Scan barcode
chery's reviews
39 reviews
The Borrowed by Chan Ho-Kei
dark
mysterious
2.75
The book explores the darker side of urban life in Hong Kong, highlighting its role as a hub of lifestyle challenges marked by high crime rates and a flawed justice system that can lead to many unfortunate situations. The story follows a seasoned detective renowned for his crime-solving skills. However, despite his undeniable expertise, I found it difficult to understand how some of his conclusions were drawn, as the events lacked sufficient context for us to connect the dots. It felt as though we were expected to accept everything the detective said without enough links to the preceding events. This was disappointing, especially given my newfound interest in the crime genre.
I had similar reservations when I started this book after finishing Second Sister. While I don’t think the writing is poor, it often feels straightforward, perhaps due to translation issues that reduce its impact. This affected my enjoyment and made it hard to fully engage with the storyline. If the story had been presented as a cohesive whole, I might have appreciated its complexity more, but as it stands, I found it difficult to feel satisfied upon completing it.
I had similar reservations when I started this book after finishing Second Sister. While I don’t think the writing is poor, it often feels straightforward, perhaps due to translation issues that reduce its impact. This affected my enjoyment and made it hard to fully engage with the storyline. If the story had been presented as a cohesive whole, I might have appreciated its complexity more, but as it stands, I found it difficult to feel satisfied upon completing it.
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
“I have spent many nights, lying awake in this room, thinking that the haggadah came to Sarajevo for a reason. It was here to test us, to see if there were people who could see that what united us was more than what divided us. That to be human being matters more than to be a Jew or a Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox.”
Going through different emotions between the chapters, though some flashbacks don’t make sense to me, until I reached the original artist of the haggadah’s point of view. An honest life that she lived, as a Muslim, aligned beautifully with her intentions to capture the Jew’s account of God’s creation and the life of the Jewish family who took her refuge and eventually loved her as their own, enabling the creation of a cultural heritage that lives to this day—worthy of the importance of its history to be displayed in a museum—even after five hundred years. Her story is what inspired me the most, as it was both tragic and touching, but it was a relief to know that in the end, we didn’t meet her demise, as she found her own safe place among the Jewish family whom she cherished her whole life, or so it seemed.
The clarity in the book’s chapters may not be as easy to link from one to another as to explain what’s told in the haggadah until we read Zahra Al-Tarek’s A White Hair (Seville, 1480), but I think that’s what made it even more grand, nearing the end. I love the way each place was described so vividly, as if Brooks herself had ever paid a visit. The clear depiction, down to even the most obscure details, was so elaborate that I had to take my time to appreciate the whimsical sensations, so tangible, as if I were also transported back to a certain place at a certain time. I highligted a lot of lines because they feel so close to me I could almost touch and absorb all of it with my senses.
Furthermore, though it may sound irrelevant from the rest of the review, Hanna’s relationship with her mother gave me somewhat uncomfortable feelings as I could imagine how troubled a child could be if she were treated the way Hanna was, and it was a tense-emotional moment, unfortunate for both of them to live separately after everything. Still, it feels lacking in coherence to the high-profile job Hanna took to preserve the haggadah that I feel out of it sometimes. That aside, I would say I’ve enjoyed the book thoroughly, though if I am to be honest, I still like Horse—her most recent work—better.
The clarity in the book’s chapters may not be as easy to link from one to another as to explain what’s told in the haggadah until we read Zahra Al-Tarek’s A White Hair (Seville, 1480), but I think that’s what made it even more grand, nearing the end. I love the way each place was described so vividly, as if Brooks herself had ever paid a visit. The clear depiction, down to even the most obscure details, was so elaborate that I had to take my time to appreciate the whimsical sensations, so tangible, as if I were also transported back to a certain place at a certain time. I highligted a lot of lines because they feel so close to me I could almost touch and absorb all of it with my senses.
Furthermore, though it may sound irrelevant from the rest of the review, Hanna’s relationship with her mother gave me somewhat uncomfortable feelings as I could imagine how troubled a child could be if she were treated the way Hanna was, and it was a tense-emotional moment, unfortunate for both of them to live separately after everything. Still, it feels lacking in coherence to the high-profile job Hanna took to preserve the haggadah that I feel out of it sometimes. That aside, I would say I’ve enjoyed the book thoroughly, though if I am to be honest, I still like Horse—her most recent work—better.
