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theengineerisreading's reviews
258 reviews
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
I honestly can't remember the last time I read a YA contemporary novel featuring a queer POC + a discussion of mental health that I enjoyed all the way.
Ophelia After All feels perfect to me.
I read the first five chapters without knowing anything aside from the fact that it has a queer Latinx MC but I breezed through the first ten chapters in one quick sitting.
PSA. Prepare tissue for Chapters 15 and 20
As a found family supremacist, I loved the friends and family dynamics in this novel. The relationship between Ophelia's circle of friends is realistic and even the conflict presented is reasonable. I want to hug Sammie, Agatha, Wesley, Lindsay, and Talia and make them my high school friends as well.
Also, the depiction of Rojas family is the element where I resonated with the most. As the youngest in a family of eight, I feel closest to my mother in the sense that I confess everything about my life to her - which is how Ophelia and her parents are developed in this novel. Even their misunderstanding (which I also experienced in high school after my first breakup) is really relatable. I feel seen as I read Chapter 20 because it felt like I was the main character in that chapter.
This book is an immersive contemporary mainly because Ophelia's character as a romantic appealed to me and she definitely pulled me into her story right off the first chapter.
I also liked how the author narrated Ophelia's journey of questioning and her first steps towards finding herself.
Shakespeare references and quotes aside, this is an enjoyable YA contemporary that should be in your to-buy list. Legit this book made me want to read Hamlet!
P. S. Imagine all the bookstagram photos of this book ft. all the gorgeous flower flatlays
What's in this book: Cuban MC, Latinx rep (Spanish-American), supporting cast of queer teens (bisexual, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, questioning)
I highly recommend if you enjoy: You Should See me in a Crown, Perfect on Paper, Sex Education (Netflix show)
Trigger warnings: racism (mentions of), homphobia
RATING: 5stars
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
“Lord we know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
I honestly can't remember the last time I read a YA contemporary novel featuring a queer POC + a discussion of mental health that I enjoyed all the way.
Ophelia After All feels perfect to me.
I read the first five chapters without knowing anything aside from the fact that it has a queer Latinx MC but I breezed through the first ten chapters in one quick sitting.
PSA. Prepare tissue for Chapters 15 and 20
As a found family supremacist, I loved the friends and family dynamics in this novel. The relationship between Ophelia's circle of friends is realistic and even the conflict presented is reasonable. I want to hug Sammie, Agatha, Wesley, Lindsay, and Talia and make them my high school friends as well.
Also, the depiction of Rojas family is the element where I resonated with the most. As the youngest in a family of eight, I feel closest to my mother in the sense that I confess everything about my life to her - which is how Ophelia and her parents are developed in this novel. Even their misunderstanding (which I also experienced in high school after my first breakup) is really relatable. I feel seen as I read Chapter 20 because it felt like I was the main character in that chapter.
"I’ve spent most of my life telling myself I know who I am; a lifeboat of identity in the turbulent waves of growing up. A hopeless romantic, a rose gardener, a chismosa, a girl who falls for every boy who looks her way. I forgot that there are parts of me I’ve yet to discover, versions of me I’ve yet to become."
This book is an immersive contemporary mainly because Ophelia's character as a romantic appealed to me and she definitely pulled me into her story right off the first chapter.
I also liked how the author narrated Ophelia's journey of questioning and her first steps towards finding herself.
Shakespeare references and quotes aside, this is an enjoyable YA contemporary that should be in your to-buy list. Legit this book made me want to read Hamlet!
P. S. Imagine all the bookstagram photos of this book ft. all the gorgeous flower flatlays
What's in this book: Cuban MC, Latinx rep (Spanish-American), supporting cast of queer teens (bisexual, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, questioning)
I highly recommend if you enjoy: You Should See me in a Crown, Perfect on Paper, Sex Education (Netflix show)
Trigger warnings: racism (mentions of), homphobia
RATING: 5stars
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
lighthearted
reflective
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
2.0
This book is not for me.
Dokkaebi: Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Dokkaebi picked up months after things ended in Gumiho and in this companion novel, the supporting characters Lee Somin and Junu took the center stage.
Both Ahn Jihoon and Gu Miyoung were mourning the loved ones they lost during the battle with Shaman Kim and Somin continue to be a constant presence in her friends' life.
On the other hand, the cunning dokkaebi is being plagued by the guilt for the part he played in Gu Yena's death and he is more than determined to help the people who were affected by his actions.
