Check Your Privilege // TBR + Discussion

Hey, guys,

As a 22-year-old white girl, I know that I could never experience the struggles and oppression that people of color face on a day-to-day basis. In the times that we are in, it would be completely obtuse to ignore my privilege and the advantage that my whiteness provides me. Like Forbes beautifully outlines in one of their many helpful articles, "racial injustice in 2020 isn't fundamentally a black problem, arguably it's a white problem." What's most disgusting of all, is that the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, & Ahmaud Arbery, is that they aren't shocking new news. For anyone, especially black people. It was just a "peek into their reality!"

At this point, it isn't the job of our black brothers, sisters, and siblings to educate their white friends, family, etc. If you can't use the technology at your fingertips to access the information that can be easily Googled, you're part of the problem. Open your damn eyes and get out of your damn white tower and look at the injustices that are pushed upon black individuals. Open your damn eyes. 

Before all of this, I thought I read diversely. It's already the halfway mark of the year and I've read about 70 books. Upon reflection, however, I saw that I really dropped the ball. I haven't been reading enough books by racially diverse authors. I've read books with diverse characters and sexualities, but how can I promote these practices through my social media if I'm not even implementing them properly in my own life? Our world is so large and so diverse, so I should manage to read that way too, right? 

(If you’re interested in the stats: 

• 3 by black authors

• 3 by Latinx authors

• 13 by east & west Asian authors)

This is my own call out. 

I KNOW can do better.

Reading books written by BIPOC & queer authors shouldn't be something that people actively seek out. They should be read anytime and frequently because they are valid stories and experiences and works of art. By expanding your reading to read other perspectives that are different from your own, you're doing yourself a service. As a community, we should stick up for and support diverse stories and their authors. We need to step up. 

So I went to my stacks on stacks of unread books. I haven’t counted how many unread books I have. I like to have a good selection to pick from, but there were SO FEW by BIPOC. I feel gross. Granted, I check out books through the library, IUK, and Hoopla, but I haven’t been putting my money where my mouth is. That’s gross and I know I can do better. 

Please do not tell me that it shouldn’t matter what ethnicity/race/sexual the author has/identify as/is. I know many people who do not seek out books based on an author's experience, but at this point, I believe that knowing these things allows you to find stories that best represent the people in the story. There are so many white people writing stories about black individuals, representing them incorrectly and spinning a false narrative about their identity.

Please check out this article written by the team behind We Need Diverse Books if you are unaware of this concept. Please educate yourself. As a white woman, I cannot fully explain why this is so important and I won't take from diverse voices that would explain their reasoning more eloquently. That isn't my place. 

The publishing industry is known for having racist behaviors, however, the public -- especially avid readers and members of the book community -- aren't standing for it. Rather, they're questioning the policies and established norms in the publishing industry.  We, as consumers, have the power to question the normalized racism and racist policies that have driven so many companies. Even now, some BIPOC are querying and searching for representation and are still being told, “Sorry, we already have our <insert inane racial label> book for the quarter/quota/whatever.” They’re not given a fair shot. White people do not have this issue. They aren’t profiled because of the color of their skin. It’s wrong. It’s stupid. It’s changing because readers have been vocal. They are calling for change. It’s slow. It’s still fraught with racism, but it’s CHANGING. WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THE CHANGE. 

The book community is one of the coolest communities I could ever be a part of. We have a lot of problems too, but what community doesn't? 

I’m sure it seems trivial and dumb to the non-readers and people that stumble upon this post that I get so fired up about books and stories. But books and stories are the experiences of others, the dreams of the people I probably will never have the pleasure of meeting. Stories are what helped me with so many dark moments in my life. Stories are what helped me LEARN and educate myself on ideas that were considered too adult, too intense, too real for me to comprehend. 

Stories are what can bring us together. Stories have powerful. Stories can change the world. 

If you feel inclined, please comment a diverse book you recommend. 

