so-soFrom his mid/late 30s Young looks back on his relationships as a young-ish gay man in Seoul.
Rather rambling narrative that frequently left me waiting for something to happen but even when it did, it didn't make much impact and was referred to so obliquely that it took me a while to realise what he meant.
No idea why it was longlisted for the International Booker.
"I took the elevator to the third floor of the hotel and went into the Emerald Hall."
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickI absolutely loved this book. The publisher (Haymarket Books) always has the most radical writings we need. Themes: feminist rage, pain, racism, domestic violence, immigration, queer love and relationships, death, and more. Her words are 🔥🔥🔥!
pickTwo knights with different world views are enemies in real life and friends and partners in a popular role playing game. There is a lot to take in but it was a fun way to receive it.
pickIt was good, a little overloaded between the plot & the magic system (a few things seemed convoluted). The characters were relatable & the metaphor to real world prejudice & atrocities came across well.
pickAudio. Jamaican island inspired story against dragon rider colonization? Amazing. The aspects of such were well written. The characters themselves, the sisters, were great apart. Together, I got lost to where the plot was going when they were split between their islands. First half was difficult to stay focused with, though the closing twists had me stop in my tracks. This was a fun listen and I‘m intrigued how the sequel will go about it all.
pickSuper cute. Fluffy romance, a fair amount of spice, a silly initial premise with an interesting side plot. Nothing super outside of the norm and if you‘ve read Hibbert‘s older works it‘s very true to her formula, which is fun, racy & inclusive but not breaking new ground (especially if you don‘t care for secret royals)
pickNancy Luo's former BF, Jamie Ruan, queen of Sinclair Prep, goes missing & is then found dead. Word quickly spreads that their friend group (Nancy, Krystal, Akil, & Alexander) are considered the prime suspects in Jamie's death thanks to anonymous social media messages by someone calling themselves 'the Proctor'.
'The Proctor' somehow knows the group's darkest secrets & threatens to tell all unless the guilty party admits they killed Jamie.
