BOOK REVIEW | Sisterhood, Motherhood, and 'Worry': A Novel's Quest for Identity

I think Kelsey McKinney said it best when she described this novel as a “…moody beach read for girls who hate their jobs, text their exes, and feel like the things they want will destroy them”

The characters in this novel definitely understand “girl math” and will call out of work for any given reason. they also know the inexplicable pain of depression, anxiety, and the weight of the world as a 20-year-old teenage girl.

This novel can be compared to streaming “Ribs” by Lorde to feel something on your way home from an unpaid internship on the subway. It can also be described as drinking in your childhood basement with your friends while hate stalking people from high school.

Most importantly, this novel portrays the realities of sisterhood and the all-consuming and confusing relationship you have with your mother. It’s the constant feeling of “are we the same person?” and “that’s my sweater, you need to give it back”

It questions whether art is really dead or is life just intimating art? it’s compared to Frances Ha in the sense of quirky and quick dialogue and an overlying habit of co-dependency.

if we’ve been together our whole lives, how could it possibly be bad now as we try to find ourselves? can we be too different people?

i ended up giving “worry” by alexandra tanner 3.5 stars over on @goodreads. it felt like reading the diary i would’ve been writing if i didn’t have adhd. it made me laugh several times as i laid awake reading on my kindle under the sheets.

my only problem was getting a grasp on the ending and trying to make myself understand. i didn’t quite enjoy the ending as much as i wanted to; however, i can appreciate the novel for what it was. trigger warning for animal abuse.

🎞️ I recommend it for fans of Frances Ha and Shiva Baby

“WORRY” comes out March 26, 2024 📖 @scribnerbooks

Song of the Dead [REVIEW]

Song of the Dead (Reign of Fallen #2) by Sarah Glenn Marsh

"The Dead must stay buried.

Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom's borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia's waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.

Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can't help being mesmerized by the new magic--and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.

Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria's mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible. As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won't be enough to save their fates.

In this enthralling, heartrending sequel to Reign of the Fallen, Odessa faces the fight of her life as the boundaries between the Dead and the living are challenged in a way more gruesome than ever before."

I was sent a copy of Song of the Dead by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Please note this is a sequel so the review + description contain SPOILERS.

Edition: Hardcover, E-book

Release Date: January 22nd, 2019

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Razorbill

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Before we get into the review, I would like to highlight that this book is #OwnVoices and contains a f/f relationship! Yay for diversity in YA :-)

I went into these books not knowing it was only a duology and now that I've finished Song of the Dead, I totally feel like there could be more built onto this world?! I haven't read such a lovely YA fantasy in quite some time so these books were a breathe of fresh air for me. I loved the romance dearly, the world was new and interesting, and it kind of gave me A Darker Shade of Magic vibes? It might've been all the ship traveling, the magic, and a chase for romance. Oh, and Sarah Glenn Marsh doesn't mind killing her characters off!

I loved seeing Odessa and Meredy's relationship grow into something much more than it was in book one. I was thrown off at first because I mean, it was a sudden romance with her exes sister. But, I don't judge. I lived for their relationship from beginning to end. I don't want to say it was predictable but maybe just a bit. Am I mad? Definitely not. I like how they were able to bond and help each other through Evander's death. Their grieving was written so well and made me truly feel for them. The chapter where they hear Evander's voice again even though it's not him was heartbreaking! I can't forget to mention that this is a f/f relationship in a Young Adult book done right. It felt so right and I'm so glad I get to see these things in the books I read. 

As for the writing, it was fantastic. There's so many "I need to mark this with my sticky notes" moments. She captures feeling so well and brings her characters to life. Odessa was written as such a strong, caring and ambitious lead. Her actions were always justified and she wasn't afraid of anything. Odessa is definitely my favorite type of main character. 

The only problem I had with this book is that I loved the world, but I wish it were more in-depth. For Fantasy novels, I appreciate a connected, in-depth world that's descriptive, fascinating, and makes sense. It was sometimes hard to follow whenever they were talking about magic, the world, etc. because it didn't feel like enough. The world seems so complex but I still don't understand it completely. This is my only reason I bumped it down .5 stars! It was still an incredibly interesting world to read about but I need more!