But a supernatural foe is waiting for this perfect opportunity to get back to an old enemy and our favorite Korean squad may not have the time to rest. For now.
One of the things I liked better in this book is how it managed to focus on the main plot that is to save the world from being torn apart and not delve on a few subplots that will have no closure in the end.
The whole fantasy based in Korean mythology is enjoyable and I am fascinated learning creatures from Korean lore. In this book, I encountered the Reaper, the mountain god, and explored the other side of dokkaebi and gumiho.
And of course, the romance aspect between Somin and Junu is top tier. I've seen hints about this two in the first book but I'm not expecting to simp for this haters-to-lovers development.
I also liked how everything in this book made sense and how the interconnected things felt convincing in the end.
Dokkaebi is an enjoyable read that also showed the importance of support in times of grievance and how true friendships get tested at the hardest times.
Way better than the first book but this duology is still a nice read.
RATING: 4stars
Both Ahn Jihoon and Gu Miyoung were mourning the loved ones they lost during the battle with Shaman Kim and Somin continue to be a constant presence in her friends' life.
On the other hand, the cunning dokkaebi is being plagued by the guilt for the part he played in Gu Yena's death and he is more than determined to help the people who were affected by his actions.
But a supernatural foe is waiting for this perfect opportunity to get back to an old enemy and our favorite Korean squad may not have the time to rest. For now.
One of the things I liked better in this book is how it managed to focus on the main plot that is to save the world from being torn apart and not delve on a few subplots that will have no closure in the end.
The whole fantasy based in Korean mythology is enjoyable and I am fascinated learning creatures from Korean lore. In this book, I encountered the Reaper, the mountain god, and explored the other side of dokkaebi and gumiho.
And of course, the romance aspect between Somin and Junu is top tier. I've seen hints about this two in the first book but I'm not expecting to simp for this haters-to-lovers development.
I also liked how everything in this book made sense and how the interconnected things felt convincing in the end.
Dokkaebi is an enjoyable read that also showed the importance of support in times of grievance and how true friendships get tested at the hardest times.
Way better than the first book but this duology is still a nice read.
RATING: 4stars
The Silence of Bones by June Hur 허주은
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
Historical fiction is not my cup of tea but I managed to finish it in less than a week because Seol, the main character, is cunning and overly-curious.
Learning about the dark part of Korean history is another factor that pushed me to flip until the last pages and I feel equally impressed and sad when I read in the author's note the events that happened with Lady Kang.
Overall, very insightful read with an empowering main character that screams girl power.
RATING: 3.5stars
Learning about the dark part of Korean history is another factor that pushed me to flip until the last pages and I feel equally impressed and sad when I read in the author's note the events that happened with Lady Kang.
Overall, very insightful read with an empowering main character that screams girl power.
RATING: 3.5stars
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Welcome to another ✨recommended read✨ review. This time, we'll talk about Lyla Lee's debut novel and why it is an important read that you must add to your TBR immediately.
Skye Shin is a natural stage performer since her childhood days that's why when it was announced that a Korean entertainment company opens audition in the US for a reality talent competition, Skye did not hesitate in signing up even if it is against her mom's will. Being a plus-size teen will surely earn glances and whispers during her journey in the show but Skye is confident that she'll make her way to the top.
What I mainly love about this book is how empowering it is for discussing about body positivity. Skye shows the struggles of being plus-size character living in this era where a standard body concept has been set by the society. Add this to her dream of being a performer and you'll realize how hard it is to be an industry where image is the capital.
But I love how Skye did not back down from all the bullying, harassment, body-shaming, and fatphobic remarks thrown at her. Instead she boosted her confidence and proved her haters wrong by staying true to her beliefs that body size should never be an issue in the first place.
I love how powerful the main character's' voice as she delivered the important message about body positivity and addressing our society's deep-seated resentment against fat people. The story explained how body size is not always a factor of lifestyle and dieting since there's also an influence of heredity and personal needs.
The contrast between Skye Shin and Henry Cho's personal dilemmas showed the two sides of body-shaming from both ends of the spectrum and how it brings trauma to the victim without the perpetrators' knowing the impact.
Also, the romance in this novel is very realistic. It's slowly developed with all the awkwardness and miscommunication but I enjoyed it because that is how things happen in real life.
The only thing I hate, er, loathe about this book is Skye's mother. As mentioned by Skye's friends, her mom's behavior is downright abusive and not the usual tough love at all. I enjoyed the small discussion about how bad parenting causes trauma with the child involved and the highlight about knowing the difference between tough love and abuse.
