pandaintheshelves's reviews
116 reviews

I learned a lot about the cultural and social significance of eyeliner, and I got some hot tea on historical figures 💅✨ What's not to love about that?! 
100% recommended 

3.5 🌟 Reading experience rounded to 4 🌟

⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️

This book has:

📚Saphic workplace romance
📚"Can't get my hands out of you" 
📚Coming out later in life
📚Family feelings
📚Character development 
📚Miscommunication
📚"Yes, chef" vibes

📚Third act break up

Also featuring vegan poutine  

It wasn't for me. I'm not a big fun of miscommunication in characters over 20 and/or contemporary settings, so, that inmediately takes away from my enjoyment of a book. Also, I thought this was going to be more fluffy and have more of the tv show, restaurant issues side (both interesting for me). But that's my fault, I didn't read the reviews first 😑 Also, the audiobook made it a bit confusing because both narrators have similar voices.

Having said that I do know a lot of people who'll probably enjoy it, so I do recommend it. There's interesting character development and a lot of real life issues depicted well on this story. Also, for  spice lovers (wlw version) , this is going to be a hit. 

CW: biphobia

 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC 

4.5 

I gotta say I found this book fascinating! You can tell there's substantial research behind it. Ghosh shows how opium changed the course of global history and how it affected economies, societies, and cultures. The book argues convincingly about opium's huge impact on today's world. I loved the reflections on greed, capitalism, and how history repeats itself

The narrator makes it easier to understand and follow. Great job keeping things interesting and moving along! I had a few issues getting into it at the beginning, but that may be a "me thing" because I'm mostly a fiction reader. In the end, the audiobook was compelling enough to get me interested and even search for more books by the same author. 

Totally recommended! 

 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for a review. 
I must start by confessing I went into the book expecting something different, maybe lighter? So it took me a minute to adjust. This is a story about loss, self-discovery, and emotional healing. There's so much love and so much pain here 🥺
But hey, sometimes life breaks you so you're able to grow. And this book is exactly about that. 
The writing is beautiful, and if you love introspection and character development, this may be for you. Be prepared for triggering moments, though 

This book was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump. Sweet and cute, I appreciated the chronic illness rep and the focus on mental health. 

Look, at this point I ain't even trying to be objective with T. Kingfisher's books. If she writes it, I'll read it and I'll enjoy it. Do with that what you must 😅

Claire Jiménez's "What Happened with Ruthy Ramírez" felt like stepping into a tornado of emotions, cultural identity, and family ties. The book explores themes such as grief, loss, and inter-generational trauma while emphasizing the importance of family bonds. 

As a Caribbean-born Latina living abroad, this story resonated with me in ways I didn't expect. The author's use of Spanglish really added richness to the storytelling, and I loved how the cultural traditions and syncretism were written. 

There were so many moments that made me smile. Like the old lady's use of the endearing term of affection, "mi amor," on a stranger. Or the symbolic glass of water to ward off evil. When the mother ended a fight by serving food (even when no one was hungry), I laughed out loud because it was so fricking relatable! 

However, besides the warmth and humour, Jiménez tackles heavier topics such as prejudice, racism, and discrimination. I was particularly impressed with how she portrayed the micro-aggressions faced by minorities - it really hit the nail on the head. 

Yet, it's the depiction of family dynamics and denial,  especially when it comes to sensitive topics like sexual assault, that truly hits home. Jiménez navigates these difficult conversations with grace, highlighting the complexities of family relationships and the impact of unspoken trauma.

I understand why some readers reacted negatively to certain parts of the book. I have a similar cultural background, and some chapters were difficult to read. Especially those portraying how hitting children and silencing abuse can be culturally normalized.

Overall, it is a powerful and thought-provoking read. I do recommend it, but please, be mindful of your mental health and check the trigger warnings first. 

CW: SA, physical and psychological violence, LOTS of swearing, descriptions of bodily functions 

I need at least 3 business days to process the amount of heartbreak this book has left me with 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

So, I don't usually dive into werewolf stories because they often lean into that whole alpha male thing, which isn't my jam. But "Bored, Gay Werewolf" caught my eye with its quirky setup. Picture this: Brian, a twenty-something guy stuck in more than one sense, dealing with the usual life stuff... plus monthly werewolf transformations. 

Our protagonist is getting by, struggling with his werewolf side, and then this mysterious stranger shows up, offering him a way to manage it. To thrive, even, while being part of a community. Of course, things aren't as simple as they seem. 

One of the highlights of the book is the portrayal of friendships, particularly Brian's bond with Nik and Darby, which adds a layer of sweetness to the narrative. There are also some cool nods to performative masculinity and the pressure to fit in, all woven into Brian's journey. And I enjoyed the clever commentary on modern life and, including capitalism and wellness culture. 

I thought it was going to be on the comedic, campy side. And it does have a campy tone, but it doesn't entirely lean into it, which threw me off a bit. I like my campy stories the most over the top possible 😅. Also, there's a certain type of emotional detachment in the writing that didn't allow me to emotionally connect with the story. I understand what the writer was going for, but it's not something I vibe with. But those are personal preferences, so it may be different for some readers.

Overall an interesting reading experience, 4 🌟 out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reading experience: 3.5/5 🌟(rounded up to 4)

I gotta be honest. "Uncaged Summer" wasn't exactly my vibe—I went into the book with the wrong expectations after misunderstanding its description. (I thought this was more on the romance side, and that is totally on me). But hey, it might be yours, and let me tell you why:

"Uncaged Summer" offers some intriguing glimpses into Persian American culture from the perspective of a first-generation divorced woman in her late thirties. It also features charming interactions with rescued birds and easily manageable short chapters. The book provides valuable insights into the messy world of relationships and the fears and doubts of the post-divorce life. And I gotta say, the dating horror stories are painfully relatable. Plus, there are heartfelt moments scattered throughout the book I particularly enjoyed, like the scenes with the FMC and her family. Additionally, it delves into the familial and cultural pressures faced by women to conform to societal expectations, particularly the pressure to marry.

A bit heavier than I prefer on the dialogue side, this reads more like a theater play or a TV series than a book. But that's a matter of personal taste. I know this is not a problem for a lot of my reader friends.

I also didn't vibe with how much alcohol and drugs are present in the story, but hey, once again, that's on me. I shouldn't have underestimated how much I'd have to read about it because if I recall correctly, those are mentioned in the description. And it's not something I'm looking to read at this point in my life.

There are other moments, like the very realistic depiction of societal pressure for getting a man, any man "because you're not young anymore" as if the only value we have is through being someone's wife that kinda triggered me (as a divorced woman in my early thirties I went through something similar). Usually, that's something I enjoy, but once again, I requested and went into the book thinking it would be a more escapist kind of story. So, my bad.

Overall, my "buts" are more of an issue of compatibility and not quality. While not perfect, "Uncaged Summer" it's a well-written, easy-to-read story about finding yourself after a major life change, with fun moments and glamorized couch surfing. Think "Eat, Pray, Love" but with less praying, more partying, and more dating. It may not have been my cup of tea, mostly because of my misguided expectations and timing (I'm sure at a different point in my life I would have loved it) but it could be yours. Give it a try!