Overall, I enjoyed reading this duology but obviously, I wouldn't mind another book. The world was so fascinating, the romance was captivating and the writing was so well-done. This sequel was SO much better than the first book and definitely worth reading. 



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I'll Be There For You: The One About Friends [BOOK REVIEW]

I'll Be There For You: The One About Friends by Kelsey Miller

"This definitive retrospective of Friends incorporates interviews, history and behind-the-scenes anecdotes to offer a critical analysis of how a sitcom about six twentysomethings changed television forever

When Friends debuted in 1994, no one expected it to become a mainstay of NBC's Must See TV lineup, let alone a global phenomenon. In the years since, Friends has gone through many phases of cultural relevancy, from prime-time hit to 90s novelty item to certified classic. Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe have entered the pantheon of great television characters, and millions of people around the globe continue to tune in or stream their stories every day.

I'll Be There for You is the definitive retrospective of Friends, exploring all aspects of the show from its unlikely origins to the elusive reasons why we still watch it. Journalist and pop culture expert Kelsey Miller relives the show's most iconic moments, analyzes the ways in which Friends is occasionally problematic and examines the many trends it inspired, from the rise of coffee-shop culture to Friendsgivings to the ultimate 90s haircut, the Rachel.

Weaving incisive commentary, revelatory interviews and behind-the-scenes anecdotes involving high-profile guest stars, I'll Be There for You is the most comprehensive take on Friends, and the ultimate book for fans everywhere."

Edition: Hardcover, Ebook, Audiobook

Page Count: 304 pages

Published: October 23rd, 2018 by Hanover Square Press

mini review

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars 

I picked this up from my online library in an audiobook format because I had seen it on Goodreads and immediately added it to my TBR. Friends is something I've loved all throughout my teenage years and I still watch re-runs to this day. Whenever I can't sleep, Friends is on. Whenever I don't feel well mentally or physically, Friends is on. It's definitely my comfort show. I recently bought this book and sent it to my friend after finishing it because she's the one who showed me Friends and I can guarantee she'd love this book. 

This book was incredibly fun to listen to on audiobook because of my love for Friends. I'm always into the behind the scenes type stuff so this was an easy read for me. I loved learning about the production of the show and what went into the writing. It's interesting because Friends is really such a huge show and even 20 years later, it remains one of the most re-watched shows on air. In fact, I'm pretty sure this book mentions that the viewer count is only growing for Friends re-runs. In the height of Friends fandom, Netflix recently paid $100 million dollars to keep Friends on their streaming service because people re-watch it THAT much. It's crazy, really. But again, I'm one of those re-watchers. No shame here.

This book also goes into details about Friends and how they approached the LGBT+ community at the time. It's something I definitely noticed but it was oddly progressive for it's time. I'd go more into this but I think the book explains it well enough. I also listened to this one on audiobook so hearing the author speak about it all really made it more entertaining for me. I love it when authors read their own audiobooks. You can totally hear the passion of the subject from the author and it makes an even better reading experience!

I gave this book 4.5 stars overall because it's not something I'd re-read, but I definitely loved every minute of it. It made for a great audiobook and I'm glad I've added to all the useless Friends knowledge I have in the back of my head. Brb while I go watch "The One with the Embryos" again. 

 Order them it: Amazon | Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble! 

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The Opposite of Loneliness [REVIEW]

*please note this is an old review from my past blog and is just now being uploaded* Rating: 3/5 stars I bought this knowing nothing about it and decided to read it because I'm graduating soon and it seemed fitting. For some reason, I expected this entire book to read like the beginning and her first essay, the Opposite of Loneliness, but it didn't. There was both her short stories and essays included yet the her fiction fell short for me. I liked a few of the short stories: - Cold Pastoral - The Emerald City - Sclerotherapy and for the nonfiction, I enjoyed: - Why We Care About Whales - The Art of Observation - Song for the Special Find this review on my Goodreads! Are you following me on all social media? Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads | Pinterest | Facebook

What If It's Us [REVIEW]

What If It's Us 

by

Adam Silvera & Becky Albertalli

Page Count: 448 pages

Edition: Hardcover + ebook

Expected publication: October 9th, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

A huge thank you to the publisher for sending it over. 

