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It's a Privilege Just to Be Here
This debut novel pulls at the threads in the (cashmere) sweater of academia in a witty take-down of racial inequality at prep schools, perfect for fans of Such a Fun Age and Little Fires Everywhere.
Wesley Friends School is Washington, DC’s most prestigious prep school, so of course Aki Hiyashi-Brown is proud to teach at it and send her daughter Meg there. Why wouldn't she be proud? Parents kill to have their kid enrolled at Wesley. Not only is Wesley the premier academic destination for the children of the capital elite, but it’s all about "Diversity, Achievement, Collegiality," as all of their every glossy brochures will tell you. Aki should know. As one of the few teachers of color on staff, her face is plastered on every piece of marketing material the school puts out.
But when someone graffities "Make Wesley White Again" on campus, it exposes dangerous fault lines in the school community—ones Aki may have spent a lifetime learning to ignore. But her headstrong daughter Meg, and Meg's similarly impassioned classmates, aren’t willing to let slide.
Before Aki can sort out her own feelings about the hate crime, the school's administration jumps into crisis management mode and assigns Aki as head of the Racial Equity Task Force—a cobbled-together initiative that has a big name and no little actual power. Between hasty changes to the curriculum and an anonymous instagram account documenting a history of racism on campus, Aki finds herself caught in the crossfire.
Written with the keen eye of a prep school insider, It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here is a piercing takedown of the American institution of prep schools and a searing perspective on the growing tensions between generations with different ideas of how to fight for what you believe in.
Wesley Friends School is Washington, DC’s most prestigious prep school, so of course Aki Hiyashi-Brown is proud to teach at it and send her daughter Meg there. Why wouldn't she be proud? Parents kill to have their kid enrolled at Wesley. Not only is Wesley the premier academic destination for the children of the capital elite, but it’s all about "Diversity, Achievement, Collegiality," as all of their every glossy brochures will tell you. Aki should know. As one of the few teachers of color on staff, her face is plastered on every piece of marketing material the school puts out.
But when someone graffities "Make Wesley White Again" on campus, it exposes dangerous fault lines in the school community—ones Aki may have spent a lifetime learning to ignore. But her headstrong daughter Meg, and Meg's similarly impassioned classmates, aren’t willing to let slide.
Before Aki can sort out her own feelings about the hate crime, the school's administration jumps into crisis management mode and assigns Aki as head of the Racial Equity Task Force—a cobbled-together initiative that has a big name and no little actual power. Between hasty changes to the curriculum and an anonymous instagram account documenting a history of racism on campus, Aki finds herself caught in the crossfire.
Written with the keen eye of a prep school insider, It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here is a piercing takedown of the American institution of prep schools and a searing perspective on the growing tensions between generations with different ideas of how to fight for what you believe in.
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First published June 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 30, 2024
It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here was not the book I was expecting it to be. It’s political fiction (sort of), and that’s not good or bad — I think I was expecting something darker, moodier, or mysterious. The cover depicts someone enshrouded in darkness, and I made a leap I shouldn’t have.
The characters in the book vary as to how well they are developed. We learn the most about the main character: a teacher at a very prestigious private school. She is also Meg’s mother; Meg is a junior wrapped up in a fight for equality at her school. I wish we could’ve gained more insight into Meg; her and her mother spend the whole book essentially avoiding talking to each other, so Meg is rather underdeveloped.
Are there ever some truly insufferable characters in this book: entitled and cruel parents and administrators who are only focused on donations, not students, teachers, or their school as a whole.
As a teacher, the MC, Aki, is bullied (putting it nicely), her daughter is accused of the same, and there are scores of tortured young students who are LGBTQ, POC, girls (read: not the school’s preferred gender), and more. The school is essentially led by very influential (read rich) and selfish admins, parents, and kids. The very loud but few make life untenable for the vast majority of the school community.
There is a slight whodunit in this book, but it wasn’t as gripping as I had hoped (it’s something I can actually see happening in a school environment). Also, while there is an epilogue, the ending doesn’t seem satisfying. We go the entire book hearing about racism, classism, sexism, and I was so angry for all these people, and the book kind of ends with a summarized epilogue. Which, fine, but the entire book is infuriating and in the end, I wanted to see some detailed justice, but we get a high-level summarized end in the form of an epilogue.
Overall, an interesting book that seems to take on too much. If awareness is the goal of the book, it certainly accomplishes that. But no real solutions are offered, which I guess spotlights just how unsolvable all the problems feel.
The characters in the book vary as to how well they are developed. We learn the most about the main character: a teacher at a very prestigious private school. She is also Meg’s mother; Meg is a junior wrapped up in a fight for equality at her school. I wish we could’ve gained more insight into Meg; her and her mother spend the whole book essentially avoiding talking to each other, so Meg is rather underdeveloped.
Are there ever some truly insufferable characters in this book: entitled and cruel parents and administrators who are only focused on donations, not students, teachers, or their school as a whole.
As a teacher, the MC, Aki, is bullied (putting it nicely), her daughter is accused of the same, and there are scores of tortured young students who are LGBTQ, POC, girls (read: not the school’s preferred gender), and more. The school is essentially led by very influential (read rich) and selfish admins, parents, and kids. The very loud but few make life untenable for the vast majority of the school community.
There is a slight whodunit in this book, but it wasn’t as gripping as I had hoped (it’s something I can actually see happening in a school environment). Also, while there is an epilogue, the ending doesn’t seem satisfying. We go the entire book hearing about racism, classism, sexism, and I was so angry for all these people, and the book kind of ends with a summarized epilogue. Which, fine, but the entire book is infuriating and in the end, I wanted to see some detailed justice, but we get a high-level summarized end in the form of an epilogue.
Overall, an interesting book that seems to take on too much. If awareness is the goal of the book, it certainly accomplishes that. But no real solutions are offered, which I guess spotlights just how unsolvable all the problems feel.
May 14, 2024
I’m really impressed that this is a debut novel. In It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here Emma Sasaki created a story full of compelling characters, social commentary, and a fast-paced plot. Aki Hayashi-Brown has been a teacher at the prestigious Wesley Friends School for years. It’s one of the schools where Washington DC elites send their children. When someone graffities “Make Wesley White Again” on the school, tensions break out within the teachers, students, and parents.