Overall, Lyla Lee added a powerful novel to my ever-growing repertoire of books written by Asian authors. Read this if you're looking for a fun, swoonworthy YA contemporary novel that discusses an important topic, too.
RATING: 5stars
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Being fat and pretty aren't mutually exclusive traits, though. Fat people can be pretty, pretty people can be fat."
Welcome to another ✨recommended read✨ review. This time, we'll talk about Lyla Lee's debut novel and why it is an important read that you must add to your TBR immediately.
Skye Shin is a natural stage performer since her childhood days that's why when it was announced that a Korean entertainment company opens audition in the US for a reality talent competition, Skye did not hesitate in signing up even if it is against her mom's will. Being a plus-size teen will surely earn glances and whispers during her journey in the show but Skye is confident that she'll make her way to the top.
What I mainly love about this book is how empowering it is for discussing about body positivity. Skye shows the struggles of being plus-size character living in this era where a standard body concept has been set by the society. Add this to her dream of being a performer and you'll realize how hard it is to be an industry where image is the capital.
But I love how Skye did not back down from all the bullying, harassment, body-shaming, and fatphobic remarks thrown at her. Instead she boosted her confidence and proved her haters wrong by staying true to her beliefs that body size should never be an issue in the first place.
I love how powerful the main character's' voice as she delivered the important message about body positivity and addressing our society's deep-seated resentment against fat people. The story explained how body size is not always a factor of lifestyle and dieting since there's also an influence of heredity and personal needs.
The contrast between Skye Shin and Henry Cho's personal dilemmas showed the two sides of body-shaming from both ends of the spectrum and how it brings trauma to the victim without the perpetrators' knowing the impact.
Also, the romance in this novel is very realistic. It's slowly developed with all the awkwardness and miscommunication but I enjoyed it because that is how things happen in real life.
The only thing I hate, er, loathe about this book is Skye's mother. As mentioned by Skye's friends, her mom's behavior is downright abusive and not the usual tough love at all. I enjoyed the small discussion about how bad parenting causes trauma with the child involved and the highlight about knowing the difference between tough love and abuse.
Overall, Lyla Lee added a powerful novel to my ever-growing repertoire of books written by Asian authors. Read this if you're looking for a fun, swoonworthy YA contemporary novel that discusses an important topic, too.
RATING: 5stars
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
What a perfect read in time of Mother's Day!
Little Fires Everywhere is a book that challenged my morals. As I learned the story of the Richardsons and the Wrights, I keep on questioning the things they do and the beliefs they follow. It twisted my own thinkings and made me ask whether I agree or not with their decisions, big and small.
This novel is not for everyone - if you're not a big fan of generous storytelling, interconnected storyline, and playful writing style, then don't read this book.
What I absolutely enjoyed about this is it kept the mystery vibe about the main characters and you'll slowly see how wrong your prejudice is as the reality about them unfolds.
I also like how this book talked about classism with subtlety and how it highlighted the fact that happiness is not always synonymous to money. It showed two different perspectives of characters that came from separate ends of social spectrum and as you discover each of them, you'll root for one and feel pity for the other.
The characters, well, their flaws were highlighted and the way Celeste Ng developed them was very distinct. You'll think that a picture perfect family from a well-developed community is the standard of harmony but wait until you discover how manipulative and flawed they are.
Even though I enjoyed the above aspects of this novel, I am still quite unsure whether I'll rate this highly because it lacked on something that will make the story one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
RATING: 3stars
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
One had followed the rules, and one had not. But the problem with rules was that they implied a right way and a wrong way to do things. When, in fact, most of the time there were simply ways, none of them quite wrong or quite right, and nothing to tell you for sure which side of the line you stood on.
What a perfect read in time of Mother's Day!
Little Fires Everywhere is a book that challenged my morals. As I learned the story of the Richardsons and the Wrights, I keep on questioning the things they do and the beliefs they follow. It twisted my own thinkings and made me ask whether I agree or not with their decisions, big and small.
This novel is not for everyone - if you're not a big fan of generous storytelling, interconnected storyline, and playful writing style, then don't read this book.
What I absolutely enjoyed about this is it kept the mystery vibe about the main characters and you'll slowly see how wrong your prejudice is as the reality about them unfolds.
I also like how this book talked about classism with subtlety and how it highlighted the fact that happiness is not always synonymous to money. It showed two different perspectives of characters that came from separate ends of social spectrum and as you discover each of them, you'll root for one and feel pity for the other.
