Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, has always been a stellar student and an obedient, albeit wise-cracking, daughter. Everything has gone along just fine--she ha...
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Feb 21, 2011
Sherwood
rated it: 
I started off reading a chapter a day, to make it last, but halfway through I got so caught up in the story I had to stay up way past my bedtime to devour the book.
Teenage Jazz is Indian, specifically Sikh from Punjabi. Her parents have decided that they will be enlightened about matchmaking--they gave her photos of suitable boys from the proper Indian background. She can pick any of them to be her future husband.
But Jazz has the hots for Tyler, who is not on that list. So s More...
Teenage Jazz is Indian, specifically Sikh from Punjabi. Her parents have decided that they will be enlightened about matchmaking--they gave her photos of suitable boys from the proper Indian background. She can pick any of them to be her future husband.
But Jazz has the hots for Tyler, who is not on that list. So s More...
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Apr 07, 2011
Noelle
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3.5. The narration was such pitch perfect teenage girl (complete with enthusiastic punctuation and emotional outbursts) that you almost got the sense that Jazz was telling you her story off the top of her head. The effect was both authentic and endearing. Even though the plot was simple, it was told in an engagingly sweet way. More lighthearted than deep, but overall pretty charming.
Feb 19, 2012
Maggie
rated it:
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have a hard time with romance. Mostly because I'm much more the scrawny-gangly-shy-artsy-bangs-in-the-face-and/or-dreadlocks-emo-bohemian type than blond-surfer-boy, and the former doesn't show up so much. (Come to think of it, he doesn't show up much in real life, either. Hmmm...) So why is it that cross-cultural romance is so awesome? Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. Major win. While not strictly YA and also magical realism, Like Water for Cho
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Apr 06, 2011
Doret
rated it: 
17 yr old Jasbir (Jazz) is very good student and in her schools, Future Stars and Leaders program. When Jazz's mom learns through the Indian community grapevine that she was hugging a boy in public, Jazz's parents begin to play matchmaker. They want to find a parent approved boyfriend who will of course be Indian, preferably with Punjab roots.
This sounds more serious then it really is. Don't get me wrong I like serious but sometimes it nice to read something fun that's hard to put do More...
This sounds more serious then it really is. Don't get me wrong I like serious but sometimes it nice to read something fun that's hard to put do More...
Mar 03, 2011
Kai (Amaterasu Reads)
rated it:
Full review posted at Amaterasu Reads
This book is a thoroughly delightful mix of a unique culture, teenage angst, humor and romance. You want a real protagonist with real life problems? Jazz is here. It can't get anymore real than what Jazz went through in this book.
For once I am glad I am brought up the way my parents did. They're strict most of the time, but as I grow up, I learned that whatever they were doing is for my own good. Jazz learned that lesson the hard way. More...
This book is a thoroughly delightful mix of a unique culture, teenage angst, humor and romance. You want a real protagonist with real life problems? Jazz is here. It can't get anymore real than what Jazz went through in this book.
For once I am glad I am brought up the way my parents did. They're strict most of the time, but as I grow up, I learned that whatever they were doing is for my own good. Jazz learned that lesson the hard way. More...
Feb 26, 2011
Medeia
rated it:
Jasbir, aka Jazz, is a nice girl with good grades and strict parents. But then her parents hear that she hugged a boy, which is a no-no in their Indian and Sikh mindset. Her parents become matchmakers and search for a man to curb her lust.
Jazz meets the young man her parents found for her, but under the surface he really does not fit her parents' ideas of suitability. Then there's the new boy at school, Tyler, who she's weak in the knees for. Jazz also gets involved in Auntie Kin More...
Jazz meets the young man her parents found for her, but under the surface he really does not fit her parents' ideas of suitability. Then there's the new boy at school, Tyler, who she's weak in the knees for. Jazz also gets involved in Auntie Kin More...
Jan 31, 2011
Zen
rated it:
I liked this but also had a few issues with it. Notes I made in my Kindle as I was going along:
- Found it odd that Jazz responded to one of her marriage prospects being 5'3" and 140 lbs with a sarcastic "Lovely." What's wrong with that -- is he too short, or heavy, or what? Actually I guess the issue I kept running into was that Jazz was a typical teenager with a typical teenager tendency to be an asshole. And she's SO Americanised. There's one part where she goes on abo More...
- Found it odd that Jazz responded to one of her marriage prospects being 5'3" and 140 lbs with a sarcastic "Lovely." What's wrong with that -- is he too short, or heavy, or what? Actually I guess the issue I kept running into was that Jazz was a typical teenager with a typical teenager tendency to be an asshole. And she's SO Americanised. There's one part where she goes on abo More...
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Jan 01, 2011
Ari
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"I felt his arms tighten around me. I dropped my head back against his shoulder and stared up into the sky. This time I knew what he was talking about. The stars. they were like a thousand suns. And at night, that's what they felt like, little pricks prodding everyone to do what's deep down inside, and not worry about anyone or anything else. They were like a veil, letting the secret part of you be heard-the part you kept shut and quiet under the harsher light of the daytime sun" pgs 1
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Dec 10, 2010
Barbara
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Loved this view into a world the same as, yet very different from, the one I grew up in. Jazz's parents launch a Guided Dating Program for her once she is seen hugging an unknown boy. It happens to be her neighbor and friend from childhood, but she fears her parents are so old-word (India) and caste-bound that she can't tell them it was him and meant nothing.
Or did it?
She especially can't tell them about her relationship with Tyler, the new uberhunk in school, who calls h More...
Or did it?
She especially can't tell them about her relationship with Tyler, the new uberhunk in school, who calls h More...
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Feb 22, 2011
Tina
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Original post One More Page
I had a pretty quiet childhood. My parents weren't necessarily strict, but I wasn't allowed to do many things either without their permission. They really didn't have to worry, anyway, since I'm a pretty good kid. At least, I'd like to think I am, save for the occasional messy room and laziness with school work. I'd like to think I've outgrown that now, and I've found my own identity, but I know that I wouldn't be me without my somewhat quiet childhood and More...
I had a pretty quiet childhood. My parents weren't necessarily strict, but I wasn't allowed to do many things either without their permission. They really didn't have to worry, anyway, since I'm a pretty good kid. At least, I'd like to think I am, save for the occasional messy room and laziness with school work. I'd like to think I've outgrown that now, and I've found my own identity, but I know that I wouldn't be me without my somewhat quiet childhood and More...
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Mar 06, 2011
Megan
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A buoyant, good-hearted YA novel with, yes, some romance, but more growing up. And lots of characters of color! Not a one of them served as a token (insert ethnicity or race here) in this novel, which made it so refreshing, and while Jazz's conflict was built around specific cultural constraints, her testing of those boundaries was less rejection and more transformation (of herself, of her relationships), which was also refreshing to read.
The plot was straight-forward and Jazz's acti More...
The plot was straight-forward and Jazz's acti More...
Feb 28, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Jazz has a problem. Her parents. Sure they love her, and she knows that they are good parents, but ever since a neighbor reported seeing Jazz hugging a boy (a guy whom she has been friends with since kindergarten) they have gone out of their way to make things complicated for her. Now her mother wants her to participate in what she calls "Guided dating" where together they choose a proper Indian boy for Jazz to begin to date. Jazz wants to be able to choose her own boyfriend, startMore...
Feb 07, 2011
Inspired Kathy
rated it:
I enjoyed reading Jazz in Love. This well written book had me caring about the characters and wanting them to find resolution and happiness. A great mix of culture, humor, and romance made for an easy to read book.
The cultural pressures Jazz felt were portrayed very realistically. I'm fairly conservative and found myself able to relate to both Jazz and her parents. I understood Jazz's desire to follow her heart and fit in. I could also see her parent's logic behind their ultra st More...
The cultural pressures Jazz felt were portrayed very realistically. I'm fairly conservative and found myself able to relate to both Jazz and her parents. I understood Jazz's desire to follow her heart and fit in. I could also see her parent's logic behind their ultra st More...
Dec 27, 2010
Jill
rated it:
I was so happy to read this book. There aren’t many YA authors painting stories with the color brown, and this author has clearly increased in confidence and skill with this book.
Jazz, short for Jasbir, is seventeen, and despondent because her strict Punjabi Sikh parents want to start the process of fixing her up with a “suitable boy” as determined by family matchmakers. Jazz, however, is an all-American girl, and wants to date, and have boyfriends, and then fall madly in love, like More...
Jazz, short for Jasbir, is seventeen, and despondent because her strict Punjabi Sikh parents want to start the process of fixing her up with a “suitable boy” as determined by family matchmakers. Jazz, however, is an all-American girl, and wants to date, and have boyfriends, and then fall madly in love, like More...
