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The Astonishing Color of After
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February 2025 FBR - Main Buddy Read: The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
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I like it so far, the idea of her mom as a bird is very uplifting, but it's definitely a morose book. I hope the tone picks up over time...
Ah had a feeling from the back blurb on the morose. I plan to borrow but waiting a bit to finish some others
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I didn't hate it, but I'm going to wait and see what others might comment on before expressing more.
Started it tonight and concluding for the evening (book juggling) at 18% in.Initial non-spoiler thoughts:
Easy, fast reading
Beautiful writing
Annoying colors all over the place
Confusing and oddball story references, not sure where it's going
Beyond me cultural food I'm not familiar with
Mod
Just finished - some thoughts from review, rated three starsThe mom's depression was hard to witness with the highs and lows, and her friends were... unique. I especially was into the backstory in the states, but the dream imagery and a lot with the bird and Taiwan lost me at times. Still, a good book on exploring the complexities and scopes of grief. It reminds me of my friend's mother dying last year a bit. she texted me that week she had so many new birds suddenly all over outside her house and she felt it was something with her mom.
And also that bizarre sandwhich she and Axel eat --- Pears, Brie, and Peanut Butter??
Just started today. About 10% in. I think I will like this book.
I will say I just finished another mystery that ended up being a theme of suicide, and this one which focuses on suicide, and I'm also reading Thirteen Reasons Why. Three suicide books in the last week for me, need a break from them after Thirteen Reasons Why.At the end of this book (this isn't a spoiler), in author afterword she says they are trying to change the wording to no longer say "commited suicide" as it can feel like too much blame/crime, and now terminology has changed to died from suicide. I had never heard of this before but it's interesting and makes sense.
Mod
I think this is GREAT! I've never understood the criminality that is applied to suicide. It's heartless and just awful.
message 13:
by
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
(last edited Feb 16, 2025 08:22AM)
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rated it 3 stars
Ashley wrote: "I think this is GREAT! I've never understood the criminality that is applied to suicide. It's heartless and just awful."
I agree! I had never thought of the wording before on "committing" like a crime, which technically it is in some states, so I do agree changing the termiology makes sense for grieving family members makes sense, just not something I had actually thought of!
Speaking of, I had just commented a few days ago on a post on people being overmedicated on X, different topic, and a mother stated her son who was fine developed an addiction to certain meds as a high functioner to make it through college, ended up suicidal and baker acted, then committed suicide. Very sad, she shared a picture of her son, who was gorgeous and so young. I expressed condolescenes, she appreciated it with, "Thank you. Yeah. Its sometimes to very hard to believe it’s real. Esp since he didn’t have any problems before. Completely normal and happy.", and some ANNOYING person then responded, "He probably wasn't normal. You might've unknowingly dismissed the signs."
People are SOOO unhelpful :( She hasn't responded to that person's comment yet, hopefully she just ignores it.
https://x.com/x_audible/status/189060...
Mod
"
I agree! I had never thought of the wording before on "comm..."
Yikes! People are... icky.
I’m 50% done. It’s been a slow read for me, that work thing keeps getting in the way of my reading.While this book is based on an uncomfortable topic, I really like it so far. It follows a girl, Leigh, whose mother has died by suicide, and she is determined to find out why her mother committed suicide.
It is about finding family across the world, family despite a language barrier.
It emphasizes how important memories are, and how our memories remind us how to live and make us who we are.
Leigh uses color to describe her emotions and everything around her, she sees feelings in colors. I did not know what about synesthesia until I recently read a book for a challenge task requiring about this.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "And also that bizarre sandwhich she and Axel eat --- Pears, Brie, and Peanut Butter??"Pears and brie would be OK, but leave out the peanut butter!
Mod
Even pears and Brie wouldn't work for me on a sandwich. I only had a pizza with cooked pears, really did not approve at all 😔
Mod
Brie is delicious ...
What did I read--smh. I'll admit, I didn't get it. I was lost, struggling and in a daze through a lot of this book. There was just to much happening, on top of the magical realism and synesthesia. Despite the multiple issues, nothing was really ever resolved as the plot was almost non-existent.
The pacing was slow, so slow that I got bored. When I get to that point, I lose all concern and care for the characters, not that I ever really connected with any of them anyway. The chapters about Leigh and her boyfriend, well those contributed nothing and could've been eliminated--UGGHHH! The way Leigh's father acted, leaving her with the grandparents,well it was no wonder she was a rude,ungrateful, disrespectful snotty acting little brat. I've always been told, the
It took me several days to muddle through all these disjointed random thoughts and no matter how hard I tried to make something of it, I still came out empty handed! I read a lot of YA/MG and there's a lot better books out there tackling these same issues. I had hoped for a meaningful read about mental health and suicide but I got a sappy whiny teen romance instead. IF I had of known it was a romance, I would've left it alone. Man...I'm as bitter as a persimmon!
I'm still confused about the bird nonsense. Was that just an idea Leigh came up with? A coping mechanism? A hallucination? A dream? A way to communicate with her mother? A way to release her fear and anger to deal with death? After death, individuals seek closure, was this her means of closure? Reality, the bird didn't exist, but I know I was reminded of the bird every few pages and I still don't get it....YIKES!
