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daumari's reviews
1188 reviews
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As I stayed up to finish this, I wondered why I hadn't gotten to it earlier. I enjoyed How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe and it has a meta structure to it while looking at generational relationships but reading Yu on the other side of being a parent definitely made me cry at about the 200 page mark (also my pausing to note quotes in the book, ha).
I'm SO curious about how this was adapted given it's written entirely as a script.The genre shift to children's programming made me cackle because I've spent a lot of time recently watching the varying quality of shows out there and yeah, Phoebeland is definitely the kind of thing my mixed race daughter would probably be targeted by. The moment where he ponders if all the stereotypical/generic roles he and his parents played culminates in this assimilated role of just getting to be an American child is the point, divorced from context and history was my breaking point because YES, it's a thing I think about constantly with my mixed race child as well as discussions of media portrayals of Asians. In online Asian America space there's often Discourse around roles and like, is this good portrayal or not (I'm of the opinion that it's unfair to pin an entire diaspora's hopes and dreams on one film/show because that's narrative scarcity and we should be able to have fun romcoms like Crazy Rich Asians next to serious meditations on family like Minari, etc.) and like, are we setting the culture back with bit part stereotype roles or are we reclaiming it by being the Kung Fu Guy (the Shang Chi-Iron First discussions in particular).
And then, we get a discussion of the historical context of Perpetual Foreigner and like, this book felt very specifically made for me (probably would be even more so if I were a guy, but this hits on a lot of my soapboxes lol). Short, but impactful for me.
I'm SO curious about how this was adapted given it's written entirely as a script.
And then, we get a discussion of the historical context of Perpetual Foreigner and like, this book felt very specifically made for me (probably would be even more so if I were a guy, but this hits on a lot of my soapboxes lol). Short, but impactful for me.
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was a little too old for these when they first came out, but I did watch the Disney Plus series earlier this year (and ordered a copy then but didn't start until this week with a discord book club on 17th Shard). This was fun! If you're knowledgeable about Greek mythology, plenty of fun Easter eggs. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Riordanverse.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I'm kind of wondering now if Chloe Gong is going to continue reimagining Shakespearean dramas in eastern settings, though I'm also reminded of how I... don't think I've actually read/watched Antony and Cleopatra so I'm fuzzy on side characters (who were mostly based on real people to be fair, so this is a layered narrative: a sci-fi interpretation of a Shakespearean dramatization of historical events based onPlutarch's biographies).
I don't remember if These Violent Delights/Our Violent Ends was also in present tense the entire time, but I thought it was an interesting choice here given the Battle Royale premise, adding urgency to Calla and Anton's moves (side note, would love it if people who read The Hunger Games read BR... does predate it by a bit). The idea of jumping bodies is fascinating, and I'm curious to see how it'll play in the second book (as a reminder, I kinda sped-read this after mistakenly checking out Vilest Things not realizing it was a book 2). I also appreciated setting this in a fantastical version of Kowloon Walled City.
I don't remember if These Violent Delights/Our Violent Ends was also in present tense the entire time, but I thought it was an interesting choice here given the Battle Royale premise, adding urgency to Calla and Anton's moves (side note, would love it if people who read The Hunger Games read BR... does predate it by a bit). The idea of jumping bodies is fascinating, and I'm curious to see how it'll play in the second book (as a reminder, I kinda sped-read this after mistakenly checking out Vilest Things not realizing it was a book 2). I also appreciated setting this in a fantastical version of Kowloon Walled City.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hooboy I stayed up late and finished this, still digesting the ending. keeping it spoiler free (I'll probably write a more in depth review on Goodreads later but copied Todd from Fable), it's definitely the end of an era but I almost have *more* questions coming out of this. there's resolution for most main characters, but definitely a paradigm shift going forward.
I looked seeing some things across books come to roost, like Jasnah's Lesson, as well as setting fan theories come to fruition like Chana Davar and child champion.
Meet Isabel and Nicki by Julia DeVillers
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5. I'm taking a break from sad sword boys to quickly read this before I open the twins Christmas Eve in the 2024 American Girl advent calendar because I didn't know much about them.
While the traditional series took place over the course of about a year generally, Meet Isabel and Nikki is truly a December story so it's very seasonal to read now! When they debuted last year, I joined the millennials having an existential crisis because *I was nine* in 1999 and therefore the same age as these characters. Husband pointed out that this would be historical for our infant daughter so... fine. I remember participating in family friendly activities around town NYE and my brother got interviewed on local news, lol. I haven't read any other books by the twin authors, but I do remember the Disney Channel Original Movie "Read It and Weep", which was an adaptation of one of the authors' books.
Cynically, the brand names that pop up felt intrusive even though I do agree that maybe we were a heavily advertised-to generation (not sure I ever actually had a Baby Bottle Pop tbh). The Hoffman twins live in Seattle, and their dad is a former grunge band member who runs a coffee shop while Mom works in programming trying to prevent Y2K. The stakes are kinda low but the girls make new friends as they go through their Y2K goal list. I'm curious how this reads to an actual middle grader, as to me it feels like a member berry session (hey, remember that episode...?) but learning to make new friends and try new things are timeless.
I initially thought, "wow, seems kind of late for Isabel to be super in to the Spice Girls" but that's pointedly addressed by her friend rift when they prefer N'Sync to Isabel (honestly let's call it mini nostalgia)'s old tunes.
Asian spotting: mean girl fifth grader Cammy is drawn Asian, and Nikki's new skating friend Ari Lin is probably an ABC like me. I'm glad they're present in a story set in the PNW, at least.
