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Always Never Knowing
Always Never Knowing is a collection of stories following Jiavonna “Vonna” Cepeda as she navigates adolescence, from friendships and crushes to cultural identity and family dynamics. Each short story explores a different moment in Vonna’s life where she faces one question after another—about her home, her relationships, and herself. With both humor and wit, Always Never Knowing depicts the village girl coming of age in contemporary Guam.
- GenresShort Stories
148 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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July 12, 2025Local literature is difficult to come across where I am from, but whenever I am met with a piece from home, I hold onto it the same way nine-year-old me would have held onto a seashell—delicately, on an open palm. Revisiting Guam through the lens of someone else's past still ignites the same nostalgic feelings and memories I have of my own childhood. I laugh at the cultural references embedded in Guamanian speech and sigh at the end of each story as I am pulled out of the illusion that I am back on that tiny rock. Tyquiengco clearly writes from a place of love, from the people she has mentioned and the places from which she drew inspiration. I miss Guam dearly, and even if only temporarily, Tyquiengco graciously led me back and welcomed me with open arms.
March 16, 2026
I’m so proud to be who I am. A Chamoru-Filipina woman who has roots from one of the most powerful and resilient lands of the world.
Always Never Knowing illuminated parts of my heart I hadn’t thought of or felt in a long time.
It reminded me of growing up with my cousins, doing stupid shit and fighting just to make up the next day.
It reminded me of my mom and dad’s humanity - that they are still an inner child wounded and inspired by the world.
It reminded me of experiencing my first crushes, girlhood blooming into adulthood without fully realizing that I’m growing up, until one day I realize I have (and still am).
It reminded me that my upbringing around food, respect, Chamoru music, faith, and family will always be apart of me and guide me.
It reminded me of our value of inafa’maolek - to make things good for one another - even when things aren’t always feeling so good for yourself.
And even though I didn’t grow up on Guam, there’s so much of these stories that made me feel seen, thanks to the way my grandma and my parents carried what they lived and learned growing up on-island into my life.
What a wonderful read for this Chamoru-Filipina woman who was born and raised in the states, and yearns for home often.
Always Never Knowing illuminated parts of my heart I hadn’t thought of or felt in a long time.
It reminded me of growing up with my cousins, doing stupid shit and fighting just to make up the next day.
It reminded me of my mom and dad’s humanity - that they are still an inner child wounded and inspired by the world.
It reminded me of experiencing my first crushes, girlhood blooming into adulthood without fully realizing that I’m growing up, until one day I realize I have (and still am).
It reminded me that my upbringing around food, respect, Chamoru music, faith, and family will always be apart of me and guide me.
It reminded me of our value of inafa’maolek - to make things good for one another - even when things aren’t always feeling so good for yourself.
And even though I didn’t grow up on Guam, there’s so much of these stories that made me feel seen, thanks to the way my grandma and my parents carried what they lived and learned growing up on-island into my life.
What a wonderful read for this Chamoru-Filipina woman who was born and raised in the states, and yearns for home often.
January 23, 2026
4.5
Is this story about us? I really enjoyed the different stories and adventures Vonna goes through. Her stories remind me much of my own. What makes it even more special is that takes place on Guam. My first time reading a local book and I felt super immersed in the story. I would definitely recommend and re-read it!
#verytouching #wow
Is this story about us? I really enjoyed the different stories and adventures Vonna goes through. Her stories remind me much of my own. What makes it even more special is that takes place on Guam. My first time reading a local book and I felt super immersed in the story. I would definitely recommend and re-read it!
#verytouching #wow
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
5-stars for writing and publishing a book of short stories from the author's mixed (Chamoru-Filipina) heritage, and "local girl" perspective. Entirely myopic, it is truly a microcosm of life in Micronesia.
December 29, 2025
Written with heart, soul, and raw emotion, Always Never Knowing echoes the richness of Sandra Cisneros’s storytelling in The House on Mango Street. Tyquiengco’s coming-of-age story of Vonna’s life in Guam left me wistful and lingering in its pages long after I finished. I laughed out loud, let the tears well up, and felt my heart break.
March 29, 2026
3.5.
it’s such a great local slice of life story, but because i read the book over the duration of two months (instead of my usual one sitting for short ass books like this), i didn’t feel as strongly about the characters and stories.
love vonna harddddd,, but most of the chapters get left on a random note. like one second, something interesting builds up over the course of a chapter,, then it just falls flat.
+ i understand that it’s “kind of” like an anthology about vonna’s life, but idk maybe the anthology part just made the story lack a bunch of elements.
nevertheless, more power to local literature 🙏🙏
it’s such a great local slice of life story, but because i read the book over the duration of two months (instead of my usual one sitting for short ass books like this), i didn’t feel as strongly about the characters and stories.
love vonna harddddd,, but most of the chapters get left on a random note. like one second, something interesting builds up over the course of a chapter,, then it just falls flat.
+ i understand that it’s “kind of” like an anthology about vonna’s life, but idk maybe the anthology part just made the story lack a bunch of elements.
nevertheless, more power to local literature 🙏🙏
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews