Hooray for discovering new YA authors! And David Yoon is the husband of the already well-known Nicola Yoon, author of The Sun Is Also a Star and Everything, Everything. Today I get to discuss his debut, Frankly in Love, which follows a Korean-American boy as he navigates issues of culture and identity throughout his senior year of high school.
The Situation: It is senior year and Frank Li is gearing up for the SATs, and subsequent college applications, with the rest of the Apeys: students that are in all advanced placement, or AP, classes. He must balance study time, school work, hanging out with his best friend Q, and helping out at his parents' grocery store. As the second child of Korean immigrants, he must also balance his life as a more or less typical American teenager, and his life as the dutiful Korean son wanting to honor his hard-working parents. The thing is, Frank does not necessarily agree with his parents' view on everything, specifically how they see other cultures. He is quick to admit that his parents are racist, simple as that. They have not spoken to their own daughter, Frank's older sister, ever since she began dating a black man, and are quick to talk in stereotypes about other races. Frank knows this behavior is not okay, but is not sure how he would go about attempting to correct them.
The Problem: When Frank falls hard for Brit Means, a beautiful, brilliant, funny, and also white girl from school, he knows his parents must never know. But when Joy Song, a childhood friend in a similar position, finds out, the two of them come up with a brilliant plan that is certain to work. If Frank and Joy pretend to date each other, while Frank is actually with his white girlfriend and Joy is with her Chinese boyfriend, then their Korean parents will be happy, and they can spend time with the people they really want to be with. Seems like the perfect plan, right up until it isn't, and everything begins to unravel. It is weird enough keeping his girlfriend a secret from his parents, but keeping this secret a secret from his girlfriend just feels wrong. And the harder Frank attempts to convince himself that it is working, the more obvious it becomes that it is not, and not necessarily because of his parents. Frank's senior year will be filled with more complications beyond this one, and it becomes clear that these issues do not simply vanish after high school.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that focuses on the experience of Frank Li, a Korean-American high school student in his senior year. Set in southern California, Frank engages in the usual teenage experiences: hanging out with friends, attending school, being forced by his parents to attend social functions he normally would not go to on his own, even dating someone his parents would not approve of. With Frank as the narrator, the reader gets the first-hand account of just how deep his parents' prejudices go. He had to witness the removal of his sister from his life after she began dating a black man. She is never mentioned, his parents never call her, and she never calls them. Frank still talks to her, mostly through texts, and both lament how terrible it is to have to choose between their parents, and being able to live their lives. Now Frank wants to date a white girl, and a close friend wishes to date a Chinese boy. But beyond these dating restrictions are the pressures to do well on the SATs, and subsequently get into a good college, and then there is the issue of keeping up appearances for other Korean families beyond his own. The experience of growing up as a child of immigrant parents is a unique one that is difficult to navigate, but Frank is doing his best.
My Verdict: This book brings up the big issues right away. Instead of shying away from them, or talking around them, Frank addresses them head-on, and calls them out for what they are, even though it is his parents he is talking about. I appreciate the honesty and the bravery, and know that many will benefit from it. But when it comes to the story that Frank is attempting to tell, it was a little all over the place for me, like it was trying to do too much, or tackle too much, all at once. Also, in the beginning it was hard to remember that Frank and Q are supposed to be seniors in high school. For whatever reason, they seemed more like middle schoolers to me, but then they would get behind the wheel of a car, or would start talking about the SATs and college applications. Eventually this started to smooth out, but it took awhile. Perhaps Yoon was making a point about where these two started at the beginning of the novel versus where they would up? Overall, it is a great book, and a debut that deserves recognition for bringing up issues we need to keep talking about if we are to ever solve them.
Favorite Moment: It is actually really difficult for me to pick a moment that does not contain a spoiler, but I suppose I will go with whenever Q's dad attempts to sound cool by spouting slang and buzz words that he clearly does not know how to use, and he knows it.
Favorite Character: I adore Q's sister Evon, even though she only shows up for brief moments and rarely says anything. She is simply effortless and does not care to be bothered, and I can appreciate that.
Recommended Reading: I recommend The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, a book that also explores the experiences of children of immigrant parents trying to make their way in the U.S.
