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The story was well executed. It tackled the complex issue of gentrification (specifically in a Chinatown context) in an accessible way. At the end of the book, there were a few pages with background information on Chinatowns, gentrification, community activism, and a short note on the language used (Chinese dialogue is used throughout the story).

Full Review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/review-noodle-bao/

This was one of my #auldlangsspine24 books from @DebinHawaii and I am so glad as I would like to read more from this author. Great, rich historical fiction. This follows Mercy a smart young girl from San Francisco‘s Chinatown in the weeks prior to & then immediately after the earthquake. Mercy is brave & funny as she navigates her way into an elite girls school ready to take on the world before circumstances remind her of what truly matters.

This was one of my #auldlangsspine24 books from @DebinHawaii and I am so glad as I would like to read more from this author. Great, rich historical fiction. This follows Mercy a smart young girl from San Francisco‘s Chinatown in the weeks prior to & then immediately after the earthquake. Mercy is brave & funny as she navigates her way into an elite girls school ready to take on the world before circumstances remind her of what truly matters.

Fifteen year old Mercy Wong just wants to get a good education so she can help get her family out of poverty. After she gets herself admitted to an exclusive girls school, though, she finds it difficult to be accepted. Then the 1906 San Francisco earthquake hits and through tragedy she learns she has friends who love her.

Charlie works as a dishwasher in the noodle restaurant where her dad works but wants more, so she applies for a receptionist job at a dance studio. She never expects where this will end up taking her. This novel has obvious plot points and was too romance focused for my personal taste, but I enjoyed it. It shows the pull between current and traditional expectations well.

4.5⭐️/5⭐️

Sunday afternoon book & beer. I‘m halfway through the words part of DENISON AVENUE, and the thing that strikes me so far is that while Wong Cho Sum may be grieving her closest connection following her husband‘s death, she‘s still in community with so many kind people. It‘s beautiful.

The beer, a Great Scott! Cream Ale from Blackwheat Brewing Co out of Brandon, MB, is just what I feel like tonight. Crisp malt & slight biscuit finish, as promised.

A gorgeous meditation on community, grief, belonging, aging in place, gentrification. I think this one will go far in the Canada Reads debates this week.

While parts of this story connected, much of it fell flat. It is more art than story and while that art is gorgeous, it didn‘t grab me. CanadaReads2024

I‘ve read 4 of the 5 #CanadaReads books so far, the only one left is a graphic novel. I know I can easily nab the e-book from my library‘s express on overdrive, but when it comes to graphic novels I just prefer the actual physical book, ya know? Sadly I think I have to face reality and accept that I‘m not going to get my hands on the physical one before March!