I’ll start:

✨ A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi ✨

💗 #ownvoices

💗Takes place right after 9/11

💗 Muslim teen protagonist

💗 Emotional and thought provoking

💗 Break-dancing 😤♥️

💗 Written by an Iranian-American woman ✊🏼

💗 Raw, honest, and semi-autobiographical

💗 trigger/content warning for: islamophobia, bullying, &xenophobia

✨ Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert ✨

🍑 #ownvoices

🍑MC = black young woman who struggles with chronic pain & an invisible illness (beautiful representation)

🍑 gruff (secret softy) hero with a soft spot for cats - struggles to move on from abusive past relationship

🍑Salacious, romantic, and will make you swoon

🍑 Adorable slow burn friends to lovers story

^^ Both of these books were 5 stars for me. I adored them both. They are so different, but still so poignant and powerful.

🍑 THERE’S A CAT

🍑 Trigger/content warning: discussions and thoughts about recovering from abuse

✊🏼✊🏽 What I’ll Be Reading In June (& Probably July) ✊🏾✊🏿

✨White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson - on hold at the library

✨White Fragility by Robin J. DiAngelo- also on hold

✨ So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

✨ Take A Hint, Dani Brown (sequel to Chloe Brown) by Talia Hibbert - on hold

✨ The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

✨ Dear Martin by Nic Stone

✨ Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

✨ Know My Name by Chanel Miller (contd from May)

✨ The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

✨ Becoming by Michelle Obama

✨ The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

✨ Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi

✨ Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

✨ Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo - on hold and recently released

✨ If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane - on hold

✨ A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown - on hold and recently released

✨ Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan - @romancethequebookclub pick

I hope that this all explains some of my feelings. I wanted to post something, stating my stance on the events of the past two weeks, but I wasn't sure how to eloquently explain all that I've been feeling. 

To my white readers and followers, please just check your privilege.   

I stand with the protestors in my country. I hear you guys, I'm standing with you. I love you. Please stay safe out there and keep fighting the good fight. 

#BlackLivesMatter 

Resources

Please peruse this article by SWAAY because they have so many resources listed with all of the options to help, resources for educating yourself, and reading material as well. 

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:2‬  

“...Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Matthew 19:19

Happy reading, beautiful people. 

Speak up. 

Stand out.

Fight for what is right.

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~ Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Ko-Fi // Book of the Month

{Review} I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

Page Count: 272

Published On: October 1, 2019

Published By: HarperCollins

Genre(s): Children's, Middle Grade, Realistic

Source: Hardback provided by the publisher
Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

In her debut middle grade novel—inspired by her family’s history—Christine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets—and finds her own Native American identity.

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers.

Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her.

Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now?

~~~

Hey, guys!

This book was gifted to me by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day follows young Edith (Edie) and her journey to self-acceptance, discovering her heritage and background, and coming to terms with the changes in her life. Edie has grown up knowing that she was half-Native American; however, she really doesn't have a connection to her NA roots. Because of her mother's adoption, she only really knows about her father's side of the family and her mother's adopted family. Until the beginning of the novel, she doesn't really think she'll ever get answers about her mysterious Native American side. 

One day, Edie and her friends discover a box full of letters and memorabilia from a woman that looks just like her -- a woman named Edith. This then leads Edie to question everything her parents have ever told her. Who is this Edith? Is her mother keeping her Native American family and heritage from her?


This book had a lot of promise, but unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy it as much as I would have anticipated. The writing was quite choppy, the characters were boring and lacked a depth that I would have hoped for in a shorter novel, and the relationships were half-baked. Not only that, but the pacing in the story was just extremely slow. The beginning and the end of the book were the best parts, but I felt like nothing really happened in the middle. There were a few scenes in there that I felt could have been cut. They slowed the pace and didn't add anything to the story. There was also a minor conflict between two of the characters that I felt like could have been handled much neater. There is a better way to handle a friendship breaking up than making one party the bad guy and leaving it at that. 

However, there were some really great discussions, really wonderful representation, and a really powerful overall message. The ending of the book was really its redeeming part. I wish that this story had been much longer. I honestly think that it could have been a novelette or short story. 270~ pages was just too long for me. 

I'm sort of glad that I didn't DNF this book, but full transparency, I wanted to during the entirety of the middle. 

Overall, this wasn't my favorite story, but I think that it will resonate with a lot of people and it will be really important for so many people. I'm excited to see this book on the shelves of so many younger readers. 

Thank you, HarperCollins for sending me this little book!

Happy reading!
Olivia
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{Review} The Candle & the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Page Count: 416

Published On: May 14, 2019

Published By: Scholastic Press

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA

Source: audio-book through Hoopla

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository 

My Rating: 3.25 stars 

Goodreads synopsis

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population -- except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar. 

But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield. 

Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences. 