I felt like this story was such a great exploration of the hypocrisy that can arise when people are trying to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Aki is one of the few teachers of color at the school and is always featured in marketing material to make Wesley seem more diverse. After the graffiti she is appointed to be the head of the Racial Equity Task Force, but they don’t really take her opinions into account. It’s all about the image rather than making real change to find the culprit and help minority students feel safe.
There were also interesting conversations about the generational divide in how people deal with microaggressions and bigotry. When Aki was a child her parents encouraged her to just ignore things that were said to her, and that’s basically what she tried to do. While her daughter Meg finds it important to fight for what she believes in and try to make real change happen.
While this book does tackle a lot of big conversations about important topics, it’s also a fun read. There are plenty of moments that are poking fun at the elite parents and the ways that they act when creating school fundraisers or just being out of touch with the rest of the world. There’s also some really great moments of friendship between Aki and a few of the other teachers at the school.
Overall this was a quick, fun read that broaches some big topics about privilege, racism, inequality, and how to fight for social change. Definitely check it out if it sounds interesting to you!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I felt like this story was such a great exploration of the hypocrisy that can arise when people are trying to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Aki is one of the few teachers of color at the school and is always featured in marketing material to make Wesley seem more diverse. After the graffiti she is appointed to be the head of the Racial Equity Task Force, but they don’t really take her opinions into account. It’s all about the image rather than making real change to find the culprit and help minority students feel safe.
There were also interesting conversations about the generational divide in how people deal with microaggressions and bigotry. When Aki was a child her parents encouraged her to just ignore things that were said to her, and that’s basically what she tried to do. While her daughter Meg finds it important to fight for what she believes in and try to make real change happen.
While this book does tackle a lot of big conversations about important topics, it’s also a fun read. There are plenty of moments that are poking fun at the elite parents and the ways that they act when creating school fundraisers or just being out of touch with the rest of the world. There’s also some really great moments of friendship between Aki and a few of the other teachers at the school.
Overall this was a quick, fun read that broaches some big topics about privilege, racism, inequality, and how to fight for social change. Definitely check it out if it sounds interesting to you!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2023
I am stunned that this is a debut novel! So well written in terms of plot, description and characters. As someone who works at a school that is quite similar, I can tell you everything that happened rang all-too-tru.
In It's a Privilege we meet veteran teacher Aki, a daughter of Japanese immigrants who works at a very prestigious prep school in DC to ensure that her daughter has access to the best education she can provide.
Unfortunately, like most prep schools, the parents are over the top and the wealthiest parents tend to behave the most badly. When Aki's daughter is involved in a series of events that pull back the cheery facade of the school to reveal the institutional racism beneath, Aki's first inclination is to council her to stay silent. Meg is part of the new generation however and only makes her voice louder.
When the school admin put Aki in charge of the Racial Take Force, she feels more than ever that she is unable to speak up. As the rumors fly and social media speculates, Aki is forced closer and closer to taking a stand. It goes against her upbringing and would put the welfare of her child and her own employment at risk. Does she have the nerve?
Just loved it! It was like being at work with just a few more funnier friends! If you like the books that poke fun at bureaucracy, enjoy stories that shed light on institutional racism or just love a prep school romp - this book is for you! Excellent job Emma Sasaki, can't wait to see what you write next!
#alcovepress #itsaprivilegejusttobehere #emmasasaki
In It's a Privilege we meet veteran teacher Aki, a daughter of Japanese immigrants who works at a very prestigious prep school in DC to ensure that her daughter has access to the best education she can provide.
Unfortunately, like most prep schools, the parents are over the top and the wealthiest parents tend to behave the most badly. When Aki's daughter is involved in a series of events that pull back the cheery facade of the school to reveal the institutional racism beneath, Aki's first inclination is to council her to stay silent. Meg is part of the new generation however and only makes her voice louder.
When the school admin put Aki in charge of the Racial Take Force, she feels more than ever that she is unable to speak up. As the rumors fly and social media speculates, Aki is forced closer and closer to taking a stand. It goes against her upbringing and would put the welfare of her child and her own employment at risk. Does she have the nerve?
Just loved it! It was like being at work with just a few more funnier friends! If you like the books that poke fun at bureaucracy, enjoy stories that shed light on institutional racism or just love a prep school romp - this book is for you! Excellent job Emma Sasaki, can't wait to see what you write next!
#alcovepress #itsaprivilegejusttobehere #emmasasaki
April 13, 2024
I loved It's a Privilege Just to be Here by Emma Sasaki
This book is told from the perspective of Aki, a teacher at a (fictional) prestigious Quaker private prep school in DC, known for having alumni that include the president's children. Aki's daughter Meg attends the school and is a junior, and while both Aki and Meg experience microaggressions and prejudice on a regular basis at the school, Aki firmly believes that by getting Meg to graduate from this prestigious school she is helping set her on the right path for college and beyond. When Meg is caught up in a scandal related to racism and graffiti at the school, and Aki is thrust by the school's admin into a made-up smoke screen of a DEI position, this goal of getting Meg to graduation seems more and more complicated.
Filled with unique or diverse perspectives, such as the Quaker school, the experiences of Japanese-American women, and the elite private school students and parents, this book is super interesting! I loved the weaving in of the social media posts and chat forum quotes as it really gave you the feeling of being part of this school community. I work in a higher income community and sometimes I see these attempts to use privilege and power in negative ways, so I could relate to some of what was going on in the story. I also could relate to Aki's constant balancing act and how much gets thrown on her by admin and parents! Teachers or anyone familiar with private or elite schools will see some connections for sure. This book is a really great opportunity to consider and reflect on racist assumptions, microaggressions and the experiences of minorities in prestigious schools. It also gives some great insight into what happens when organizations pretend to address racism and prejudice but don't actually put the work in to support the diverse members of the workplace or community.
Thanks so much to @netgalley and the publisher @crookedlanebooks @alcovepress for giving me the chance to read and review this awesome book. It's pubdate is June (I believe) so definitely get this on the preorder now!
