Took me a while to finish because poetry f*cks me up lmao but this was such a good book! Very visceral and I loved his writing language. This isTook me a while to finish because poetry f*cks me up lmao but this was such a good book! Very visceral and I loved his writing language. This is definitely a read-again type of book—there’s a lot to unpack and catch the second time. I feel like his book has passages that will come out and grab your attention during a third and fourth re-read because you’ll be in a different state of mind each time you open it, and your eyes will catch something you needed to see, if you read it at the right moment. ...more
When I picked this book to listen to on Audible, I had no idea it was a memoir or that the author would have a special connection with me by beingWhen I picked this book to listen to on Audible, I had no idea it was a memoir or that the author would have a special connection with me by being related to others who’ve lived and grew up in Hawaiʻi, which I’m always pleasantly surprised to find! Also that it’s a gay book!! Ugh, loves it.
I initially picked this book because I, too, am a father-less girl and I took off one star because I thought she’d actually not have a father lmfao!!! Girl I was tryna read about when you no mo fada PERIOD lmao but das okay!!
I enjoyed the audiobook a lot! I think her voice is v soft and cute and the writing was beautiful. Her words really took me through her life and knowing certain scenes were most likely real was v painful to hear, but I’m glad she had a chance to write about the whirlwind of a childhood and adolescence she experienced.
Because I listened to this over a few months and in spirts during work, the timeline was harder to follow in the middle, only cuz I’m such a visual person sometimes and I’m very detailed, so when she starts switching years/ages/places back and forth, I wanna know the timeline EXACTLY as if I’m doing a research paper on her life for biography class lmfaoo. But that’s on ME.
We stan gay princesses falling in love through misadventures and glorious party gowns !!! I am soooo not a horse girl and y’all can really tell theWe stan gay princesses falling in love through misadventures and glorious party gowns !!! I am soooo not a horse girl and y’all can really tell the writer was a horse gal but she did her thing and I’m not mad! I would allow myself the pleasure to read the next book if I ever came across it 😌 but it’s not something I’m dying to get a hold of. It was a little too “basic” for my taste - I wish I could get into their emotions on a higher level, I wish the characters had more depth in their relationships. Sure, it was interesting enough. But we do stan these gay princesses !!...more
The pacing !!!!! I actually finished a book for once in my goddamn 2019 life!! She lives !!!!!!!!
The wit is the charm in this book. The characters areThe pacing !!!!! I actually finished a book for once in my goddamn 2019 life!! She lives !!!!!!!!
The wit is the charm in this book. The characters are believably insufferable - ugh the accuracy!! - and I loved going through Korede’s journey while reading with her slick eye for detail and tone. ...more
Very important book for the times we’re living in now. So glad we can grasp this concept and make it relatable for readers around the world who don’tVery important book for the times we’re living in now. So glad we can grasp this concept and make it relatable for readers around the world who don’t keep up with news or have a hard time accepting it! Also I loved the powerful feminist brave-hearted conversation in chapter 7 between the female protragonist and a boy who thought he could explain to her what she already knows about herself. The bad bitch mobile just pulled up and said “GIRL YAS get in the car we got shit to do” and I’m here for it!!! Can’t wait for the next installment ...more
**spoiler alert** Lemme start by saying that I do not watch trailers or read descriptions of popular things floating in my sphere and instead just**spoiler alert** Lemme start by saying that I do not watch trailers or read descriptions of popular things floating in my sphere and instead just dive right in headfirst without knowing how to swim.
Please also keep in mind that I have not read the first book in five years and don’t even think I finished the last few chapters because I was a slow and unenthusiastic reader in college and we were scheduled to watch the movie in class before I could finish so ...more
This book was so beautifully gay and unapologetically so!!! I often wondered how I would have been if I’d discovered my sexual identity at aSo gay!!
This book was so beautifully gay and unapologetically so!!! I often wondered how I would have been if I’d discovered my sexual identity at a young age and with this book, I’m able to imagine it.
The characters were so unique and special and felt so important to me as the character explored her relationship with them!!! Amazing :’)...more
Firstly, I am thoroughly pleased to find it is quite different from the Netflix adaptation—so it was like I was reading aThis was a ride bruh.
Firstly, I am thoroughly pleased to find it is quite different from the Netflix adaptation—so it was like I was reading a completely different book with surprises still in store.
Secondly, I forgot how much I struggle reading “older” books because of syntax and the crazy way they dive into a story as if the reader has already been reading for days before opening the first chapter, but it worked with this genre of reading.
I have to say I did get spooked while reading this multiple nights, and I’m not one to get scared easily—I enjoy horror movies and dark concepts—but reading this past midnight when all the world is sound asleep outside of your bedroom and you hear a *noise* in the hallway? Sure, it’s most likely the house’s temperature rising and falling that makes those noises OR it could be that the house is filled with fucking ghosts and someone or something is trying to get your attention???? You decide.
There were some moments that really confused me, like when the HELL did these characters suddenly despise each other and how did they come up with this heated argument when they were just laughing minutes ago!? But I guess reading it from Nell’s perspective gives you a sense of just how lost she is in the House’s games, playing with her psyche and forcing her to become an untrustworthy narrator. I’m just as scatterbrained as the main character as I read her train of thoughts and Realize Things™️, but it did take me a minute to figure out that I didn’t skip a chapter all of a sudden.
