story of Enid (in first person, which works for me here because she is a character that is so in her head that it’s good we get to be, too. Overcoming her crippling fears and understanding traumas she’s packed away, we get to see some true character development and progress throughout the novel. I appreciated a more upbeat and positive ending, as I find myself often reading dark, hopeless novels, although the end of this did tie up extremely neatly. While usually a quality I don’t love, it worked for me here. 

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

What a whirlwind of a novel this was! Chain Gang was u like anything I’ve read before. Written in short chapters that flit from a host of several characters, but mainly focusing on Thurwar. Fast-paced, battle-heavy, filled with death and political commentary, this novel is truly poignant of what could be. A warning, perhaps. Adjei-Brenyah does a fantastic job of humanizing and forcing you to empathize with people who have done horrible things, all in the spirit of saving them from another horrible thing (the CAPE program and the system that set it all up). Totally recommend!

But the Girl by Jessica Zhan Mei Yu
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.

DNF’d — slow, could not get into it. 

Rainbow Rainbow by Lydi Conklin

adventurous emotional fast-paced

3.75

This was an entertaining, emotional, modern collection of queer stories, many centered around a queer coming-of-age (which is much different than a coming-of-age story and experience for non-queer folks). My favorite stories of the collection were: Laramie Time, Pioneer, Counselor of My Heart, Sunny Talks, and Boy Jump.

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A spectacular little novel about the lives of 8 teenage girl boxers. We dip in and out of the past, present (which is a huge boxing competition), and future of each of the 8 boxers and learn so much about who they are, how they came to boxing, and what’s next for their lives after they exit the ring. Written in short vignette-like snippets and flipping from girl to girl, this novel is fast-paced. Like the sport. Very unique.

Sing to It by Amy Hempel

reflective fast-paced

3.5

My first delve into Hempel’s work. Loved the stories “Moonbow,” and her concluding story (which errs on the side of a novella), “Cloudland.” Themes of grief, loss, adoption, pain, etc. explored throughout the numerous short stories + one long story. 

Wild and Distant Seas by Tara Karr Roberts

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Great novel reexamining the tale Moby Dick in a female-centered lens. Interview with the author forthcoming. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Conceptually interesting—time travel and the consequences of it. I felt the ending wrapped up a little too neatly and in an unsatisfying way (think: a story ending like: “and then he woke up and everything had been a dream!”). But there were certainly interesting concepts and suspense here. Despite my dislike for the ending, I can say I didn’t necessarily see it coming, which was appreciated. 

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75

I’ll read pretty much anything Akwaeke writes. I’m very glad to have read PET prior to this, as the little context we get about Bitter from that novel helped create a richer, stronger character in this one. The ending tied up extremely nicely/neatly, which is always a little too convenient for me, but there certainly were twists at the end that were unanticipated which made for a nice, hooking surprise.

What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s not often that I get to read a book that feels happy, light, and a breath of fresh air without it feeling too cheesy or stereotypically genre-y. This book was exactly that! Each chapter follows a different character, each touched by the magic of their community library and more specifically, by the astute observations and listening skills of their keen librarian (who unintentionally hells characters get out of a rut, turn their life around, make positive change, etc). A very light-hearted and pleasant read.