Second Sister by Jeremy Tiang, Chan Ho-Kei
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
To tell you the truth, I was quite intrigued by the amount of time people on Booktwt talked about this book. Yes, it’s quite popular here in Indonesia. Some of my own mutuals even said ‘plot twist in a plot twist’ when they mentioned the book, and looking back now, I felt the need to pick it up immediately to avoid spoilers. Reading through it myself was another experience, though. I can’t say I truly enjoyed it, nor can I say I didn’t. My feelings towards it are rather mixed, but let’s admit one thing: The book’s exploration of cyber terminology and its examination of how technology changes our lives, how it evolves in our society, and how it could be such a great tool for malice when not used accordingly, how people are easy to manipulate through the internet—I find those to be valuable lessons.
The character N is the key to everything here. I found myself immersed in his words, how he views the world as nothing but a spectator. He who has given up on the material world to help others track down criminals. I admire the way he easily concludes from the way someone posts or interacts on social media. It may seem simplistic, but it also changes my perspective that things can’t always be perceived as how they look, especially considering the digital society we inhabit. But if we’re discussing how complex the story revolves around the character, I would disagree that it is mind-blowing. It doesn’t feel incredibly remarkable to me. I have to say that I am more intrigued by the moral value than the plot itself, particularly how N views the world as if he’s seeing people through their minds. The psychological aspect and how it captures a viewpoint of life paralleled with the cyber world is what truly captivates me.
The character N is the key to everything here. I found myself immersed in his words, how he views the world as nothing but a spectator. He who has given up on the material world to help others track down criminals. I admire the way he easily concludes from the way someone posts or interacts on social media. It may seem simplistic, but it also changes my perspective that things can’t always be perceived as how they look, especially considering the digital society we inhabit. But if we’re discussing how complex the story revolves around the character, I would disagree that it is mind-blowing. It doesn’t feel incredibly remarkable to me. I have to say that I am more intrigued by the moral value than the plot itself, particularly how N views the world as if he’s seeing people through their minds. The psychological aspect and how it captures a viewpoint of life paralleled with the cyber world is what truly captivates me.
The Plague by Albert Camus
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
A drastic societal changes—the plague—which took lives all around, is depicted with thought-provoking lines. Human emotions can serve as a source of philosophical reflection on life, offering insights from various perspectives when we encounter different circumstances, especially those that evoke specific feelings about the world around us. Desperation became ordinary among people living in the same area, something with which we are familiar. It’s as if we’re looking back to the time when COVID became a global epidemic, observing similar experiences through the book was particularly thrilling. Through shared pain and hardship, we may better understand others, and it is emphasized how man’s struggles sometimes become challenges because we will always find a solution to any problem that arises, one way or another. By introducing characters with their own unique views on the plague, we can gain similar insights that may teach us valuable lessons about understanding human nature and problem-solving.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
I appreciate the nature of the story and its ability to resonate with readers on a personal level. There are several aspects that feel lacking in terms of evoking emotions towards the passages and important messages said by the characters, but it does contain deeper meaning when you try to reflect on your life and may see yourself in their journey. It feels relatabl to our daily life, and picturing ourselves as one of the characters isn’t difficult. Subtle emotional cues and deeper reflections can be more impactful than overt displays of emotion.
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, Mike Merryman-Lotze
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Truly writings born of fire: the book opened my eyes to the ongoing assault and constant suffering endured by Palestinians. It goes beyond that by elaborating Palestine’s struggles and history, shedding light on how people continue to live there amidst bombings and various limitations imposed by Israel’s occupation since the Nakba. It educates readers about the realities of what transpired and portrays Palestinians not merely as impoverished victims, but as individuals with dreams who led normal lives prior to the Nakba. It serves as a reminder that Palestine deserves its rightful chance to live, advocating for a one-state solution that can offer a fair resolution and uphold full human rights for its people.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.0
I struggle to grasp the historical context of Japan and Korea before the war within the book’s narrative. The focus on Sunja and her descendants seems to overshadow the historical backdrop, diminishing its initial allure. The narrative predominantly revolves around her family members—her husband, sons, and grandson—resembling more of a dramatic storytelling rather than a thorough exploration of historical fiction. This superficial approach lacks the depth required to delve into the characters’ emotions, making it challenging for me to remain engaged until the conclusion.
