lavagurl's reviews
177 reviews

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

4.0

Chloe Gong really delivered. Can’t believe she pulled off lovers to enemies to lovers to betrayal to lovers. She’s insane for that.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

5.0

The pace of the book was good and kept me on my toes because of the time jumps that went closer and closer to the time that explains why they don’t talk anymore. I enjoyed the paralleled timeline. Amazing characterization. Also I was prepared for the third act conflict to be stupid and ruin it all or for something predictable but there’s mentions of therapy and a realistic and amazing ending what??!! The third act conflict made it 5 stars instead of 4.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

3.0

So conflicted. This book was so atmospheric. I was on spring break stuck at school on a campus alone and going days on end without talking to anyone. This books sent me into a depressive trance like state. I hated it in a way. I also know the main character isn’t supposed to be likeable. She’s a 20 something white privileged woman. She has depression and tries to sleep away the year which is relatable to me because that is what depression is like. The book is very uneventful until the end. I thought the ending was abrupt and honestly unrealistic and should’ve been expanded on more.

Ghost of by Diana Khoi Nguyen

5.0

Holy shit. Ok so I’m a student at the University of Pittsburgh and I got the opportunity to meet Diana and she’s incredible. I felt like this collection about grief really spoke to me and she even invented a type of form like what??!! She stays true to her audience and I’m really grateful as an Asian American poet to have her in the community to have as a mentor/guide.

From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

5.0

Expected a romance and got so much more. Jasmine’s characterization and journey was written so well and I loved her so much. The enemies to lovers was everything I wanted.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

4.0

Amazing autism Asian rep. Cute and sexy romance. God I love it when the man is an absolute simp in romances like Michael is a himbo.

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

5.0

I cried reading this. I got to meet Ocean and have the signed copy of this book and he’s such a kind hearted soul and his brain is so big and I could listen to him speak for hours.

About the poems: American Legend and the car crash where him and his dad finally touch absolutely insane. “I was made to die but I’m here to stay.” The finality and choosing to be alive INSANE. Talking about Asian pain being gold and how it’s exploited. How weakness and love are almost spelled the same in Vietnamese? INSANE INSANE.

The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson

5.0

Ok I am a girly in STEM. but sitting down to read a whole book about it outside of a classroom setting? wasn’t too sure. I guess shout out to my ex for introducing me to this book. It kept me interested the entire time and was funny and described the body in easy to understand ways.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

4.0

Is this author problematic and there’s a lot wrong with this series? Yes. Did I enjoy the hell out of it? Absolutely yes.

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

4.0