The characters, well, their flaws were highlighted and the way Celeste Ng developed them was very distinct. You'll think that a picture perfect family from a well-developed community is the standard of harmony but wait until you discover how manipulative and flawed they are.
Even though I enjoyed the above aspects of this novel, I am still quite unsure whether I'll rate this highly because it lacked on something that will make the story one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
RATING: 3stars
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Looking for a funny, romantic read with a little bit of smut? The Dating Plan is the perfect book for you.
Revolving on the secret plan of faking a relationship and marriage, the story of how Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy went from friends to enemies to fake lovers is an entertaining adventure.
I love the build up between the two main characters, even though I think Daisy is already introduced in Sara Desai's first novel, because it was presented with the mystery about why Liam Murphy, bestfriend of Daisy's brother, Sanjay, left the Patel after supposedly taking her to prom. Their sudden encounter at a business conference feels like a rom-com movie scene but I digged it because why not? Both of them are established in their own fields of business and it's the perfect place for them to reunite.
I also enjoyed the humor with the meddlesome Asian family members especially with how Daisy's Aunties keep on bothering her to settle down with their pick, Roshan. It's fun reading all about it until I realize that it'll be my case a couple of years from now.
Sara Desai's writing style is easy to follow through and the storyline went on smoothly. I feel connected with all the characters, main and supporting, and thoroughly devoured all yearning scenes between Daisy and Liam.
The thing with fake dating trope is that it's not always a sure hit but I'm glad to say that this one is unproblematic and a total fun and swoon.
RATING: 3.5stars
Revolving on the secret plan of faking a relationship and marriage, the story of how Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy went from friends to enemies to fake lovers is an entertaining adventure.
I love the build up between the two main characters, even though I think Daisy is already introduced in Sara Desai's first novel, because it was presented with the mystery about why Liam Murphy, bestfriend of Daisy's brother, Sanjay, left the Patel after supposedly taking her to prom. Their sudden encounter at a business conference feels like a rom-com movie scene but I digged it because why not? Both of them are established in their own fields of business and it's the perfect place for them to reunite.
I also enjoyed the humor with the meddlesome Asian family members especially with how Daisy's Aunties keep on bothering her to settle down with their pick, Roshan. It's fun reading all about it until I realize that it'll be my case a couple of years from now.
Sara Desai's writing style is easy to follow through and the storyline went on smoothly. I feel connected with all the characters, main and supporting, and thoroughly devoured all yearning scenes between Daisy and Liam.
The thing with fake dating trope is that it's not always a sure hit but I'm glad to say that this one is unproblematic and a total fun and swoon.
RATING: 3.5stars
Parachutes by Kelly Yang
Parachutes by Kelly Yang is another pick I prioritized after receiving the book from The Literary Culture. I don't know anything about the book aside from the fact that this features Asian characters, with one of the two MCs as a diaspora Filipino, and is written by an Asian author. These two alone made me buy the book and be excited about it.
At first, Parachutes feels like a coming-of-age story of two main characters - Claire Wang, daughter of wealthy Chinese family who unexpectedly flew to US for international schooling, and Danielle dela Cruz, second generation Filipino-immigrant who lives with her mom in California. Their story collides when Dani's family becomes Claire's host as the latter transferred to American Prep where Dani studies as a scholar.
The first half of the book explores the main characters' dreams and struggles - Claire who wants to make her parents proud and fit in her new environment, and Dani who dreams of being a Yale student by following her plan of winning Snider, an elite debate competition in the US.
I love how the buildup showed the characters' good and bad side. Claire and Dani surely have their strengths and weaknesses highlighted in the first 200 pages of the book but I'm not a big fan of how they were pitted against each other via their clashing personalities over boys who don't matter.
The Filipino representation, although minimal, still made me happy because I love reading foods and dialogues I can understand.
But the second half is what I really liked as it tackled a sensitive and not widely discussed topic among YA, or books on general. This part revealed that Claire and Dani are both victims of sexual harassment. And both have been silent about it for their personal reasons. Not until the opportunity opened up for them to speak up the truth and chase the justice they deserve.
However, the reality is also portrayed in their scenario as the two experienced gaslighting and victim-blaming from their attackers and the society.
It's sad but it happens in real life. The author elaborated the reason for writing the book in the Author's Note and it sealed the discussion about Claire and Dani and all the victims of sexual harassment.
Parachutes is an important read that is empowering at the same time. That's it.