Would I recommend this one? No, I rated it one star.
I agree the romance situation with the boyfriend stayed strange, confusing, obnoxious. I certainly didn't feel good emotions from him and his emails were nonsensical and then the reveal with the email was just a weird twist to me at the end.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "And also that bizarre sandwhich she and Axel eat --- Pears, Brie, and Peanut Butter??"I like all three ingredients but I don't think I want them put together on a sandwich.
One thing that caught my attention, was Leigh's mom didn't like ice cream. WHAT??? who doesn't like ice cream? I get maybe not liking certain flavors, but not liking ice cream period. UMMM not believable. That ended up being one activity she was able to do with just her dad. Haagen Daz was their ice cream of choice.
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What recommendations do you have for a book or books that do a better job at discussing these issues? I'm interested!
I loved this book. I'm not usually drawn to books centered around Asian culture but that wasn't the only focus here. Depression and mental health issues impact everyone around the person who is living with it; the public stigma about getting help for it has changed (I hope!)It was a long book, but definitely worth the read.
I found it interesting that with all of the color in Leigh's life & how she sees it, that see draws in charcoal only.
Two quotes that stuck with me:
▪️Believing is a type of magic. It can make something true.
▪️The purpose of memory is to remind us to live.
Mod
Ashley wrote: "Haha! Robin your review is so relatable.What recommendations do you have for a book or books that do a better job at discussing these issues? I'm interested!"
LOL Ashley! I kept thinking at some point something would draw me in, clear things up and change my mind--it just didn't. I just kept getting more and more confused. It's ok. I tried. Not every book is for every reader.
Not all of these deal with suicide but they do deal with mental health issues. I would recommend:
1. Speak--I rated it 5 stars and have read it multiple times
2. Go Ask Alice
3. Jay's Journal
4. Wintergirls--although this one isn't a favorite it's better than the one we read.
5. Twisted
6. If I Was Your Girl--mental health issues--one of my all time favorite books--I just re-read it.
7. Darius the Great Is Not Okay
8. Bruiser--this one deals with emotional pain which often leads up to mental health issues/suicide etc
9. The List of Things That Will Not Change
10. The Sea in Winter
11. Fighting Words
12. Counting by 7s
13. Lily and Dunkin
Bernadette wrote: "I loved this book. I'm not usually drawn to books centered around Asian culture but that wasn't the only focus here. Depression and mental health issues impact everyone around the person who is liv..."I think the magical realism and the romance was a big distraction for me in this book. A lot of what was going and trying to keep up with it all was just confusing! At least I read it and I tried--I just couldn't LOL
Mod
What recommendations do you have for a book or books that do a better job at discussing these issues? I'm interested!"
LOL Ashley! I kept t..."
I just picked up Speak from BookOutlet (waiting on my delivery!)
Mod
I think this so true!
message 30:
by
ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist
(last edited Feb 28, 2025 06:25AM)
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added it
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What recommendations do you have for a book or books that do a better job at discussing these issues? I'm interested!"
LOL Ashley! I kept t..."
I'm sorry, but I just need to bring up the fact that Jay's Journal is essentially Satanic Panic more than a book about a depressed teen, and is not fully based on the real "Jay" or his real diaries (Alden Niel Barrett, died 1971). The author wrote with an agenda and she only used a small portion of his actual diaries, and in the process destroyed "Jay"'s family in their community. This was written by the brother of the teen who Jay was allegedly based on:
, seems hard to find.I'm pretty sure there is some controversy over her version of Go Ask Alice, as well. I personally would not recommend anything by that author, as she has no credibility.
There is controversy on Go Ask Alice, I re-read that - as a teenager I really liked it.Haven't heard of the Jay's journal thing
Speak is very good!
Mod
The consensus seems to be that Beatrice Sparks' broader body of works are more about pushing sensationalist, agenda-driven narratives than providing authentic insights into teenage struggles.
I'm assuming this would also have the potential to cause harm to the families of the individuals whose stories were exploited in the process.
Mod
The consensus seems to be that Beatrice Sparks' broader body of works are more about pushin..."
Yes, exactly all of that, Ashley! Great way to summarize it/her/the controversies.
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Books mentioned in this topic
A Place in the Sun: The Truth Behind Jay's Journal (other topics)Speak (other topics)
Go Ask Alice (other topics)
Jay's Journal (other topics)
Wintergirls (other topics)
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Welcome to the February "Main" Buddy Read!
starts 1-Feb-2025, ends 28-Feb-2025
As we continue our journey through 2025, we are excited to announce our February Formal Buddy Read, inspired by the vibrant celebration of Lunar New Year! This month, we will explore themes of cultural identity and self-discovery set against the beautiful backdrop of Taiwan.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
When using this Buddy Read to get Bonus Points for a Challenge, please check with the mod running the Challenge for any posting requirements not listed below!
🚀 2025 (Impossible) Solar System Challenge: While there's no specific post count requirement, your participation should go beyond simple statements like "I liked the book." Quality of contribution matters more than quantity, so focus on crafting well-considered responses that add value to the discussion.