Adventures In Bookland discussion

Have fun!

thank you ☺️

awesome! thanks for the thread!!

Chapter 1-8 (view spoiler)[ I'm loving it so far and the interactions between the characters are funny as well. Jayne's feelings about certain things in her life are interesting to read about and her relationship with Gina is hilarious when you think that Jayne literally works on jokes or funny quips to impress her therapist 😂 Her relationship with June seems odd right now since we don't know enough backstory to see why they've grown apart but it looks believable and I didn't like Jeremy so far but it could change in future though. I knew it's going to be a serious book about mental health and eating disorders, but it also has its charms too and I loved it.

Btw, do you know what she did after she went to sleep ? I thought maybe she puked under her bed before she woke up and that's why she cleaned it when she got back to class ? I'm not clear on that part (hide spoiler)]

Ch.1-8
Agreed! I'm really enjoying it so far! it's a heartwarming family/coming to age novel! and I'm excited to see how this story will turn out! cuz really there isn't a plot (kind of reminds me of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (idk if you read that :))...it's really reading about the life of Jayne!
(view spoiler)[also I have this gut feeling that June won't make it :'( and I'm not ready for it! like the way it's set up you can kind of guess what will happen...but you still have a small hope that it won't! (hide spoiler)]
and can I just say from the author's comment on the first page about the body itself...I was hooked! I knew this was going to be a POWERFUL read!
I'm loving the relationship between June and Jayne because it's so raw and real! it's sooo relatable! (like you said it's BELIEVABLE!)

that's a good question!!! I originally thought when I first read it, she just passed out drunk...but then was confused cuz she cleaned...
but after rethinking you're right! so in my head she passed out, got up puked because she was drunk or high (because in another part Jeremy accuses her for taking his weed/pot (idk if that's the same thing)) and then went to bed! so kind of like a black night because she was s*** faced :P

Ch.9-16
(view spoiler)[soooo from the beginning I felt iffy about Jeremy, but I can now say I DON'T LIKE HIM AT ALL!!! good job Jayne for taking the upper hand and telling him to get out! *fingers crossed* he will listen!

and I'm really enjoying the scenes where Patrick and Jayne text one another! like he's such a mysterious character right now, so I want to know more! and see if ever they will meet face to face :)

this book has Korean rep and I love that! And I love the culture is imbedded in this! I'm actually listening to the audiobook so I love hearing the language!! and I'M A HUGE FAN OF KOREAN FOOD!!! <3 and when they talk about the food they eat...yum!!! :D

I'm now excited for the scene where they will be together as a family! I want to see how it will play out!!

also there is a lot of Gilmore Girl references...did you watch that show by any chance??? :P
(hide spoiler)]

Oh thank god, I thought I might be the only person who's reading this book without any knowledge about Gilmore girls 😂

Chapter 9-16 (view spoiler)[ I didn't like Jeremy as well, I'm okay if a person want to pursue a polyamorous relationship but his other actions didn't leave him in a positive light for me, like the fact that he hasn't paid his side of the rent for so long, leaving Jayne to cover for him even though he knew Jayne doesn't have anything going on for her as well. I liked her relationship with Ivy, I'm not labelling it good or bad, but it's nice to have someone who thinks about you ( atleast sometimes ) and Jayne needed someone like that from what I've read. I hope Patrick could be that person and I hope we get to read about him and more 😄

I love the korean representation as well, and I fell in love with the book when I saw the author's comment 😊 ( As a guy who binge eats sometimes and then worry about the gained weight, I feel represented somewhat 😂 ) and wow, audiobooks are a great way to read this book if they had bought in a Korean American voice artist to read that story 🥺 (hide spoiler)]

hahaha nope xD When they mentioned Friends I got excited cuz that's my jam!!! but nope no reference of Friends :'( just Gilmore Girls...and I feel I would enjoy it more if I did!

and agreed!!! and love what you said about Patrick giving her that "comfort" or having her fell good about herself :') honestly I think the type she's happy (like feeling okay) is when she texts him!

and yesss the one who is narrating the book is an Korean-American! actress!!! :D

by any chance have you read the other books of the author??