This book is told from the perspective of Aki, a teacher at a (fictional) prestigious Quaker private prep school in DC, known for having alumni that include the president's children. Aki's daughter Meg attends the school and is a junior, and while both Aki and Meg experience microaggressions and prejudice on a regular basis at the school, Aki firmly believes that by getting Meg to graduate from this prestigious school she is helping set her on the right path for college and beyond. When Meg is caught up in a scandal related to racism and graffiti at the school, and Aki is thrust by the school's admin into a made-up smoke screen of a DEI position, this goal of getting Meg to graduation seems more and more complicated.
Filled with unique or diverse perspectives, such as the Quaker school, the experiences of Japanese-American women, and the elite private school students and parents, this book is super interesting! I loved the weaving in of the social media posts and chat forum quotes as it really gave you the feeling of being part of this school community. I work in a higher income community and sometimes I see these attempts to use privilege and power in negative ways, so I could relate to some of what was going on in the story. I also could relate to Aki's constant balancing act and how much gets thrown on her by admin and parents! Teachers or anyone familiar with private or elite schools will see some connections for sure. This book is a really great opportunity to consider and reflect on racist assumptions, microaggressions and the experiences of minorities in prestigious schools. It also gives some great insight into what happens when organizations pretend to address racism and prejudice but don't actually put the work in to support the diverse members of the workplace or community.
Thanks so much to @netgalley and the publisher @crookedlanebooks @alcovepress for giving me the chance to read and review this awesome book. It's pubdate is June (I believe) so definitely get this on the preorder now!
June 11, 2024
There were three reasons for me requesting this book, first was the cover and the title. Seriously what a cover and the title!!! Second was the premises , it was intriguing. It's been sometime I have read about racism and as I have loved The hate u give, I thought this would definitely be an enjoyable and woke read. Third was of course dreamscape media.
It's a privilege just to be here handles a very important topic and yet fails to deliver it. The book is full of unnecessary details and fillers which doesn't really add to the story. The conversations between characters felt off and not serious to the level of the topic it has been dealing with. It is slow paced and I didn't really care for anyone and I'm not sure why.
The audiobook narration is good so it wasn't about the narration but the content which failed to grab my attention. I had to push myself to complete the book, at times thought of DNFing too. It doesn't get better. I could relate to Aki, most of the times I'm like her too or even if I try to fight back, I'm good I'm over reacting so I could understand Aki and her situation quite well yet it did not made me feel anything for her or Meg.
This book makes you question if it is really worth leaving one's Country to become citizen of another where you will always be a foreigner. For human beings, a sense of belonging has always mattered and it raises the question if laying low to be accepted in another place is the right thing to do or fighting back to stand up for yourself is.
Even when it deals with such an important and existential topic it fails to deliver the impact it is supposed to.
Narration : 3.5 stars
Book rating : 2.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
It's a privilege just to be here handles a very important topic and yet fails to deliver it. The book is full of unnecessary details and fillers which doesn't really add to the story. The conversations between characters felt off and not serious to the level of the topic it has been dealing with. It is slow paced and I didn't really care for anyone and I'm not sure why.
The audiobook narration is good so it wasn't about the narration but the content which failed to grab my attention. I had to push myself to complete the book, at times thought of DNFing too. It doesn't get better. I could relate to Aki, most of the times I'm like her too or even if I try to fight back, I'm good I'm over reacting so I could understand Aki and her situation quite well yet it did not made me feel anything for her or Meg.
This book makes you question if it is really worth leaving one's Country to become citizen of another where you will always be a foreigner. For human beings, a sense of belonging has always mattered and it raises the question if laying low to be accepted in another place is the right thing to do or fighting back to stand up for yourself is.
Even when it deals with such an important and existential topic it fails to deliver the impact it is supposed to.
Narration : 3.5 stars
Book rating : 2.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
July 15, 2024
It's a Privilege Just to Be Here has a very promising premise, but unfortunately falls short on delivering an engrossing story. The main characters, Aki and Meg, are not empathetic. Aki is more worried about keeping her daughter in the prestigious Westley Friends School than she is about understanding her and repairing their relationship. Meg is a self-righteous, disrespectful teenage girl who never considers the consequences of her actions. The pace of the plot is slow because there is so much detail about the manners and fashions of the elite parents and students of the school. As a person of color reading the story, its stand-out feature is the description of feelings felt by minorities. Nevertheless, this is not enough to save the story from being mediocre.
March 14, 2025
Two stars feels harsh, because with less cheesy writing/dialogue, this could have been entertaining and insightful. But, as written, I found myself confused by this book. Beyond the most cursory and frankly toothless critiques of privilege... what is it trying to say?
If I was the editor, I would have advised the author to go all-in and write a satire. While reading this, I kept thinking about the wonderful Disorientation by Elaine Hseih Chou... a campus novel / comedy about racism and wealth at an elite college. Both novels follow Asian protagonists who, at the outset, describe themselves as "apolitical" -- but experience "political awakenings" in response to on-campus scandals. In the process, Disorientation introduces an outrageously caricatured supporting cast, whose interactions with the protagonist exhume her own less-than-entirely-woke attitudes toward race as she comes to realize exactly how systemic racism has infected every corner of her life (while she was "distracted by her PhD" but actually trying desperately to avoid processing her trauma). This reckoning feels so real. And readers feel empathy for the main character as she confronts it. By contrast, It's a Privilege Just to Be Here tells the audience outright who the heroes and the villains of the story are, "sands-down" any complexity, and NEVER ONCE shows ANY character being held accountable for their privilege / racism -- those moments happen off-screen. To me, that's not a satisfying read.
If I was the editor, I would have advised the author to go all-in and write a satire. While reading this, I kept thinking about the wonderful Disorientation by Elaine Hseih Chou... a campus novel / comedy about racism and wealth at an elite college. Both novels follow Asian protagonists who, at the outset, describe themselves as "apolitical" -- but experience "political awakenings" in response to on-campus scandals. In the process, Disorientation introduces an outrageously caricatured supporting cast, whose interactions with the protagonist exhume her own less-than-entirely-woke attitudes toward race as she comes to realize exactly how systemic racism has infected every corner of her life (while she was "distracted by her PhD" but actually trying desperately to avoid processing her trauma). This reckoning feels so real. And readers feel empathy for the main character as she confronts it. By contrast, It's a Privilege Just to Be Here tells the audience outright who the heroes and the villains of the story are, "sands-down" any complexity, and NEVER ONCE shows ANY character being held accountable for their privilege / racism -- those moments happen off-screen. To me, that's not a satisfying read.
