nuhafariha's reviews
1210 reviews

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Now available.

Like a cinematic masterpiece, Rachel Khong's Real Americans starts with an unexpected meet and greet. When twenty something Lily goes on a date with young, handsome, and mysterious Matthew, she can hardly imagine the twists and turns her life will take. Told from the perspectives of Lily, her mother, and her son Nick, this story travels from 1970s China to 2030's America. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two sections, but began to lose some interest in the third - mainly because I wanted more Lily! Selfishly, I enjoyed seeing her transition from her twenties to her fifties, to see her settle into life. I wanted to hear more about her experiences later in life, alone but still finding ways to make life beautiful and meaningful. The sci-fi elements in this work are subtle but still intriguing enough, though they feel secondary to the human drama at the heart of the piece. Very moving.

Don't Let Me Be Lonely: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

challenging dark emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

Thanks Greywolf Press and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

Now available.

First penned in the aftermath of 9/11, Don't Let Me Be Lonely is a deep and disturbing look into the American psyche. Through personal and fictive essays, news excerpts, research studies, and TV snippets, Rankine looks at the violence of the US empire both at home and abroad. Compared to her previous books, this one feels both broader in terms of themes explored and narrower in scope of time. This is one book that will keep revealing new depths each time you read.

Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

I would say for the most part I enjoyed this book - workaholic Andrea Tang has to finally confront her priorities and grow up. It reminded me a lot of Crazy Rich Asians, just for the lesser wealthy. I think there was a lot lot lot of liquor and sex which made some parts of the story feel too unreal. But overall, I felt satisfied by the ending!

A House Is a Body by Shruti Swamy

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

These stories are like pressing your forehead into a cool glass of water and looking at the world through droplets. It is disorienting but also oddly satisfying. Each story focuses on different South Asian women's experiences of marriage, pregnancy, girlhood, romance, and intimacy.  I am excited to read more.

Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I thoroughly enjoyed this deeply psychological novel exploring modern love, loneliness and community. After the death of his mother, an unnamed protagonist decides to try an unnusual career - a Rental Stranger who can be hired for different positions, anything from a missing father, a grieving widow, and a drunken brother. By introducing the concept of the Other as kin, Tang asks to consider the isolation and loss of social bonds in today's harried world. I wish there was more time to think through the ending - I was confused by the sudden trip to LA and sex scene.

Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

This debut fiction marks sharp remarks about class, gender, and privilege. I enjoyed how the author didn't try to defend the protagonist's mistakes. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.75

Warm, cozy romance that is, save for a few curse words, very family friendly! I especially loved that the protagonist was a brown woman.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Wow this book made me laugh and cry and wonder are we all living the same experience?? As a first generation immigrant, I can identify with Zauner's struggle to connect with her mother and heritage, her love tempered with feelings of isolation and wanting to fit in. Oh and boy will this book make you hungry! 

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

Not as good as the others in the series!

Uncomfortably Happily by Yeon-Sik Hong
Did not finish book.

Got bored