This Chinese Canadian family drama sounded intriguing but sadly turned into a sad story about the aftermath of a son gone missing and never found and This Chinese Canadian family drama sounded intriguing but sadly turned into a sad story about the aftermath of a son gone missing and never found and how it impacted his gay twin brother. Set in BC, this was slow moving and just didn't hit any good notes for me. Perhaps a wrong book wrong time situation or I wasn't in the right mood for it. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I listened to a complimentary ALC thanks to @Libro.fm....more
Based loosely on a real scandal in Pakistan, this start of a new amateur detective series starring female museum curator/archaeologist, Dr. Gul DelaniBased loosely on a real scandal in Pakistan, this start of a new amateur detective series starring female museum curator/archaeologist, Dr. Gul Delani, involves the discovery of what could be the first known Pakistani mummy and a drug king pin. As Dalani delves into the mysterious mummy's origins she finds herself also learning more about a mystery in her past a family member she's been searching years for. Good on audio, this was interesting and perfect for fans of the show Bones! I look forward to reading more in the series!...more
This was an entertaining blend of YA contemporary romance and fantasy by a new to me author. I really like the main female protagonist and her entreprThis was an entertaining blend of YA contemporary romance and fantasy by a new to me author. I really like the main female protagonist and her entrepreneurial spirit, working hard on making nature based perfumes. When she and another boy get whisked away to this alternate fantasy world things get really interesting as they make friends there and then one of them gets trapped forcing the other to find a way to save them both. Good on audio narrated by Soneela Nankani (one of my favs). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! 10/10 for the gorgeous cover!...more
A compelling family drama about a divorced couple who learn their biological daughter, Lindsey has been in a hit and run accident in Shanghai and is nA compelling family drama about a divorced couple who learn their biological daughter, Lindsey has been in a hit and run accident in Shanghai and is now in a coma. As they fly across the globe to be by her side, they confront their past and we slowly learn what Lindsey's life was like in China. I really enjoyed this, especially on audio, the novel touches on sex work, adoption, self-harm and mental health, infidelity and more and is perfect for fans of books like Celeste Ng's Little fires everywhere. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
Everyone's favorite meddling Aunty is back in this second Vera Wong amateur detective murder mystery that has Vera forming bonds with a handful of lonEveryone's favorite meddling Aunty is back in this second Vera Wong amateur detective murder mystery that has Vera forming bonds with a handful of lonely people in her trademark witty and sarcastic manner and also cracking a human trafficking forced scamming ring. Full of heart, found family and lots of laughs, this was another great addition to the series perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan or Molly the Maid. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
This debut graphic novel is a complicated YA coming of age story about a queer Malaysian American teen girl dealing with living in a small Vermont towThis debut graphic novel is a complicated YA coming of age story about a queer Malaysian American teen girl dealing with living in a small Vermont town, her parent's separation and figuring out how to come out to her less than supportive mother.
When Azar finds an old sci-fi book, she finds solace in its pages and with its author and his nonbinary teenager, Tristan. I enjoyed the diverse characters and found family aspects of this story but I wasn't a huge fan of the art style or the way the very open-ended, unresolved ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Recommended for fans of books like The deep dark by Molly Knox Ostertag. Content warning for depictions of alcohol abuse and addiction....more
A beautifully messy and oh so relatable YA queer coming of age story about Cassie, a high school senior at a private Catholic school who is determinedA beautifully messy and oh so relatable YA queer coming of age story about Cassie, a high school senior at a private Catholic school who is determined to make up for past mistakes with an old friend and subversively works to support different queer friendly initiatives for her classmates.
She befriends members of the public school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance and along the way discovers she may not be as straight as she's so desperately been trying to insist.
I thought the author did such a great job showing how complicated it can be for some teens to reconcile their gender and sexual identity with their religious beliefs. Cassie also finds an ally in her school's librarian who brings in LGBTQIA+ books.
Great on audio with excellent anxiety rep, this is a new favorite for me by Canadian author Tanya Boteju and perfect for fans of Sonora Reyes. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This YA romance from a Canadian author I've enjoyed in the past sounded interesting with the MMC having erased his memories of his love interest but sThis YA romance from a Canadian author I've enjoyed in the past sounded interesting with the MMC having erased his memories of his love interest but sadly it just fell a little flat for me. I liked that the MMC travelled to Korea to help his grandfather get into a study to aid with his Alzheimer's but other than that the romance didn't resonate with me. Would recommend for fans of Dustin Thao who enjoy a lot of emotional angst and forced separation. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review....more
This was a compelling multigenerational domestic drama about an Iranian American family that spans generations. While I loved the audiob3.5 rounded up
This was a compelling multigenerational domestic drama about an Iranian American family that spans generations. While I loved the audiobook narration for this debut, I felt that it was difficult to stay invested as the novel is long and alternates timelines, perspectives and countries often. Moving nonetheless with strong female characters, I look forward to reading more by this author and would recommend for fans of authors like Marjane Satrapi and Marjan Kamali's book, The stationery shop. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
I've been seeing 'Make room for love' on so many book rec lists and I finally made time to read this indie queer romance gem featuring a South Asian tI've been seeing 'Make room for love' on so many book rec lists and I finally made time to read this indie queer romance gem featuring a South Asian trans woman and an Asian butch lesbian who become roommates and eventually more. Unexpected bonus points that a lot of the book deals with fighting for unions and worker's rights. The romance is a slow burn but it works for the characters who are recovering from a toxic ex and grieving the death of a sister respectively. There's great communication, spicy moments and some great food. Highly recommended, especially for the Trans Rights Readathon!...more
This was an INCREDIBLE ownvoices debut translated from the original Japanese about Shaka, a disabled woman who has congenital myotubular myopathy (simThis was an INCREDIBLE ownvoices debut translated from the original Japanese about Shaka, a disabled woman who has congenital myotubular myopathy (similar to muscular atrophy or ALS). She lives in a care home, has a trach, uses a ventilator, often uses technology to speak for her and requires a caregiver to help with daily tasks (ie showering).
Many of the things Shaka has to deal with are similar to my own disability challenges so I found this book extremely relatable. It was so great reading about a disabled main character expressing their desires for sex, bodily autonomy and independence in frank and at times shockingly honest ways!
This was great on audio and I can't recommend it enough, especially for fans of authors like Alice Wong. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
I absolutely adored this middle grade novel about Derrick Chan, a Chinese American gender-nonconforming tween boy who loves basketball and tries to plI absolutely adored this middle grade novel about Derrick Chan, a Chinese American gender-nonconforming tween boy who loves basketball and tries to please his father but also secretly loves wearing nail polish and dressing in drag.
When Derrick goes to spend the summer with his grandmother Claudia in small town Georgia, he gets caught up in her beauty pageant work and even enters one himself as his drag persona, Bee Daring. This book is all about self-acceptance, queer joy, embracing your true self and living your truth.
It also doesn't shy away from tough topics like coming out to a parent, homophobia and anti-Asian racism but the overall message is so important!! Highly recommended for fans of books like Martin McLean, middle school queen or Middle school's a drag.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
Fav quotes: "I am proud to be who I am...And I am here today, because I was wrong about not belonging. I do. And the more I've learned about my family and my friends, the more I realize...people like me...we belong. And we always have."
"I've learned that despite what everyone says and thinks, what matters most is your own joy. ... I've learned that I would rather be myself even if some people don't like it, than be loved for pretending to be someone I'm not."...more
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