While the traditional series took place over the course of about a year generally, Meet Isabel and Nikki is truly a December story so it's very seasonal to read now! When they debuted last year, I joined the millennials having an existential crisis because *I was nine* in 1999 and therefore the same age as these characters. Husband pointed out that this would be historical for our infant daughter so... fine. I remember participating in family friendly activities around town NYE and my brother got interviewed on local news, lol. I haven't read any other books by the twin authors, but I do remember the Disney Channel Original Movie "Read It and Weep", which was an adaptation of one of the authors' books.
Cynically, the brand names that pop up felt intrusive even though I do agree that maybe we were a heavily advertised-to generation (not sure I ever actually had a Baby Bottle Pop tbh). The Hoffman twins live in Seattle, and their dad is a former grunge band member who runs a coffee shop while Mom works in programming trying to prevent Y2K. The stakes are kinda low but the girls make new friends as they go through their Y2K goal list. I'm curious how this reads to an actual middle grader, as to me it feels like a member berry session (hey, remember that episode...?) but learning to make new friends and try new things are timeless.
I initially thought, "wow, seems kind of late for Isabel to be super in to the Spice Girls" but that's pointedly addressed by her friend rift when they prefer N'Sync to Isabel (honestly let's call it mini nostalgia)'s old tunes.
Asian spotting: mean girl fifth grader Cammy is drawn Asian, and Nikki's new skating friend Ari Lin is probably an ABC like me. I'm glad they're present in a story set in the PNW, at least.
When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep by Robert Stickgold, Antonio Zadra
informative
slow-paced
3.0
The second Dreams book for Oct/Nov 2024 Biere Library Storytime Book Club picks, though I definitely lagged in the second half (thus the late December finish). The first half was interesting, going over the history of dream investigation, and then about halfway through the authors propose a new framework (NEXTUP) on how to consider the purpose of dreams and how they work to make the brain explore weak connections for understanding what the brain experienced. I'll confess to forgetting what the acronym is (network exploration to understand possibilities).
Overall, does make me think about the nature of dreams more, and I've never been so aware of dreams and what I'm experiencing than I was during this Oct/Nov period!
Overall, does make me think about the nature of dreams more, and I've never been so aware of dreams and what I'm experiencing than I was during this Oct/Nov period!
The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Cute, though the title ain't wrong: it's about a boy in a chair who looks at clouds. (in case you aren't aware, that's the joke: the text is boring while the illustrations aren't, and I finally get to see a dragon onscreen in a Sanderson book).
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is very cozy but oh man, the main character is... just really dense. I mean, really? You've got a male best friend for a decade and you cuddle and basically go on dates but couldn't possibly be interested in each other? In the first chapter, I texted my friend group that I speculated that Luka would actually be gay and Beckett would actually be the MMC but alas, that's a more interesting relationship twist than this very straightforward, "he REALLY REALLY likes you Stella, c'mon"
It's very cute and cozy and a bit of a break from my mentally ill trauma dumping fighter boys.
It's very cute and cozy and a bit of a break from my mentally ill trauma dumping fighter boys.
Wintersteel by Will Wight
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Gosh, I really wish Kindle would stop suggesting I write reviews before Bloopers; they're really funny.
Anyway, the Uncrowned tournament *finally* concludes (at the glacial place I was reading this for Kindle app streak which I broke beginning of November anyway, it got more drawn out) with an explosive finish. We got to know factions a little bit better but more importantly our mains FINALLY talk about feelings instead of just trying to one up each other via training (though they do that too, and it's very endearing, battle couple things.)
Looking forward to Lindon finally going home, though- I was kind of afraid he never would.
Anyway, the Uncrowned tournament *finally* concludes (at the glacial place I was reading this for Kindle app streak which I broke beginning of November anyway, it got more drawn out) with an explosive finish. We got to know factions a little bit better but more importantly our mains FINALLY talk about feelings instead of just trying to one up each other via training (though they do that too, and it's very endearing, battle couple things.)
Looking forward to Lindon finally going home, though- I was kind of afraid he never would.
Bourbon Land: A Spirited Love Letter to My Old Kentucky Whiskey, with 50 recipes by Edward Lee
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Once again, am rating a cookbook I haven't actually made things out of and instead read cover-to-cover... one day, I will actually attempt a craft but today is not that day.
A cousin of mine got married in Lexington in 2019, and I remember her "Things to Do" guide was basically horses and bourbon. My mother isn't much of a drinker, but I encouraged my family to go to at least one distillery while we were in the area and we ended up at Buffalo Trace. This book brought memories of that trip, and the complex sense layers in different varieties as climate, wood, grain bill, and time affect the liquor within barrels that sit aging in a rickhouse.
Ed's voice is distinctive and I cannot help but read it in his voice. A variety of recipes to consider from appetizers to mains as well as desserts, along with cocktails interspersed. Bourbon Land also provides tour itinerary suggestions for different regions of Kentucky, interviews with master distillers and experts in the field, and the history of bourbon as a product and the components within.
A cousin of mine got married in Lexington in 2019, and I remember her "Things to Do" guide was basically horses and bourbon. My mother isn't much of a drinker, but I encouraged my family to go to at least one distillery while we were in the area and we ended up at Buffalo Trace. This book brought memories of that trip, and the complex sense layers in different varieties as climate, wood, grain bill, and time affect the liquor within barrels that sit aging in a rickhouse.
Ed's voice is distinctive and I cannot help but read it in his voice. A variety of recipes to consider from appetizers to mains as well as desserts, along with cocktails interspersed. Bourbon Land also provides tour itinerary suggestions for different regions of Kentucky, interviews with master distillers and experts in the field, and the history of bourbon as a product and the components within.