Scan barcode
ambershelf's reviews
1295 reviews
A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang
5.0
After decades of poverty, Tang Yitian finally made it as a mathematics assistant professor in the States. One day, he receives a phone call from his mother in China about his dad's disappearance from the rural village Yitian grew up in. He promises to go home and help with the search despite being estranged from his family for 15 years. He enlists his childhood friend Tian Hanwen to navigate the city that now seems alien to him. Together, Yitian and Hanwen confront their past — aftermaths of the Cultural Revolution, their old lives in a farming village, and the pursuit of knowledge. The old friends must now make difficult decisions to either make peace with their past actions or risk losing everything to start anew.
Set in the backdrops of the post-Cultural Revolution China, A Map for the Missing is an ambitious debut that investigates the impacts of the ever-changing policies after Mao's death, what it means for the city dwellers and rural farmers, and the long-lasting effects on broken families. The juxtaposition between Yitian, born in a farming family who wishes nothing but to pursue knowledge, and Hanwen, a girl sent down from Shanghai who studies to meet her mother's expectations, is brilliantly written. Family tragedy, loss, grief, and forgiveness are also interwoven into the story with beautiful prose; I resonate with so many different themes in the book. A Map for the Missing is a superb examination of the sacrifices we make to pursue our dreams and a moving encouragement to make peace with those decisions.
Set in the backdrops of the post-Cultural Revolution China, A Map for the Missing is an ambitious debut that investigates the impacts of the ever-changing policies after Mao's death, what it means for the city dwellers and rural farmers, and the long-lasting effects on broken families. The juxtaposition between Yitian, born in a farming family who wishes nothing but to pursue knowledge, and Hanwen, a girl sent down from Shanghai who studies to meet her mother's expectations, is brilliantly written. Family tragedy, loss, grief, and forgiveness are also interwoven into the story with beautiful prose; I resonate with so many different themes in the book. A Map for the Missing is a superb examination of the sacrifices we make to pursue our dreams and a moving encouragement to make peace with those decisions.
Keya Das's Second Act by Sopan Deb
4.0
Ever since Keya Das's tragic accident five years ago, the Das family has never been the same. Shantanu is divorced from his wife, estranged from his eldest daughter, and isolated from his Bengali community. When he discovers a box in the attic with glimpses of Keya's high school life, the Dases must come together as a family again to remember Keya, even though each has different opinions of the best way to do so.
Keya Das's Second Act is a bittersweet story of how a grief-stricken family forgive each other and themselves with the help of loved ones and their community. I love how Sopan Deb depicts the drastically different ways people grieve; some turn to alcohol, indifference, and some scrambles to infuse meaning into their own lives. The ending is a little abrupt for me, but that might be the result of listening to the audiobook at 2x speed (oops!). Regardless, Keya Das's Second Act is a moving account of redemption with vibrant descriptions of Bengali culture.
Keya Das's Second Act is a bittersweet story of how a grief-stricken family forgive each other and themselves with the help of loved ones and their community. I love how Sopan Deb depicts the drastically different ways people grieve; some turn to alcohol, indifference, and some scrambles to infuse meaning into their own lives. The ending is a little abrupt for me, but that might be the result of listening to the audiobook at 2x speed (oops!). Regardless, Keya Das's Second Act is a moving account of redemption with vibrant descriptions of Bengali culture.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.0
When an up-and-coming tennis star Nicki Chan threatens to break her records at the 1994 US Open, 37-year-old Carrie Soto decides to come out of her retirement to defend her title — that means she has to win at least one Grand Slam after retiring for six years. Even though her body doesn't move as fast as it did, and no one is optimistic about her odds, Carrie teams up with her father, Javier, as her coach once again and trains for the hardest she has in her life. The once undefeated Carrie must now reinvent herself and face her biggest fear, losing.
I love this book. So much so that I finished it the day after I got the copy. Carrie is a complex character to like; she knows she's the best and makes no secret of it. Hence, she's considered an entitled b*tch and everyone hates her. Carrie's experience accurately reflects how society wants women to be the best but also graceful and humble and pretends to be surprised by their success.
I also resonate with Carrie's development from chasing numbers to pursuing something more meaningful. It reminds me of going from undergrad to grad school and adulting. When there are no more scores to track, some turn to other quantifiable amounts like a salary but are stuck in jobs they hate or quickly burn out. In comparison, it's so much harder to pursue something fun and meaningful and enjoy it without getting caught up in the rat race.
The relationship and camaraderie between Carrie and her father are also incredibly heartwarming. Javier is such a supportive and wise dad; I lowkey wish I could have that type of relationship with my own dad (but maybe not the swearing because my Confucious-educated brain will totally explode). I thought the ending was a bit rushed and could use another 30-50 pages to flush out Carrie's character development a bit more. Because of this, Evelyn Hugo remains my favorite TJR book, followed by Malibu Rising (I haven't read Daisy Jones yet).