~~~

Hey, guys!

I was asked to write a review for the blog tour for this lovely book. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete my review for yesterday because there were tornadoes and storms that knocked out my neighborhood's power. I didn't have WiFi to post this review and I couldn't leave my house...because tornadoes. 

When I first started this book, I was so excited...but then, skeptical because I was having a hard time becoming immersed in the story. The pace was slower and the omniscient third person present tense caused me to struggle to connect with the book. Don't get me wrong, it's so lush and intense, but wow, it took me a minute to get into it. The tense that this book was written in was just a struggle for me because I was listening to the story, rather than physically reading. The narrator's slower reading style, combined with the slower pace, really started to bug me and I ended up turning up the speed on my audio-book to nearly 2x. I think that's a personal preference for me, though. 

Once I fully became immersed in the story, however, I really liked the story. It's just so fascinating. I haven't read anything like it before. Noor City is such an interesting place to be and I became so excited to get to explore the city through Fatima Ghazala, Zulfikar, and the other characters. The characters in this book were so freaking cool, but I felt like I couldn't fully connect with them because I couldn't fully connect with their inner thoughts and feelings. It felt like I was at arm's length from them the entire time. The way that this book was written worked, -- it wasn't as if it was executed badly -- but it took me a hot minute to get used to the style. I think that I struggled with connecting to the characters because I listened to the book, I wasn't familiar with the names that derived from Eastern cultures, and because of the style. It's definitely just a preference. 

The details in this book, though, were so freaking great. The descriptions that Azad created are so stunning and I couldn't help but imagine Agrabah from the Aladdin movies (the new film was STUNNING). Every detail was like an intricately woven tapestry and I couldn't get enough of it. The relationships that developed throughout this book were so interesting, though the romance between Fatima Ghazala and Zulfikar wasn't my cup of tea. I felt like their feelings for each other started too quickly and abruptly. It was very insta-lovey for me and I don't think it was done as well as I would have hoped. Fatima Ghazala's sister, Sunaina, at first, was one of my least favorite characters, but as the novel progressed she really grew on me. I think she has a lot of potential for a great adventure story. I honestly think that she is going to end up with one of the other girls. (I apologize for any spelling errors. I didn't read the book physically, so I have no idea how to spell their names.) Overall, this was a very enjoyable cast of characters. 

Overall, Fatima Ghazala was my favorite character. She was so strong and relatable. I really love that she wasn't villainized for allowing herself the time to be distant and to herself. Usually in YA, women have to allow others to be in their space and they never have the ability to stay to themselves without being villainized by the other characters and the readers. Sometimes Fatima Ghazala was really distant and cold to others and she was never made the villain for it! I love it!

There were also so many discussions about feminism, mental health, forgiveness, and grief throughout this book. I absolutely love how it was handled. It's so beautiful and makes my heart so freaking happy.

This tale was so whimsical and addicting. Nafiza Azad has such a fantastic writing style and the way that she wove this story was so fun to see. I'm excited to see where her writing career goes. 