I am not sure how I stumbled across Mary Beth Keane's Ask Again, Yes, or why it took me so long to read it. At some point I must have seen the beautiful cover, glanced over the synopsis, and was intrigued enough to place it in my always growing to-read pile. Thanks once again to the Could Library for the easy access and readability.
The Situation: In the early 70s, Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope started out together as rookie cops for the New York Police Department. For six weeks they would be partners, and later, when they both get married, they will be neighbors in the small community of Gillam. Almost immediately, it is clear to Francis' wife Lena that not all is well at the Stanhope house, particularly with Brian's wife, Anne. The years go by, and both families grow, and both of the men continue in their work as cops for the NYPD. The youngest of Francis' kids, Kate, happens to be the same age as Brian's only child, Peter, so the two children naturally become close, best friends even, until tragedy strikes just before the two of them celebrate their graduation from the eighth grade. It is an event that will change the trajectory of both families, and cause Kate and Peter to lose touch for many years.
The Problem: What happened will have effects that will reach well into the next few decades. Even after all of the surgeries, the rehab, and the stays in psychiatric hospitals, and all of the "healing" that is supposed to occur on both sides, what happened and why it happened cannot be easily forgotten, or forgiven. And although Peter moved away to live with his Uncle George, and Kate stayed behind in Gillam, the two never forgot each other, managing to reconnect while they attended two different colleges. Naturally, there are fears on both sides as to what this means, and what it could lead to, but it seems that both time and tragedy cannot keep the two of them apart. But is love enough to overcome what happened in the past? Is it enough to deal with what will come in the future?
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in modern-day America, primarily in the northeast region of the country. The story begins in 1973, when Francis and Brian decide to join the NYPD, and follows both of their families through the decades as far as 2017. In that time, both men will marry, have kids, and endure hardships and tragedies that will shape who they become and how their families turn out. And where Francis and Lena may represent a relative amount of stability and normalcy, Brian and Anne are the cautionary tale of settling down with someone too soon, maybe without really knowing who they are. And then there are Kate and Peter, whose connection seems to be able to endure through nearly anything, while ignoring all protests and opposition. It would make sense if they did not work out, and it would make sense if they simply lost touch and moved on with their lives. But how long can we let one incident in the past decide who we are in our future?
My Verdict: This is an extremely well-written novel that explores something I love seeing books tackle: How do we extend forgiveness to someone for something they did in the past? Or maybe more appropriately, do we ever extend that forgiveness at all? Or do we simply move on with our lives and ignore that person's existence? What if that person is family? What if that person is sick? What if that person is not the only one to blame? Keane explores all of this and much more in her story about the Gleesons and the Stanhopes. The characters are not only relatable, but also real, and fully fleshed-out, and believable. We have all met and know some of these people, some of us have even been hurt by them. There is something in here that everyone could relate to; something in
here that everyone has struggled with at some point in their lives.
Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Kate confronts her father about the affair he had, giving her the opportunity to tell him about her and Peter.
Favorite Character: George Gleeson is Brian's brother and Peter's Uncle. He is far from perfect, but he manages to step in when *spoiler alert* Brian disappears, leaving his son behind while he starts an entirely new life.
Recommended Reading: I recommend Shelter by Jung Yun, which also asks the question of what obligation do we have to the people in our lives who have hurt us?
Today I get to talk about Children of Virtue and Vengeance, the second book in Tomi Adeyemi's incredibly popular Legacy of Orïsha series. I had the privilege of hearing Adeyemi speak at the 2019 LibraryPalooza in February, and was able to endure an incredibly long line to have her sign my copy of the first book, Children of Blood and Bone. We already know that the series is a trilogy, so another book is still to come. But knowing that this second book is not the end still may not prepare readers for the questions that may remain once the last page is turned. And I have to issue a major *spoiler alert* as some of the key details of the plot will be discussed.
The Situation: It has been a few weeks since Zélie successfully brought magic back to Orïsha. The thing is, she was so successful that she awakened the magic inside of those with royal blood as well. Now there are not only more maji with incredible abilities, but also those that are referred to as tîtàns: those in the royal blood line, like Amari, who had no idea they had magic inside of the them and now have a power they have no idea how to handle or control. When a plan to have Amari claim the throne as queen is unsuccessful, it is clear that the war between the maji and the royals is not over; if anything it has only intensified. Amari's own mother has declared her daughter a liar, and decides to double-down on the crown's long-standing position of seeing the maji as the enemy, using her own newly-discovered powers to her advantage.