Mar 08, 2011
bjneary
rated it:
Jazz is a normal teen with loving Indian parents who decide to put her on the "guided dating plan" after seeing her hug a lifelong friend. Jazz is a bright student, part of the genius club, obedient, and a smart aleck. Now that she is supposed to think about marriage at age 17, things get funny,desperate, and out of control. The guy her parents pair her with is from Canada and gay, but Jazz and Mit decide to have this work to both their advantage. Jazz falls for the "new" g
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Feb 13, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Jazz In Love was one of the first books I read this year, and honestly set the tone for me for the rest of my reads. It is a light, fun read that really opens your eyes into the Indian culture. Honestly, to dive into a culturally driven book that wasn't about an immigrant or about fighting blatant racism was really refreshing. It's not that I dislike books like that, not at all really. It's just nice to have a light and fun read about a girl who comes from another background. I fell in love with
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Feb 07, 2012
Neesha Meminger, in her second young adult novel, shares the tale of 17-year-old Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, who has spent her life living within the constraints of a strict Sikh household. So, when her parents learn that Jazz was spotted hugging a boy, life goes from bad to worse. She is forced to begin the search for a suitable husband.
Jazz has no choice but to go along with her parents’ wishes, that is, until she meets Gurmit. He, too, is placating his parents. Gurmit has yet to reveal More...
Jazz has no choice but to go along with her parents’ wishes, that is, until she meets Gurmit. He, too, is placating his parents. Gurmit has yet to reveal More...
Feb 22, 2011
JL (An Avid Reader's Musings)
rated it:
JAZZ IN LOVE is a great coming of age story about a teenage girl trying to break away from her parents' influence and be a strong, independent young woman.
My favorite character in JAZZ IN LOVE is the main character, Jazz. I know this sounds like a well, duh statement, but I have read many books where I could not connect with the main character(s). Such was not the case in this book. Jazz, who has been raised in a traditional Indian household, is a smart and funny seventeen year old More...
My favorite character in JAZZ IN LOVE is the main character, Jazz. I know this sounds like a well, duh statement, but I have read many books where I could not connect with the main character(s). Such was not the case in this book. Jazz, who has been raised in a traditional Indian household, is a smart and funny seventeen year old More...
Feb 24, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
WARNINGS: I really loved this book!
This book was just fantastic. Jazz has to face what many of us face (what our parents wish for us) but her situation is different. There is a cultural difference. You see, the family is from India but live in America. It was good to see a different view of parent pressures.
Jazz sure does know how to get into trouble. It was so easy to connect with her. We've all had that one boyfriend who our friends warn us about and we ignore them any More...
This book was just fantastic. Jazz has to face what many of us face (what our parents wish for us) but her situation is different. There is a cultural difference. You see, the family is from India but live in America. It was good to see a different view of parent pressures.
Jazz sure does know how to get into trouble. It was so easy to connect with her. We've all had that one boyfriend who our friends warn us about and we ignore them any More...
Mar 16, 2011
C.
rated it:
Caught between two cultures, Jazz does her best to live in both. I loved this story. The MC has spunk, intelligence and the genius for getting into trouble. You keep wanting her to be the American girl, but you understand how important her parents and her heritage are to her. Bravo, Meminger!
Feb 03, 2011
I loved SHINE, COCONUT MOON, so I was pleased to see a new book by Neesha Meminger. I'm always interested in stories that address what it means to live the second-generation, children-of-immigrants life. Jazz in Love does that with a premise sure to hook not only South Asian readers but any young reader with strict parents, especially those who go a little overboard with respect to controlling their child's social life.
Full review at Finding Wonderland: http://writingya.blogspot.com/2011/01/ja... More...
Full review at Finding Wonderland: http://writingya.blogspot.com/2011/01/ja... More...
Nov 20, 2011
Kelly
rated it: 
Cute but ultimately forgettable. I wish Jazz had been more developed and had hobbies outside boy chasing and romance.
May 27, 2011
Akilah
rated it:
Cute book. The beginning was better than the end, but Meminger does some interesting things here.
May 14, 2011
Hallie
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Really enjoyed this story a lot - I love stories of families who've moved to other countries, especially from the perspective of the kids, and Jazz's voice was great. Even when you could see likely bad consequences to some of the choices she made, they felt realistic, and you cared enough about her (and the other characters) to hope they could avoid the worst. And despite seeing things from Jazz's perspective rather than that of her parents, it was also easy to see how hard it is to hold on to
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