Happy reading, Olivia ~Liv the Book Nerd~ Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code

{Review} The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Page Count: 416

Published on: June 2, 2015

Published by: Simon Pulse

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance, Diverse, TW: Trauma

Source: Hardback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @sarahockler

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d'Abreau was destined for stardom - until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can't sing. She can't even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend's invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse's home in the Caribbean isn't: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry - except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy - insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He's also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn't treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove's high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn't the only thing making waves, though - swept up in Christian's seductive tide and entranced by the Cove's charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn't what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who's best known for breaking them...

~~~

Hey, guys!

    I managed to pick this book up on one of the BookOutlet sales. The synopsis of this book really sucked me into purchasing it, but the $1.50 price also helped. This book was surprisingly beautiful and dark. I adored the representation in this book and I really enjoyed Elyse, the main character. Unfortunately, once I finished the prologue, I had a hard time getting into this book. I was hoping for a haunting and beautiful contemporary, but this book was much heavier than anticipated. That's not a bad thing, but in that moment, it wasn't what I was looking for. 

     The diversity in this book is fantastic. Elyse is from Trinidad and Tobago and she was an up and coming singer. When she gets into a boating accident, she loses the capability to speak and sing. She is mute. Elyse becomes distraught and depressed. She moves to live with her aunt and cousin in a seaside town in Oregon. I loved how this book handled racism and equality. It was perfectly done and I would love to read more books like this. I loved the representation of those who have experienced trauma. I've never read a book with a mute main character. (In the Magnus Chase books, one of the side characters is deaf and mute, but he's not the main character.) There's not enough representation when it comes to this. 

    One of the issues that I had with this book was that I did not ship Elyse and Christian. They have some chemistry, but I really wasn't feeling it. I think that Christian is a d-bag and I didn't see enough character development for me to like him much. 98% of the time, I really didn't like him. I loved how he interacted with his little brother, Sebastian, but most of the time he was a turd. Sometimes I liked how he interacted with Elyse, but I just couldn't get past his playboy reputation. I knew he just wanted to get into the "mysterious mute girl"'s pants. That's annoying. No thank you. I could appreciate how hard working he was, but he was just so "meh" to me.

     My favorite character, by far, was little Sebastian. He's such a cutie. I loved his fascination with mermaids. He definitely knew what he was looking for. For a youngling, he really knew his stuff. Mermaids, I guess, typically fascinate young girls, but Sebastian loves them. Throughout the book, his parents and the "manly men" of the story discourage him from his passion. SO ANNOYING! I loved how the gang of friends stood up for him and encouraged him to follow his passion. Sebastian's part of the book was probably my favorite part. He's just so sweet and wholesome.

      I'm still not sure if this book is a retelling, an urban fantasy novel, or if it just has magical realism elements to it. This book really baffled me. The writing was dark, mysterious, and beautiful; but I'm still ...not confused, but ...I'm baffled. I've already used that word, but we'll go with it.


Other Awesome Contemporaries:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
• This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills
• Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• Eliza & Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Happy reading!

Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository @LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Review} When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Page Count: 380

Published on: May 30, 2017

Published by: Simon Pulse

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance

Source: Hardback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @smenonbooks

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.
The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?
Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     I, of course, had to pick this book up! I've been meaning to acquire this book for the longest time, but there weren't many copies whenever I went to my local Books A Million. Everyone has snatched it up! I don't blame them either! This book was so entertaining and adorable! The diversity and Indian representation was so great to read and I'm so glad that this book was published. However, this book suffered from an annoying main character, so that was why I didn't give it the full 5 stars. I just really didn't enjoy her character. 

     Dimple Shah is basically the opposite of what her mother wants her to be. Dimple is a head strong and independent Indian young woman who desperately wants to pursue a career in web development. When she's accepted to Stanford for the fall term, Dimple can only dream that her parents would send her to Insomnia Con that summer. Insomnia Con is a huge summer program for incoming freshman who are pursuing web development. Dimple miraculously is allowed to go and then she abruptly meets a boy...Rishi Patel. The sweetest cinnamon roll I've ever read about. Apparently, Dimple and Rishi are expected to eventually get married...Dimple is not a fan. Shenanigans ensue and drama occurs. This book is so adorable. I have my issues with it, but I'm totally impressed. 

