At the end of each month, I will write blurbs about books I have read, purchased, and/or received. I will briefly review books that I read, giving them a rating out of five stars. I will also briefly describe the new books I got, explaining where I got the book and why I want to read it.
Books I Read
China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
- Premise: In the second installment of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, Rachel Chu has just wed Nicholas Young and has also just met her birth father, Bao Gaoliang. He invites the newlyweds to spend time with him in China. However, conflicting views between Bao and his wife lead to Rachel and Nick spending their time with Rachel’s half-brother, Carlton, and his celebrity girlfriend, Colette. They introduce them to the uber wealthy lifestyle that Shanghai has to offer–which surpasses anything they experienced when in Singapore with Nick’s family.
- Genre: Fiction
- Likes: There are a lot of relationships to examine whether they are romantic, familial, or friendly among others. China Rich Girlfriend provides a nice look at many of them through the expected drama and seemingly never-ending extravagance. The main relationship readers get to see is the one between Rachel and Carlton, and it’s reminds you how powerful of a bond siblings can have–even with just months of letting each other. The side plot about Nick’s cousin Astrid; her husband, Michael; and her ex, Charlie was done well, too.
- Critiques: I would’ve like a more suspenseful story but enjoyed the given narrative. However, the minor plot concerning Kitty Pong and her attempt at reinventing herself into a high-end, classy, respectable China elite was interesting but easily forgettable in this novel. It needed more time outside of that it was given, and the book would’ve been fine without it.
- Rating: ★★★★
Books I Got
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- Where: On sale from Target
- Why: Fangirl is a book I’ve known about for years and have heard good things about. It’s been on my to-read list, but I’ve just never read it. In a time where fangirls are prevalent, that idea was what initially intrigued me about the story. But then I discovered the story concerns twin sisters who don’t necessarily remain close, and, as an identical twin, I’m more intrigued about how that plays out. So when there was a sale at Target and I saw the fancy mint green pages of the book, I was convinced to purchase the book.
Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton
- Where: On sale from Target
- Why: Pretty in Punxsutawney is described as Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink. I, however, have never seen either movie but am familiar with both. The concept of Groundhog Day intrigues me, though, so I was drawn to how that idea is utilized in a young adult fiction novel.
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
- Where: On sale from Target
- Why: This is a book I included in my “Books I Want to Read in 2019” post, so when I saw that there was a good deal for it at Target, I couldn’t pass it up. I don’t often read adult fiction, but I’m trying to get, and this narrative interested me. Sporting event proposals have become increasingly popular, but you don’t ever hear about when the person doesn’t accept the proposal. That said, that detail concerning this narrative interested me enough to want to read this.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Where: On sale from Target
- Why: I’m pretty sure the first time I heard of this book was over ten years ago in middle school. I didn’t know anything about it then—nor was I someone who read for enjoyment—but I know I wouldn’t have been mature enough to handle the content matter of it. Speak tells the story of a high school freshman, Melinda, who was sexually assaulted at a party, which is why she has the party busted. No one knows that’s why she did it, though. But getting a party busted doesn’t make her popular, and she eventually becomes isolated and stops speaking altogether. Now that I’m mature enough to handle the content, I’m very intrigued by this important narrative and how it will progress, and, as someone who sometimes has difficulties speaking up, I can also relate to Melinda’s decision to stop talking.
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