September 2, 2025
Акі Хаяші-Браун викладає в Ду-уже елітній школі в Вашинґтоні. Рівня "президенти віддають своїх дітей" елітній. Донька Акі там може вчитися тільки завдяки знижці для співробітників, тож героїня терпить дещо токсичну атмосферу на робочому місці з думкою про те, що принаймні її донька з такої елітної школи зможе піти в елітні університети і зробити кар'єру. А тоді в якийсь момент в школі з'являється расистське графіті, і школа влаштовує беззмістовну симуляцію реакції замість адекватного перегляду власних практик...
Мабуть, я дещо далека від теми цього роману, щоб до кінця зацінити саркастичні коментарі про елітність американських елітних шкіл просто в жанрі "саркастичні коментарі". Подій і розвитку персонажів тут, на жаль, трохи замало. Знаю декілька підліткових книжок, де аналогічні питання піднімаються у жвавіший спосіб. Але тут ми бачимо події не з точки зору підлітки, готової бунтувати проти системи, а з точки зору дорослої, яка звикла миритися з недосконалою системою. Зрозуміло, що поступовий прихід Акі до думки, що миритися таки не обов'язково - це важлива частина наративної арки. Але саме з точки зору оповіді такий вибір персонажки, яка спершу тільки спостерігає, створює ситуацію, коли, здається, авторка її переставляє як картонну фігурку, з одних декорацій в інші, просто щоб її очима показати і прокоментувати ту чи іншу сцену, а не щоб персонажка рухала сюжет власними діями. (Сюди ж і другорядні персонажі, які рандомно з'являються чи зникають з відряджень, просто щоб могли відбутися такі-то діалоги.) Ситуацію суттєво рятує Меґ (донька Акі) та її навдивовижу адекватні реакції на схиблену реальність - шкода, що протягом більшої частини тексту вона тільки гримає дверима і супиться, і на жаль .
Мабуть, я дещо далека від теми цього роману, щоб до кінця зацінити саркастичні коментарі про елітність американських елітних шкіл просто в жанрі "саркастичні коментарі". Подій і розвитку персонажів тут, на жаль, трохи замало. Знаю декілька підліткових книжок, де аналогічні питання піднімаються у жвавіший спосіб. Але тут ми бачимо події не з точки зору підлітки, готової бунтувати проти системи, а з точки зору дорослої, яка звикла миритися з недосконалою системою. Зрозуміло, що поступовий прихід Акі до думки, що миритися таки не обов'язково - це важлива частина наративної арки. Але саме з точки зору оповіді такий вибір персонажки, яка спершу тільки спостерігає, створює ситуацію, коли, здається, авторка її переставляє як картонну фігурку, з одних декорацій в інші, просто щоб її очима показати і прокоментувати ту чи іншу сцену, а не щоб персонажка рухала сюжет власними діями. (Сюди ж і другорядні персонажі, які рандомно з'являються чи зникають з відряджень, просто щоб могли відбутися такі-то діалоги.) Ситуацію суттєво рятує Меґ (донька Акі) та її навдивовижу адекватні реакції на схиблену реальність - шкода, що протягом більшої частини тексту вона тільки гримає дверима і супиться, і на жаль .
January 10, 2025
One of my favorite professors wrote a book and you all should read it!!
Such a unique novel, you get a deep dive into a world many of us are unfamiliar with and it leaves you questioning your own role in the systems we live in (And if you’re familiar with DC its like a treasure hunt for places you know).
I really can’t recommend this enough, if you’ve fallen victim to my recs before and enjoyed them please pick this one up!!!
Such a unique novel, you get a deep dive into a world many of us are unfamiliar with and it leaves you questioning your own role in the systems we live in (And if you’re familiar with DC its like a treasure hunt for places you know).
I really can’t recommend this enough, if you’ve fallen victim to my recs before and enjoyed them please pick this one up!!!
March 9, 2025
3.5 stars
This one caught my eye from the start: an expose of private school parents (and students and facility) set in the private school community I know the best (DC), but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Sasaki absolutely captures the privilege and money and entitlement, but the book could use a little more “show” than “tell”. It’s very on the nose and direct, instead of bringing the reader along the way of learning about the characters.
All in all, always fun to read a novel set in your backyard, and it’s hopefully a useful mirror for certain readers on their communities.
This one caught my eye from the start: an expose of private school parents (and students and facility) set in the private school community I know the best (DC), but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Sasaki absolutely captures the privilege and money and entitlement, but the book could use a little more “show” than “tell”. It’s very on the nose and direct, instead of bringing the reader along the way of learning about the characters.
All in all, always fun to read a novel set in your backyard, and it’s hopefully a useful mirror for certain readers on their communities.
November 16, 2024
2.5 stars
January 5, 2024
5/5 stars amazing! From the first page I was so invested in this book. The plot and the characters were so well thought out and developed. I found myself rooting for Aki and Meg and so enraged at Claire and the other parents at Wesley. This book is so important because racism is still such an issue everyday. This isn’t some fantasy book that we know isn’t real. No, these are issues that are happening all the time and so many people sweep this under the rug. Ugh I will recommend this book to everyone I know. This was an amazing start to my reads this year.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Alcove Press for giving me the opportunity to read/review this book!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Alcove Press for giving me the opportunity to read/review this book!
dnf
August 17, 2024dnf @ 35%
I really struggled to get into this. Felt very compelled by the plot but the book moved glacially and there were a LOT of characters and unnecessarily details provided imo. I also felt like the dialogue of some characters didn’t seem to match the tone of the story (eg Aki’s husband, Ian- I guess he’s just supposed to be a goofy guy? But I found his dialogue kind of strange)
I really struggled to get into this. Felt very compelled by the plot but the book moved glacially and there were a LOT of characters and unnecessarily details provided imo. I also felt like the dialogue of some characters didn’t seem to match the tone of the story (eg Aki’s husband, Ian- I guess he’s just supposed to be a goofy guy? But I found his dialogue kind of strange)
2024
October 8, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press
April 10, 2024
Ohhhh this book made me SO MAD. But like… that was the point. So its infuriating nature isn’t necessarily a point against it, so much as a point that something was working.
