2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

I actually received this book as an ARC (my first and only ARC so far!) through GoodReads giveaways earlier this year before I joined this group. I was really excited to read it since, 1) like the main character, I am biracial and 2) I love reading work by second gen authors. UNFORTUNATELY, I was not all that impressed. Granted, the storyline and themes of potential homicide/suicide and familial discord were all way too depressing to try and tackle at the time I read it. (I was just in the first trimester of my pregnancy and pretty hormonal/nauseous/etc.,) But I got through it! Don't think I will ever try reading this one again, but I am curious to see how other people were able to get along with it....

My "official" review here.

I liked how Ng structured her book. All of her characters were fleshed out nicely. I can only imagine how tough it was to read this through a new pregnancy. Congratulations! Hope all your other books this year are baby-friendly! ;)

I just finished this book and was pleasantly surprised by how well the author layered the character's feelings, experiences, and perspectives. I can see how this would be an incredibly depressing first trimester read, Jasmine. I felt like the author did a really nice job of fleshing out the characters and I found myself being embarrassed for them at times and reflecting on times I felt similar in my childhood. I felt that Ng took what could have been a very boring, straightforward young adult novel and added a surprising amount of emotional layering to it. Overall, I was very impressed with this book.