Had this book signed in person by Amy Tan. Really excited to read as she is a local, Asian, Californian, and a bird watcher like me!!
Reviews and Comments
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AlexaReadMeABook started reading Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
AlexaReadMeABook reviewed Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Good, Good, Good, Good!!
5 stars
Audiobook? Utterly amazing. At first, I was very annoyed about the narration!!! However, I absolutely loved the book!! Ryland Grace was an amazingly developed character and the world building within this sci fi novel was amazing. I did not expect to find so much love for science in a book and expect to feel like I know about highly scientific knowledge along with the main character. I was hooked to the story. Absolutely amazing. Also, the world needs Strat. Fictional and Non Fictional world!!
AlexaReadMeABook finished reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
AlexaReadMeABook started reading The women by Kristin Hannah
AlexaReadMeABook reviewed The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
Solid Sequel
4 stars
I loved loved Old Mans War. I was happy that the universe was continued with this book as I wanted to know more about the universe that Scalzi created, about the characters, ghost brigades, etc. I was surprised on how different some of the Special Forces were to one another. It felt like a smaller story than the first and went by very fast. Writing is still very good, dialogue, etc.
AlexaReadMeABook started reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Cute
3 stars
I would only recommend the audiobook version of this novel. The narration from Eunice Wong for Vera and all the characters are amazing. The writing is just okay. Not the strongest. Story too. Everything is sort of basic. Nothing too special. I couldn't feel very invested in the characters but it is a cozier, easy read.
AlexaReadMeABook reviewed Water Moon by Cindy Kay
Too Melodramatic
3 stars
Watermoon feels like a Miyazaki movie with the settings and characters. It does magical realizism well but the characters are a bit flat and a good amount of story+characters are too melodramatic for me. Style was great but under a more talented writer I think this book could have had a lot more potential.
AlexaReadMeABook reviewed Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
Original and Thought Provoking
5 stars
The narration on this book was solid and I loved the story. It weaves an intricate, unique story about religion, capitalism, homophobia, influence and trauma. Rose and Sals perspective on religion highly differ and its great to see all contrasting viewpoints of the same concepts and events. Would definitely recommend the Audiobook. Powerful and cathartic.
AlexaReadMeABook started reading Water Moon by Cindy Kay
AlexaReadMeABook started reading The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
AlexaReadMeABook started reading Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
AlexaReadMeABook started reading Vera Wong's unsolicited advice for murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
AlexaReadMeABook reviewed Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
Love Is Real
5 stars
Content warning Spoilers
Wow. This book, rather audiobook completely blew my mind. The narration was great btw. I know its only Feb but it is by far my favorite read of the year and as I can tell, 5 star in a while. The characters are well developed and realistic. Plot and story is original while having many references to other media, companies, and people. There are many parallels to be found, several layers of social commentary, and metaphors used are spot on. Campy in some spots and overall just super fun. I loved how he addressed some of my concerns at the end too about the true villains of the story.
Spoilers I read a lot of horror and can understand why when presented as this genre, a lot of other readers were not impressed. However, I went into this audiobook blind and came out loving this book so much. The meta commentary in this story was amazing about the entertainment industry, late to end stage capitalism, the nuances of queer representation and treatment over the years+now, etc. It really is the board that controls everything, CEOs are just the face, the industry is still very abusive and controlling, and capitalism is evil. I am so happy that there has been so much more queer representation but as this novel points out, there are still tropes commonly used and capitalism still is ruining our country. Just look at the reversion of America and where most people are in the world now because of capitalism. I also loved that there was an additional cautionary tale about privacy.
The way Chuck Tingle also connected Misha's past and present was also very great and I loved his comments on the purpose of horror and story telling. I just have so many thoughts on the book.
It overall was a fun but deep story, wondefully written about very complex topics. The ending was a bit more optimistic than I expected but I appreciated it all the same. I felt like Tingle is correct though that we need to continue to tell stories, connect and support one another. Lastly, that we should continue to love one another and acknowledge that we are all humans.