On to the controversy, Carrie Soto is of Argentinian descent, and there is a lot of Spanish in the book, which makes TJR, a white woman, writing Latinx characters pretty problematic. It's also not the first time TJR has written a Latinx protagonist (see: Evelyn Hugo); it's hard to believe no one in her circle has voiced any concerns yet. I debated for a long time but ultimately got the book because I adore her writing.
There's certainly no consensus on if a white author can/can't write POC as their main character. But in Carrie Soto's case, her heritage doesn't add that much to the story, and she totally could've been a white woman. I was perplexed why TJR made this choice when there aren't any references to Latinx/South American/Argentinian culture except for the Spanish conversations. I still enjoy the book tremendously even though I've never played or watched tennis. But I definitely wish TJR had put more thought into writing the characters.
I love this book. So much so that I finished it the day after I got the copy. Carrie is a complex character to like; she knows she's the best and makes no secret of it. Hence, she's considered an entitled b*tch and everyone hates her. Carrie's experience accurately reflects how society wants women to be the best but also graceful and humble and pretends to be surprised by their success.
I also resonate with Carrie's development from chasing numbers to pursuing something more meaningful. It reminds me of going from undergrad to grad school and adulting. When there are no more scores to track, some turn to other quantifiable amounts like a salary but are stuck in jobs they hate or quickly burn out. In comparison, it's so much harder to pursue something fun and meaningful and enjoy it without getting caught up in the rat race.
The relationship and camaraderie between Carrie and her father are also incredibly heartwarming. Javier is such a supportive and wise dad; I lowkey wish I could have that type of relationship with my own dad (but maybe not the swearing because my Confucious-educated brain will totally explode). I thought the ending was a bit rushed and could use another 30-50 pages to flush out Carrie's character development a bit more. Because of this, Evelyn Hugo remains my favorite TJR book, followed by Malibu Rising (I haven't read Daisy Jones yet).
On to the controversy, Carrie Soto is of Argentinian descent, and there is a lot of Spanish in the book, which makes TJR, a white woman, writing Latinx characters pretty problematic. It's also not the first time TJR has written a Latinx protagonist (see: Evelyn Hugo); it's hard to believe no one in her circle has voiced any concerns yet. I debated for a long time but ultimately got the book because I adore her writing.
There's certainly no consensus on if a white author can/can't write POC as their main character. But in Carrie Soto's case, her heritage doesn't add that much to the story, and she totally could've been a white woman. I was perplexed why TJR made this choice when there aren't any references to Latinx/South American/Argentinian culture except for the Spanish conversations. I still enjoy the book tremendously even though I've never played or watched tennis. But I definitely wish TJR had put more thought into writing the characters.
Magpie by Elizabeth Day
4.0
After months of trying, Marisa is finally pregnant with her boyfriend's baby. Kate, their new lodger who will give them some extra income, seems to be the perfect roommate initially. But slowly, Marisa notices Kate's lack of personal boundaries and flirtatious attitude with Jake. A psychological thriller with an unexpected twist. The twist happens at ~50% of the book and gets a bit bland & predictable afterward.
How to Read Now by Elaine Castillo
5.0
In this phenomenal collection of essays, Elaine Castillo explores the politics of reading. By discussing if literature can truly build empathy, the validity of nonpolitical art, the burden BIPOC authors are forced to carry to cater to white readers, and the colonial gaze that continues to permeate modern publishing, How to Read Now encourages readers to examine the media we consume. With brilliant, sarcastic, and sometimes even profane writing, Castillo poignantly lays out examples of how we can read with intention by examining the historical complexities behind the art.
I should start by saying that Castillo is not afraid to name names. From Peter Handke to Joan Didion, she thoroughly analyzes their work to dissect the problematic language (and I'm using a way nicer word here compared to what was in the book) behind their work. I especially appreciate how Castillo still encourages us to read broadly and, instead of cancelling authors, read deeply to scrutinize the concepts behind their work. Never have I taken so many pictures of texts & paragraphs that I now have an album called How to Read Now on my phone. This should tell you how much this book has inspired me to read more deeply, intently, and with more intention.
On a lighter note, Castillo references horoscopes frequently throughout her essays, and the book even starts with "Author's note, or a Virgo Clarifies Things". How awesome is that? How to Read Now is definitely a book I'd recommend to any reader (even if you're a huge Joan Didion fan; just be prepared to get your heart ripped out
I should start by saying that Castillo is not afraid to name names. From Peter Handke to Joan Didion, she thoroughly analyzes their work to dissect the problematic language (and I'm using a way nicer word here compared to what was in the book) behind their work. I especially appreciate how Castillo still encourages us to read broadly and, instead of cancelling authors, read deeply to scrutinize the concepts behind their work. Never have I taken so many pictures of texts & paragraphs that I now have an album called How to Read Now on my phone. This should tell you how much this book has inspired me to read more deeply, intently, and with more intention.
On a lighter note, Castillo references horoscopes frequently throughout her essays, and the book even starts with "Author's note, or a Virgo Clarifies Things". How awesome is that? How to Read Now is definitely a book I'd recommend to any reader (even if you're a huge Joan Didion fan; just be prepared to get your heart ripped out
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
5.0
GWO depicts the lives of 12 mostly Black British women and their struggles to find career success, community, family, and love through the years. Connecting a diverse group of women across different ages and sexualities, Evaristo demonstrates the importance of sisterhood with an experimental yet captivating voice.