Rating: ★★★★/★★★★★ (4.5/5 stars)

“I don’t know if we’re in a love story or a story about love.” 

I am so excited for this book to be shared with the rest of the world! I got the honour to read and review this book early and as always, these authors didn't disappoint me. While I don't read many contemporary books anymore, I always end up reading both Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera's books. They both write quite differently as Adam Silvera writes incredibly deep and emotional books and Becky's books can get emotional but are usually pretty lighthearted. This book is a perfect combination of what real love feels like when it hurts and when it's the only thing you can think about. 

         It all begins with two teenagers named Arthur and Ben meet in a New York post office on accident. It's definitely a bitter sweet meet-cute considering they flirt but don't exchange any contact information, not even a name, so all they do is think about each other afterwards. They search craigslist, have a friend internet stalk one another, etc. and soon enough, they're together again on their first date. As the expectations are high, things start to disappoint when their multiple dates don't end up as planned. But, they keep trying anyway to make their story as picture perfect as possible. Unfortunately, love isn't always that simple. Was the universe helping them or not?

       I have to admit: Arthur and Ben's messy love story was hard to read at times but it's definitely worth it. It shows that not all relationships are perfect and there's definitely struggles whenever it comes to love but it's the ride that counts. They did over their first date in attempt to have the perfect one but it never seemed to work out. Arthur was jealous and insecure at times and Ben didn't quite understand. They were troubled and made many mistakes but that's the reality of it all. It wasn't insta-love or perfect like they wished but it was real. That's what makes this story so genuine and heartfelt. 

       The characters alone didn't need each other to be interesting because of how descriptive and intriguing their personalities were. Becky Albertalli wrote Arthur, a broad-way obsessed teen who's living in New York over the summer. The mentions of Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen were an excellent plus. Adam Silvera wrote Ben, a New Yorker who just got out of a relationship and is struggling with summer school. Not only are these characters both gay but Arthur is a Jewish boy with ADHD and Ben is Puerto Rican. As readers, we explore Ben's struggle with his racial identity because he doesn't exactly look Puerto Rican. Not only that, but we get insight on Arthur's personal struggle living with ADHD.  As we get introduced to both Ben and Arthur, we meet several side characters who play important roles in their lives and are diverse. We meet their closest friends, their significant others and their families but it's still crucial to the plot. We experience their families meeting at Arthur's home and their world's colliding. It was so wholesome seeing their parents talk about each other as a couple. 

         The only problem I found while reading was that Arthur and Ben felt a lot older than they were (I believe they're like 15-16?). They felt much older, like college students but it might've been the fact they're living in NYC and they were quite independent. Also, some of the conversations were just weird (those roommates?? lol).

        It was so refreshing to read a LGBT+ love story that was genuine and normalized. It was a bitter sweet romance during the Summer in New York. I could see the ending clearly but I didn't want to believe it. What's better than a realistic romance in New York with two incredibly diverse characters with outstanding personalities? Not to mention, I fell in love at all of the broadway references and how they mentioned real bookstores like Books of Wonder. It was like the icing on top of the cake (cliche, I know) but I loved everything about this book.

    I sincerely cannot wait for it to be released so everyone else can understand how lovely it is as well. I think we all need a good LGBT+ love story by the king and queen of YA Contemporary.

   Are you going to be picking up What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli? Let me know!

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We Should All Be Feminists [REVIEW]

This is an old review. I'm just now posting it to here, though! I kind of want everyone to read this. It practically sums up the entirety of feminism and what it means to be a feminist -- that being a feminist is not something to shame yourself or others for. The definition of feminism is easily known to be "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men."  Adichie is able to break down the meaning of this and how this negative connotation constantly follows the word, pulled by more appropriately titled "ignorant." (in my opinion, at least.) She's able to demonstrate the unsolicited complications women generally face everywhere in the world, not just America. The situation is constantly misread from either old morals or sometimes, even culture. She shares the perspectives of many people who've opened their eyes to the issue of inequality. I'm so impressed with her interpretation of feminism. It's critical that people, men and women, are able to see the issues we face in this modern day and age, even it's been worse.