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
It's okay to let it out. You don't always have to be so strong. Being strong doesn't mean never hurting.
Parachutes by Kelly Yang is another pick I prioritized after receiving the book from The Literary Culture. I don't know anything about the book aside from the fact that this features Asian characters, with one of the two MCs as a diaspora Filipino, and is written by an Asian author. These two alone made me buy the book and be excited about it.
At first, Parachutes feels like a coming-of-age story of two main characters - Claire Wang, daughter of wealthy Chinese family who unexpectedly flew to US for international schooling, and Danielle dela Cruz, second generation Filipino-immigrant who lives with her mom in California. Their story collides when Dani's family becomes Claire's host as the latter transferred to American Prep where Dani studies as a scholar.
The first half of the book explores the main characters' dreams and struggles - Claire who wants to make her parents proud and fit in her new environment, and Dani who dreams of being a Yale student by following her plan of winning Snider, an elite debate competition in the US.
I love how the buildup showed the characters' good and bad side. Claire and Dani surely have their strengths and weaknesses highlighted in the first 200 pages of the book but I'm not a big fan of how they were pitted against each other via their clashing personalities over boys who don't matter.
The Filipino representation, although minimal, still made me happy because I love reading foods and dialogues I can understand.
But the second half is what I really liked as it tackled a sensitive and not widely discussed topic among YA, or books on general. This part revealed that Claire and Dani are both victims of sexual harassment. And both have been silent about it for their personal reasons. Not until the opportunity opened up for them to speak up the truth and chase the justice they deserve.
However, the reality is also portrayed in their scenario as the two experienced gaslighting and victim-blaming from their attackers and the society.
It's sad but it happens in real life. The author elaborated the reason for writing the book in the Author's Note and it sealed the discussion about Claire and Dani and all the victims of sexual harassment.
Parachutes is an important read that is empowering at the same time. That's it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
One thing I'm sure after finishing this book is the fact that I enjoy it the most when a novel has music element in it.
And since this one revolves on the story of then-bandmates Celeste, Eva, Gina, and Steph from multi-awarded band Moonlight Overthrow, I enjoyed it and I'm glad that I picked it up fron the galleys Fierce Reads sent me. Thank you again to Fierce Reads publication team for sending me this in exchange for honest review.
It Goes Like This follows four main characters one and a half year later after Moonlight Overthrow, aka OT4, disbanded. Given the fame their band got, OT4 remains to be trending and rumor has it that they're gunning for a reunion anytime soon.
But the reality is that the band had a messy breakup. Secret girlfriends Celeste and Eva haven't talk since their band breakup and the other two - Gina, now a hit actress, and Steph, currently lying low with their family, decided to follow their own paths away from music spotlight.
But when a huge storm hit Steph's hometown Duluth, the reunion rumor slowly became a reality as they decided to frontline the charity concert for the typhoon victims. Will this be the way to reconnect with their friends, too, or it will be a one-time thing for charity's sake?
The way I want to pitch it is imagine your favorite band or group disbanding and finally announcing a reunion. Imagine the buzz and excitement.
Now try to see it as a genderqueer band group with members who are lesbian, non-binary, and gay with two of them being exes with a bad breakup. Imagine the tension when they finally reunite.
I love friends reunion story where characters make up with their former friends or family. It's hopeful and gives readers like me a time to reflect on our broken relationships.
This novel also provided a reality check with the yoing adult's struggle between career and lovelife and how personal decisions when it come to both aspects need to be beneficial to you and the people you love.
Also, the romance element between Celeste and Eva is too much to handle. I mean they are basically friends-to-lovers-to-exes-to-something and the yearning during the reunion rehearsal had me swooning all over the place.
I love, love, love this novel aside from the way the chapters go back and forth. It doesn't connect with me as a reader who can't do digital books in one sitting.
Anyway, read the synopsis and if it fits your bill, then I'm sure you'll like/love this book as well.
RATING: 3.5stars
And since this one revolves on the story of then-bandmates Celeste, Eva, Gina, and Steph from multi-awarded band Moonlight Overthrow, I enjoyed it and I'm glad that I picked it up fron the galleys Fierce Reads sent me. Thank you again to Fierce Reads publication team for sending me this in exchange for honest review.
It Goes Like This follows four main characters one and a half year later after Moonlight Overthrow, aka OT4, disbanded. Given the fame their band got, OT4 remains to be trending and rumor has it that they're gunning for a reunion anytime soon.