      The diversity and culture were so amazing! I haven't read enough diverse books in my life, so I'm so glad that I read this book. It is such a great window into a culture that I'm not as familiar with. I just adored the whole concept of this book.

     I really did enjoy Dimple's character 50% of the time, but for a good chunk of the time, she got pretty annoying when it came to Rishi. There wasn't exactly insta-love, but their relationship developed a bit too quickly for my taste. I also didn't like that once she and Rishi started to actively hang out, any mention of the app contest became an after thought. She was so complex and independent in the beginning of the book. but I felt like she lacked something once the middle hit. I had really hoped for her independence and passion for web development to shine through. She was also really rude to everyone. Half the time I felt like she had an "I'm too cool for everyone" vibe which got on my nerves. She just kind of made assumptions about people and went with it. Granted, the majority of the time her assumptions were accurate, but she was just so rude! However, her sassy character was really appreciated for the majority of the time. I really loved her spunk.

      Rishi was such a sweet character. What a cutie. What a precious cinnamon roll! At first, I didn't like him as much because of how complacent he was, but as the book continued he really grew on me. I really admire his passion for his traditions and culture. Of the pair, I think Rishi was my favorite. He was just a really genuine and real guy! His character development was precious to read and I just loved him so much! His conflict and worries were so real and I don't think that they are confined to his Indian heritage. I think it is a very real and relatable issue for youths today. 

“This is our life. We get to decide the rules. We get to say what goes and what stays, what matters and what doesn’t.”

(literally one of my favorite quotes from this book)

      I was so stoked for the web development aspect to this book. I was so ready to get behind Dimple's passion and love for this task! But unfortunately, I felt like the romance overshadowed her passion and actual desire to go into this field. I loved the parts where Dimple and Rishi actually planned out the app and discussed what they were planning, but then the romance just took over. 

      I loved how Menon tackled the subject of entitlement and privilege. There was a group of d-bags that really got on my nerves, got on Dimple's nerves, got on Rishi's nerves...okay basically they were the worst entitled buttholes ever. They were also a more diverse group of buttholes. Idiotic people come in all colors and from every background. I really appreciated that rich white heterosexual males weren't the only group called out for being dumb sometimes. Peer pressure was also a prominent theme in this book. I really appreciated that that was tackled as well. 

      I also really enjoyed Dimple's family dynamic. I felt like Dimple was super harsh towards her mother for a good majority of the book, but their growth was really great to see how their relationship changed. Dimple's dad was the cutest. I loved how he communicated and supported his daughter even when she was really internally ungrateful. Their family was really interesting to read about. 

     Celia was a really interesting character, however, I felt like her character shifted really abruptly once she got into the "cool group" and then changed abruptly again towards the end. I feel like a real friendship between Celia and Dimple lacked throughout the book. I enjoyed how she dealt with peer pressure. It's really unfortunate that girls have to feel the way Celia and Isabelle had to fit in.
     Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure if my review reflected that, but I really did enjoy this book. It was super cute and I definitely plan on reading Sandhya's future books. I need more of her writing in my life. It was such a joy to read. I definitely recommend that you read this book. It's so sweet. 

Other Adorable Romance/Contemporary Books:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
• The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
• Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• Eliza & Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Happy reading!

Olivia 

~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository

@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

Girl on the Verge by Pintip Dunn

Page Count: 256

Published on: June 27, 2017

Published by: Kensington Publishing

Genre(s): YA, Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Source: ARC -from the author/publisher

Age Rating: YA

Trigger warnings for harassment and assault and domestic turmoil

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Twitter: @pintipdunn

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Overall Opinion: Disappointing & not that magical

Goodreads synopsis:

From the author of The Darkest Lie comes a compelling, provocative story for fans of I Was Here and Vanishing Girls, about a high school senior straddling two worlds, unsure how she fits in either—and the journey of self-discovery that leads her to surprising truths.

In her small Kansas town, at her predominantly white school, Kanchana doesn’t look like anyone else. But at home, her Thai grandmother chides her for being too westernized. Only through the clothing Kan designs in secret can she find a way to fuse both cultures into something distinctly her own.

When her mother agrees to provide a home for a teenage girl named Shelly, Kan sees a chance to prove herself useful. Making Shelly feel comfortable is easy at first—her new friend is eager to please, embraces the family’s Thai traditions, and clearly looks up to Kan. Perhaps too much. Shelly seems to want everything Kanchana has, even the blond, blue-eyed boy she has a crush on. As Kan’s growing discomfort compels her to investigate Shelly’s past, she’s shocked to find how much it intersects with her own—and just how far Shelly will go to belong…

~~~

Hey, guys!