The book follows Japanese American Aki Hayashi-Brown as she teaches at an incredibly stuffy, predominantly white private school in Washington, DC, while also trying to parent her biracial daughter, Meg, in the wake of a graffitied hate crime on campus. Aki gets thrust into a performative role as equity director as her daughter rails against the institution on the side of social justice, and what comes out of this conflict is a conversation about race relations, normalized white supremacy and oppression, what we are willing to suffer as minorities in the name of assimilation, and when it is time to speak out.
As someone deeply embroiled in the social justice activism movement within higher education as a part of my day job on a college campus, this book was extremely on point to things I have experienced firsthand. That also meant I found myself marginally triggered throughout this entire book, as I just got so infuriated with the host of characters in the book that felt utterly soulless and bigoted. But they weren’t far from the reality of many privileged Americans, and that, again, is the point.
I will admit, I think the needle could’ve been pushed further with this novel. It works extremely well as an introduction to those who may not understand how racism and sexism both run rampant within education spaces, but as someone who knows and has experienced a lot of this, I was hoping for more than just “Well, the protagonist realizes racism is bad and she should stand up and say it is bad,” which is sort of how it felt by the end of the book. I think Aki and Meg are meant to show the generational divide between the older generation that was taught to absorb racism in silence, and the younger generation willing to fight loudly for equality, but I was still a bit irked in places where I felt that more could have been infused into the novel to make greater impact on the subject matter.
Also, as a small note—I read an ARC of the book, and thus understand there will be another round of revisions, but I did notice there were upwards of 10-15 instances in which information was repeated multiple times, whether about character backgrounds or about feelings/thoughts held by Aki. This repetition broke up the narrative and made the book structurally feel like it hadn’t been edited at all, and occasionally took me out of the story. I am hoping these issues will be resolved by the book’s publication.
Overall, this book was a good fictionalized expose on the struggles of minorities in educational environments normed to privilege white folks. I think more could have been done to make a statement, and the story could benefit from a heavy edit, but I enjoyed reading it on the whole. 3.75⭐, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads
*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
The book follows Japanese American Aki Hayashi-Brown as she teaches at an incredibly stuffy, predominantly white private school in Washington, DC, while also trying to parent her biracial daughter, Meg, in the wake of a graffitied hate crime on campus. Aki gets thrust into a performative role as equity director as her daughter rails against the institution on the side of social justice, and what comes out of this conflict is a conversation about race relations, normalized white supremacy and oppression, what we are willing to suffer as minorities in the name of assimilation, and when it is time to speak out.
As someone deeply embroiled in the social justice activism movement within higher education as a part of my day job on a college campus, this book was extremely on point to things I have experienced firsthand. That also meant I found myself marginally triggered throughout this entire book, as I just got so infuriated with the host of characters in the book that felt utterly soulless and bigoted. But they weren’t far from the reality of many privileged Americans, and that, again, is the point.
I will admit, I think the needle could’ve been pushed further with this novel. It works extremely well as an introduction to those who may not understand how racism and sexism both run rampant within education spaces, but as someone who knows and has experienced a lot of this, I was hoping for more than just “Well, the protagonist realizes racism is bad and she should stand up and say it is bad,” which is sort of how it felt by the end of the book. I think Aki and Meg are meant to show the generational divide between the older generation that was taught to absorb racism in silence, and the younger generation willing to fight loudly for equality, but I was still a bit irked in places where I felt that more could have been infused into the novel to make greater impact on the subject matter.
Also, as a small note—I read an ARC of the book, and thus understand there will be another round of revisions, but I did notice there were upwards of 10-15 instances in which information was repeated multiple times, whether about character backgrounds or about feelings/thoughts held by Aki. This repetition broke up the narrative and made the book structurally feel like it hadn’t been edited at all, and occasionally took me out of the story. I am hoping these issues will be resolved by the book’s publication.
Overall, this book was a good fictionalized expose on the struggles of minorities in educational environments normed to privilege white folks. I think more could have been done to make a statement, and the story could benefit from a heavy edit, but I enjoyed reading it on the whole. 3.75⭐, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads
*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
May 9, 2024
This is the type of book that should be required reading for humanity.
Thank
You to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audio Arc of this title in exchange for my honest review.
I love boarding school/ private school stories and this one took it a step further. While it’s technically fiction the Authors note at the beginning tells you that it’s mostly all true and just that names and identifiable information has been changed to protect the guilty.
This is a perfect example of “Write what you know,” scaly when you have a good story and something meaningful to say. The Novel delves into the privilege of the American Private school set and the experience of an Asian American teacher who also has her daughter attends the Private Quaker school and delves into the white privilege, financial privilege, racism, sexism, classism… basically all the “isms” that people of color face ever day. However, it is accomplished with a ton of snark and self deprecation and you do not feel like you’re being preached at.
I think it’s a must for teens as well as parents to get a glimpse into people experience as this words attempts to correct wrongs. If this book wasn’t facts one would say that it falls to a lot of stereotypes that people put on others and tropes but instead it exposes where those things come from.
While you’re learning something, you also get a riveting answer engaging boarding house story. It’s a win win!
The only thing I didn’t care for as much was the narrator due to her extremely slow read of it. Unfortunately speeding it up to 1.25x (the lowest increase you can do on NetGalley) makes it difficult to listen to because of the speed but also because how she recites the book, it doesn’t work well at the increased speed.
So I do recommend the physical book/ ebook over the audiobook if you have the option.
I give this book a 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 because Goodreads hasn’t entered this century yet and Gail’s to have partial stars like other apps.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
Thank
You to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audio Arc of this title in exchange for my honest review.
I love boarding school/ private school stories and this one took it a step further. While it’s technically fiction the Authors note at the beginning tells you that it’s mostly all true and just that names and identifiable information has been changed to protect the guilty.
This is a perfect example of “Write what you know,” scaly when you have a good story and something meaningful to say. The Novel delves into the privilege of the American Private school set and the experience of an Asian American teacher who also has her daughter attends the Private Quaker school and delves into the white privilege, financial privilege, racism, sexism, classism… basically all the “isms” that people of color face ever day. However, it is accomplished with a ton of snark and self deprecation and you do not feel like you’re being preached at.