I particularly adore the deep reflections on feminism in the age of non-binary genders and the challenges that come with it. Similarly, Evaristo's exploration of the context of privilege, not only in terms of race but class and education, is another fascinating theme. The mother and daughter chapters — Amma & Yazz and Bummi & Carole — stayed with me the most, especially seeing how the younger generations benefited so much from the battles their moms fought.
GWO is a thought-provoking and profoundly moving novel that will resonate with readers looking for a community in a world that isn't always friendly. It is also an essential read for those interested in feminism, race, and identity.
I particularly adore the deep reflections on feminism in the age of non-binary genders and the challenges that come with it. Similarly, Evaristo's exploration of the context of privilege, not only in terms of race but class and education, is another fascinating theme. The mother and daughter chapters — Amma & Yazz and Bummi & Carole — stayed with me the most, especially seeing how the younger generations benefited so much from the battles their moms fought.
GWO is a thought-provoking and profoundly moving novel that will resonate with readers looking for a community in a world that isn't always friendly. It is also an essential read for those interested in feminism, race, and identity.
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith
4.0
Two young women go missing in the forest near an abandoned rubber plantation; the first girl vanished in 1986, and the second in 2011. While the incidents occurred decades apart, the women, their bodies, and the land are all intricately connected. With expansive world-building and lustrous writing, Kupersmith weaves an epic tale that is part thriller mystery, revenge fantasy, and ghost story.
YOUR HOUSE is a book that is impossible to summarize without giving too much away because of the large cast of characters. Nonetheless, Kupersmith does a terrific job of giving each character a unique voice and backstory and brilliantly connects their stories that span 50 years of Vietnamese history.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator performed beautifully to keep the story engaging, especially with all the characters. But because YOUR HOUSE starts with two parallel storylines of the two disappearances and jumps around in time, it can be a bit confusing to follow on audiobook. And perhaps that's why I didn't quite get the ending
YOUR HOUSE is a book that is impossible to summarize without giving too much away because of the large cast of characters. Nonetheless, Kupersmith does a terrific job of giving each character a unique voice and backstory and brilliantly connects their stories that span 50 years of Vietnamese history.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator performed beautifully to keep the story engaging, especially with all the characters. But because YOUR HOUSE starts with two parallel storylines of the two disappearances and jumps around in time, it can be a bit confusing to follow on audiobook. And perhaps that's why I didn't quite get the ending
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
3.0
RABBIT HUTCH follows a group of tenants living in a run-down apartment building on the edge of Vacca Vale, a dying city in Indiana after the exodus of blue-collar jobs. With lyrical prose, Gunty depicts four teenagers, three boys and a girl, who recently aged out of the foster-care system. Like anyone remaining in a town on the brink of economic collapse, the girl Blandine is desperate for an escape. Set across one week, RABBIT HUTCH illustrates the loneliness and tenacity of humanity in search of a community.
RABBIT HUTCH is the winner of the 2022 National Book Award. While extremely well-written with experimental forms, the loose plots made it hard for me to get invested in the story and the characters. The backstories are at times difficult to keep track of and don't always seem relevant to the story.
The main character, Blandine, is written as an intelligent and ethereal 17-year-old with a photographic memory who quotes Marxism and analyzes everything through the lens of capitalism. It felt like Gunty was trying too hard to make Blandine appear a genius rather than allowing the character to naturally show her intelligence. For a character-driven book, I prefer to have a couple of characters I can root for, but in the case of RABBIT HUTCH, I unfortunately felt detached from the story.
Overall, I think RABBIT HUTCH is a book that may be better appreciated if read slowly and with a physical copy to flip back and forth. I have a lot more thoughts that might contain spoilers, so please DM me if you want to discuss what this book means
RABBIT HUTCH is the winner of the 2022 National Book Award. While extremely well-written with experimental forms, the loose plots made it hard for me to get invested in the story and the characters. The backstories are at times difficult to keep track of and don't always seem relevant to the story.
The main character, Blandine, is written as an intelligent and ethereal 17-year-old with a photographic memory who quotes Marxism and analyzes everything through the lens of capitalism. It felt like Gunty was trying too hard to make Blandine appear a genius rather than allowing the character to naturally show her intelligence. For a character-driven book, I prefer to have a couple of characters I can root for, but in the case of RABBIT HUTCH, I unfortunately felt detached from the story.
Overall, I think RABBIT HUTCH is a book that may be better appreciated if read slowly and with a physical copy to flip back and forth. I have a lot more thoughts that might contain spoilers, so please DM me if you want to discuss what this book means
Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsu
4.0
STAY TRUE is a memoir primarily focused on Hsu's college years in Berkley and his unlikely friendship with Ken. As an immigrant from Taiwan, Hua defines himself with non-mainstream music taste and thrift store fashion. Conversely, Ken is a fourth-generation Japanese American in a frat and loves Abercrombie & Fitch (obligatory