rosalinda lam

It left me sobbing in a good way

Revisado: 10-05-24

This book has everything I like. A love story, a plot twist, magic, amazing real dialogues among the characters, people of color as the main story, no white saviors, teachings about other cultures that flow naturally in the story, It also made me laugh! I loved it even though I’m not the target audience since I am a straight middle age white woman. Nevertheless it talked to me and made me feel so much which is what good books do. I highly recommend it
I’m grateful for the TikTok algorithm that somehow knew I was going to love this book

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The struggle of the immigrant’s child

Revisado: 07-09-24

I loved this book. I am an immigrant myself and I have a daughter who I’m sure feels like Audrey sometimes. Audrey is not particularly likable but she is very human and real. Her parents’ cruel behaviors (by cultural standards) are described with compassion and the clueless all American boyfriend is given the benefit of the doubt. A great book about the immigrant and assimilation experience

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So much packed in 50 minutes!

Revisado: 09-22-23

This short story left me reeling. I’m still trying to recover. Ruben’s grasp of how powerful people behave is supreme. And I know he is right about everything he says by reading the one star reviews!

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Important and compelling

Revisado: 05-26-23

This book touches on so many points that are obvious to women of color but invisible to white people. And some white people get very defensive, just look at the reviews! I’m in awe of how talented and young this author is. I hope that what she describes in her book happening to women of color in the publishing industry does not happen to her. We need to cherish and protect brave creators like her. This book will either comfort you or insult you. Read it and find out.
Question for the author: are you obsessed with the untamed too?

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Fun and introspective

Revisado: 05-06-23

The minute I saw there was a sequel to boyfriend material I got it because I loved it and the sequel did not disappoint! It is funny and real and it makes you think, which is not necessary a good thing but it doesn’t hurt. I loved every single character and I think it is the king of book I will listened again if only for the laughs

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At the end, this book is about friendships

Revisado: 10-31-22

I’m so glad I listened to this audiobook. Hua Hsu narrates his life like he is your best friend drinking coffee with you in a small cafe. He brings a new take to the Asian-American experience. What I like the most is the little pieces of history he sparkles through the book seemingly out of nowhere but that make perfect sense to his story. I also enjoyed his descriptions of Berkeley, which is almost like another character in his book. I can’t stop thinking about his friend Ken, and I can tell the author can’t either. I’m going to read this book again because I can tell it is the kind of book that keeps on giving you different things every time you read it.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

Unexpectedly great!

Revisado: 08-01-22

I chose this book because I wanted a 3 hours audiobook for my drive to Austin. I knew nothing about it and had no expectations. And WOW!!! It turned out to be one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened! A convenience store becomes the most interesting environment to study society’s expectations and society’s treatment of those who don’t fit the mold. It gave me a new perspective and a new way to look at the so called “weirdos” and I’m so happy I listened to it. I highly recommend it

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What a life!

Revisado: 07-06-22

I really like this memoir. Her life is a mix of a horror story, coming of age, fairytale, romance, self help and drama. Even with all that she sounds very real and I totally believe her. I’m so glad I read it

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This book awakened emotions I didn’t know I had

Revisado: 02-17-22

Whatever you are expecting from this book you are not going to get it. You are going to get something better but you are going to be traumatized in the process. At least I was. I am a mother and an immigrant and this book has put into writing my darkest emotions and it has exposed them. Jessamine Chen has uncovered what motherhood costs us. She has showed us the different expectations between genders, race, class, age. I had never imagined such a story and even though it has left me with anxiety I’m so glad I read it. I will never forget it.

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The kind of memoir that stays with you forever

Revisado: 11-19-21

there is no way to give this memoir the review it deserves but I must try.
This is an immigrant story, a coming of age story and an American tragedy. The so called “Beautiful Country” that does not lives up to its Chinese name. You don’t need to be an immigrant to be destroyed by this memoir. It will devastate you and somehow fill you with hope.
The writing is superb, the metaphors she uses made me stop reading so I could savor them and try to commit them to memory.
She is the narrator, which in my opinion, takes the audiobook to another level because it sounds so genuine and raw you cannot help but to feel what she is feeling.
I really hope she writes a continuation of this book, after all, there is so much more of her story I would love to know.
I’m so grateful she shared her life with the world. I will never forget it.

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