I think it’s a must for teens as well as parents to get a glimpse into people experience as this words attempts to correct wrongs. If this book wasn’t facts one would say that it falls to a lot of stereotypes that people put on others and tropes but instead it exposes where those things come from.
While you’re learning something, you also get a riveting answer engaging boarding house story. It’s a win win!
The only thing I didn’t care for as much was the narrator due to her extremely slow read of it. Unfortunately speeding it up to 1.25x (the lowest increase you can do on NetGalley) makes it difficult to listen to because of the speed but also because how she recites the book, it doesn’t work well at the increased speed.
So I do recommend the physical book/ ebook over the audiobook if you have the option.
I give this book a 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 because Goodreads hasn’t entered this century yet and Gail’s to have partial stars like other apps.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
June 8, 2024
It's a Privilege Just to Be Here by Emma Sasaki and narrated by Cindy Kay is simply outstanding
Aki Hayashi-Brown teaches at the prestigious Wesley Friends School in Washington DC. Her daughter Meg (Megume) also attends the school, a brilliant student, but only able to attend because Aki is a teacher. Aki follows the rules, staying under the radar, not tipping the boat, but Meg is far more outspoken
Aki's husband is away on a research project, but he is not Megs father. Megs father was Aki's professor, a man who dropped her the minute he found out she was pregnant. But fathers take many forms and Aki's husband is a wonderful steadying force between mother and daughter and tehy both adore him
All is hunky dory until a racist statement is spray painted on teh campus and the schools administration scoots into action, to prove to the country that they are diverse and intolerant of racism. BUt Aki comes to realise, through her own observations and Megs actions, that she is being used as a "token", so the high-profile school of the Washington "elite" can retain it's facade of diversity and equity. But a facade is exactly what it is and Mother and daughter, once divided, come together in a shared fight for equality
A stunning novel that had me listening intently throughout. A brilliant observation of the social issues surrounding the "elite" prep school culture and the dark underbelly. Also, it is worth noting, that the author does not demonise, but celebrates those who are genuinely inclusive within the institution, while shining a light on those who are not
Huge props to Cindy Kay for this narration which was absolutely chefs kiss!
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Emma Sasaki and Cindy Kay for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Aki Hayashi-Brown teaches at the prestigious Wesley Friends School in Washington DC. Her daughter Meg (Megume) also attends the school, a brilliant student, but only able to attend because Aki is a teacher. Aki follows the rules, staying under the radar, not tipping the boat, but Meg is far more outspoken
Aki's husband is away on a research project, but he is not Megs father. Megs father was Aki's professor, a man who dropped her the minute he found out she was pregnant. But fathers take many forms and Aki's husband is a wonderful steadying force between mother and daughter and tehy both adore him
All is hunky dory until a racist statement is spray painted on teh campus and the schools administration scoots into action, to prove to the country that they are diverse and intolerant of racism. BUt Aki comes to realise, through her own observations and Megs actions, that she is being used as a "token", so the high-profile school of the Washington "elite" can retain it's facade of diversity and equity. But a facade is exactly what it is and Mother and daughter, once divided, come together in a shared fight for equality
A stunning novel that had me listening intently throughout. A brilliant observation of the social issues surrounding the "elite" prep school culture and the dark underbelly. Also, it is worth noting, that the author does not demonise, but celebrates those who are genuinely inclusive within the institution, while shining a light on those who are not
Huge props to Cindy Kay for this narration which was absolutely chefs kiss!
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Emma Sasaki and Cindy Kay for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
January 15, 2024
Thank you to netgalley + Alcove Press for a copy of a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
It's a Privilege Just to Be Here is an incredible debut by Emma Sasaki—set against Washington D.C., her debut novel uncovers the racism that live within the wealthy, elite world of private schools and what one has to give up in order to fit in.
I really appreciated Sasaki's ability to use our main character, Aki, and her daughter as way to really dig deep into the differences between the generations' handling of racism — both overt and more subtle. I also appreciated the way in which key plot points were reveled; hinted at and and foreshadowed, every piece carefully coming together. While I, myself, was frustrated with the some of the decisions and choices Aki made, it was written in a way where the reader was still able to understand /why/ those decisions were made, even if we disagree or think we'd handle something differently.
I do think the pacing was a bit off — there were certain parts where I was speeding through the book, but other parts where I really was pushing myself to keep going. I also found the ending rushed; there was a lot to wrap up and I just feel like there could have been a bit of expansion.
Overall, I did really enjoy It's a Privilege Just to Be Here and the longer conversation of racism, intersectionality, and how to fight between what you believe in.
It's a Privilege Just to Be Here is an incredible debut by Emma Sasaki—set against Washington D.C., her debut novel uncovers the racism that live within the wealthy, elite world of private schools and what one has to give up in order to fit in.
I really appreciated Sasaki's ability to use our main character, Aki, and her daughter as way to really dig deep into the differences between the generations' handling of racism — both overt and more subtle. I also appreciated the way in which key plot points were reveled; hinted at and and foreshadowed, every piece carefully coming together. While I, myself, was frustrated with the some of the decisions and choices Aki made, it was written in a way where the reader was still able to understand /why/ those decisions were made, even if we disagree or think we'd handle something differently.
I do think the pacing was a bit off — there were certain parts where I was speeding through the book, but other parts where I really was pushing myself to keep going. I also found the ending rushed; there was a lot to wrap up and I just feel like there could have been a bit of expansion.
Overall, I did really enjoy It's a Privilege Just to Be Here and the longer conversation of racism, intersectionality, and how to fight between what you believe in.
December 13, 2023
Aki Hayashi-Brown is a teacher at a very fancy school, Wesley in Washington DC. Mainly to get her 17 y old daughter Meg (Megumi) to attend there for a reduced rate. The school is essentially a prep school for the Ivys and attended by mostly kids with filthy rich parents and thus students devoid of any notion of injustice or lack of something.
At the start, the school gets vandalized with a racist slogan sprayed on the front of the school.
It unleashes a wave of events (which I will not spoil).
Aki is a very reserved Japanese-American gen X teacher, who is used and trotted out as an exemplary minority.
It’s very interesting to read the differences in thoughts and reactions of Meg and her mom. As Aki has always been taught to keep her head down, but Meg is ready to fight any injustice.
Each chapter starts with an anonymous post by a parent on dcparentzone.com. The posts are infuriating at times.
