This was a FANTASTIC YA Asian fantasy debut with lots of Mulan and Steampunk vibes and I loved the female lead who dresses as her dead father's son inThis was a FANTASTIC YA Asian fantasy debut with lots of Mulan and Steampunk vibes and I loved the female lead who dresses as her dead father's son in order to infiltrate the elite engineering guild he belonged to in order to learn more about who murdered him and get revenge.
Of course she ends up falling for a prince who's also in the guild and things get complicated from there. Full of women in STEM content, action, flying ships, dragons, mystery, betrayals, court politics and romance and HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Elizabeth Lim or Sue Lynn Tan....more
An incredible YA must read about two Muslim girls fighting for abortion access and rights in a near future Texas in which Roe v Wade is still overturnAn incredible YA must read about two Muslim girls fighting for abortion access and rights in a near future Texas in which Roe v Wade is still overturned! Great on audio and such an important read. I absolutely devoured this important book about women's rights, access and body autonomy told from the perspective of the Muslim American community! I cannot recommend this book enough!...more
This was an unexpected delight of a debut featuring a Korean born 'drop-box baby' who gets adopted by a Korean American immigrant couple and grows up This was an unexpected delight of a debut featuring a Korean born 'drop-box baby' who gets adopted by a Korean American immigrant couple and grows up to be a sea slug scientist. Obsessed with tracking down her birth parents and concerned for her journalist friend who gets caught up in an undercover smuggling scheme, this story was singularly moving and told in such poetic prose. Great on audio too with a GORGEOUS cover! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Janie Kim is definitely a writer to watch!...more
This was such a FANTASTIC, sweeping historical fiction novel that traces the friendship between two women from Tehran over the course of decades as thThis was such a FANTASTIC, sweeping historical fiction novel that traces the friendship between two women from Tehran over the course of decades as they grow up and their lives converge and diverge in heartbreaking ways. Great on audio and HIGHLY recommended. I was a huge fan of Marjan Kamali's debut, The stationery shop and I think I loved this one even more!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
This queer YA college romance sounded great - a first year student creates an algorithm to match students with their perfect romantic mate but things This queer YA college romance sounded great - a first year student creates an algorithm to match students with their perfect romantic mate but things go sideways (like they always do). I liked the exploration of identity and sexuality and that there was a STEM focus but didn't love how robotic the main character came across as or the narrator (I listened to the voice galley and the final narration by Catherine Ho) and thought the story was longer than it needed to be too. That said, the book also deals well with heavy topics like the death of a parent and loved one suddenly due to illness. Recommended for fans of books like My mechanical heart and The calculation of you and me. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early ALC in exchange for my honest feedback....more
This was an entertaining book about food history told from a Filipino American perspective. While I was hoping for a bit more personal insights/storieThis was an entertaining book about food history told from a Filipino American perspective. While I was hoping for a bit more personal insights/stories, the book was still full of interesting facts about different types of food and where they came from. Recommended for fans of authors like Ruth Reichl and good on audio....more
The fifth instalment in the Singing Hills queer fantasy novellas was excellent as ever narrated by Cindy Kay. Unfortunately I struggled to get investeThe fifth instalment in the Singing Hills queer fantasy novellas was excellent as ever narrated by Cindy Kay. Unfortunately I struggled to get invested in this story as much as I have the other ones and ended up mostly listening half-heartedly. Perhaps a better one to read in print or when I have more attention to focus. Very much a me thing....more
An epic YA historical fiction fantasy book that sees one sister trying to save the other while also getting caught up in a scheme for a political coupAn epic YA historical fiction fantasy book that sees one sister trying to save the other while also getting caught up in a scheme for a political coup. This book had a little romance, lots of adventure and great Asian characters and history. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Elizabeth Lim or Xiran Jay Zhao. This was my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more....more
A deeply personal queer YA coming of age story about Valerie, a young Asian American girl growing up in a cultish, ultra-conservative Christian homescA deeply personal queer YA coming of age story about Valerie, a young Asian American girl growing up in a cultish, ultra-conservative Christian homeschooling environment and her awakening to new possibilities in both life and love when she falls for the more worldly Riley.
In her fiction debut, best-selling audiobook narrator, Natalie Naudus has crafted a touching, memorable and tender Sapphic love story that touches on Anti-Asian racism, homophobia and more as she writes from her own personal experience growing up in this world.
AMAZING on audio narrated by the author herself, this book was a joy to read and highly recommended for fans of authors like Jennifer Dugan and Malinda Lo. I can't wait to see what Natalie Naudus writes next and will continue to enjoy anything she narrates!...more
A great #ownvoices YA friends to lovers story about two Muslim teens of color. I loved learning more about Eid, the dual POV of the sto3.5 rounded up
A great #ownvoices YA friends to lovers story about two Muslim teens of color. I loved learning more about Eid, the dual POV of the story, and the way the male main character is so supported when he decides to pursue his art rather then go into Med school. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like S. K. Ali. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
ANOTHER outstanding 2024 debut by a talented new Canadian author!! I was hooked by the premise for this book that sees Persian Canadian, Jolene screwiANOTHER outstanding 2024 debut by a talented new Canadian author!! I was hooked by the premise for this book that sees Persian Canadian, Jolene screwing up at working and getting assigned extra HR training only to find herself accidentally given access to all of her co-workers emails.