And there are some hilarious moments imbedded alongside serious moments and I like the writing style ( it reminds me of Sally Rooney ) and I think she was name dropped once in some chapter 😄

I love their nicknames and It's definitely heartwarming family/coming to age novel. I love reading about June and Jayne. Also I kinda think maybe Jeremy didn't move out from her home, because it felt like she's been living at June's for over a week ? I'm excited for what the next chapters have in store for us ( include a corny shop - lifting joke here ) 😂

(view spoiler)[ oh, that explains why she cleaned everything, I thought it was some case of bulimia but your reason sounds correct and also we are still not sure whether Jayne has any eating disorders, other than the fact she doesn't like eating too much because she's self conscious about it and gaining weight. So yeah, it's definitely due to weed and "douche-hole" ice-cream 🤣 (hide spoiler)]

Joyce wrote: "hahaha nope xD When they mentioned Friends I got excited cuz that's my jam!!! but nope no reference of Friends :'( just Gilmore Girls...and I feel I would enjoy it more if I did!

and agreed!!! an..."

I haven't but I'm definitely planning to check out her other books 😄 I already followed the author on Instagram and I think she's funny 😂 Also I would have loved it as well if there were Friends reference instead of Gilmore girls 😂😂

also I need to read Fangirl too, that's the third time I heard about this book this month ( in six days 😂 )

Surya wrote: "And there are some hilarious moments imbedded alongside serious moments and I like the writing style ( it reminds me of Sally Rooney ) and I think she was name dropped once in some chapter 😄

I lo..."

oh wow! I actually haven't read anything by Sally Rooney!!! I now need to check it out! (and the fact that it was mentioned in the book as well!)

and nope! I don't think Jeremy moved out! his things are still there!

Surya wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

wait noooo this makes sense!!! especially with the note from the author in the beginning with body image...you could be on the right track!

but also at the same time in the chapters for today when she meets up with Patrick (YAY!) she craves a smoke but then pukes...I'm doing research and it says smoking or smoke withdrawal affects the body

Headaches, nausea, etc. are symptoms of smoking or when quitting smoking (can you tell I know nothing about this! xD)

but its interesting looking into this!

so the fact that she doesn't eat well and puts these substance in her body...I guess I can see why she gets sick

Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "hahaha nope xD When they mentioned Friends I got excited cuz that's my jam!!! but nope no reference of Friends :'( just Gilmore Girls...and I feel I would enjoy it more if I did!

an..."

agreed! and what a coincidence I am actually wearing my Friends hoodie right now!

I'm curious I'll go check the author on Insta as well!

Surya wrote: "also I need to read Fangirl too, that's the third time I heard about this book this month ( in six days 😂 )"

hahahaha yess Fangirl is a very hyped book! I remember when it came out ppl were raving about it!!!

honestly I thought it was fine :) I could totally relate to the main characters! there were some great points! but personally I wouldn't give this a 5 stars :/ I gave Fangirl a 4 stars! And if you like graphic novels/mangas, it is being adapted in 4 parts! I read the first one and the illustrations is great!

Ch.17-24
(view spoiler)[
these chapters was great cuz we get to see closely the sister dynamic! I love the sister dynamic because it's not perfect! and that's so relatable! honestly it's just like me and my sister! how did you feel about the sister taking her school ID for healthcare? Honestly of course it's wrong for taking without asking but I understand why she did it! and I think Jayne understood that as well! Honestly, I was ready for Jayne to be more angry than that.

and Jayne and Patrick finally meet!!! I didn't expect it to be so soon! I thought they would still be texting. And the fact that they haven't met and talk in a while yet once they meet they connected so well! It's like they were always in each others lives! Their dynamic is everything!! I love their conversation on Korean culture :')

so looking back at my notes and reading what you wrote, I think eating disorder will be a theme here! she does care about her image, but it's also mentioned that she was "fat" when younger...it's not clearly mentioned about an eating disorder but I think it might be reading on! I think it will be brought up if they go and visit the family
(hide spoiler)]

Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "And there are some hilarious moments imbedded alongside serious moments and I like the writing style ( it reminds me of Sally Rooney ) and I think she was name dropped once in some ch..."

Oh she's awesome, but not everyone loves her writing style but I think she's great and witty. She always leaves a lasting impression after you complete her book, so that's awesome as well

Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

wait noooo this makes sense!!! especially with the note from the author in the beginning with body image...you could be on the right track!

but also at the same..."

