Tyler

Maybe controversial, but this one was a mixed bag for me. I, along with most people, found this book to be heart wrenching and gorgeous and would definitely recommend to anyone looking to read an emotional and heart breaking teen romance. I laughed and cried (my first cry occurred in the first 50 pages). That being said, however, I felt like the writing and character development was a bit lackluster.

The story's protagonist is the shy and risk-averse Mateo. After learning that he will die in the next 24 hours, he meets Rufus, another teen, through an app that connects “Last Friends” (people who are going to die on the same day). They decide to go on an adventure together to make the most of their last day. The world of They Both Die at the End is incredibly original, and Silvera really uses the setting (New York City) to his advantage when writing this. As a New Yorker, I loved watching the small, seemingly inconsequential coincidences / chance meetings take place. These little vignettes really connected the characters and plot in a way I found really incredible.

The characters themselves, however, I felt could have used some more development. I didn't really resonate with any of the characters, and while I felt like I could see shades of myself in Mateo (and I'm sure anyone who has ever been closeted can also relate), I felt like his character arc wasn't as compelling as it could've been. To me, Rufus was a more interesting character, but I felt like he existed in the story only to challenge and propel Mateo forward. The romance and some of the motifs were a little heavy-handed for me, and I wished Silvera had written with a little more complexity.

That being said, I absolutely tore through this one and finished it in a weekend — so props to Silvera there!

On to the review!

Klara and the Sun was admittedly controversial in book club discussion this month. @cherreadssharereads and I loved it, while some others didn't like it quite all that much. During the discussion, I realized that many of the things that people disliked about the book, were also some of my favorite aspects about the book lol

I would say probably the main disagreement(s) the group came to were Klara's “youthful” perspective and many questions about the human world. Klara is an “AF” or Artificial Friend, and her first time ever seeing the world beyond the storefront was when she was purchased by Josie and her family. Understandably, Klara has many MANY questions about the world and its inner-workings. Ishiguro introduces the reader to this crazy post-apocalyptic(?) world through Klara's perspective. And, like Klara, the reader is likely to have many MANY questions about the world (many of which remain unanswered until the very end).

Personally, I found this type of world-building / introduction to the world to be very refreshing; I find that all too often sci-fi/fantasy books “tell” the reader as opposed to showing them the world itself. In this case, Klara's discovery of the world is also OUR discovery of the world, so the many questions feel organic. Other group members, however, understandably found the countless unknowns to be exhausting and uninspiring (why do I have to read about an “oblong” AGAIN when I don't even know what it is?!?). So really, I think it comes down to reader preference!

I think we all agreed that Ishiguro's writing is fantastic, but also that it was difficult to connect with any of the characters (which is likely the point).

A must-read! Pretty much everyone in my book club agreed that this novel is both a compelling, beautiful story in addition to an informative read that gives insight to the vibrant, nuanced, and yet also heartbreaking trans community/experience. This novel interrogates what it means to be a woman, mother, and trans (amongst myriad other identities). With all of these incredible themes, ideas, etc. it's no wonder words like “conflicting,” “tense,” and even “messy” were used to describe this book in our discussion. And I want to emphasize those words were used in the BEST way possible— because Peters masterfully walks the line of tense, “uncomfortable” topics in a way that is accessible, informative, and even funny, while highlighting the depth and variation in experiences felt by many trans people. Apologies for run on sentences lol - there are just so many things to say!

Each character was well thought out, imperfect, yet sympathetic all at the same time! Their motivations were clear and consistent throughout the story. Every character went through some sort of transformation, or, at least changed/learned something. The book club really enjoyed Rees' dark sense of humor and again, found Peters' ability to weave comedy into all-too-often “sad” theme to be masterful! (that is, transness and queerness in fiction often being portrayed as really sad as opposed to hopeful).

I think it is very important for all potential readers of Detransition, Baby to recognize that this book is NOT some panacea or one-stop-shop for all things trans. I found myself needing to check myself on this throughout the reading process– I found that my critiques (mainly, lack of more BIPOC characters) were often the result of me putting too much pressure on Peters to be this mastermind woke repository of knowledge instead of what she is — an incredibly talented author telling an #ownvoices story based on her own knowledge and experiences.

I highly recommend! The Last Exiles was such a vivid read that, while technically a romance novel, captures so many different genres. The story follows Jin and Suja in their harrowing journey from the oppressive North Korea and into China. Jin comes from a family of peasants, while Suja is the daughter of the head reporter at the premier news agency in North Korea. While their backgrounds couldn't be more different, they meet and fall in love in Pyongyang at University. Separated against their will, they will do anything to find one another (and I mean ANYTHING!)

I just finished watching the K-drama, Crash Landing on You with my boyfriend, which, funnily enough, is a romance that takes place in North Korea (literally this is a MUCH watch show, each episode is long but you WILL laugh and cry). #Thelastexiles, however, contrasts from CLoY in that it shows the much darker (and I'm sure realistic) sides of North Korea. The novel is definitely very bleak with the few glimpses into happiness/bliss found in the relationship between Suja and Jin. The writing was easily digestible and kept me interested the entire time with some really intimate and beautiful moments as well. I was rooting SO HARD for a reunion between Jin and Suja— but I guess you'll have to read the book to find out if they have their happy ending!

I do wish the passage of time were a little clearer; I often had trouble telling how much time had passed between chapters. Perhaps this was purposeful of the author, but I definitely found it a bit confusing at times. I also wish that Suja had a bit more agency — Like, I totally understand that her world was completely turned upside-down and she went from a pampered schoolgirl to literally being on the run, but, I don't know, I just wish that she got the opportunity to really use the brain that she so clearly has!

Anyway, kudos to @ann.shin1 for an amazing debut novel— I can't wait to see what you write next! Such an interesting, well-researched, and entertaining first novel!

CW: Sexual assault, violence/domestic abuse

DNF. Unfortunately this book was not for me. The idea was so gorgeous, and the writing so descriptive and poetic in a way... but it was DENSE. The convoluted storytelling (it almost felt like I was reading a book of metaphors and symbols?) slowed me down to the point where I couldn't go on.

I HATE not being able to finish books, so maybe one day i'll come back to this one.