It kind of is mirrored in the insta account POC@Wesley. Being able to share stuff anonymously is not always good, but sometimes necessary. Sometimes its just to hide ones true nature.
The book deals with very difficult parents and their spoilt kids and racism on all levels.
It will make your blood boil. The book is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
At the start, the school gets vandalized with a racist slogan sprayed on the front of the school.
It unleashes a wave of events (which I will not spoil).
Aki is a very reserved Japanese-American gen X teacher, who is used and trotted out as an exemplary minority.
It’s very interesting to read the differences in thoughts and reactions of Meg and her mom. As Aki has always been taught to keep her head down, but Meg is ready to fight any injustice.
Each chapter starts with an anonymous post by a parent on dcparentzone.com. The posts are infuriating at times.
It kind of is mirrored in the insta account POC@Wesley. Being able to share stuff anonymously is not always good, but sometimes necessary. Sometimes its just to hide ones true nature.
The book deals with very difficult parents and their spoilt kids and racism on all levels.
It will make your blood boil. The book is excellent. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 27, 2024
It’s A Privilege Just to be Here has a blurb that says it’s for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Such A Fun Age, and I am here to say I fully support this endorsement! This book is a perfect companion to both of those novels, while also bringing its own singular voice to the table.
The story follows a veteran teacher Aki Hiyashi-Brown who works at a very prestigious private school in Washington DC; she initially took the job so she’d be able to send her own daughter, Meg, to the school, something that would have been impossible without the faculty discount/financial aid. However, in Meg’s junior year a racist message is graffitied onto one of the school buildings, and it brings a lot of the school’s more insidious beliefs and practices to light. Aki finds herself, a Japanese-American woman, caught between wanting her initial desire to simply be grateful to be present at such a prestigious institutions, and her daughter’s adamant demands to take a stand.
I absolutely devoured this book, and am blown away that it’s a debut novel. It is clever, hard hitting, and quietly provocative. Aki’s struggle is so well written; the relationship between her and Meg feels real and frustrating. You are supposed to feel mad at points in this book; I loved Emma Sasaki’s ability to draw out a moment so readers could truly feel it.
The audiobook was superb! The narrator did a fantastic job and I’d definitely listen to more books narrated by her.
Overall, this is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to see what else Sasaki creates!
The story follows a veteran teacher Aki Hiyashi-Brown who works at a very prestigious private school in Washington DC; she initially took the job so she’d be able to send her own daughter, Meg, to the school, something that would have been impossible without the faculty discount/financial aid. However, in Meg’s junior year a racist message is graffitied onto one of the school buildings, and it brings a lot of the school’s more insidious beliefs and practices to light. Aki finds herself, a Japanese-American woman, caught between wanting her initial desire to simply be grateful to be present at such a prestigious institutions, and her daughter’s adamant demands to take a stand.
I absolutely devoured this book, and am blown away that it’s a debut novel. It is clever, hard hitting, and quietly provocative. Aki’s struggle is so well written; the relationship between her and Meg feels real and frustrating. You are supposed to feel mad at points in this book; I loved Emma Sasaki’s ability to draw out a moment so readers could truly feel it.
The audiobook was superb! The narrator did a fantastic job and I’d definitely listen to more books narrated by her.
Overall, this is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to see what else Sasaki creates!
May 12, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audiobook ARC of this book!
The listening experience of this book was unparalleled! This novel felt like what the “Gossip Girl” Reboot should have done!
“It’s a Privilege Just to be Here” follows Aki, a teacher at Wesley Prep school as she navigates the tumultuous school environment after a racist comment is graffitied on school property. The school tasks Aki with being the head of a Racial Equality task force, and learns to confront her own past, and the future of her daughter who attends the school.
One thing that I loved about this novel was the exploration of parent-child dynamics. Since this book surrounds the private school setting, the reader gets to evaluate different parent/child relationships and the circumstances which affect them.
Every character in this book is allotted so much care to create a fully realistic and three dimensional figure. I loved how this book confronted generational approaches to race relations in academia. In addition to formulating a gripping plot, this novel presented necessary commentary in how academic institutions handle cases of racism. I would highly suggest picking up this book!
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audiobook ARC of this book!
The listening experience of this book was unparalleled! This novel felt like what the “Gossip Girl” Reboot should have done!
“It’s a Privilege Just to be Here” follows Aki, a teacher at Wesley Prep school as she navigates the tumultuous school environment after a racist comment is graffitied on school property. The school tasks Aki with being the head of a Racial Equality task force, and learns to confront her own past, and the future of her daughter who attends the school.
One thing that I loved about this novel was the exploration of parent-child dynamics. Since this book surrounds the private school setting, the reader gets to evaluate different parent/child relationships and the circumstances which affect them.
Every character in this book is allotted so much care to create a fully realistic and three dimensional figure. I loved how this book confronted generational approaches to race relations in academia. In addition to formulating a gripping plot, this novel presented necessary commentary in how academic institutions handle cases of racism. I would highly suggest picking up this book!
June 6, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley for sending me this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The beginning was tough for me. I'm not from the US and I never attended a prestigious private school, so I was lost with the names of universities thrown in, the way the system was working (it's not the same in France, I think ?), all the parents' names, all the students' names, all the teachers' names ! Moreover, it was an ARC, so not corrected, and it showed (mistakes, punctuation, repeats, inconsistency in names). There was also Meg : I know she was a teenager, but she was so aggressive all the time that I found it hard to like her or at least understand her. Aki felt so passive, too. All this got me wondering if I really wanted to read this, but I was doing it for free in exchange for a review, so I carried on.
At almost 40% of the book, I may have become used to all this, because I got more engaged with what was going on and the hypocrisy of the upper class showing through their verbose handing of the situation, refusal to really address the problem and, finally, their brutality and contempt. It reminded me of the French government. Same language, same privileged class that keeps itself to itself, same brutality. I also appreciated that not only racism was addressed via the story, but also equality.
Past that point, I was really engrossed and wanting to find out how it would all turn out, even if I wasn't very hopeful. I was happy to see Aki evolve. I just think the end would have been different in real life, let's be realistic. However, I really loved this novel and found it really good for a first try.