I first got this book recommendation about 5 years ago and ever since, I’ve had it on my radar. I wanted to read this to learn more about myself andI first got this book recommendation about 5 years ago and ever since, I’ve had it on my radar. I wanted to read this to learn more about myself and the world we live in and some clues to how I can do things differently with this knowledge, but as a WRITER myself !!!! it has unintentionally expanded my understanding of my characters and what motivates them and what triggers them in their environment and honestly? I’m here for it!!! This book explains so many things behind why my characters are the way they are and why I’ve written them that way—because I learned so much about who I am and what influences my own behavior!! God the madness!! The power !!! I’m in love with this book and all it has to offer. ...more
the heck? lol interesting concepts but not enough depth and a limited, straight & cis view (with very little explanation for gay men who may bethe heck? lol interesting concepts but not enough depth and a limited, straight & cis view (with very little explanation for gay men who may be reading this). it is old af tho so having no mention of trans men is understandable, but not forgiven. started it on the plane because i left my earphones in my luggage but wanted to finish it bc i’m a virgo. wasn’t really worth it - i should’ve just went to sleep on the plane ...more
I started this book early 2017 and got sidetracked by work, life, responsibility, and laziness. Even when I picked up my readingI did it!!!!!!!
I started this book early 2017 and got sidetracked by work, life, responsibility, and laziness. Even when I picked up my reading habits back in late August this year, this book was left forgotten until now.
I had to take a lot of breaks reading this. It felt like I was reading a semester’s worth of the subject of love and my mind wasn’t in that state to receive all this information like it would be were I still a college student. It was a great book and I definitely recommend and encourage everyone to read it!! But it was just hard for me to get through—I will definitely revisit because it has great messages in every chapter, and I have a lot of highlights I can go back to. But for now, I will give it rest until I am ready to intake all the information again, maybe when my life is in greater need to hear it than it is now....more
I have been reading this for months probably; here’s my take:
This book has the most highlights out of any other kindle book I haveOkay hear me out—
I have been reading this for months probably; here’s my take:
This book has the most highlights out of any other kindle book I have because IMMIGRANT LIFE !! I RELATE BABY !! But it gets 3 stars from me because it was hard for me to go through. Following the story was sporadic at times and the way the author writes is not my favorite. But she did have great lines here and there and captivated me with lots of ideas — SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN IN THIS BOOK MY GOD ! But mostly, praise that I didn’t give up and finally finished it 😭...more
I swear to god I must have bought an unedited, raw, draft copy of this book when I bought it through Kindle.minus the horrible copy editing it was LIT🔥
I swear to god I must have bought an unedited, raw, draft copy of this book when I bought it through Kindle. Tf???
Anyway, beautiful message. I love Juliet. I love how she’s unassuming and learning just like me, but in the 90s. Would read again and again when I need to find clarity within myself. I just hope Kindle was the only version that had these editing mistakes??? Honestly... lmao I’ll never let that go, I just can’t :-/...more
I’m in awe at how tender someone can sound when they are pouring their tragedies out into the open like a fresh wound, both audioMy review on Audible:
I’m in awe at how tender someone can sound when they are pouring their tragedies out into the open like a fresh wound, both audio wise and within the writing. This book was so beautifully constructed, and it expresses south east asian immigrant parents so well that I relate to it immensely!! Catch me shedding a tear at work :’)...more
It took me forever to read this book because I acquired it in 2017 when I had this grand idea to get back intoThoughtful and interesting
Okay, so.
It took me forever to read this book because I acquired it in 2017 when I had this grand idea to get back into reading and began reading multiple books at once. This one was hard to understand among all the other words from several books I was trying to read at the time, silly me.
But I finally found the motivation to continue and get through this one. A slow and confusing burn at first, it turned out to be SUCH a fascinating story that I can’t believe I didn’t put my focus on it right away to realize how well-put the ideas were. I guess, like most of the books I neglect to finish in a timely manner, it wasn’t my “time” to experience them in that moment. I love the passages about time and being and the Now in this book so much. I love the interweaving of life and death, the complicated thoughts of someone else’s suicide and thoughts of your own, and how completely wrong you can be about anything—if you would just open up a piece of yourself to someone you trust, your whole perception of them and their actions could change immeasurably, and vice versa.
I found myself rooting for Nao’s existence, even if I understood her reasons for wanting to end it. And I love how the ending didn’t completely explain what happened to her and her father, how we could only assume they went through with the actions as written in their letters. This book is so passionate about human lives and the idea of loving someone in your own way.
Thanks for the long but thoughtful ride :~)...more
Very delicate way to display the understanding of love, romance, and commitment through a cis male’s eyes and dialogue... Most of the short storiesVery delicate way to display the understanding of love, romance, and commitment through a cis male’s eyes and dialogue... Most of the short stories displayed women as cheating concubines and the men all inadequate and unable to articulate their emotions or understand at a basic level how to react to it. One thing is for sure—if men aren’t thinking about their partners cheating, they’re thinking about how their dicks react to the fluttering in their hearts and other niche emotions they can’t describe. Not sure how I feel about the overall themes in these short stories, but I did like the way most of the characters were written. Short stories are hard for me because I get such little time to spend with the main characters and divulge in their world, but Murakami did well in making me believe I was on their side from the get-go. Interesting read, and maybe I’ll reread a story or two here and there that I particularly liked. ...more
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