But the reality is that the band had a messy breakup. Secret girlfriends Celeste and Eva haven't talk since their band breakup and the other two - Gina, now a hit actress, and Steph, currently lying low with their family, decided to follow their own paths away from music spotlight.
But when a huge storm hit Steph's hometown Duluth, the reunion rumor slowly became a reality as they decided to frontline the charity concert for the typhoon victims. Will this be the way to reconnect with their friends, too, or it will be a one-time thing for charity's sake?
The way I want to pitch it is imagine your favorite band or group disbanding and finally announcing a reunion. Imagine the buzz and excitement.
Now try to see it as a genderqueer band group with members who are lesbian, non-binary, and gay with two of them being exes with a bad breakup. Imagine the tension when they finally reunite.
I love friends reunion story where characters make up with their former friends or family. It's hopeful and gives readers like me a time to reflect on our broken relationships.
This novel also provided a reality check with the yoing adult's struggle between career and lovelife and how personal decisions when it come to both aspects need to be beneficial to you and the people you love.
Also, the romance element between Celeste and Eva is too much to handle. I mean they are basically friends-to-lovers-to-exes-to-something and the yearning during the reunion rehearsal had me swooning all over the place.
I love, love, love this novel aside from the way the chapters go back and forth. It doesn't connect with me as a reader who can't do digital books in one sitting.
Anyway, read the synopsis and if it fits your bill, then I'm sure you'll like/love this book as well.
RATING: 3.5stars
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read this if you want to see my attempt to translate my feelings after reading this book.
It's Wednesday. I'm sitting at my home office chair in my room at my sister's house and feeling anxious about all the projects I need to finish before April ends. There's the Australia project that's pending because business seems unsure to approve its viability and then there's the Broker initiative which I am still not sure if worthy to spend my time with.
Being indecisive, I picked up the book which has less than 90 pages left since I binged it for three hours before hitting the hay last night. An hour later, I was crying.
Anxious People reads like a movie. And as a contemporary fiction reader, I devour this one in two days amid the very hectic week at work.
The story is simple but it manage to play with my mind and trick me to finishing it until I unravel the full story. The story is about a failed bank robbery that turns to hostage taking. The story is about nine anxious individuals strange to each others whose lives were all over the place until an amateur bank robber suddenly waved a fake pistol while they were house viewing. (Disclaimer: their lives continue to be all over the place even after the incident but the experience made them set foot toward the right paths they want)
This is a novel that pays homage to the reality of our messy lives. This is a commemorative work for each of us.
When people ask "Which book do you think everyone must read?", this will be my answer from now on.
And I'm sure that this novel will survive generations of readers the same way we remain unwavered from life's never-ending battles.
I hope you get the time to read this one. It was a long story. All stories are, when it comes down to it, if you tell them from the start. This story, for instance, would have been considerably shorter if it had been about three women in a closet. But of course it's also about two police officers, and one of them was on his way upstairs.
RATING: 5stars
Trigger warning: Suicide, death, use of gun (multiole times), fake blood, homophobia
It's Wednesday. I'm sitting at my home office chair in my room at my sister's house and feeling anxious about all the projects I need to finish before April ends. There's the Australia project that's pending because business seems unsure to approve its viability and then there's the Broker initiative which I am still not sure if worthy to spend my time with.
Being indecisive, I picked up the book which has less than 90 pages left since I binged it for three hours before hitting the hay last night. An hour later, I was crying.
Anxious People reads like a movie. And as a contemporary fiction reader, I devour this one in two days amid the very hectic week at work.
The story is simple but it manage to play with my mind and trick me to finishing it until I unravel the full story. The story is about a failed bank robbery that turns to hostage taking. The story is about nine anxious individuals strange to each others whose lives were all over the place until an amateur bank robber suddenly waved a fake pistol while they were house viewing. (Disclaimer: their lives continue to be all over the place even after the incident but the experience made them set foot toward the right paths they want)
This is a novel that pays homage to the reality of our messy lives. This is a commemorative work for each of us.
When people ask "Which book do you think everyone must read?", this will be my answer from now on.
And I'm sure that this novel will survive generations of readers the same way we remain unwavered from life's never-ending battles.
I hope you get the time to read this one. It was a long story. All stories are, when it comes down to it, if you tell them from the start. This story, for instance, would have been considerably shorter if it had been about three women in a closet. But of course it's also about two police officers, and one of them was on his way upstairs.
RATING: 5stars
Trigger warning: Suicide, death, use of gun (multiole times), fake blood, homophobia