The Problem: While Zélie understands that the war is not over, she is certainly tired of fighting. Her father died so that the maji could finally live in Orïsha in freedom and peace. But instead, the enemy has been given their own power, and a fight that could tear Orïsha apart continues. And after learning that Inan still lives, her one desire becomes to end his life for good, which is of course the opposite of what Amari wants. Even though she was unable to secure her place as queen, Amari is insistent that she can find a way to end this war and obtain peace for everyone. Of course, she would be better able to execute her plan if any of the maji trusted her. As a royal, most of them will barely look at her, much less listen to her. And her desire to do what is right may reveal some similarities with both her father and brother, even as she insists she can be better than both of them. For Zélie and Amari, fighting royals and military with newly discovered powers will be no easy thing, even with the maji resistance behind them. And fighting each other certainly will not help matters either.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in an undetermined time in the fictional land of Orïsha. As told in the first book, when Zélie was young, the then king of Orïsha decided to rid the world of magic, but then Zélie brought it back...for everyone. Now the country is even more divided, despite the two sides having something in common. The monarchy insists that ridding Orïsha of the maji is the answer, while the maji resistance, or Iyika, launch a full assault on the palace. Zélie's one desire is to kill Inan and end the monarchy, while Amari insists that peace between the two sides can be achieved. In other words, it is a war, and there is no easy way to end it. In this second installment, readers see more of the different maji clans and the different types of magic. More of Orïsha's history is also revealed, allowing some characters to rethink what they have been taught to believe, and to wonder if magic was ever the real problem.
My Verdict: Book number two in the Legacy of Orïsha series proves to be as intense and thrilling and thought-provoking as the first one, if not more so. I have to say, I like this one even better than Children of Blood and Bone, maybe because I came into this one already having a decent handle on the world, though there are still some shocking things about Orïsha's history that are revealed. I was surprised to see that this book was actually shorter than the first one, but that does not at all indicate a lack of plot, or characters, or adventures, or anything really. It actually feels more focused, while still not skipping on the details. Adeyemi used every page to build on what she has already accomplished, leaving me excited (and also somewhat apprehensive) for whatever the third book will bring.
Favorite Moment: When Zélie closes a wall on the arm of a tîtàn soldier. It is incredibly brutal and bit gross, but she does what she has to do.
Favorite Character: While I adore many of these characters and want them to succeed, I am having a hard time choosing. For the first book I chose Amari, and while I still adore her, in this book she is blind to how her fear of repeating her family's mistakes are actually causing her to repeat her family's mistakes. And she wants to help the maji, but cannot understand their mistrust or why they do not see things her way. She is kind of a lesson in privilege. And Zélie often gets on my nerves, so I suppose I will choose Mama Agba, her mentor and friend.
Recommended Reading: I will once again recommend the Reader Trilogy by Traci Chee, which also includes elements of magic and adventure in a fictional land and in an unknown time.
So here we are. It has finally come time to announce the winners of the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards. For the last few weeks, readers and critics have been voting, hoping that their favorite books take home the top prize. I am curious to see if there are any upsets; and of course, this also gives me an opportunity to research those books that I somehow managed to miss throughout the year.
Well, the first one is not a surprise at all as The Testaments by Margaret Atwood is our clear winner for Best Fiction. With over 50,000 votes separating it from second place, this follow-up to Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale has clearly resonated with readers.
Another book that completely blew away the competition is Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid in the category of Best Historical Fiction. There is something about the style, voice, and story that many readers loved. It is a book readers are still talking about. And I am sure it will be given by many as Christmas gifts for fellow readers.
While I really liked Recursion by Blake Crouch, I am a bit surprised (though incredibly pleased) that it has won Best Science Fiction. It was up against some stiff competition, but there were enough readers who also enjoyed this different look at memory and time travel.
The win for Best Graphic Novels & Comics goes to an author who has won many Goodreads Choice Awards, though usually it is in the Best Young Adult Fiction Category. Rainbow Rowell's Pumpkinheads has managed to garner more votes than even the graphic novel adaptation for The Handmaid's Tale. With Rowell's usual mastery over characters and setting, Pumpkinheads celebrates all things autumn and Midwestern.