Ace by Angela Chen
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Stumbling upon someone’s review for this book, I was immediately sold: Yes, this is what I’m going to read next.
“Part I: Self” has numerous highlights because it’s something most people can relate to; seeing ourselves reflected in the paragraphs allows our initial doubts about ourselves to dissipate and be replaced with a new understanding. The subsequent chapters, however, prove to be difficult for me to relate to as someone from Southeast Asia, as the topics touch on sex. It is mentioned several times how race can affect someone’s convictions about identifying as a certain sexuality, but to my dismay, only a few Asian people were interviewed, mostly from East Asia and they are all American by nationality, and the racial struggle explained felt too concise. It’s challenging to grasp sexual desire, attraction, and the importance of sex from a Western viewpoint. In our culture, sex isn’t considered the most crucial aspect and still remains taboo, especially for unmarried individuals, rendering it a topic not explicitly open for discussion here. Nevertheless, the information and studies that Chen brings to light can be helpful not only for aces or the LGBTQ+ community but also for individuals in relationships where sex is a deal-breaker.
“Part I: Self” has numerous highlights because it’s something most people can relate to; seeing ourselves reflected in the paragraphs allows our initial doubts about ourselves to dissipate and be replaced with a new understanding. The subsequent chapters, however, prove to be difficult for me to relate to as someone from Southeast Asia, as the topics touch on sex. It is mentioned several times how race can affect someone’s convictions about identifying as a certain sexuality, but to my dismay, only a few Asian people were interviewed, mostly from East Asia and they are all American by nationality, and the racial struggle explained felt too concise. It’s challenging to grasp sexual desire, attraction, and the importance of sex from a Western viewpoint. In our culture, sex isn’t considered the most crucial aspect and still remains taboo, especially for unmarried individuals, rendering it a topic not explicitly open for discussion here. Nevertheless, the information and studies that Chen brings to light can be helpful not only for aces or the LGBTQ+ community but also for individuals in relationships where sex is a deal-breaker.
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
It’s only recently that I also expressed my own understanding of life, acknowledging the inseparability of pain and happiness, and how missing one of them will diminish the entire essence of living a life that holds meaning and value, one that teaches us from our experiences.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
It is romantic and sweet, a story that captures a perspective of life from Tokue, who navigated through her youth with severe illness, devoid of the regular life that we might have now. Yet, she holds a lot of faith in the world, not because it has taught her to be kind, but because a life lived with even a hint of self-pity is one that is unfulfilled and meaningless. She didn’t let her sickness define what she could or couldn’t do because we are always capable of choosing our state of mind, and our life is so much more than the perpetual misery brought upon us.
I like the way Sukegawa, at the beginning of the chapter, described the changing of seasons and mentioned cherry blossoms in many paragraphs. I think it highlights the message to tell us to listen to that around us, as Tokue did. What deeply reflects with me is within Tokue’s letter:
I like the way Sukegawa, at the beginning of the chapter, described the changing of seasons and mentioned cherry blossoms in many paragraphs. I think it highlights the message to tell us to listen to that around us, as Tokue did. What deeply reflects with me is within Tokue’s letter:
But with joy also came pain. All experience adds up to a life lived as only you could. I feel sure the day will come when you can say: this is my life.
It’s only recently that I also expressed my own understanding of life, acknowledging the inseparability of pain and happiness, and how missing one of them will diminish the entire essence of living a life that holds meaning and value, one that teaches us from our experiences.
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I can’t begin to talk about how many times I’ve encountered meaningful passages that not only resonated with me at face value but also deeply through my experiences, as they tackle existential acceptance—of our emotions, bodies, and societal expectations. Being a woman with many insecurities that we carry in our everyday lives can bring forth a lot of questions. I do find myself questioning a lot about my being born into this world with my own differences, and this confusion is scarcely addressed due to personal fears of being distinctive from the rest of the ‘norms’. Descriptions about every little detail leave you wondering if you’ve truly entered the place and experienced what the narrator was feeling—all these tangible sensations you get from reading a philosophical depiction. Consequently, I feel thankful for the reflective journey through reading Breasts and Eggs, which made me feel validated. It is a special experience to find a book that makes you feel seen and understood.