WILDCARD [REVIEW]

• Edition: Hardcover + ebook
• Page Count: 352 pages
• Publish Date: September 18th, 2018
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

*SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
please note that there isn't spoilers for book 2 but will be for Warcross

I was kindly sent a copy of Wildcard by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Wildcard is the sequel to Warcross by Marie Lu. To avoid any spoilers here on my blog, I'll be posting the description to the first book only. If you'd like to see my spoiler filled review, check out my Goodreads on the release date!

"For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn't just a game--it's a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships--only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she's going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game's creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year's tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika's whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she's only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire."

I loved Warcross last year so much that I read the entire book in one sitting. Little did I know, I'd have to wait an entire year for Wildcard to come out. I had written a mini review after reading Warcross because it was in the middle of the night and I was a mess. As if things have changed much, I ended up a mess at the midnight of the night after finishing Wildcard. I didn’t know what to expect, but I know it wasn’t all of this!

I'm familiar with Marie Lu's writing as I've read both of her other series. I've come to the conclusion that her writing style and stories are meant for binge reading. You can't help but want to sit there and finish all at once because she's somehow able to leave a cliff hanger at the end of every chapter. In Wildcard, I found myself genuinely shocked that there was so many twists and turns that I wasn't even expecting (especially the giant one at the end!!). I read so much Young Adult that I can easily predict what is going to happen most of the time. But, I wasn't able to do that with Wildcard. You know whenever you're laying down in bed reading a book but all the sudden you sit up and get closer to the book because that "OH THAT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN" moment happens? I can't count the amount of times I did that on my fingers. It was ridiculous. As a writer, I strive to consistently shock within my writing but it seems almost impossible. Marie Lu seems to have done it no problem with both Warcross and Wildcard.

One of my favorite parts about Wildcard is that we get even more Warcross games! They’re so interesting to read. I usually get bored at action scenes because they’re always so over descriptive (Weird, I know) but I get so pumped for Warcross games. I’m honestly so dedicated to the Riders at this point. Catch me wearing their merch at the next championship. Let's talk about characters!

Emika - I knew Emika was going to be a kick butt character ever since the beginning. She was a broke girl in New York who couldn’t pay her rent but was a Warcross bounty hunter on the side. The missions she goes on in this book are so much more dangerous. She eventually becomes super wanted for obvious reasons. There’s this entire chase scene that you see her vunerability in and it was so pure. Not to mention, she’s still in love with Hideo. I have no idea why or how but her feelings for him are definitely there. It might have caused her to do many different and dangerous things out of love, but it was worth it. It’s not a YA story if the main character isn’t making bad decisions for love, right?

Zero - I oddly loved Zero when all we knew about him was the black shadow and he tried to kill Emika and basically everyone in that game. Getting to know him is truly one of the better parts of this book. His character is so deep and rich. You keep learning more and more ever second (I mean, she is hunting him.) Despite learning so much about him, there’s this weird mysterious vibe that stays with his character.

Jax - I LOVE JAX. I’ve never been a big fan of side characters but I couldn’t wait for more Jax content. Her entrance was honestly SO perfect and tough. Her background makes it even better because she was able to grow into an incredibly strong woman who doesn’t need anybody. I could read a book about her alone, to be honest. But as a side character to Emika, they were a perfect duo. They both came from nothing and learned to adapt by themselves. I loved Jax as her sidekick and I’m so glad she got the amount of content she did. She definitely deserves it.

Tremaine and Asher: I just wanted to quickly say that I absolutely adored their entire relationship and I'm so glad she included them into the story.

I knew Marie Lu was going to blow me away but once you think the book is over, it isn’t. I didn’t think I would cry at this book because I’m not that emotionally invested… Sike. I cried at that ending newspaper article. I’m genuinely surprised I didn’t predict any of this but I’m so glad it ended like this. Not going to lie, I do wish there was more though. To conclude, I’m definitely trash for this duology and I’ll be reading literally anything that Marie Lu writes from now on. I don’t know how she wasn’t an auto-buy author for me already but she is now. I can’t possibly give a book that made the reading experience that fun lower than a five star rating. So, five out of five stars from me.

Are you going to be reading Wildcard? Let me know!

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