That's true as well. I feel like maybe she did some extensive measures to lose her weight she earned in childhood ? She's always self conscious about what she's eating even though it doesn't feel like it, because korean foods just sounds so much awesome than normal food 😄 also I feel like she thinks she's really not fit right now, like she purposefully unbuttons her jeans whenever she gets back home. She might still be gorgeous, but she definitely thinks she's not fit right now. Maybe we might get a chance to explore her struggle or journey with her body from a young age in future chapters ☺️

Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "also I need to read Fangirl too, that's the third time I heard about this book this month ( in six days 😂 )"

hahahaha yess Fangirl is a very hyped book! I remember wh..."

now I definitely have to read it 😂

Chapter 17 - 24 (view spoiler)[ I love the sister dynamic as well, they are equal parts heartfelt and equal parts hard to read because I feel like June was more mean to Jayne in her childhood. She's not a bad person and I totally get why she acted like that at an young age ( no 11 year old would like to babysit their 8 year old sister all the time right ? ) And I think it's down to their parents negligence sometimes and I can relate to that, being a restaurant kid and all 😂

For your question, I think it was bad that June swiped her card and used it like that. But at the end of the day, I accept why she did that. What I can't accept is, she keeping it from her and acting like she genuinely cared about her little sister all this time since their meeting at club. It would definitely make Jayne feel bad, because her one need so far is for people to actually care for her and show her that they love her and June failed in that. But I still don't hate June for her actions, because she couldn't think of a better idea and actually it sounded like a solid plan when she said it and she does have cancer, so I guess I can't hate her ? 😂 And Jayne should definitely feel more betrayed and angry at her sister, but their relationship is kinda unique, so I don't know what the rule book would say for a situation like this 😂😂

I already love Patrick and his "commotion" and "loins" and I loved reading about his family and her sister and how a immigrant was treated in both America and in Asia ( or their native place ) and I love the korean words they use to call each other, it sounds cute ( I can't even explain that one 😂 )

I love the way the story is moving so far, we still don't know a lot about June's full diagnosis ? And I'm excited to read whether they will take the trip to Texas ? Or maybe Patrick will accompany Jayne ? And how Jayne acts around her mom, they've been distant for years now. (hide spoiler)]

Okay so I haven't read today's chapters (25-32) :/
but I'll do that now and get back to you!

Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

wait noooo this makes sense!!! especially with the note from the author in the beginning with body image...you could be on the right track!

but al..."

can I just say Korean food is sooo good!!! <3 I AM OBSESS!!! whenever they mention Korean food in this book it makes me so hungry!

Surya wrote: "Chapter 17 - 24 I love the sister dynamic as well, they are equal parts heartfelt and equal parts hard to read because I feel like June was more mean to Jayne in her childhood. She's not a bad per..."

agreed! and what you said it really goes with parents when they say to the kids that their not upset, but disappointed!

Surya wrote: "Chapter 17 - 24 I love the sister dynamic as well, they are equal parts heartfelt and equal parts hard to read because I feel like June was more mean to Jayne in her childhood. She's not a bad per..."

I'm excited to see how it will go! we are actually almost done! :D

It's been so good so far and I loved reading the current chapters ( 25-30 ) it almost gives us more insight on how these two sisters work their relationship 😄

Chapter ( 25 - 32 ) (view spoiler)[ Now, I have a appreciation towards June ? Okay, hear me out 😂, she's always mean and maybe she takes after her mom with that but she's also mentally strong and knows what she wants to do even in secondary schools. During the initial chapters, we didn't get to know her childhood and now with Jayne's recollection through school yearbooks ( I'm still mad at Jayne for tearing off pages from a library book 😄 ) we can see June's determined and doesn't conform to what everyone do and I think it's a special character ? What do you make of her until now ? 😂😂

I was disappointed when Patrick postponed the date, we still don't know for sure, the reason ( I just wish Jayne, for once to listen to her voicemails when she's alone 😒😂 ) I didn't like the Mom, I mean she's really brave to uproot her whole family and move with her husband to America and start fresh at an young age, but still she should have put more time for her kids. But sometimes she's sweet though. I didn't liked it when she slapped Jayne for putting her dress, that's just not the reaction I wanted to see there 🙄

I believe in Jayne's theory that the only reason June met Jayne that night is to seek for help even though she didn't actively plan on it. There are some tender moments between the sisters and I was legit scared when their mom jumped out of a moving vehicle to embrace her daughter's 😂😂 (hide spoiler)]

Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

wait noooo this makes sense!!! especially with the note from the author in the beginning with body image...you could be on the right t..."

haha, they do describe some amazing dishes and I was a bit disappointed when i realised that the restaurant they own in Texas, doesn't have an Indian cuisine but every other asian cuisine ( come on, it's still in Asia 😂 )

Surya wrote: "It's been so good so far and I loved reading the current chapters ( 25-30 ) it almost gives us more insight on how these two sisters work their relationship 😄"

exactly! and moving forward it's interesting cuz we get more family dynamic! especially with the mother which I find such a complex and interesting character! :)