I was sent an advanced reader's copy by the author and the publisher for an honest review.

      I've been a follower of Pintip Dunn's books since she and Kensington Publishing sent me her novel The Darkest Lie (4.5 stars) in April of last year. I was really impressed by the way Dunn crafted her characters and her plot in TDL. I was really excited to see how her writing has improved and how she dealt with serious issues in her work. Once again, I was really impressed with Dunn's writing. 

      This book was more intriguing compared to The Darkest Lie, but I don't think I enjoyed it any less. This book follows Thai-American Kanchana who lives in a predominately white Kansas town. She has always felt like she does not belong in Thailand with her family or in Kansas with her peers. Her grandmother chastises her for becoming westernized and often claims that she is no longer a "good Thai girl". Although, Kanchana embraces her Thai heritage, she longs to design clothes and go to an art college. When her mother agrees to take in an orphaned girl named Shelly, Kan embraces the chance of welcoming someone new and making them feel welcome in her small-minded town. Things suddenly go south when Shelly begins to envy Kan's life and begins to creepily manipulate her friends and family. Kan decides to investigate Shelly's previous life. 

     This book is very creepy and twisty-turny. That isn't an official term, but that is what it is. I really enjoyed how Dunn established her story. I was instantly caught up in Kan's life within the first few pages and I loved to read about her family's culture. The food, in particular, was especially vivid. I loved the descriptions. Her characters were very well fleshed out and it never felt like the racism and other-ing drove the story. The way Kan dealt with being pushed by her family and her peers. The non-aggressions that she faced daily are heart-breaking, but I never felt like her drove the plot. It was so realistically written. I also really liked Ethan's character. He wasn't the stereotypical guy...he's a ballroom dancer! How cool is that! I also loved that he was so hard working and passionate about his dancing capability. I didn't like how insta-lovey Ethan and Kan's relationship was. It got kind of annoying and escalated a bit quickly. 

     The mystery surrounding Shelly got super creepy quite quickly. It was a good creepy though. I really liked that there were chapters in Shelly's perspective. It was interesting to see what was going on in her head. Really creepy sometimes, but still interesting. I was really impressed by how clueless I was for the good majority of the book. Towards the end, I guessed the twist, but there were still some elements of the twist that I did not see coming. It was kind of annoying how dismissive Khun Yai and Mae were about the whole ordeal, but the fact that they had something to hide was a bit of an explanation. It was like a Criminal Minds or N.C.I.S. episode, which was pretty fantastic. It just needed Reid and it would have been perfect 😉.

     There were a few aspects to the book that I didn't enjoy as much. One of them being the character Ash. Ash was supposedly Kan's best friend, however she never gave me any kind of reason to like her or sympathize with her. She never really stood up for Kan when she was being harassed or made fun of, she wasn't very sympathetic or understanding, and she never seemed like a very great friend, overall. 

     This book is an #ownvoices novel which was really fantastic. I really enjoyed reading from Kan's perspective and her whole family was really fascinating. Her culture is so beautiful and I loved every second of it. I feel pretty enlightened and I highly recommend this book if you're searching for a contemporary thriller. 

Review for The Darkest Lie: {click here}
Pintip Dunn's Goodreads Page: {click here} 
Preorder GIRL ON THE VERGE on Amazon [here] 
Pre-order GIRL ON THE VERGE on Book Depository [here]

Happy reading!
Olivia 

~LivTheBookNerd~

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