And when it comes to the Best Young Adult Fiction category, Angie Thomas came so incredibly close to taking home the win with On the Come Up, much like she did with The Hate U Give back in 2017. Instead, Rachael Lippincott's Five Feet Apart takes the win, with a margin of less than 2,000 votes. So close...
And there it is. Out of the 25 DSNs that were nominated, four have managed to come away with the win. Now the process starts all over again as contenders for 2020 are already out there gathering their reader-base. I am excited to see what the next year will bring.
Oh time travel...I try to avoid it. And yet, here I am, ready to review Recursion by Blake Crouch. Though to be fair, this book is less about time travel and really more about memory and reality. But the subject of time travel is very much front and present.
The Situation: Barry Sutton is a cop in New York City. In November of 2018, he was unsuccessful in stopping a woman from jumping to her death from a building. Due to a new illness, False Memory Syndrome, or FMS, suicides are on the rise as people are suddenly recalling memories from a life they never lived. The memories are so vivid, so real, that many people cannot handle the intensity and ultimately decide to end it. Neither doctors nor scientists can find its cause (or cure), and it also appears to be somewhat contagious. When Barry digs deeper into the false memories the suicidal woman shared with him before she jumped, he discovers something so unfathomable that he normally would not believe it, until he starts living it. And only after meeting Helena Smith does he come to understand what it could possibly mean.
The Problem: While working at Stanford, waiting to see if her research proposal will receive funding, Helena is approached by a strange man and presented with an offer she cannot refuse, though she eventually wishes she did. Her ambition to see her passion project come to fruition, and her desire to help her mother, who is struggling with Alzheimer's, has led her to Marcus Slade, a wealthy man who wants to fund her research. But it turns out Marcus is even more ambitious than she is, and also without ethics. What started out as a project to map and preserve memories, ends up becoming a process that can send people back in time. Together, they unleash an effect that could unmake humanity, and potentially destroy the world. With Barry's help, Helena hopes to stop it, using all her research to once again alter memory and reality, but this time, for the billions of people around the world.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set mostly in the present-day US. Because of the time travel aspect of the story, there are some trips back to the late 80s, but most of them only go so far as a few years. And while Barry's story begins in 2018, Helena's starts in 2007, when she was a researcher at Stanford. The primary focus of the novel is on memory and how it shapes our reality. The result of Helena's work is the ability to alter reality with the use of memories, which of course, results in many different entities wanting control over this power. There is a hint of humans meddling in things they probably shouldn't, and ultimately losing control of that. And as much focus as there is on memory and reality, there is also the issue of power and control. In this world, it simply will not do for one country to be able to go back in time...at least not if the rest of the world knows about it.
My Verdict: As with most science fiction that I pick up, I was apprehensive, but ultimately pleasantly surprised. I think what I love most about the book is that it takes a slightly different approach to time travel from what I am used to seeing. The focus being more on memory and how we perceive reality certainly helped, but I was personally thrilled that Crouch avoided many of the time travel problems that we have seen in a lot of fiction. No issues of people meeting up with their past selves. No warnings about not changing anything from the past so that it doesn't mess up the future (that happens anyway). There is not necessarily a time machine...I guess if anything it is more of a memory machine, but not even that is completely accurate. It is a refreshing take on a common theme. And the interesting characters and events are simply cherry on the top of a fascinating novel.
Favorite Moment: When Helena manages to evade Marcus in one of her timelines, starting her on the road to fixing what they have started.
Favorite Character: Helena is wonderful and brilliant, but I actually think Barry is my favorite. Despite the pain, and the hassle, and the struggles, he simply does whatever he has to do.
Recommended Reading: First, I recommend Mem by Bethany C. Morrow, or Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty. But I also recommend A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Crouch named one of his characters after Towles, and admitted in the acknowledgements that A Gentleman in Moscow is one of his favorite books, which is something we have in common.
Hooray for discovering new YA authors! And David Yoon is the husband of the already well-known Nicola Yoon, author of The Sun Is Also a Star and Everything, Everything. Today I get to discuss his debut, Frankly in Love, which follows a Korean-American boy as he navigates issues of culture and identity throughout his senior year of high school.