The beginning was tough for me. I'm not from the US and I never attended a prestigious private school, so I was lost with the names of universities thrown in, the way the system was working (it's not the same in France, I think ?), all the parents' names, all the students' names, all the teachers' names ! Moreover, it was an ARC, so not corrected, and it showed (mistakes, punctuation, repeats, inconsistency in names). There was also Meg : I know she was a teenager, but she was so aggressive all the time that I found it hard to like her or at least understand her. Aki felt so passive, too. All this got me wondering if I really wanted to read this, but I was doing it for free in exchange for a review, so I carried on.
At almost 40% of the book, I may have become used to all this, because I got more engaged with what was going on and the hypocrisy of the upper class showing through their verbose handing of the situation, refusal to really address the problem and, finally, their brutality and contempt. It reminded me of the French government. Same language, same privileged class that keeps itself to itself, same brutality. I also appreciated that not only racism was addressed via the story, but also equality.
Past that point, I was really engrossed and wanting to find out how it would all turn out, even if I wasn't very hopeful. I was happy to see Aki evolve. I just think the end would have been different in real life, let's be realistic. However, I really loved this novel and found it really good for a first try.
January 9, 2024
Who doesn't love a snarky book about a private rich kids school? It's like peering into the lives of the other. But Sasaki brings more to the table than just that through her diverse characters and their complex feelings. For those who enjoy Japanese culture, Sasaki gives an ample dose of it through Aki and her family. It also exposes the generational divide in a few different families and there is broad representation across the school faculty, parents and students. She leaves few issues untouched and does it with a fair amount of humor and humility.
At the beginning I wondered how stereotypical the characters would turn out to be and I had some hesitation, but with the whodunnit element the book is impossible to put down and is a satisfying romp. Sasaki managed to seriously address important issues and poke fun at the process at the same time. Kudos to her for that.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. The title is perfection!
At the beginning I wondered how stereotypical the characters would turn out to be and I had some hesitation, but with the whodunnit element the book is impossible to put down and is a satisfying romp. Sasaki managed to seriously address important issues and poke fun at the process at the same time. Kudos to her for that.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. The title is perfection!
January 8, 2024
"It's a Privilege Just to Be Here" offers a nuanced exploration of racial dynamics and privilege in the academic world. The narrative, while straightforward, carefully unveils a story that touches on racial microaggressions and the growing desensitization to racial antagonism. It manages to immaculately detail instances of the cynicism of white privilege. One of the standout features of this novel is the meticulous portrayal of the default yet necessary chaos before any social reformation. While the pacing may be deemed tedious initially, the story gradually gains momentum, delving into the cutthroat tension of societal complexities. "It's a Privilege Just to Be Here" is brilliantly written.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC
May 25, 2024
If you enjoyed The Other Black Girl and Ace of Spades, I think you should give It's a Privilege Just to Be Here by Emma Sasaki a try. I listened to it on audio and really enjoyed it. The narrator, Cindy Kay, made this a pleasant listening experience.
Aki Hiyashi-Brown is a teacher at the prestigious Wesley Friends School, a prep school in Washington, DC. Her teen daughter, Meg, is a junior at the school. Aki knows what a privilege it is for them both to call Wesley "home". At first glance, Wesley seems progressive and inclusive, but when a racist phrase is spray-painted on campus, people start taking a closer look at the school, including Aki. Aki suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she is appointed to be the head of the school's Racial Equity Task Force. Of course, the school would choose one of the only minority teachers for this role. Can she help calm the anger and fear of students, parents, and the surrounding D.C. community? Should she? Or is this an opportunity to finally expose the racism that still exists in America, even in places like Wesley which seem so welcoming and utopian from the outside?
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.
Aki Hiyashi-Brown is a teacher at the prestigious Wesley Friends School, a prep school in Washington, DC. Her teen daughter, Meg, is a junior at the school. Aki knows what a privilege it is for them both to call Wesley "home". At first glance, Wesley seems progressive and inclusive, but when a racist phrase is spray-painted on campus, people start taking a closer look at the school, including Aki. Aki suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she is appointed to be the head of the school's Racial Equity Task Force. Of course, the school would choose one of the only minority teachers for this role. Can she help calm the anger and fear of students, parents, and the surrounding D.C. community? Should she? Or is this an opportunity to finally expose the racism that still exists in America, even in places like Wesley which seem so welcoming and utopian from the outside?
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.
April 11, 2025
Pretty monotonous to read. I didn’t understand the mother’s motivations and lack of agency, particularly in defense of her daughter. Aki’s episodes of bad behavior were strange and I often felt like the daughter Megumi was acting more maturely. The lack of clear conflict resolution was the most maddening part of this read, especially since the lack of build in the plot made it feel like it took forever to get to the climax of the triple confession.
The side examination of the rich parents was unspecific in its criticism. The author seemed to waffle on whether they thought all rich families are problematic, or if some were less bad than others because of being “liberal” or “nice rich” — a distinction that seems pointless to make.
The side examination of the rich parents was unspecific in its criticism. The author seemed to waffle on whether they thought all rich families are problematic, or if some were less bad than others because of being “liberal” or “nice rich” — a distinction that seems pointless to make.
May 28, 2024
I have been loving the recent spate of books that examine the insidious racist ideals of the rich white liberal section of America. This is no different. The commentary about BIPOC's proximity to whiteness and privilege and the tendency to overlook racism and classism is really important as it emboldens rich white people to claim they're not racist while completely avoiding the work of antiracism by hefting it onto the BIPOC women in their circles.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Alcove Press for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Alcove Press for the ARC!
May 11, 2024
I can't believe this is a debut novel. The novel is so well written and really evoked strong emotions while I was listening to the audiobook. My heart broke for Aki and Meg as they attempted to connect with each other while also acknowledging their different upbringing and the time in history they were raised. A very powerful novel
August 18, 2024
The characters are navigating race, class, and social issues in their school, in their families, and within themselves. I saw a little of myself in all the characters: a mom of biracial young women, an educator, and a person who grew up pretty naive. Loved this!
October 20, 2025
Reflective and thought provoking novel - the complexities of race, racism, education, and income in this country. Set in DC and Md- private school with vetted emails and marketing but not following through via actions, including listening to and asking for the input of their entire community. Complexities of a mother daughter relationship were also a part of this story.
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