Ch.25-32
that's exactly what I was thinking! I do feel like Jayne is a little like the mom, but it is definitely more present in June which is why they get along so well! so it goes with the relationship with Jayne! I do feel it's why they clash! personalities are very distinct and different...but what I do find very interesting is how despite how "harsh" the children still try to look for their mother's validation and acceptance but also love! :') especially for the fact that she left (which I'm curious to read on about and see the full explanation of why)

So my initial thought when reading this was how "harsh and mean" the mother is! She is very critical...but now thinking on it and analyzing her character development I agree with you! the mother really shows "though-love" and I agree with what you said! she does have her sweet moments! and you can really tell she loves her daughters! (I'm curious to see if we will see the mother open up and be more emotional and feel remorse for what she did!)

and we get more of an insight of Jayne with her body image!!!

and can I just the way the ppl at the church event went up to Jayne and commented "wow you look so skinny now, look at you, you used to be fat..." IS NOT A COMPLIMENT AT ALL!!! from a person who use to feel self conscious about my weight, it is triggering...:/

I'm at ch.38 right now! :) I'll fully share my thoughts in details when I finish today's chapters! but can I just say I was reading this while watching The Masked Singer (which is a really fun tv show) and it was mentioned in the book!!! (as I was watching!)

I GOT REALLY FREAKED OUT!!! xD like what a coincidence

Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Surya wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

wait noooo this makes sense!!! especially with the note from the author in the beginning with body image...you could be ..."

agreed! I have a friend from Sri Lanka and when we went to an Asian buffet she questioned why it didn't have any Sri Lankan food! (cuz technically it is in Asia ;)) so I get it!

Joyce wrote: "I'm at ch.38 right now! :) I'll fully share my thoughts in details when I finish today's chapters! but can I just say I was reading this while watching The Masked Singer (which is a really fun tv s..."

That's so cool 😂 I think I cried when I read Jayne thinking about June not having a chance to be a mother , when she thought about Hemingway's saddest story ever, "For sale: baby shoes, never worn" and related it to June.

Joyce wrote: "Ch.25-32
that's exactly what I was thinking! I do feel like Jayne is a little like the mom, but it is definitely more present in June which is why they get along so well! so it goes with the relati..."

It's definitely not a compliment and I was mad when that happened too, I'm self conscious about my weight too and they didn't even know that what they are doing is making other people feel bad. Like they could say that with love but still it would make me feel bad.

Chapter 32 - 40 (view spoiler)[ I actually liked that Patrick didn't tell Jayne about Aliyah 😂 I know Jayne deserves better and Patrick is a douchebag for leading her on like there's some future in their relationship, but people are like that in real world and I wouldn't have accepted if Patrick and Jayne had a story book romance and everything ends well 😂 Maybe it's my state of mind right now, but people are always disappointing and I think it would feel a lot better if I just don't trust anyone on anything, that way I won't be affected when they eventually disappoint, they all do 😂

I didn't know about Kakao talk before these chapters 😂 I felt really bad for Jayne after her short fling with Holland Hint, I knew it's not going to end well, but that was just awful and she lost her mom's ring too ( I don't know how her mom took that news ) June's getting better ( her character and other things ) each chapter and slowly she has become my favourite character in this book and I agree about the tough love you mentioned. June even mentioned that's how her mom shows love, so maybe it's how they were bought up.

I love June's new idea to get knocked up before her surgery. It gives her a chance to experience something she wants to without any problems or responsibility of taking care a child afterwards. Hope it happens with someone nice ( I don't feel good about getting knocked up by your ex - office colleagues 😂 ) For everything I wished yesterday, for Jayne to listen to her voicemails, I wish she put his number on block 😂 we still don't know the full picture but it did feel like he hided his relationship from Jayne. The only men I love in this story is Jayne and June's father ( I'm hoping I jinx it and in the next chapters we see their father cheating on her mother, making her leave for three months 🤣😂😂 ) jk

I was creeped out when that actor kissed Jayne and I still can't work out how Jeremy knows all these people 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Surya wrote: "Joyce wrote: "I'm at ch.38 right now! :) I'll fully share my thoughts in details when I finish today's chapters! but can I just say I was reading this while watching The Masked Singer (which is a r..."

aaaah same!!! the couple chapters leading towards the end made me so emotional! :'(

I finished the book!!!! :D

Ch.33-40
(view spoiler)[in the beginning I was so mad at Patrick for not telling Jayne about the other girl...but at the same time Jayne didn't tell anything about her relationship (meaning Jeremy...cuz I do believe they were friends with benefits :P) I actually think this is a great portrayal of a couple, or friends leading to being a couple because what this just teaches me is that COMMUNICATION is key! honestly I believe communication is so important to any relationship!