Funny, heartfelt and with a touch of a forbidden office romance that had me swooning and crying, this had a relatable female main character, mental health rep, a complicated family relationship, fake dating and a great cast of side characters.
Perfect for fans of The Office or The other Black girl and excellent on audio narrated by Nasim Pedrad. I can't wait to read more from Natalie Sue! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
An incredibly moving and captivating debut about Chinese American immigrants trying to make a life in New York and the community of gay men who frequeAn incredibly moving and captivating debut about Chinese American immigrants trying to make a life in New York and the community of gay men who frequent a cinema to find queer love outside of their marriages. Great on audio and a fantastic read. I look forward to more from this author and am OBSESSED with the book's cover! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!...more
This debut was getting a lot of buzz but it just didn't do a whole lot for me. Not terrible but just not attention grabbing. The story alternates betwThis debut was getting a lot of buzz but it just didn't do a whole lot for me. Not terrible but just not attention grabbing. The story alternates between POVs and time and I didn't love the audio narrator. It might have been a better print read. Just not for me and I probably should have cut my losses and DNF but I stuck it out. Parts were interesting but on the whole it won't be a memorable one....more
A lyrical and moving debut novel that I really enjoyed on audio. This story follows a young plain Chinese woman who is resigned to living a quiet, uneA lyrical and moving debut novel that I really enjoyed on audio. This story follows a young plain Chinese woman who is resigned to living a quiet, uneventful life as a wife and mother working as a funeral cryer - someone who sings at funerals. I found the character really interesting and her "profession" one I hadn't heard about before. The story was a bit slow moving though and not a whole lot happens until she's older and finally takes her life into her own hands carving out some independence and finding love outside her marriage. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This one is perfect for fans of authors like Lisa See.
An incredibly moving and vulnerable collection of essays from a diverse group of disabled individuals and I am just so grateful that Alice Wong manageAn incredibly moving and vulnerable collection of essays from a diverse group of disabled individuals and I am just so grateful that Alice Wong managed to find the strength and time to compile and edit this book in the midst of her own recent health challenges.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of these essays were written by neurodivergent authors and there was a number that cover topics such as the complex caregiver-"patient" relationship and the toll that takes on both as well as the unique level of intimacy and trust involved in such relationships (something not talked about a lot).
Other essays talk about the challenges of finding romantic partners or taking control of their sexuality in various ways to celebrate and profit from their disabled bodies. All of these essays are deeply personal and offer new insights into disabled love, desire and intimacy and I couldn't have enjoyed it any more if I tried.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this incredible book. This is a must read for both disabled and able bodied folks alike and a wonderful companion to Wong's earlier book, Disability visibility....more
A moving, multi-perspective intergenerational story about three generations of Chinese Americans - their lives in China under Mao, women's struggles tA moving, multi-perspective intergenerational story about three generations of Chinese Americans - their lives in China under Mao, women's struggles to have careers and families, infertility struggles and a focus on gene therapy and what it could mean to be able to self-select for certain desirable traits. The book also looks at mental health, love, connection and complex mother-daughter relationships. A great book club pick that's been getting lots of buzz and was also good on audio with a cast of excellent narrators. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was such a standout historical fiction debut about family, survival, love and resistance. Set in 1950s China we follow one mother as she struggleThis was such a standout historical fiction debut about family, survival, love and resistance. Set in 1950s China we follow one mother as she struggles to keep her daughters alive after being abandoned by her husband during the tumult of Mao's rule. Told from the perspective of her daughter, this book is heartbreaking and moving in equal parts and I couldn't put it down. HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Lisa See, Amy Tan and books like Wild swans by Jung Chang. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This is one not to miss!...more
I really, REALLY enjoyed this brilliant new novel from a fav Canadian author! In Behind you, we get thrust back into late 1980s and early 90s ScarboroI really, REALLY enjoyed this brilliant new novel from a fav Canadian author! In Behind you, we get thrust back into late 1980s and early 90s Scarborough when a serial rapist and stalker is on the loose, terrifying the women of Toronto.
The coming of age story follows young Alma, a queer Filipino girl growing up in the city and trying to fit in with her peers and make her boyfriend happy by pretending to be hetero and pleasing him sexually until things escalate one night and she is heartbreakingly raped.
Alternating between the past and the present, we also get to see more of Alma's life as a proud partner, mother and daughter and her struggles to find acceptance as an out queer woman even among her family.
Incredibly moving and at times difficult to read, my heart went out to Alma sooo many times but I loved how she found solace and friendship with her lesbian school librarian. This was also amazing on audio narrated by the author herself! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: teen pregnancy, rape, sexual assault, Anti-Asian racism...more
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