Book Reviews
My Book of the year 2023.
"As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow", is a touching story that moved me to tears from the very first page to the last phrase. It emphasizes a crucial lesson that everyone needs to learn - that people should be treated as human beings and not just as numbers. The story revolves around Salma Kassab, a pharmacy student from Syria who had to discontinue her studies due to the violent civil war in the Middle East. She now volunteers at a hospital in Homs as a doctor and surgeon, helping people amidst the revolution. Salma has even performed surgeries without anesthesia, while enduring the constant threat of bombs falling around her. She also supports Layla, a pregnant woman whose husband died in the war. Kenan, another young rebel, posts videos on YouTube about the Free Syrian Army and the atrocities of war. Likewise to Salma, Kenan is also an orphan of the war, the stray bombs dropping on his family. The book has a life-changing impact and the ending gave me shivers.
Book of the Month
Out of all the fantasy books I read throughout February. One novel stood out from the rest - Shadow and Bone. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the story, unable to take my eyes away from the intricate plot. The rich lineage, and emotional ties Alina had to the orphanage, made me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. The protagonist, Alina, was a force. Her internal struggles and emotions made her an incredibly heart-pounding character to root for and follow through the novel. Shadow and Bone was a thrilling read that I won't soon forget. The author did a fine job with the character conflict of the main antagonist, The Darkling. Highlight for a mild spoiler; When The Darkling first kissed Alina, I knew that there was something exceedingly greedy about him. Especially in chapter 14, at that moment, I was convinced that he was driven by malice and nothing else. During an interview with Leigh Bardugo, she confirmed that the Darkling will make a comeback. As a fantasy reader, I believe a book's conclusion should always be well executed. Otherwise, any plot twists would be meaningless. Although the resolution of this particular story was quite brief, it was executed with amazing precision. I was so happy to discover that there is still more to Alina's character while maintaining a satisfying conclusion to the story.
As a journalist as well, I have been trying to get in touch with Kelly Yang for an interview, it would be my dream come true, I messaged her multiple times and even tried to contact her former editors but I still haven't heard back. There are still many opportunities to try to talk to her but if any of you please know anything, email me right away. Now to the book talk...
Book of the Month
Kelly Yang has been an author I've adored since I read her first novel, "Front Desk." Her incredible storytelling skills, as well as her background, make her a truly unique and inspiring figure. Born in China, Yang moved to the United States with her parents when she was just six years old. She knew very no English upon arrival but grew up in Southern California, where she pursued a career as a writer, despite experiencing poverty and a challenging start in life.
Working extremely against all impossible odds, Yang attended UC Berkeley at the young age of 13, being one of the youngest women to ever attend college, initially planning to pursue a career in law. However, during her third year at Harvard Law School, she was raped, which led to her losing faith in the legal system and the institution. Although she was qualified to practice law in America, Yang moved as far away from her abuser as possible, relocating to Hong Kong, where she found new passions in writing and teaching students.
Yang's first book, "Front Desk," (2018) was a fictionalized account of her experiences growing up as an immigrant child on the brink of poverty, helping her parents manage motels in California. Despite numerous rejections from publishers, Yang persevered and eventually self-published her book, which became a New York Times bestseller and garnered multiple awards. She attributes her success to a mix of imagination and reality, stating that 60% of the story is made up, while 40% is based on her life.
Life for Yang and her family was incredibly arduous; they moved eight times during her eight years in elementary school. Her parents, who had given up their previous careers as engineers and doctors, worked various jobs and managed different motels in California. Yang was also a victim of racist acts and crimes throughout her childhood. In the face of poverty, instability, and cultural barriers, Yang found solace and strength in the world of literature and storytelling. Which made her the person she is today, now, Yang is a beacon for the power of your voice, and how even when you don't have the right resources, you can make it happen. "Your voice is your armour."
Parachutes by Kelly Yang is a gripping YA novel that tells the story of two resilient teenagers, Claire Wang from Shanghai and Dani De La Cruz from California. The novel explores the world of wealthy immigrant families, where teenagers are often "dropped off" to study and live in the United States, while their parents stay in Asia.
In this story, both Claire and Dani attend a private high school near Los Angeles. Dani via scholarship, Claire via her tuition. Despite the challenges they face, including navigating wealth, power, friendship, and trauma, the two girls learn to depend on each other and discover the value of trust and companionship. This book took an inner battle to put down, and I was defeated successfully by Yang's amazing perspective stories. This novel is an absolute must-read for anyone, regardless of gender, race, or age. This is not just a YA (young adult) book, it transcends miles away from the page, the book will change your interpretation of the world of privilege, and the struggles women have to go through. The author's note sent me to ears, as it was all based on her experiences at Havard Law School. However, there are some aspects I disliked about the plot;
First and foremost, I disliked the fact that Claire was in back-to-back intimate relationships with boys and men. Despite this aspect, I was intrigued to learn more about her single life, acknowledging that her approach to relationships may be different from my own. I prefer taking time between relationships to focus on myself, but I understand that everyone copes with their emotions differently, and I respect her choices. Secondly, I felt that the social interaction between Claire and Dani was underdeveloped. Throughout the story, their dynamic seemed somewhat disjointed, as if they were each pursuing their interests. In light of the events that transpired (which I won't disclose due to potential spoilers), their subsequent close friendship didn't feel entirely genuine, as there didn't appear to be enough shared experiences or quality time spent together to truly solidify their bond.
( credits for both pictures of book covers and background are to the Kelly Yang website.
Book of the Month? Little Black Lies.
I haven't had the chance to read a wide variety of books, but one that stands out as a favourite is a psychology book. However, I believe that my audience would be more interested in my fictional perspective and the stories I have to share, which is why I'm recommending Little Black Lies.
Sara and her father are moving from the small town of Lundun, Massachusetts to Boston. Sara is about to start at Anton High School, hailed as "North America’s Most Elite and Most Bizarre Public School" by TIME magazine and is known to be even more selective than Harvard. With an entrance exam that only admits 175 students out of the 11,000 applicants, it's no wonder it's considered tough to get into. (The 10,825 live with their failure.)
It's unheard of for anyone to transfer into Anton High due to the strict admission process, but Sara is an exception. What makes her so special? Well, her father has been hired as a school custodian, a fact she's desperate to keep under wraps. As if that wasn't challenging enough, her father's obsessive-compulsive disorder is beginning to attract attention from the students. Will all of Sara's secrets be uncovered?
First and foremost, Sara Black is extremely intelligent and passionate about math. Despite her intelligence, she is still a relatable protagonist with a social life that we can connect with. It shows that even the smartest people have a lot to learn about life. As I read about Sara digging deeper into a grave of lies, we find a point where she can't get out of her lies anymore. One thing I love is that she gets punished for the things she does when she comes through with them. That may be my favourite part of the book. This is an example of not judging a book by its cover or first quarter, especially when it comes to who Sarah is as a person. I don't want to spoil anything, so stay tuned. If you love realistic fiction in the style of Kelly Yang, you will not be able to put this book down. I stayed up until 2 am reading it.
In conclusion, Sarah Black is an intelligent, relatable girl who made many irreversible mistakes in Anton High and now she paid for it, and now she lives with serenity and owns up to herself which is why she is still the heroine of the story, although everyone says otherwise.