oh gosh....I need to rant about the old actor that kissed her! the fact that he says he hates how creepers hit on younger/underage girls and then puts himself on Jayne! WHERE IS THE CONSENT??? :/ it's all I could think of during that scene!

and honestly can I just say I'm enjoying reading about all these heavy topics <3
(hide spoiler)]

Ch.41-48
(view spoiler)[these chapters were so heavy and emotional!!!!
the scene of her eating disorder was so powerful!!!! It was real and raw!!! It made me so emotional reading this! My eyes were watering reading it! I didn't expect myself to get that emotional and I think it's cuz I got so invested in Jayne :') I love how she went to the meeting and found a place for her to heal!

so looking back at my notes, I wrote down the scene that really broke me was when June says to Jayne "to get better!" :'( that was such a powerful scene!!!!

so we both agreed that the mother may be harsh and critical, but she does care and love about her daughters! I said she shows tough love, but we really see how much she cares for her daughters when she shows up at the hospital :)

and we found out that the mother left to go to Korea! I now totally understand! so my mother took 3 months off work and went back to her home country because she was "home sick" but when she came back she said the trip was a type of what if! like if she didn't have kids, she would have been back there and working with my aunt :') and I feel like this was kind of what the mom of Jayne and June was feeling! and just needed some time away

and now for the ending :') was I the only one who thought it was sooo abrupt :P like I was listening to the audiobook and as I was listening to the last chapters it than went to the credits...I needed to go back and make sure it was really the end! It was really abrupt and open! which I usually don't like but for this one I kind of liked! this book really reminds me of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell! no plot and abrupt ending...but I feel that's what makes this story real!

I cannot wait to hear what you think! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 40 - 48 (view spoiler)[ I knew it, I had my doubts but I was curious from the first day that maybe she is puking intentionally for losing weight. It's a real thing and I know few people who does that and I'm thinking of recommending this book to them with a warning.

Initially I thought Patrick was similar to Jeremy, like I assumed he wants a polyamorous relationship but when I realised he knew Aaliyah for years, I just couldn't like him. Later on, when we realise it's a open relationship, I kind of started liking him, also he's really good to Jayne. I know June helped a lot by the end, but Patrick's influence is there too. Jayne wants to be loved like that by some person and she wanted that feeling since high school and finally she experienced it with her favourite person, back in the day.

The scene of her eating disorder was painful to read and it was really powerful and raw like you mentioned. I always had some doubts on what will set or trigger a person like that and I got some knowledge from this book on that. I really wish the store near June's apartment don't call the cops on her the next time she visits that shop for groceries thinking she's Jayne ( the number of people who couldn't differentiate between June and Jayne were so many 😂 )

June is definitely my favorite character in the book and I wish I had a sister like her. You were right, the sisters even show their affection the way their mom did, through tough love. I felt relieved somewhat when I read the part where June told her sister about how she always knew. June still has cancer but her sister's disorder is important too and it was nice that she asked her to get better and I think it was a certain weight to it, because it came from her cancer stricken elder sister.

That support group scene really knocked it out of the park. To have Jayne commentate on group sessions was a great idea. It was nice that we get to see Cruella ( Ingrid ) again 😂 I liked her. Most of all, that scene with everyone going about their disorders, just radiated hope. People who have similar disorders, would find that scene inspiring and it will definitely give them hope. After reading the acknowledgements, they can understand that this author went through similar things and came up stronger. It's nice that she credited her support group at the end 💜

About their mom, I can understand it. People are different anyways, it's not like we have a rule book for how a mother should behave in a home or outside ( there are still some important rules, but other actions are pretty much influenced by their moods sometimes ) and she still came back and loved her daughters like they were the only two people in the planet and worked 16 hour jobs for the rest of her life. I was glad that she took that time away and thought about everything with a clear head.

It was definitely a abrupt ending. I actually didn't wish to know the end of the surgery, I just hoped her mother would tell Jayne what Ji-soo means 😂 but I liked the ending anyways. I thought it's the best way to finish this book, with Jayne asking her mom questions she would have never asked at the start of the book. It signifies the amount of growth she had in the past few weeks ( can't believe the story is set over few weeks 😂 ) and the surgery is pretty easy routine anyways ( I checked ) and I'm glad June and Jayne will be there for each other from now on 💚 (hide spoiler)]

Surya wrote: "Chapter 40 - 48 I knew it, I had my doubts but I was curious from the first day that maybe she is puking intentionally for losing weight. It's a real thing and I know few people who does that and ..."

agreed! great thoughts! <3 :)